1972 Oldsmobile 442

The 1972 Cutlass 442 was one of the last true muscle cars offered by Oldsmobile. 1972 marked the year that the 442 lost its status as a model and once again became an option, as it had been until 1968. When the W-29 appearance/handling package was selected from a Cutlass (hardtop coupe), Cutlass S (club coupe or hardtop coupe) or Cutlass Supreme (convertible) base model, it included special grill and body striping, 442 identification badges and the FE2 suspension package, which featured heavy duty front and rear sway bars, special rear lower control arms, heavy duty shock absorbers and springs. The engines in the 442 were ordered independently, and over 92% of the buyers opted for the L32 (160 horsepower) or L34 (180 horsepower) 350 engines. Although the 455 big block engine was still available, only 7% of the '72 model Cutlass 442's were ordered with the 250, 270 or 300 horsepower big block engines, mainly due to skyrocketing insurance costs.