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September 14, 2022 by

1968 Oldsmobile 442

Original price: $3,341.00

On loan from: Steve M. Pottebaum, Omaha, NE

Previous owner: American Dream Machines; purchased 2013

Number made: 5,142

Engine, etc.: 400 cu in.; 350 h.p.; 8 cyl.; 4-barrel carburetor, dual exhaust pipes; 112” wheelbase; 3,540 lbs.

The name “4-4-2” represented the 400 cubic inch engine, the 4-barrel carburetor, and dual exhausts.

The name “442” was first used in 1964 on F-85 and Cutlass models. It was technically a “B09 Police Apprehender” option with a four-barrel carburetor, dual exhausts, and improved suspension, shocks, clutch, brakes, and transmission. The price for the1964 B09 option was $285.14.

In 1966 two additional engines were available and in 1967 the two-speed transmission was replaced with a three speed Turbo-Hydramatic transmission. Disc brakes became an option.

For 1968 the Oldsmobile 442 went from being options on other models to being its own model.

Standard equipment included dual master brake cylinder, 4-way flashers, energy-absorbing steering column, padded dash, back-up lights, hood insulation, and deluxe steering wheel. It also had heavy duty springs, stabilizer bar, special shock absorbers, and special wheels.

The interior was available in either cloth or vinyl.

The 442 was offered to compete with the Pontiac Tempest GTO and Oldsmobile wanted some of those sales. The dealer brochure (link, below) called it a “Youngmobile” with the statement “What this younger generation is coming to: 4-4-2”.

The 442 stayed in production until 1971. This was the height of the muscle car era which joined high performance options to lightweight vehicles. By 1971 stricter government regulations, safety concerns, and an impending oil embargo caused a decrease in engine power throughout the car industry.

In 1972 the 442 reverted to being an option until 1980. It regained its status as an option from 1985 through 1987 on the Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon. The name disappeared for good after the 1990 Cutlass Salon models.

Sources: https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/series.aspx?makeID=112&modelID=1025&h=7581#7581
http://www.classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=6391&year=1968&model=33236
http://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Oldsmobile/1968_Oldsmobile/1968_Oldsmobile_Sports_Brochure/dirindex.html

October 4, 2016 by

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Split-Window

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Split-Window

Original price: $4,257.00 base (In 1963: average car cost, $3,200; average household income, $5,807.00; average home cost $12,650.00; gallon of gas, 29 cents)

On loan from: Brad Reiner, Hastings, NE

Previous owner: Purchased in 1977 in Hastings

Number made: 10,594 coupes

Engine, etc.: 327 cu. in. V-8; 250 hp; 4 speed transmission; 98” wheelbase; knock-offs wheels; Wonder radio; 64,000 original miles

Chevrolet introduced an all new Corvette coupe and convertible called the Sting Ray in September, 1962. The C2 (second generation) Corvettes were a radical departure from the original model introduced in 1953. The name and general shape came from 1959 Sting Ray racer.

Design inspiration came in part from two Corvette racing designs. One improved passenger comfort, added luggage space, and improved ride and handling. The other design incorporated a smaller coupe-only model with a rear transaxle and independent rear suspension. The exterior had peaked fenders, a long nose, and a short rear end finish.

Distinctive features were a boat-tail taper on the rear and a rear split-window. The split-window was produced only in 1963. It was replaced by a single back window in 1964 due to customer complaints about rear visibility. There are fewer split-window models today compared to how many were made because many owners didn’t like the look and replaced the split-window with a one-piece window from the 1964 models.

Headlights were concealed and retracted when not in use.

For the first time, Corvettes were available as hardtop coupes and convertibles. The new models proved so successful that new plants were opened in St. Louis, Missouri to keep pace with vehicle orders.

The 1963 models were shortened by four inches to a 98 inch wheelbase. Independent rear suspension improved handling and maneuverability. Power steering with hydraulic assistance was offered for the first time. Drum brakes were still in use with finned aluminum drums offered to allow greater fade resistance and better cooling.

Equipped with the optional 360 hp fuel-injected engine, the split-window coupe could go from zero-to-sixty in 5.9 seconds and cost a thousand dollars less than the Jaguar E-Type.

The seventh generation (C7) Corvettes that came out for the 2014 model year resumed use of the “Stingray” name (one word) for the first time since 1976.

Sources: http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z221/Chevrolet-Corvette.aspx
http://classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=9278&year=1963&model=34329
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chevrolet_Corvette/1963_Chevrolet_Corvette/1963%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Brochure%20(Rev-1)/index1.html (Original sales brochure)

Corvette News Supplement, “The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray by Chevrolet”; vol. 6, no. 3, 51 pgs.: http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chevrolet_Corvette/1963_Chevrolet_Corvette/1963%20Corvette%20News%20Magazines/index1.html

November 9, 2015 by

1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 2-dr hdtp

1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 2-door hardtop

On loan from: Bruce and Nancy Schanbacher, Kearney, NE

Original cost: $2,899.00 base (In 1968: Average car cost $2,822.00; average household income, $7,850.00; average home cost $14,950; gallon of gas, 34 cents)

Number made: 55,309

Engine, etc.: High performance V-8, 396 cu. in., 325 hp; 4-speed transmission; 112 in. wheelbase; 3,510 lbs. All original car, with factory original Gold Mist repaint job

The Chevelle was introduced in September, 1963 as a smaller version of the Impala. It had a 327 cu.in. V-8 but was no match for the 389 cu. in. V-8 in the Pontiac GTO.

Muscle cars were small vehicles having low weight, very few amenities, but large amounts of horsepower from massive engines. Detroit automakers all pursued this market but Chevelle went a step farther by adding versatility and convenience. Chevrolet answered the challenge with larger, more powerful engines.

Engine size began to increase in 1965 with the release of a limited edition 396 with 375 hp, known as a Z-16 package. Only 201 were produced. The base engine was a 283 with a 327 with 350 hp available. By 1966 the 396 with 325 to 375 hp became the standard engine. Stiffer springs and shocks were added to counter handling problems that came with more powerful engines. There were 72,272 SS 396’s made in 1966.

Front disc brakes, new tires, and a three-speed automatic was added to the 3 and 4 speed manuals already available in 1967. The 396 engine with 325 hp was standard and the 375 option was removed as an option.

In 1968 the Chevelle SS was redesigned. The rear was shortened and the front lengthened to give it a fast-back appearance. It was as close to “everyman’s muscle car” as Detroit would ever get. It was reliable, affordable, and outsold every other performance machine of the day. Wheelbase decreased three inches. The L78 375 was added back as an optional engine for an extra $237.00. Zero-to-sixty time was about 6.5 seconds and the quarter-mile time was 14.5 seconds. Options included bucket seats for $111, power front disc brakes ($100), posi-traction ($42), and accent stripes ($30). Suspension was not quite figured out and it rode harshly and bounced over bumps. The Muncie four-speed didn’t shift as smoothly as the Hurst featured by competitors. But, with the L78, the SS 396 was a match for anything coming out of competitors’ showrooms. It idled roughly but revved ferociously. The author of a 1990 article in Car and Driver said “If you came up beside an SS 396 in those days, you listened carefully. If you heard…the racket of solid lifters, you knew the guy was dangerous”. There were 62,785 SS 396’s sold in 1968. Only a fraction had the L78 engine.

By the end of 1969, the 396 was increased to 402 cu. in. with a limited number of 427’s made. There were 86,300 of these vehicles sold in 1969 and the Chevelle SS was gaining popularity.

By 1970, production was down to 53,600 Chevelle SS’s but horsepower was up. Horsepower ranged from 350 to 450 from the 402 and 454 engines. This was the height of the “muscle car power” wars.

In 1971, the era was coming to an end due to safety and government regulations. Engines were detuned and horsepower and sales plummeted. Only about 20,000 Chevelle SS’s were sold. The top of the line LS5 454 V8 was still available with 365 hp.

Detuning continued in 1972 due to government regulations with horsepower drastically reduced. The base L65 V8 had 165 horsepower and the LS5 454 V-8 had 270 hp. Only 5,333 Chevelle SS’s were sold in 1972.

By 1978 GM downsized its intermediate sized models and the Chevelle name was dropped with all models taking on the Malibu name.

Sources: http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z7053/Chevrolet-Chevelle-Series.aspx

http://www.howstuffworks.com/classic-muscle-cars/1968-chevrolet-chevelle-ss-396.htm

http://www.classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=6563&year=1968&model=30641

See also: http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chevrolet/1968_Chevrolet/1968_Chevrolet_Chevelle_Brochure/dirindex.html (Original 1968 brochure; includes SS 396)