1967 Oldsmobile 442 W-30

Olds called their 1967 442’s the "Youngmobiles" . Ads called tires "boots," styling was "with it!" The Oldsmobile Cutlass 4-4-2 W-30 Performance Package Muscle Car was the sweetest, neatest, completest anti-boredom bundle on rubber. Another advertisement called the 4-4-2 Keeper of the Cool.

54 of the setups were shipped quietly by Oldsmobile in '66,  but the W-30 Force-Air-Induction System were given more play for '67. Of 24,829 4-4-2s built that year, about 500 got the $300 option. The original W-30 application was for the 360-bhp tri-carbV8, but GM restricted multi-carb outfits to the Corvette in '67. All 4-4-2s now had the four-barrel 400-cid V-8, which kept its 350-bhp rating even in W-30 form , though in reality, power and torque peaked 400 rpm higher in W-30s.

The W-30 induction system was more efficient than scoops that simply captured air running over the hood. It drew cold air from hidden  inlets above and below the parking lights and then ran it through two five-inch flexible tubes to a specially stamped air cleaner. Location of the inlets and arrangement of the ducting created a pressurizing effect.

To make room for the tubes, the battery was relocated to the trunk, which also helped weight distribution. W-30 engines weren't ignored, gaining a hotter cam, stronger valve springs, and higher oil pressure.

Newly optional front Disc Brakes enhanced road manners that already were tops in the muscle-car field.

The optional two-speed automatic transmission was replaced by a more-responsive Hydra-matic three-speed tuned for high-rpm upshifts, cars with the optional 3.42:1 and 3.91:1 gears got a new, high-capacity rear axle, and durability of the optional Anti-Spin diff was improved.

As for the W-30 package, the name may have been merely an order code, but it soon became slang for the ultimate 4-4-2. Many of these gems can still be found today, along with the broad smiles of their proud owners.