Top 20 Muscle Cars of All Time

Photo by jerbec

11. 1970 Oldsmobile 442

In 1970, General Motors decided to get rid of their engine size cap, and the result was the almighty king of performance for Oldsmobile: the 442. The standard engine for the 442 would become the 455 CID V8. Oldsmobile claimed output was 365 horsepower when in fact the 455 would dyno in excess of 400 horsepower and over 500 lb-ft of torque. The reason for this was manufactures would often advertise lower power output than what the engines actually produced, so that customers wouldn’t get penalized by insurance companies. Those seeking to experience the ultimate in performance could order a “W-Machine” version of the 4-4-2, dubbed the W-30 package. The 4-4-2 W-30 added a fiberglass hood with functional air scoops and low-restriction air cleaner, aluminum intake manifold, special camshaft, cylinder heads, distributor, and carburetor.