1972 Oldsmobile 442

Though automakers were still competing for muscle car sales in 1972, the deck was stacked against performance, forcing a reshuffling of offerings in several cases. The 1970s ushered in more power-reducing federally mandated emissions regulations, and increasing insurance premiums made ownership of fast cars more expensive. Many of the new models also faced competition from their like-styled predecessors, which were generally quicker and now more affordable used cars.

Oldsmobile’s 442 became an option