Relive Oldsmobile’s most potent muscle car offerings when the simple letter W intimidated all takers. Oldsmobile’s foray into the developing muscle car wars of the 1960s came as little surprise to most in the automotive industry. What was surprising was that it wasn’t the first to develop it! Oldsmobile’s Rocket 88 has been viewed by some as the beginning of performance offerings from automobile manufacturers. The 4-4-2 was Oldsmobile’s volley back at the Pontiac GTO, and in 1966, Olds attempted to spike the ball home with its all-new W-30 high-performance drag racing package. During the course of the next pair of decades, Oldsmobile offered the W-code on a host of platforms (the Cutlass, F-85, 4-4-2, Toronado, and Delta 88) with an assortment of engine packages (400, 455, and 350). As muscle cars fell by the wayside during the struggling 1970s, Oldsmobile continued to carry its flagship W-30 all the way through the 1980 model year. This book by muscle car historian and esteemed photographer David Newhardt revisits and celebrates Oldsmobile’s legendary W-optioned performance machines. So, sit down, strap in, and let Dr. Oldsmobile do the driving. "Profusely and beautifully illustrated with full color photography from cover to cover, 'Oldsmobile W-Powered Muscle Cars' is a unique, informative, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college and university library American Automotive History collections and supplemental curriculums studies reading lists." -- James Cox ― Midwest Book Review Published On: 2021-06-21 "This beautifully illustrated hardcover includes them all, up through 1980. Olds fans will want this one for their bookshelves." -- Mark J. McCourt ― Hemmings Muscle Machines Published On: 2021-10-14 Relive Oldsmobile's most potent muscle car offerings when the simple letter W intimidated all takers. Oldsmobile's foray into the developing muscle car wars of the 1960s came as little surprise to most in the automotive industry. What was surprising was that it wasn’t the first to develop it. Oldsmobile's Rocket 88 has been viewed by some as the beginning of performance offerings from automobile manufacturers. The 4-4-2 was Oldsmobile’s volley back at the Pontiac GTO, and in 1966, Oldsmobile attempted to spike the ball home with its all-new W-30 high-performance drag racing package. During the next few decades, Oldsmobile offered the W-code on a host of platforms (the Cutlass, F-85, 4-4-2, Toronado, and Delta 88) with an assortment of engine packages (400, 455, and 350). As muscle cars fell by the wayside during the struggling 1970s, Oldsmobile continued to carry its flagship W-30 all the way through the 1980 model year. This book by muscle car historian and esteemed photographer David Newhardt revisits and celebrates Oldsmobile’s legendary W-optioned performance machines. So, sit down, strap in, and let Dr. Oldsmobile do the driving. David has been a professional writer/photographer for more than 30 years. He was a staff photographer/features editor at Motor Trend magazine, was a freelancer for many years, and has written 18 books on automotive subjects, contributing photography to more than 50 books and magazines. He is currently the chief photographer for Mecum Auctions. David lives in the Nashville, Tennessee, area, where he plays guitar well enough to know that he can’t make a living at it.