The 4-4-2 was well-bred compared to most supercars. Even the Tri-Power variant "lacks, or perhaps one should say masks, the brutal nature which is apparent in some of the others," said Car Life. New sheetmetal and a wider track marked changes to the Cutlass series for '66. The 4-4-2 still was an option on coupes and convertibles, adding just $185 to the price of an F-85 or $151 to a Cutlass. 4-4-2s got a unique grille, taillamps, and front-fender scoops. Bucket seats were standard on Cutlass versions, and sporty round gauges replaced the horizontal-sweep speedometer. A tach cost $52 extra.
Still exclusive to the 4-4-2 was the four-barrel 400-cid V-8. A slight hike in compression kicked horsepower to 350. For another $110, buyers could get Oldsmobile's first factory tri-carb setup since the late 1950s. It boosted output to 360 bhp and cut ETs to the high 14s at 97 mph. Olds had this one sorted out, and transition from the middle carb to the other two was smooth and manageable.
Shifting with the three- and four-speed manuals improved thanks to Hurst linkages, which were newly available from the factory and had both "4-4-2" and "Hurst" embossed on the gear lever.
Pictured here is the 4-4-2's base 400-cid four-barrel. It had 350 bhp. New tri-carb and W-30 air-induction options gave it 360 bhp or more.
Olds also began fitting in a few tri-power engines with the new W-30 system. It included an air-induction setup with scoops in the front bumper openings and also internal engine modifications.
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