FEATURE: 1970 Oldsmobile 442

As we’ve already seen, at one point in their storied past, Oldsmobile was well-known for making some of the baddest street cruisers to ever rumble out of Detroit factories. An iconic model that attracted countless V8-loving fans to the Olds brand was their 442.

While production started in1964, it’s the 1970 model that most performance enthusiasts remember and adore. That’s because this was the year General Motors removed their engine size cap and allowed the monster 455ci V8 to be the standard powerplant under the 442’s hood.

One muscle car buff wooed over by the 442’s earth-shaking engine output, and attractive styling, was Dave Wilkozek.

“I had always been a die-hard Pontiac guy until a friend let me drive his 1972 Cutlass. I fell in love with it right then.”

That’s when Dave went out to get a ‘for-sale’ sign for his former ride, parked in his garage at home.

“Even though I loved my classic GTO,  I promptly sold it to buy a ‘68 Olds. That car was a compromise as I really wanted a ’70 but at the time the prices were too high. I waited until 2005 and that’s when I came across this ’70 442 in the middle of winter. I didn’t wait to grab it.”

His fully restored musclecar was located in Texas, having never left the state after being sold new at a dealership in San Antonio. Dave even has the original warranty book for the all-stock machine.

Underhood is the factory 455ci V8, mated to the the Turbo Hydra-matic transmission. The optional console-mounted Hurst Dual/Gate shifter lies between the front bucket seats.

In addition to its brute power, it was the marine-inspired paint that drew Dave to his new dream car.

“The paint is a seldom-seen color called Aegean Aqua. After several years of being out at the cruise nights and car shows, I’ve only seen one other Olds with it, and it was Toronado.”

His special teal paint was one of the three 1970 special order colors. The other two were Nugget Gold and Sebring Yellow.

While standing back and admiring it sure is fun but for Dave, nothing beats the on-road behind the wheel experience.

“The rumble of it is unlike anything on the highways. All of the new cars today are almost silent and too cozy inside. In this, you smell the gas and hear rattles but that’s ok – that’s how they were made. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Dave doesn’t have any serious future plans for his Olds other than adding a rear deck lid spoiler (a dealer option) and completing some minor interior work.

Looking back, Dave can sum up his new found Olds love quite simply: “My two favorite things about the car is its color and of course the sound!”