1976 Cutlass 442

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The 442, or the W29 option package was a popular option during the 73-77 years. The package included a sloped, waterfall style header (grill), upgraded handling equipment, and a bold stripe/number option, made this model stand out.  Multiple body/stripe color combinations were available.  1976 was also the final year that Oldsmobile's 455 cu. in. engine would be made available.  Other options were the 260 cu. in. engine mated with a 5-speed manual transmission, the rocket 350 cu. in. engine mated to the 3 speed automatic transmission, and the 455.  Only 143 cars were built with the optional 455 engine.

The combination of the 260 V8 and the manual 5-speed transmission made for good gas mileage, but a less than powerful drivetrain for a 442.

A majority of the 442's in 1976 were built with the 350 V8 and 3-speed automatic transmission, but it still had less than 200hp.

Only 143 442's were optioned with the big block 455 engine.  This was signified with the letter 'T' in the VIN code for the car.

Here is my friend Ken's '76 442.  His is one of the 143 built with the 455 cu. in. engine in 1976.  Car was bought and has stayed in Canada.  This is a great car, well optioned, and a fine example of a 1976 442.  Ken has enhanced the car with a VFN hood and a rear decklid spoiler.

The 442, or the W29 option package was a popular option during the 73-77 years. For the 1977 model year, minor changes were made to the W29 option package.  The sloped header now had horizontal grill slats,  along with the upgraded handling equipment, and a bold stripe/number option that were carried over from 1976.  Multiple body/stripe color combinations were again available.  1977 would introduce the one-year-only 403 cu. in. engine.  I believe only 300 or so 442's were built with the 403 engine. Other engine options that carried over were the 260 cu. in. engine mated with a 5-speed manual transmission, and the rocket 350 cu. in. engine mated to the 3 speed automatic transmission. 

As it did in 1976, for 1977 the combination of the 260 V8 and the manual 5-speed transmission made for good gas mileage, but a less than powerful drivetrain for a 442. 

Again in 1977, a majority of the 442's in were built with the 350 V8 and 3-speed automatic transmission, but it still had less than 200hp. 

In 1977, Oldsmobile replaced the 455 with the 403 V8 mated to the 3-speed automatic transmission. Only 500 Cutlass S 442's were built with the 403.

This is my friend Brad's '77 442.  This car is one family owned, has been featured in many publications, and has been used as a template for the stripe package and other options.