1971 · Oldsmobile · United States
1971 Oldsmobile 4-4-2: A Detuned Year, and a Dropped Body
Compression fell to 8.5:1 for regular fuel, the W-31 was dropped, the sports coupe was gone, and 4-4-2 production fell to 7,589.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
This record's own dek states that compression fell to 8.5:1 for regular fuel, the W-31 was dropped, the sports coupe was gone, and 4-4-2 production fell to 7,589. This record's own overview states that Oldsmobile's 1971 AMA specifications document standard 455 and W-30 4-4-2 configurations, and that Motor Trend's October 1970 preview reported the compression drop, the W-31 350 package's disappearance, and a standard 4-4-2 engine rated at 260 hp under the new SAE net method.1,2
This record's own overview states that an Over-Drive Magazine table lists 6,285 4-4-2 Holiday coupes, including 810 W-30 cars, and 1,304 convertibles, including 110 W-30 cars, for 7,589 cars in all, and that only the hardtop and convertible were offered because the sports coupe body was dropped. This record's own identification section states that the two remaining 4-4-2 body numbers were 4487 for the Holiday coupe and 4467 for the convertible, with no sports coupe number listed for 1971.3
This record's own options section documents the W-30 package's price at $369 without power front disc brakes or $347.56 with them, and describes its contents as the Rocket 455 V-8 with Force-Air induction, a special air cleaner, a four-barrel carburetor, an aluminum intake manifold, sports-styled mirrors, G70x14 Wide-Oval tires with raised white letters, a dual-intake Force-Air fiberglass hood with special paint, wide body-side stripes, front-fender W emblems, lightweight body insulation, and manual front disc brakes, with a four-speed manual or Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission required. This record's own production rows state that 810 W-30 Holiday coupes and 110 W-30 convertibles were built, both counted within the body totals above.3
This record's own engines section documents the standard 455 at 340 hp and 460 lb-ft gross as listed by a secondary source, 260 hp SAE net as reported by Motor Trend, and 270 hp at 4,400 rpm with 370 lb-ft at 3,200 rpm SAE net with dual exhaust per the factory specs book, at 8.5:1 compression. It documents the W-30 455 at 350 hp and either 500 or 460 lb-ft gross depending on the source, and 300 hp with 410 lb-ft SAE net per the factory specs book. This record's own conflicts section addresses the torque discrepancy directly, noting that the factory specs book, effective December 1970, prints 460 lb-ft gross while the 500 lb-ft figure matches the 1970 W-30 rating and may be a carryover value.3
This record's own performance section documents a Motor Trend test of a pre-production 4-4-2 W-30 with Turbo Hydra-Matic and a 3.42 axle running 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.4 seconds at 97 mph on regular fuel, and a wide-ratio four-speed version with the same axle and G70-14 tires running 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds. This record's own prices section documents factory list prices of $3,551 for the Holiday coupe and $3,742 for the convertible, effective November 23, 1970, matching the figures given in the secondary compilation.2
This record's own specifications section documents a 112-inch wheelbase, a 203.6-inch overall length, a 76.8-inch width, shipping weights of 3,688 lb for the Holiday coupe and 3,731 lb for the convertible, and curb weights of 3,792 lb and 3,835 lb respectively. This record's own options section also documents the Y-79 SX Performance Package for the Cutlass Supreme, a 320-hp 455 at $152, alongside 4-4-2-specific choices such as the W-26 sports console with Hurst Dual-Gate shifter, the W-35 rear-deck spoiler, and the G-89 3.73 axle package with Anti-Spin. This record's own production rows place the 4-4-2 within a 234,020-car total for all Oldsmobile mid-size production that year.3
Fact sheet · 1971 · United States
The numbers
1971 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 — Compression fell to 8.5:1 for regular fuel, the W-31 was dropped, the sports coupe was gone, and 4-4-2 production fell to 7,589.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-4-2, all bodies3 4-4-2 · Holiday coupe and convertible · not stated by source | 7,589 | built, model-year | Reported |
| All Oldsmobile mid-size incl. 4-4-23 F-85, Cutlass, Cutlass S, Cutlass Supreme, 4-4-2 · not stated by source | 234,020 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-4-2 Holiday coupe (4487)3 4-4-2 · 2-door Holiday hardtop coupe · not stated by source Includes W-30 cars (the table's '442 Totals' column equals the series total). | 6,285 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 4-4-2 convertible (4467)3 4-4-2 · 2-door convertible · not stated by source Includes W-30 cars. | 1,304 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| W-30 Holiday coupe3 4-4-2 W-30 · 2-door Holiday hardtop coupe · 455 W-30 · not stated by source | 810 | built, model-year | Reported |
| W-30 convertible3 4-4-2 W-30 · 2-door convertible · 455 W-30 · not stated by source | 110 | built, model-year | Reported |
One secondary lineage (Over-Drive), which does not name its factory source.
No W-30 split by transmission was found.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 4-4-2 Holiday coupe (4487)3 | $3,551 | factory price as given by secondary compilation, 1971 |
| 4-4-2 convertible (4467)3 | $3,742 | factory price as given by secondary compilation, 1971 |
| 4-4-2 hardtop coupe (4487), MSRP | $3,551 | manufacturer's suggested retail price, including reimbursement for Federal Excise Tax and suggested dealer new vehicle preparation charge; destination charge dealer-entered (prices effective Nov. 23, 1970 per the revision note), 1970-11-23 |
| 4-4-2 convertible (4467), MSRP | $3,742 | manufacturer's suggested retail price, including reimbursement for Federal Excise Tax and suggested dealer new vehicle preparation charge; destination charge dealer-entered (prices effective Nov. 23, 1970 per the revision note), 1970-11-23 |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 455 V-8, 4-4-23,2,1 455 cu in · Quadrajet 4-barrel | 340 hp @ 4,600, 460 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross (as listed by secondary source)); 260 hp (SAE net (as reported by Motor Trend)); 270 hp @ 4,400, 370 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE net, dual exhausts (factory specs book)) | standard, 4-4-2 | Not yet sourced |
| W-30 · 455 V-8 W-303,1 455 cu in · Quadrajet 4-barrel, forced air | 350 hp @ 4,700, 500 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross (as listed by secondary source)); 350 hp @ 4,700, 460 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross (factory specs book)); 300 hp @ 4,700, 410 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE net, dual exhausts (factory specs book)) | optional, 4-4-2 | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| Close-ratio 4-speed manual3 | optional ($237) | Not yet sourced |
| Wide-ratio 4-speed manual3 | optional ($195) | Not yet sourced |
| M40 · Turbo Hydra-Matic 4003 | optional ($243) | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
W-30package |
455 W-30 V-8, 4-4-2 only3 | $369 | Not yet sourced |
W-37RPO |
Dual disc clutch, 4-4-2 only3 | $99 | Not yet sourced |
W-27RPO |
Aluminum axle cover3 | $26 | Not yet sourced |
G-89RPO |
3.73 axle package with Anti-Spin3 | $67 | Not yet sourced |
Y-79package |
SX Performance Package, Cutlass Supreme (320 hp 455)3 | $152 | Not yet sourced |
W30RPO |
Performance Package (Rocket 455 V-8 engine with selected parts, Force-Air induction, special air cleaner, 4-bbl carburetor, aluminum intake manifold, sports-styled mirrors D35, G70 x 14 Wide-Oval tires with raised white letters PK5, dual-intake Force-Air fiberglass hood W25 with special paint, wide body-side paint stripes, "W" emblems on front fenders, lightweight body insulation, manual front disc brakes; M20, M22 or M40 required; N.A. with Y72 or standard hood and body-side stripes), without power disc brakes JL2 | $369.67 | Not yet sourced |
W30RPO |
Performance Package, with power disc brakes JL2 | $347.56 | Not yet sourced |
W37RPO |
Clutch, heavy-duty 2-plate (M20 or M22 required) | $99 | Not yet sourced |
W25RPO |
Hood, dual-intake Force-Air fiberglass (includes special paint) | $157.98 | Not yet sourced |
W26RPO |
Console, sports with Hurst Dual-Gate shifter (M40 required; N.A. with A52 or A65) | $76.88 | Not yet sourced |
W27RPO |
Axle housing cover, aluminum rear | $26.33 | Not yet sourced |
W35RPO |
Spoiler, rear-deck (coupe) | $73.72 | Not yet sourced |
G89RPO |
Axle package, 3.73-to-1 heavy-duty performance (off-highway use only; W30 required; N.A. with C60 or Y72; includes G80 anti-spin axle) | $68.46 | Not yet sourced |
G92RPO |
Axle package, 3.42-to-1 heavy-duty performance (N.A. with C60 or Y72) | $21.06 | Not yet sourced |
G80RPO |
Axle, anti-spin rear (required with G89) | $44.23 | Not yet sourced |
M20RPO |
Transmission, 4-speed floor-shift wide-ratio, Hurst shifter | $195.36 | Not yet sourced |
M22RPO |
Transmission, 4-speed floor-shift close-ratio heavy-duty, Hurst shifter | $237.60 | Not yet sourced |
M40RPO |
Transmission, Turbo Hydra-matic 400 | $242.88 | Not yet sourced |
JL2RPO |
Brakes, power with front disc (M40 required with W30) | $69.51 | Not yet sourced |
D35RPO |
Mirrors, sports-styled outside rearview (color-matched; N.A. with D33) | $22.12 | Not yet sourced |
PK5RPO |
Tires, G70 x 14 blackwall Wide-Oval bias-ply belted with raised white letters | $26.33 | Not yet sourced |
D55RPO |
Console, sports (N.A. with A52 or A65) | $61.09 | Not yet sourced |
A52RPO |
Seat, bench front with bright moldings (N.A. with D55 or W26; coupe) (deduct) | $68.46 | Not yet sourced |
A65RPO |
Seat, custom sport front with center armrest (convertible) | $0 | Not yet sourced |
U21RPO |
Rocket Rallye Pac (includes U35) | $84.26 | Not yet sourced |
N66RPO |
Wheels, Super Stock II, cast-gray color | $73.72 | Not yet sourced |
N67RPO |
Wheels, Super Stock III, lower body color | $73.72 | Not yet sourced |
P05RPO |
Wheels, Super Stock I | $90.58 | Not yet sourced |
N47RPO |
Steering, Vari-Ratio power | $115.85 | Not yet sourced |
C08RPO |
Rooftop covering, vinyl (coupe) | $102.15 | Not yet sourced |
C60RPO |
Air conditioner, Four-Season (includes heavy-duty radiator; N.A. with G89 or G92; available with W30 only with M40, G91 and JL2; N47 required) | $407.59 | Not yet sourced |
Y72RPO |
Engine-cooling equipment, heavy-duty (N.A. with G89, G92 or W30), with C60 | $21.06 | Not yet sourced |
Y72RPO |
Engine-cooling equipment, heavy-duty, without C60 | $57.93 | Not yet sourced |
V36RPO |
Bumper guards, protective front and rear with vinyl inserts | $31.60 | Not yet sourced |
U58RPO |
Radio, AM-FM stereophonic pushbutton (includes U80) | $239.08 | Not yet sourced |
D99RPO |
Finish, two-tone Magic-Mirror (coupe) | $36.86 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
11 |
Arctic White3 | Not yet sourced |
13 |
Platinum Mist3 | Not yet sourced |
16 |
Tealmist Gray3 | Not yet sourced |
19 |
Regal Black3 | Not yet sourced |
24 |
Cascade Blue3 | Not yet sourced |
26 |
Stratomist Blue3 | Not yet sourced |
29 |
Nocturne Blue3 | Not yet sourced |
39 |
Twilight Turquoise3 | Not yet sourced |
41 |
Silver Fern3 | Not yet sourced |
42 |
Willowmist Green3 | Not yet sourced |
43 |
Lime Mist3 | Not yet sourced |
49 |
Verdemist Green3 | Not yet sourced |
50 |
Bamboo Cream3 | Not yet sourced |
53 |
Cortez Gold3 | Not yet sourced |
55 |
Cornet Gold3 | Not yet sourced |
61 |
Sandpiper Beige3 | Not yet sourced |
62 |
Bittersweet Mist3 | Not yet sourced |
65 |
Copper Mist3 | Not yet sourced |
67 |
Burnished Cinnamon3 | Not yet sourced |
68 |
Deep Chestnut3 | Not yet sourced |
70 |
Pearl Beige3 | Not yet sourced |
73 |
Sunset Mist3 | Not yet sourced |
74 |
Vintage Red3 | Not yet sourced |
75 |
Fire Red3 | Not yet sourced |
78 |
Rosewood3 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase3 | 112 in | 4-4-2 |
| Shipping weight, V-8 | 3,688 lb | 4-4-2 hardtop coupe 4487 |
| Shipping weight, V-8 | 3,731 lb | 4-4-2 convertible 4467 |
| Curb weight, V-8 | 3,792 lb | 4-4-2 hardtop coupe 4487 |
| Curb weight, V-8 | 3,835 lb | 4-4-2 convertible 4467 |
| Overall length | 203.6 in | 4-4-2 |
| Overall width | 76.8 in | 4-4-2 |
| Loaded height | 52.9 (hardtop coupe); 53.2 (convertible) in | 4-4-2 |
| Tread | 59.7 front / 59.0 rear in | intermediate models incl. 4-4-2 |
| Tires and wheels | G70 x 14 standard; 14 x 7 wheels | 4-4-2 |
| Trunk capacity | 17 cu ft | intermediate models |
| Turning diameter | 40 ft | 4-4-2 |
| Axle ratios (factory power teams) | M14 3-speed: 3.23 std, 3.08, 3.42; M20/M22 4-speed: 3.42 std, 3.23; M40: 3.23 std, 2.56, 2.73, 3.08, 3.42; W30 with M20/M22: 3.42 std, 3.73; W30 with M40: 3.42 std, 3.23, 3.73 :1 | 4-4-2 |
Period road tests
| Test | Car tested | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Trend, 1970-1020-60 mph | 4-4-2 W-30 pre-production car, Turbo Hydra-Matic, 3.42 axle, regular fuelprototype/pilot-line car, 2 aboard | 6.1 s |
| Motor Trend, 1970-102standing quarter mile | 4-4-2 W-30 pre-production car, Turbo Hydra-Matic, 3.42 axle97 mph; prototype/pilot-line car | 14.4 s |
| Motor Trend, 1970-1020-60 mph | 4-4-2 W-30 pre-production car, wide-ratio 4-speed, 3.42 axle, G70-14prototype/pilot-line car, 2 aboard | 6.6 s |
A road test result belongs to the one car that was tested, with its engine, gearing, tires, and conditions. It is not a figure for every car of the year.
Identification
- Body numbers
- 4-4-2: 4487 Holiday coupe and 4467 convertible; no sports coupe for 1971.3
Where the sources disagree
1971 W30 455 torque
- 460 lb-ft @ 3200 gross; 410 lb-ft @ 3200 SAE net
- 500 lb-ft @ 3200 gross3
Both shown; the factory specs book (December 1970) prints 460 gross. The 500 figure matches the 1970 W-30 rating and may be carried over.
Identification
Read a 1971 Oldsmobile VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1971
- AMC AMX The AMX name moves onto the redesigned Javelin as its top model. It is a derivative badge, not a continuation of the two-seater. 2,054 were built, all with the 360 or 401.
- AMC Hornet SC/360 AMC's one-year compact muscle car pitched as an insurance-friendly alternative. AMC reportedly planned 10,000, but 784 were built.
- AMC Javelin A new, flared-fender Javelin, with the AMX name as its top model. Javelin won AMC the 1971 Trans-Am manufacturers' championship.
- AMC Matador Machine The Rebel Machine's unadvertised successor, a 'Machine Go' option package for the Matador hardtop. Production is unknown; published guesses run from 43 to 68.
- Buick Riviera The boattail Riviera: 455 rated 315 gross / 255 net, GS 330 / 265; 3,175 of 33,810 were GS.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX Compression fell to 8.5:1, the GS 350 and GS 455 were merged into one GS series of 9,170 cars, and the GSX became an appearance package on any GS.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS A single RPO Z15 SS package now spanned small- and big-block V8s; 9,502 of 19,293 SS cars carried the LS5 454, and Chevrolet began printing net ratings beside gross.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova SS limited to the L48 350 per the source; Rally Nova (RPO YF1) offered. Enthusiast-compiled production: 194,878 cars; Super Sport 7,015.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS A single RPO Z15 SS package on the Malibu/Custom El Camino; the El Camino share of 19,293 SS cars is not separately published.
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS The last SS 454 year: RPO Z20 on 1,919 of 128,600 Monte Carlos.
- Dodge Challenger Challenger's second year lost the SE, the R/T convertible, and the T/A; a new pillared coupe joined the hardtop and convertible, and production fell to roughly a third of 1970's.
- Dodge Charger A new, shorter third-generation body absorbed the Coronet two-doors and the Super Bee; it was the last year for the R/T and for a factory Hemi Charger.
- Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The end of the line for Coronet performance: the two-door Coronets were replaced by the Charger, taking the Super Bee with them.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon Dodge's version of the Duster fastback arrived as the Demon, and the Demon 340 became the performance Dart: 10,098 built, plus 85 Canadian Swinger 340 Specials.
- Ford Maverick Grabber The Grabber became its own model with a dual-scoop hood, and the 210 hp 302 V8 arrived; Classic Industries counts 38,963 Grabbers.
- Ford Ranchero GT The second Torino-based Ranchero year; reference counts give 3,632 GTs, while Barn Finds rounds the GT figure to about 3,900 of 24,946 Rancheros.
- Ford Thunderbird The last fifth-generation year kept the 360-hp 429 as standard; production fell to 36,055.
- Ford Torino A carryover year for the 1970 body; the Torino Cobra now came standard with a 351 four-barrel and offered the 429 Cobra Jet-R, but only 3,054 Cobras were built.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone The final Cyclone year: production fell to a few thousand across Cyclone, Cyclone GT and Cyclone Spoiler.
- Mercury Cougar A larger second-generation Cougar, new body codes, and the one-year 429 Cobra Jet option, fitted to 448 cars.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda Four headlamps and a new grille marked the second E-body year; the Hemi and 440 Six Barrel stayed on the 'Cuda order form, but Barracuda-line production fell to about a third of 1970's.
- Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 The Duster 340's second year brought a new grille, a Thermo-Quad 340 rated 275 gross and 235 net hp, and a $2,703 list price, while output fell to about 12,900.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite On the redesigned 1971 Satellite body the GTX fell to 2,942 cars, only 30 of them with the Hemi.
- Plymouth Road Runner Redesigned on the new Satellite body as a hardtop only, the Road Runner fell to 14,218 cars, and a 340 joined the 383, 440, and Hemi.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am The 455 HO year: the Trans Am's biggest engine, 2,116 cars, and a Formula line split across three V-8s.
- Pontiac GTO Lower compression, dual gross and net ratings, the 455 HO as the top engine, and production down to 10,532.
- Pontiac Grand Prix Boat-tail styling, lower compression, and the manual transmission gone by March: 116 of 58,325 had one.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The Tempest name gives way to T-37; the GT-37 option carries on and the 455 HO is available in two-door LeMans models.