1966 Oldsmobile 442 - Jay Leno's Garage 

I honestly like the pandemic edition more than the normal version. Just Jay talking aabout a cool car and sharing the story behind it.

RIP Oldsmobile. I miss the class Olds gave us

My Dad was a tool and die man that worked in the GM refrigeration in both appliances and automotive. He was the only machinist that worked in that model shop and actually helped develop that air conditioning compressor on this car. It was a three cylinder compressor that used both strokes for a compression. It was superior in everyway, except the parasitic drag on the engine that affected mileage. I always think of him when I see that compressor. He build the models of that for the engineers of the time. Thank you for showing this one.

When I was in high school in 1973 one of my good friends had a 442 4 speed like this. I loved it because it was a large comfortable powerful car. When I retired a few years ago, I decided to buy my dream car. The mid to late 60s GTO, Chevelle and the 442 were on my wish list. I ended up with a 1970 Chevelle SS 454 clone and I love that car. But I will always remember jumping in my friends 1966 442 between classes to listen to rock on the 8 track and burn one.

“When I was in high school these cars were made of unobtainium.” LOL.

Jay, you don't apologize to anyone. You have entertained and taught all of us about a myriad of subjects. I always look forward to your channel. Thank you.

I graduated from HS in 68. The 442 was definitely the high end mid size muscle car for the preppy rich kids, frat boys, and college football players. After 67 the styling was ruined. This 66 is top shelf. Beautiful car.

I grew up around these cars. But I never knew what 442 stood for. Learn something new every day.

When I was a kid my grandpa had a 1966 442. My grandmother raised hell with him because he kept getting pulled over and getting tickets to the point he sold it. He missed that car until the day he died at 96 years old. He would have gotten a kick out of seeing you drive his favorite car because you and Johnny Carson where always his favorite comedians . Keep them coming Mr. Leno and great job!!

Jay is one of the few decent guys in Hollywood, great show.

Growing up we had a 1970 Olds 98 with a 455 in it. Man, for a land barge, that thing could move. When I got my license, I was given the car and drove it for quite a few years. Then I pulled the engine out and put it in a 1978 Cutlass. I got into some serious trouble with that one. Thanks for these awesome videos Jay!

I love Oldsmobile (and Pontiac!). After having a lemon of a 57' Buick Roadmaster my dad said no more Buicks! He bought 4 Oldsmobiles in a row. He started with a 62' 98, 66' Starfire, 72' Delta 88 Royale and ended with a 76' Cutlass. I talked my parents into the 66 Starfire because I knew that would be the first car I would learn to drive on!! They had no idea that it had a 425 (375hp) engine!!!! Keep up the great work absolutely love your show!!!

I was working at Oldsmobile in Lansing when this 442 was built. Their were two shifts at that time so I have a 50 percent chance of being there when it was built. No air bags then. These were quite a step up from the F-85 model of that time. I seem to remember an am-fm radio. The Toronado was built next door to the 442/F-85/88/98 line.

Jay Leno is so awesome. Love what he does. The man's going to go down in history as a legendary car enthusiast, and he deserves it.

My dad had a 67 442 convertible. A real collector car now. My dad is 74 years old jay and still says 442 forever. Oh he bought a 70 cutlass sx 455 . The best!

Never apologize to these people Jay, never!

Jay Leno: "So I don't know a whole lot about this car." (proceeds to go into detail, explaining everything about the car)...LOL, that's Jay for you.

I worked at Oldsmobile Lansing Michigan. Not a Buick Engine. We built our own engines.

My Dad took a '67 Olds 442 to college. The '66 and '67 shared the same body style. Especially enjoyed this one!!

401 in Buick was a nail head, all gm models had their own engines. Dual master was mandatory in 1967, pretty sure that car was converted to front disc brakes. Love all your videos Jay, thanks for all you do

Jay, I think I speak for the majority of your viewers when I say, please please please keep this format when things go back to "normal"

I had a ‘67 442. Tahoe turquoise with a Champagne interior. Hurst 4 speed, 4 barrel with bench seat. It also came with electronic ignition. I ordered it that way. It was my first brand new car purchase. I wish I still had it! And yes Jay, the tri-tone paint scheme on the 442 emblem is original.

My brother had new gunmetal grey 442 convertible, red interior and yes , red line tires. What a nice ride and what a wonderful time in our lives!

I grew up in Oldsmobile’s and when I joined the Air Force, I only bought Oldsmobile’s. I now have my parent’s Oldsmobile Touring Sedan in the garage and I’ll have it back in the road next year..

Jay is the man. Nothing else to say. Oldschool car guy, one of a kind, and genuinely cares not only for cars, but his audience. Jay Leno is the best RU-vidr. Yeah I said it.

“I know nothing about this car”. Proceeds to talk about it for 16 minutes. Jay is an encyclopedia of cars and he’s super humble about it.

My dad had one before I was born - black over a red interior. He bought it brand new, and he still talks about that car. It's long gone now, but he recently gave me the '442' emblems from it. I will cherish them for the rest of my life.

Jay, the Oldsmobiles had a 400 CI engine that was completely different from the other GM divisions. I owned a 1964 Olds 442 convertible in the mid '70s with the 330 CI, 4 barrel carb, 4 speed HydroMatic transmission option and dual exhaust that my dad, an auto mechanic, salvaged from a flood in Mississippi. Man what a great car? I fell in love with Oldsmobile after that car and this is after owning a '64 Ford Falcon Station Wagon with an inline six and then a '65 Ford Galaxie with the 390 CI and a 4 barrel carb. In '65 Olds went with the 400 CI engines. After driving my car my cousin found a 1968 442 with the 400 and a 4 barrel. I think that year the 400 produced around 585 lb./ft. of torque. At 60 MPH on the freeway that car would still smoke the tires. I wish I would have kept all of those cars but I was young and dumb.

I love how genuine and laid back Jay is , no pretensions at all 😎

Jay gets it.. Just shift it when the valves start to float lol!

Seeing this 1966 442 and hearing the "trips" pop open is a blast! At first it was "4bbl, 4-speed, dual exhaust," but later, when more buyers wanted automatics, it was "400 cubes, 4bbl, dual exhaust." My '68 W30 442 was supposed to have "mandatory option" manual-only disc brakes, but was special-ordered with heavy-duty manual drum brakes, because it was a drag-race-only car and the drums had less rolling resistance. A Muncie M-22 HD trans was installed under warranty. They're still making complete M20, 21 and 22 transmissions that are much-improved over the originals. They do shift nice when you get a good one, as you said, Jay. Thank you for sharing this beautiful 442 with us!!

Jay, you seemed to really enjoy this one. Pure joy in your voice describing it while driving it. Not saying it was the fastest, most H.P. or things like that, but that it had what Oldsmobile was famous for. The perfect blend of style, comfort, handling and performance.

Yes the color of the 442 emblems is correct 👍

1967 was the first year for a dual master brake cylinder, so this one has been upgraded. And no, an Olds 400 is not the same as a Buick 401. Great car👍

Every time I left the stop and shop off Bellevue ave I’d stop and dream looking in the windows and I remember the manager one day asked me if I wanted a free tour and it was amazing I grew up in Newport Rhode Island and as a poor kid I allways watched all the beautiful cars drive around and knew one day I’d have a collection of my own awesome awesome museum and thank you guys for noticing a broke kid dreaming and instead of being like get our off here they gave me a free tour and motivation for my dreams I’m now 26 I own 2 sports cars and a house in Florida

Each GM Division had there own motors. First year 442 was 64 and they came with the small block 330 cube Rocket pushing 320 hp in 64 only. The 65 Olds 442 was the first year big block Olds 400 motors. As for Pontiac, they had there own motor as well and was the same block that came out in 1955 in the the 287 that grew over the years to a 455, but all used the same size blocks. The Buick's all had small & big block Nail heads and were completely different from Olds or Pontiac. Olds had the small block ( 330/350/403s ) rockets as well as a big block casting of 400/425/455 motors and Chevy had the Turbo jet big blocks . Each one is totally different from each other and have zero in common. And yes Jay that is a 2/5 Muncie with a 8.2 BOP 10 bolt posi. rear. There was one more very interesting option that that car does not have, the Ram Air cold air induction air cleaner & hoses for the tri power carbs known as part of the W-30 package. The W-30 package was rated at 376 or 390hp in 66 with a very lumpy camshaft .472 lift with a .295 Der. from the factory. Also the disk brake option for Oldsmobile did not come out until 68 and not all GM cars came with disks in the front until late 71 or 72. Somebody added the disks on that car. One more item, the Olds 442 / W30 never came with A/C.

The 401 Buick was a different engine, that was the old Nailhead and 66 was the last year for that one. Each GM division had their own engine back then.

I grew up outside of Lansing, Michigan in the 1960s and 70s, which of course was the home of Oldsmobile. It seemed like almost everyone drove an Oldsmobile back then. It was great to see the 442. It brought back happy memories.

I love watching these. His voice is always so chill. He's kinda like a Bob Ross for car people.

My uncle had a new 66 442 as I grew up I lived next door. It sat in the back of his drive way and I played in the car as a kid did not know what a special car it was. My uncle had a 69 442 and a 70 442. His name was Bill Hudson he was drag racer and won many championships in his class. He had the 70 442 and 66 442 when he died. I think the 66 oldsmobile 442 and the 70 442 is the best looking out of all muscle cars. Love your show Jay Leno. God speed!

What like about these Pandemic videos is that Jay is informal, and unscripted. I feel as though I’m in the shop, and riding along in the car, while he’s speaking direct to me.

Jay’s pandemic series has kept me going over the last 12 months while I have been going through chemotherapeutic and stem cell transplant. So thank you Jay , you were there , making my day, when no visitors were allowed during the weeks at City of Hope. Take it easy.

I owned a 67 442 and a 70. The 67 was 4 speed & the 70 a auto..slap stick shifter OAI hood, with most of the options..I Loved that car. While showing off ,a car unexpectedly pulled out in front of me so I swerved left avoiding hitting the (pregnant lady) But hit a utility pole on the front right ..then it burned. I still morn for that car 48 years later. Beautiful 442 Jay. thx for the video.

My first car that I owned during my Senior year in High school 1978. Mine was a 67 but essentially the same. I had the 4 speed Hurst with a Quadrajet 4BBL carb Dark Burgundy paint with the Black interior. Bought it out of Georgia with only 42000 miles on it. Had it for a couple of years until I wrecked it and totaled it beyond repair. Wish I had it back again! Thank You for the video! Brings back Good and Bad memories!

Just want to be Jay's friend and talk cars and cruise. He seems so much like a worthy mentor. I love going along for the ride!

Thanks Jay. Beautiful ride! The 442 had a 400 cid with 360hp and 440 ft.lbs. @ 3600 rpm. Max power was developed at 5400 rpm but many times they would run to 6500 before valve float. That's with a 4 bbl setup. Thanks for keeping us entertained during covid.

When I was a toddler, this was my first Matchbox car and Oldsmobile was one of the first words I ever learned.

My best friend in high school had one of these. It was his dad’s car but we hundreds of hours cruising the boulevard in it. I got a ticket driving one night for exhibition of speed with a couple of girls in a corvette. It was a two speed hydro-magic but still a tremendous amount of memories attached. Same green color as the video. Has always been a dream car!

Oldsmobile is like the forgotten kid at a family reunion. I love my 68 cutlass S. fist year for the the gm A bodies. The 68 had a one year body style. thank you very much on shining a light on Oldsmobile.

I was a dealer mechanic @ Story Olds in Lansing Mich in 1966. Absolutly loved it! We sold a quarter million cars a year back in the day.

Thanks so much for better this together. My first muscle car at 16 was a 66 442. You are so right you don’t see a lot of them around.

Jay, loved this. I bought one of these in Aug 2, 1966, when I was in the Air Force in Utah. My first brand new car. (Traded in my 64 GTO coupe for it) Mine was Burgundy mist coupe, vinyl roof and black interior, 390 Posi rear end. Yes I put one of those Sun tachs on the steering column held on with a hose clamp My car had a single master cylinder feeding all 4 brakes. I had the 4 bbl carb, and it was quite sufficient. I raced a friend at the Bonneville drag strip in Salt Lake City, and I beat him by a car and a half. This is also the car that I met my future wife Aug 16, 1966. I'm a Californian and since I did not buy it in Ca. it did not have an air pump. I'm in the process of restoring one of these duplicating my original car. This one came with A/C which I will be eliminating... Dash tag shows proper color code, Vinyl roof, and bucket seats. Part of the exhaust sound was heightened by the tail pipes that were crimped in 3 or 4 spots, just like the ones shown on this car. Keep up the great work, You were my favorite late night tv host. Your humor was never biased politically, and treated both political parties with non-inflammatory humor. We were all sorry to see you leave the air, come back for a short time and then leave again. Late night TV will never be the same

Jay. Thanks for featuring this 442. I grew up riding in a 1965 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser station wagon, that my dad bought in 1970. I was about 7 years old when he bought it. My dad was an Oldsmobile guy, having added a brand new 1975 Olds Cutlass S hardtop. He also had a 1941 Oldsmobile model 66 Businessman coupe, and previously a 1935 Oldsmobile 4 door trunk back sedan, all back in the 1970’s.

That 442 looks like what Batman would drive on his day off.

We always said 442 stood for "Four Barrel, Four Speed and Two strips of rubber running down the street!" Nice review Jay!

Thank you, Jay. ❤ Love you and your contributions to Classic American Car Heritage.

Pretty sure Jay won’t read this, but I can’t help but leave a comment. His love for everything auto, his knowledge, his stories, the insights into mechanics. Thank you for these videos, hope you keep making them for as long as you can, you sir, are a legend.

442 is one of the best model of car ever

A absolutely beautiful automobile, and yes the multi-color 442 emblem is accurate. Totally sweet ride! Love you Mr. Leno and the channel!

owned a '66 with a Quadrajet from new. Lost my drivers license and had the engine blue printed and Muncie worked over. Turned a real dream car into a scream car. Even gave the Mopars some competition! Loved it every minute I drive it to this day. Reg-Pottstown, PA

Big Oldsmobiles were the most underrated vehicle, they were one of the most powerful and fastest vehicles of their time, it was like racing your couch down the highway, comfortable and fast, and they handle really good for a big car, even the large luxury cars like the 88 and 98 would outrun most cars on the highway.

I have to say, that I really beloved this pandemic edition style. It feels more exclusive, personal and intimate with Jay being behind the camera. One day the crew will return and this will be “one of those videos”... this makes me appreciate it even more.

I am an Oldsmobile lover and I drove five models. My favorite was a baby blue low mileage 1970 Oldsmobile 98 with the 455 rocket engine package. No cats yet and unbelievable power from this motor.I had three 98’s and the 1970 Olds 98 is the one I want back!!

Back in the late '70's, I owned a Delta 88 4-door hardtop. Same block as this one, but without the performance stuff. Very vanilla compared to this 442, but I loved it. I did a long commute everyday. It was like driving your living room - hahaha. The day I bought it, I drove friends around, and their comments were like, "It's elegant". And it was ... little things like interior lighting, fixtures, upholstery, blah blah. The auto shifted beautifully. It was super comfortable, and the miles just floated by. Stopped traffic never bother me cuz I just kicked back and waited in comfort listening to the radio. Since my teens, I had been a fan of the minimalist interior of the European sports machine - well-instrumented, but for function. The Olds' dash just fascinated me ... just so, uh ... well, extravagant. And the camera in Jay's vid doesn't convey how W-I-D-E this car is. I used to call it "my aircraft carrier"! By the late 70's this was already a loveable dinosaur you wanted to hug. But, after the oil shock, the engine just sucked $. So, as a returning student, I gave it up and bought an old VW. (I got the engine running like a watch ... another story :)) JAY! I loved this presentation, and I agree that '66 was a flagship year!

Totally agree with already said, "keep this format" it is great. Olds' were wonderful. R.I.P..

This car is an example of truly timeless design. Every line is perfect. Nothing is out of place, This is the kind of car the valets leave parked in front of the restaurant or hotel.

I had a ‘65 442 2 door post coupe. I loved the car in fact my wife and I drove it from our wedding in Virginia to Miami on our honeymoon in ‘67. It shifted like a dream and boy would it go. The 442 suspension made the car handle very well for that time, the only problem was stopping it. I think in 66 you could get discs on front. I wish I still had it!

This car did come stock with the 400 cu. in. engine, not a 401, with a quadrajet carb. The next year it came with also a 400 cu. in. but was not the same as the '66 engine. My '66 had a two speed Jet away automatic transmission (much a beefier two speed power glide). Never had to do any work on it because I put a Coca Cola radiator from an Coca Cola machine for a transmission cooler. Pull my '47 Jeep behind it many times when we went camping. Wonderful car!! Drove it and pegged the speedometer at only 1/3 throttle one night. Those Oldsmobile engines had an ungodly amount of torque.

My buddy had a 66 442 in 1974. His was red. We were Army Privates so he did not have the cash to keep it running. He kept it in the parking lot behind the barracks because he knew it would be valuable someday.

All these years and I never knew you could get the 442 with Tri-power. Thanks Jay.

"always makes me smile" you can tell he truly enjoys this car

I love the black 442, what a dream back in the day... Makes Jay smile everytime he hits the gas...

Jay, the CI limit in 1966 A-body was 400. The 1966 442 has a 400CI engine. Beautiful specimen.

I appreciate that he doesn't pretend to be an expert on every vehicle. He admits that he doesn't know everything about the car. Just wish I had money like him so that I could have a garage half his size.

Jay, I know that we were both born in 1950. So 1966 was a special year - I got my driver's license on my birthday, after getting my learner's permit 90 days earlier - the first day I was eligible. I took my driving test in Mom's '64 Buick Special station wagon. I'd done my learning in our '51 Willys (Jeep) Overland wagon with manual transmission and power nothing. Before I got my license I would hitchhike home from school and there was a fellow that would pick me up if I was in the right spot at the right time in his 442 - I loved that car. There was another fellow - a Marine Reserve Colonel - that would pick me up in is '63 Corvette split-window. He had a sign on the dash "Do not lower windows at speed above 120 mph." Imagine doing that in this day and age!

Jay, I’m a just few years younger than you but I’m counting on you to keep doing these shows at least until I can’t drive anymore. Like many, I live the car guy life through you. Thanks for being here for those of us who can only dream.

Back in High school my Dad got his 1st Company car. He was so disappointed when the lease Co advised they didn't have an Olds 88 for him & that he'd have to settle for a 1970 442. He let me drive it on date nights & holidays...& boy did I drive it..!! 😉..Great memories of a sweet ride..!!

The 66 chevelle had 3 hp options 325,360,and 375. This 442 is absolutely stunning.

I love your peaceful presentation in a world that has become anything but peaceful. Thank you for your gift of reprieve.

UK watcher here just saying these covid videos are more intimate and very reassuring..Good job.

I was 13 in 1966 and pumping gas at my dad’s Phillips 66 gas station in Portsmouth, NH. A 442, copper with black vinyl top and interior came rumbling in to get gas. What a big, beautiful car! I recognized the driver as one of our regular customers. She was a grandmotherly looking lady, not exactly the first one to pop into your mind, driving a car like that. As I was washing the windows and checking oil and tires, my dad came out to talk to the driver. After she left, my dad told me she had just bought the car with proceeds of a book that she and her husband had written about their abduction by aliens up in the White Mountains. I’m sure, being from New England that you would remember the story of Barney and Betty Hill. All pretty heady stuff for a young kid. And yes, those 442 emblems were multi colored.

Dude, after watching you here, and on the Tonight Show, going all the way back to when you were a Guest and then a Guest Host, and then the Host. I gotta say as good as you and the Tonight show were, this is by far the better show. I feel as if this is completely the real you, and your awesome. Thanks for doing this show.

My girlfriend in High School (a few years ago) had a new1968 442 convertible, blue with a white interior. Brings back happy memories.

How many of us wish this was our job where all we had to do all day long was take care of cars, drive cars, and talk about cars....Jay lives THE LIFE. .....and yes....you could do this as a mechanic and a salesman or whatever, but I should have added EXOTIC AND RARE CARS THAT ONE OWNS....

When Jay mentioned the 442 being more of a "luxury fast car" I immediately thought of how someone described this car to me years ago, in that the 442 was the Gentleman's Muscle Car in comparison to everything else.

I love Jay's taste in nostalgic American performance cars. I miss him. Olds, Buick, and Pontiac had such solid performance cars back in the day.

I got to use a 1966 442 in late 1966. It was a beauty and it was lettered on both rear fenders "Soul Machine" It had an 8 Track Tape Player, I kept playing Temptations Greatest Hits Tape, and not fully understanding 8 Track Players, I kept trying to make it play "My Girl". .I later bought the Temptations Greatest Hits Album. I cruised Wisconsin Ave in Milwaukee with the "Soul Machine", and after that night it was back to reality with my 57 Chevy 283, with 3 speed Hurst on the Floor. That 442 was a real head turner at the time.

My father, who wasn’t from a wealthy family, by any means, bought a brand new 1966 Olds 442 from a Damariscotta dealership when he was in high school. He worked as a carpenter for my grandfather, who did well (was a good carpenter), but not a good businessman. He raced it a lot and had many tales of young ladies, policeman waiting for him to return home after a night of racing, and ultimately of spinning a bearing and seizing the engine. Thank you for this special to me car episode.

Color is correct including 442 emblem. I remember 400, 455 not till later. I miss driving those cars. I worked for Olds dealership in Miami, late 60’s and early 70’s.

The word is out in the Automobile World, if you are an old car just show up at The Big Dog Garage and Jay will take you in and treat you right.

Jay's dedication automobiles is first class.

Yes, Jay, we very much appreciate your videos. We like the videos, but we love you ❤

Jay, we're the same age. Always a pleasure to go back in time for a few minutes and see the world the way it was, if only for the blink of an eye.

Our family had a Buick dealership in Florida and, as you stated, Buick's muscle car was the Skylark with the Gran Sport option package. Other than some external badging, it looked like a regular Skylark, and it did have the 401 cu in "nail head engine." Oldsmobile's 442 had a 400 cu in engine that was an Oldsmobile designed and built engine not a modified Buick mill. The unique vertical valve covers are always a dead indication of a Buick designed engine from 1953-1966. This was normal operating procedures for each GM divsion. One day a friend of mine, whose parents owned the local "Olds/Cadillac" dealership, called me up to take a ride in his sister's brand new "442." This was a base 442 - not the luxury version you have - but one made for GO w/4 barrel carb. BTW, your's is the only 442 I ever heard of with factory available conversion to "3 - deuces." He said let me show what this car will do, and he nailed the accelerator while we were going about 30 mph - and the car responded immediately with a little wheel chirp, but no real tire burning. I told my friend, "let me show you what this car will really do!" We stopped the car and I got driver's seat - made sure we were buckled up. I brought RPM's up to 2000 and just dumped the clutch at the same time I slammed the the right "go-pedal" to the floor. The rear wheels broke loose and smoke was everywhere from the raucous wheel spin with car fish-tailing as it launched, which actually scared me! We never went over about 75-80 MPH (we were in a 45 MPH speed zone!! ). This car felt like it had more power than the Buick GS at the time. Also, the Hurst shifter was not available in the GS until '67 (I believe!). That '65 442 was the most powerful car I had ever driven up till then! Buick did not have anything like that until the 1969 GS-430. In 1970, Buick introduced the GS-455 Stage I; However, I have never seen a GS with the "Stage II" dealer upgrade. Olds and Pontiac also had their own 455 mills, Chevy with the 454, and Cadillac with their 500 "Monster!"

I always love these videos. Early 442s are some of my favorite cars.

Love this car. Brings back memory of some the high school days.

I am reminded of when I was a teenager my dad had an absolutely showroom perfect 1965 Oldsmobile F-85.

Something on the old Oldsmobile that make me love them. Such beautiful lines and attention on the details. Just stunning! Thanks Jay!

Jay my father had a 65 olds convertible but no 442. My parents drove this car when they were married. I only have a few pictures of it. I showed my Mom this video, she laughed when you said the new windshield is like having your eye balls cleaned. Beautiful American muscle cars, keep up the videos and laughs.

My late buddy Jimmy T. had a 65 442. He stuffed a LS6 454 in it. His son Jon has it now .Turquoise.What a cool hot rod. 11.2 quarter mile. Keep up the good work, Hot Rod.