What Does Cutlass 442 Stand for?

While Pontiac went with an abbreviation of Gran Turismo Homologato, Olds went with a shortened numerical indicator “442.” When the package for the A-body F-85 and Cutlass launched in 1964, the moniker stood for four-barrel carburetor, four-speed transmission, and dual exhaust, although the reasoning for the name ...

What does 442 on a cutlass mean?

Confusingly, the 442 (pronounced "four four two") did not have a 442-cubic-inch engine. Instead, the numerals indicated that the car had a four-barrel carburetor (atop a 330-cubic-inch V-8), a four-speed manual, and dual exhausts.

What is the difference between a cutlass and a 442?

The 1969 Cutlass has vertical grille columns while the 442 has die cast numbers in center of hood. The 442 model grilles are blacked out with egg crate grilles and the hood divider has die cast 442 numbers instead of the Rocket emblem.