1969 Oldsmobile 442 Review - The Big Block American Dream

Today from the vaults at Total Headturners, I'm taking out something rather different. A huge slab of Americana, this 1969 Oldsmobile is the desirable "442" model - and on a grey day in Essex, I try to understand what it's all about.

#Oldsmobile #442 #Classic

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[matthewgodwin]

That. That is the most glorious sound I've ever heard. In fact, I'd buy this car just for that engine note. It's fabulous.

[bobpachner]

Terrific riding along with you in the ‘69 442!
My mother had a ‘70 Cutlass S with the 442 suspension. Michelin radials, a Blaupinkt stereo and Marchal headlights. White, black vinyl top. 2 door. Car was stolen when it was almost 8 years old. A gem. Always fond memories. Performed beyond expectations for the time.
Thanks for the memories, Jay.

[alanscott]

Thanks i was waiting for this and it sure did not disappoint .
As a weekend toy American cars like this make sense, a home mechanic can work on them and you do not need to be doing a 100+mph to have fun .
The one big downside is fuel consumption, single figures can be reached quite easily but who cares when you look so good .

[grahamnutt]

Definitely a lost era that will never be allowed to return. Less than 10mpg I suspect lol but that engine is unlikely to be overly stressed.
The classic style number plate really offsets that nicely.
Big smiles from me 😊👍👍

[mtzhp]

There is a place for comfortable suspensions, unbolstered seats, wide torque bands and slow shifting automatics. I find myself driving the almost opposite approach to a drop-top, an S2000, in straight lines quite often. They didn't design comfortable cars on accident, they make sense all over most roads. It's just comfort, the sensation of a big low tech motor, and presence.

[robertwbingo]

When that car was new, we were only paying 23-26 cents a gallon for gas. And, we could go to the corner auto parts store and pick up suspension-stiffening parts for only a few bucks that would make it corner flat as a pancake. But, where these cars proved their metal (pun intended) was on the open road and interstate highways. With A/C and cruise control, you could easily cover 500-600 miles a day driving cross country. In those days, that was really traveling! Today, it's mere routine. Loved the review. It's interesting to get the POV from someone across the pond. Thanks!

[briandeaton]

I'm glad that the car was reviewed in the context of what it is; a comfortable, low effort convertible. Some reviewers make me want to slap my forehead when discussing the poor handling a minivan.

[sparky]

No tacho? No problem. Listening to that big lazy engine can probably count the revs yourself.

[stuco]

Brilliant, still have a monogram kit of a hardtop 442 sitting on a shelf at home that I built when I was a kid.
Sly Stallone rags one around nicely in Demolition Man.

[paulhymans]

Finally, a UK review of an American car that accepts them for what they are without silly comparison with European stuff !! Well done.

[nickbitten]

Blimey- i recall seeing stuff like this rumbling along in the Chelsea Cruise back in the 1980's. Life was simpler then. When i was younger, a colleagues son had a Dodge Challenger ' six-pack". Used to scare the crap out of the local Escorts/ Capris.

[pHilliUK]

Nice car.. would like something like this in my garage

[aidank]

My 1st Yank Tank was a Black/Red Velour trim 1978 Trans An 6.6 ltr T Top with the Big Golden Eagle on the Bonnet Stunning Car loved it however it handled sort of like my Boat I had it for several Years and when I decided to sell my old man had itI!!Had many American cars but not as daily drivers Corvette , Chevy Blazer, Mustang Gt Vert and currently locked away a 2017 Black/ Black Mustang 5.0 Auto Convertible (No Stick due to back Problems 😩) Always a pleasure to watch your Videos

[Onman]

I had one back ion the 80s. Lots of fun and a great head turner!

[ttsboywow]

Love these cars... My cousin in florida has a oldsmobile cutless supreme.. Amazing car... Amazing man

[jklmn]

Glad I came by for the beat down, and for the compliments on the reality of the experience. Loved your quite appropriate review.

[texleeger]

442s of similar vintage and the 400ci/6.6l [a 455ci/7.5l engine was available] achieved about 11 mpg. Sounds frightening. But fuel in the USA was about 35 cents (1969 dollar) per gallon. All are sufficient facts for a then 18 year old's convincing dear old dad a 442 was absolutely necessary for to and from school transport. If not, well, a Chevelle SS 396 or 454ci or even a Plymouth Roadrunner (383ci) would [sigh] have to make do in a pinch. Oh. And a lowly GTO might suffice too.
PS Dad, make sure you buy the Hurst shifter.

[Graham_Wideman]

7:25: "no logical argument for"... I dunno -- back in the late 60's, cars like this made a lot of sense for effortlessly cruising long distances on America's highways. MPGs? No problem with cheap gas.Eight cylinders? Nice to have a few spares. Huge size? Plenty of space inside to carry people and stuff, which you're more likely to want to do over longer distances, and the roads are big in the US. Wallowy ride and poor cornering? Highways have few corners, but they can have a few bumps where poorly maintained. Simple design? Perfect in case you broke down in some obscure place. All in all, they suited the time and place quite well, I think.

[donniemcfarland-rb]

So I have a 1969 olds 442 convertible and a 1968 olds 442 convertible. These cars are so easy to work on. No computers or high tech gadgets. When I take the 442 out it turns heads everywhere I go. I have a hybrid as well but the 442 rides better and is more comfortable to ride in. The fuel efficiency isn’t good at all in the Oldsmobile but you don’t purchase a car like that to worry about a few $ at the pump. I think I’m going to fire one of the old girls up right now and go for a ride! Love the video!

[Supradrew]

Brilliant video! Back in high school my friend Joey had that same car. Same color too. There was a guy at another school that had a Buick GS Stage 1 (same car but the Buick version) and they used to race all the time. Joey always lost, the convertible top is heavy. Lol 😁 look up the Buick sometime. 👍🏻