Model Car Garage  - The 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 Hardtop By Jo-Han - A Model Car Unboxing Video
Channel: Monster Hobbies Model Car Garage
Date: 2021-01-08

Consisting of a four-barrel carburetor, a four-speed manual transmission and dual exhaust, the designation 4-4-2 was self descriptive. Actually, the customer got a lot more than just a four barrel on his 455 cubic inch engine ; also included was a special cam shaft, heavy-duty rods and main bearings. Heavy duty suspension and speed-rated tires were part of the chassis up-grade marking a total performance car.

The Olds 442 was the best composed all-around performer money could buy off the showroom floor. Not only could a 442 provide mind-dazzling straight-line acceleration, it could find its way around the twisty sections too. 

1970 was the pinnacle of performance from Oldsmobile. In order to keep up in the horsepower arms-race, General Motors dropped the cap on engine size in 1970, and Oldsmobile responded by making the Olds 455 V8 the standard 4-4-2 engine. Output was 365 hp and 500 lb⋅ft, with a 370 hp variant available with the W30 option.

In 1970 the 442 got a styling change that gave the car a "Coke Bottle" side appearance. The revised body style and increased performance resulted in the 4-4-2 being awarded pace car duties at the Indianapolis 500 race in 1970. Those seeking to experience the ultimate in performance from Lansing could order a "W-Machine" version of the 4-4-2, dubbed the W-30 package. The 4-4-2 W-30 added a fiberglass hood (option W25) with functional air scoops and low-restriction air cleaner, aluminum intake manifold, special camshaft, cylinder heads, distributor, and carburetor. Two W-30 equipped 4-4-2 Vista Cruisers were produced by special order. 

Motor Trend tested a 4-4-2 W-30 with a 4-speed manual transmission and 3.91:1 rear gears, clocking a quarter mile time of 14.2 seconds at 102 mph (164 km/h). However, Motor Trend noted that Oldsmobile engineers had earlier posted a best of 13.7 seconds on the same test car with a fresh tune.

New options for the 1970 4-4-2 included GM's variable-ratio power steering (option N47), a console-mounted Hurst Dual/Gate shifter for use with the Turbo Hydra-matic transmission, and aluminum differential housing and cover (option W27). All Oldsmobile V8s received new Positive Valve Rotators for the 1970s to increase engine valve life.

1970 model year spotting tips: vertical bars in silver grille, rectangular parking lights in front bumper, vertical tail lights.

This kit can be built one of two ways. Either as the daring Doctor Oldsmobile's W-30 machine (Stock) featuring a 4-barrel, 370 horse, 455 cubic inch V-8, or as a custom cruiser with front and rear rolled pans, full length tail lights, custom split grill inserts, and twin sport mirrors.

The 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 Hardtop By Jo-Han is an excellent representation of this car. This model kit came out in 1974 with this box art and lasted under the Jo-Han/Sevelle label until the early 1990's when the molds were sold to Testors Paint Corporation. 

This model kit is simpler than the AMT 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass in that the chassis and interior tub has a lot of the detail molded in place. A good example of this is the one piece chassis, exhaust, fuel tank and suspension and the interior bucket with the front bucket seats, console, interior panels and rear seat all molded as one piece. Luckily, the dashboard, steering wheel and floor shifter are separate pieces.

The instructions for the 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 Hardtop by Jo-Han are easy to follow and include illustrations for the engine block, wheels and interior, suspension, manifolds and exhaust pipes and other such items. If you wish to match colors to Oldsmobile factory specifications, your local General Motors dealership or autobody repair shop should be able to assist you with these paint codes.

The detail on the plastic parts are crisp and clear and go together quite easily. the engine is the highlight of this kit and shares the same construction style as the 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado and 1970 Cadilliac Eldorado kits by Jo-Han.

The chrome on this model kit is excellent and really enhances the look of the finished car. The grill includes the quad headlights just like the real 442. To finish off the chrome on the body, I recommend using Bare Metal Foil and a brand new #11 hobby blade. 

Overall, the 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 is an excellent model kit that goes together very well. It was the only 1970 Oldsmobile offered for a very long time until the release of the Revell 1970 Cutlass Supreme kit in 2009. There were many resin aftermarket bodies and replacement parts for this kit as well so you could build the 1971 and 1972 variants that came out from garage hobbyists in the 1990's. 

The kit overall is so great that it is a joy to build.  If you can find any of these kits,  I highly recommend you get one!

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