1973 Oldsmobile 442

While traveling south on NC Highway 903, I fell in behind a third generation "Colonnade" body style 1973 Oldsmobile 442 in Winterville, North Carolina on Friday August 21, 2015.
NC Highway 903
Crossing NC Highway 11
Main Street
Right on Mill Street
Left on Cooper Street
Crossing Old Tar Road
Worthington Road
Crossing County Home Road
Ending at NC Highway 43
"Agony Divine" songs on the CD player
No Forgiveness
Denial
Manipulation
Stained With Grief
Originally expected to debut for the 1972 model year, the introduction of the new "Colonnade" body style was delayed until 1973 due to an auto workers strike in 1972. The body was redesigned to feature massive 5-foot (2 m) long doors and energy absorbing bumpers. The rear windows were fixed and the roof was reinforced in anticipation of roll-over standards being imposed by the government. These cars were a few hundred pounds heavier and slightly larger than the 1972's.
Consistent with 1972, the 4-4-2 option remained a handling and appearance package, code W-29, and was available on the Cutlass and Cutlass "S". It consisted of a faux louvered hood, FE2 suspension, specific grilles, emblems and stripes. Items such as dual exhaust and super stock wheels had to be ordered à la-carte. This was all part of the industry-wide weaning of U.S. consumers from large, powerful cars.
The W-30 (that had 300 hp (224 kW) in 1972) had become a trim package. The L77 "V" code 455 was there, but only with the 4-speed wide-ratio M-20 transmission. 1973 was also the last year of the 4-speed manual transmission in the Olds "A" body. The L77 "V" code produced 270 net HP, the L75 "U" code 455 AT produced 250 hp (186 kW), while the "K" code 350 single exhaust produced 180 hp (134 kW) and the "M" code 350 with duals produced 200 hp (150 kW). Positraction rear ends, axle ratios, gauges, Super Stock wheels, HD cooling and many sport type options were available, but had to be ordered. The L77 "V" code engine was also available in the Hurst/Olds without A/C, code W-46, the W-45 L75 "U" code was standard with A/C. Both 455s used the Turbo Hydra-matic 400 transmission, while the 350 was mated to the Turbo 350.
Interior trims for the '73 4-4-2 included a cloth/vinyl or all-vinyl bench seat and rubber floor covering (carpeting optional) on base Cutlass coupe, while Cutlass S included full carpeting on floor and lower door panels, woodgrain trim, deluxe steering wheel and more luxurious cloth-and-vinyl or all-vinyl bench seat, or optional swiveling Strato bucket seats with vinyl trim that could be rotated 90 degrees for easy exit/entry. Center console with floor shifter was optional with either the 4-speed manual or Turbo Hydra-matic transmissions.

[@whatabout..]

Love the music! Perfect travel music. Have a 73 one owner W-45 and these cars drive like a dream. Thanks for the video.

[@terryfoster2066]

I have a 1973. 442 hood. Best alfer

[@michaeljacobson3605]

Does anyone have a black 1973 Olds 442 with a red interior?

[@Dougs1977442]

All heard was terrible music, couldn’t hear the 442, and the camera was focused on the hood of the truck so car was blurry

[@DavidMcGowan3]

Your mammy raise an ungrateful twit. She should have slapped you around more.

[@paulappelle6338]

Great car, music stinks

[@jdellison3817]

Terrible