Olds called its 1967sporty carsthe "Youngmobiles" and advertised them accordingly.Tireswere "boots," styling was "with it," and the Oldsmobile Cutlass 4-4-2 W-30 was "the sweetest, neatest, completest anti-boredom bundle on rubber!" One ad touted the 4-4-2 as "Keeper of the Cool." That was quite accurate in the case ofmuscle carswith the W-30 performance package.
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静静地岁运54设置在66年,但gave the W-30 Force-Air-Induction System more play for '67. Of 24,829 4-4-2s built that year, about 500 got the $300 option. The original W-30 application was for the 360-bhp tri-carbengine, but GM restricted multicarb outfits to the Corvette in '67. All 4-4-2s now had the four-barrel 400-cid V-8, which retained its 350-bhp rating even in W-30 form -- though power and torque peaked 400 rpm higher in W-30s.
The W-30 induction system was more efficient than scoops that simply captured air running over the hood. It drew cold air from unobtrusive inlets above and below the parking lights and then ran it through two five-inch flexible tubes to a specially stamped air cleaner. Location of the inlets and arrangement of the ducting created a pressurizing effect.
To make room for the tubes, thebatterywas relocated to the trunk, which also helped weight distribution. W-30 engines weren't ignored, gaining a hotter cam, stronger valve springs, and higher oil pressure.
Newly optional frontdisc brakesenhanced road manners that already were tops in the muscle-car field. Car and Driver flat called it "the best handling car of its type we've ever tested."
The optional two-speedautomatic transmissionwas replaced by a more-responsive Hydra-matic three-speed tuned for high-rpm upshifts, cars with the optional 3.42:1 and 3.91:1 gears got a new, high-capacity rear axle, and durability of the optional Anti-Spin diff was improved.
As for the W-30 package, the name may have been merely an order code, but it soon became slang for the ultimate 4-4-2.
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For more cool information on muscle cars, see:
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- Muscle cars came in many shapes and sizes. Here are features on more than 100muscle cars, including photos and specifications for each model.
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- An all-aluminum, race-proven V-8 defined the rare and wicked1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
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- NASCAR race cars embody the muscle car philosophy of power. ReadHow NASCAR Race Cars Workto find out what makes these charged-up racers go.
- Are you thinking of buying a 2007 muscle car, or any other car? See Consumer Guide Automotive's New-Car Reviews, Prices, and Information.
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