Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 History

442

1964-1973 According to some, Oldsmobile invented the muscle car in 1949 when it crammed its hot new full-size Rocket V8 into its midsize model to produce the Olds 88 and Super 88 series. However, Oldsmobile did not return to the concept until 1964, spurred by the success of the Pontiac GTO. Oldsmobile was the first…

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Buick Engines from Nailhead to Now

Nailhead

When Buick’s overhead-valve inline-eight was replaced by the Nailhead in 1953, the Nailhead became the company’s first pushrod V-8. The engine was named after the little valve covers that sat atop the heads. Vertically placed valves created a nearly hemispherical combustion chamber beneath the valve covers. The Nailhead enjoyed revving due to its substantially over…

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Pontiac 287 – 455 Engines

Pontiac crate V8 engine

V-8 Development In 1954, General Motors leaned heavily on Chevrolet and Pontiac to develop V-8 engines for the 1955 model year and provided them with all available resources to ensure success. Pontiac settled on a 3.75-inch bore and 3.25-inch stroke to produce a 287-ci package. Pontiac management urged that the design allow for future displacement…

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