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Oldsmobile may be gone, but the 4-4-2 W30 will forever remain one of America's coolest muscle cars.

Oldsmobile was mostly seen as a more comfortable alternative to Chevrolet’s harshness, Plymouth’s simplicity, and Pontiac’s speed and power. It was a company to compete with Cadillac but still be the less expensive alternative.

While Oldsmobile made some great cars – the Toronado, the Vista Cruiser, and the Starfire, but to name a few – one of the greatest models was the 4-4-2. Based on the Cutlass, the 4-4-2 was an all-out power build, fitted with a huge engine, big power, and a comfortable ride – a proper muscle car. The 4-4-2 may have only had a short stint as a model, but it left a lasting impact – not only within the Oldsmobile brand but the entire muscle car world. It could even be had as a family-friendly station wagon!

So, while there are many classic American muscle cars out there, the Oldsmobile 4-4-2 will forever remain one of the greats. Here are 10 reasons why every gearhead should own an Oldsmobile 4-4-2 with the W30 package.

The Oldsmobile 4-4-2 started out as a performance package available on the standard Cutlass. The upgrade included various sportier trim pieces including more chrome on the exterior, nicer wheels, optional stripes over the top, and bigger exhausts.

The biggest upgrade was the addition of a larger motor, which started with a 5.4-liter V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor but was upped to 6.6 liters and eventually a 455-cui 7.5-liter V8, also with a 4-barrel carb. The 7.5-liter became the standard engine after GM lifted the displacement restrictions to stay relevant in the horsepower war.

Related: 10 Muscle Cars We'd Buy Over Any Japanese Sports Car

The 4-4-2 nameplate came about as the car featured a 4-barrel carburetor, was fitted with a 4-speed manual and had two exhausts coming out the back. Many thought the name indicated a 442-cui engine, but this was incorrect as the engine choices were either a 400cui or 455-cui – depending on the earlier models.

Another possible reason behind the name – which was later debunked by GM – was that the two fours indicated the carburetor and transmission, but that the ‘2’ actually stated that the car was fitted with a limited-slip differential.

The 4-4-2 was a muscle car in every sense of the word. Where pony cars such as the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro were smaller in size, the 4-4-2 was a behemoth rolling down the road. It was at home both at the redline on the drag strip and cruising leisurely on the way home.

The 4-4-2 was available as both a coupe – the standard body style – or a more stylish convertible, which just added to the cruising aspect of the car. It was perfect for road trips and long drives down the coast, all while still being able to embarrass sports cars when the need arose.

Related: 10 Muscle Cars We'd Buy Over Any European Sports Car

The 4-4-2 – being based on a personal luxury car – was a comfortable place to be. With bucket seats in the front and a bench in the rear, both wrapped in vinyl. Vinyl was a popular option in the 1960s and early 1970s, being cheap to manufacture and relatively comfortable.

Today, most muscle car seats have been reupholstered, but the ones which still have the original vinyl have become soft and super comfortable – given the material didn’t tear. Either way, the seats were designed like living-room couches and are perfect for a long journey or while driving over rough terrain.

The 4-4-2 was available with various options, one of which was the W30 package. This package added a fiberglass hood which featured a ram-air intake scoop, a cold air induction system, sportier camshafts, and red front wheel wells.

Another interesting part was that the battery had to be relocated to the trunk as the various hoses and other upgraded parts in the engine bay took up too much room. The W30 was also fitted with better tires, capable of pushing the car to a 13-odd second quarter-mile time.

Related: Here's What The 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Is Worth Today

The 4-4-2 is a gorgeous car. While the original and second generation were lookers in their own right, the 1969-1972 models were just awesome with their split grille design, the exhilarating side profile, and the unique taillights at the back.

The 4-4-2 was available in various colors – all of which suited the car beautifully – but the best ones were red with black racing stripes and bronze with white accents. The plain black with the custom red interior looks sinister, yet subdued – the perfect combination for a classic muscle car.

Probably the best-looking of the 4-4-2 models was the limited-run Hurst Edition. Hurst produced 515 of these special vehicles throughout production. Most of the cars were painted the special Peruvian Silver – a color choice from the Toronado – with black racing stripes and white pinstriping to accentuate the lines of the car.

Mechanically, the 4-4-2 Hurst had two engine choices – the 6.6-liter and the massive 7.5-liter. Both engines were tuned to 390 hp, but the 7.5 received the improved piston heads and camshafts, resulting in better performance at higher RPMs. The transmission was a ‘400’ manual, strengthened to withstand the upgraded engines’ stresses.

Related: This Is How Much A 1979 Oldsmobile 442 Costs Today

Thanks to the W30 package, which added in better suspension, disc brakes, and slicker tires, the 4-4-2 W30 was one of the best handling cars in the large muscle car world. A road test by Road Test Magazine concluded that the 4-4-2 had superior road handling, inciting a more confident driving experience.

The 455cui-equipped 4-4-2 with the W30 package was able to complete the 0-60 mph sprint in just 5.9-seconds. Initial testing by various journalists resulted in a standing quarter-mile time of just over 14 seconds; however, the engineers clocked a public time of 13.7 seconds. A bit slower than the Hurst model.

The 4-4-2 has become quite the collector’s item, with first-generation models being sold for well over $40,000. The kicker is that second-generation models are available from over $40,000, all the way to around $200,000 – depending on the condition.

This makes the 4-4-2 a bit pricey to purchase, putting it in the same league as cars like the Dodge Charger R/T and Ford Mustang Boss 429. The third generation is quite cheap though; however, it is a massive let-down compared to the original.

The 4-4-2 started out as a visual and performance package on the original Cutlass, but transformed into a stand-alone model in 1968, during the peak of the muscle car performance war. Its time in the spotlight was fantastic, earning it a place among the best of the best.

Unfortunately, the energy crisis happened, and the horsepower war ended abruptly, bringing an end to the 4-4-2 model, reverting it back to an add-on for the Cutlass in 1972. The nameplate was then added to each Cutlass model to add some sportiness to the range, but it simply wasn’t the same. Luckily, many of the original 4-4-2s still exist for gearheads to enjoy.

Michael De Kock is passionate about cars and everything from avocados to particle accelerators. He has studied psychology and knows a little bit about fixing cars (old Land Rovers mostly). He also blogs and has a book, 125 Creative Writing Prompts for Petrolheads, available on Amazon. His philosophy in life: Stop the hate - Adopt a V8.