While it’s true that Ford built a lot of cool muscle cars in the 1960s, it doesn’t deserve all the credit for crafting long-lasting racing innovations. Plenty of other automakers were also building drag racers that deserve their fair share of respect. Who do you think the Ford Mustang and Galaxie were built to race against?Well, many automakers were actually trying to compete against the Pontiac GTO back in the day. As a result, numerous racing-oriented models were produced in rapid succession to discover the perfect racing formula. As a result, a few muscle cars didn’t receive the same amount of attention as others, leading to rare, well-maintained secrets. For example, there’s a General Motors muscle car that packs a serious punch with 360 hp, which is unfortunately hidden under the radar. General Motors Needed to Outrace The Pontiac GTO BaT Let’s set the scene of 1960s drag racing and NASCAR events with leather jackets and slicked back hair as iconic V8 engines proudly rumbled. It was hard to be interested in racing without hearing about the Pontiac GTO, which is attributed to making the muscle car market popular, as many automakers such as Ford, General Motors, and Dodge fought to beat it.The Pontiac GTO was an unexpected success as it instantly skyrocketed in popularity. It was only expected to sell 5,000 models in 1964, but ended up with over 32,000 sales by the end of the year. Then, roughly 96,946 models were sold in 1966. But didn’t General Motors own Pontiac? Yes, it did. Pontiac was a division of General Motors from 1926 to 2010. So, why would GM want to fight the GTO?Well, Pontiac wasn’t considered to be a core brand under the parent company. As the Pontiac GTO rose in popularity, it threatened the success of Chevrolet’s market position as it started a massive muscle car war. But GM had a secret weapon in development that would make the GTO look slow — a car so rare that only 502 were ever built. The 1966 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 Was Born To Race Mecum When the 1964 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 hit the track, it changed the industry with performance, style, and class as a more luxurious option to consider. The iconic W-30 package was introduced in 1966 and helped it defeat rivals to establish a well-deserved spot in racing history. However, only 502 units were built, making it almost too rare to remember.The 1966 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 was built to try to surpass the tri-power GTO in performance and popularity. While it succeeded in terms of performance, earning the title of ‘GTO Slayer,’ it couldn’t keep up in sales. Unfortunately, the Pontiac GTO name was too widespread to defeat.Increasing government regulations and increasing insurance prices serve as a few nails in the 442 W30’s coffin. People started turning to more fuel-efficient cars instead of high-performance models. Then the energy crisis of 1970, spurred by oil embargoes, didn’t help. But just how much faster was the W-30? The numbers tell a story that explains why Pontiac engineers were worried. Here's How The 1966 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 Slayed the Pontiac GTO via Mecum The 1966 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 brought the heat with a 400 cubic inch, 6.6-liter V8 engine and a tri-power setup featuring three two-barrel carburetors to deliver 360 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. The W-30 package added a forced-air system with bumper scoops that led to a sealed air cleaner.It features a 308-degree camshaft, heavy-duty springs, sway bars, anti-spin differential, and Muncie four-speed manual transmission. Plus, the battery was moved to the trunk to improve weight distribution for superior handling. The Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.3 seconds with a quarter-mile time of 12.37 seconds.This beast was designed for acceleration instead of high-speed aerodynamics with a top speed of 120 miles per hour. Meanwhile, the Pontiac GTO could reach 60 mph in about 6.8 seconds with a 14-second quarter-mile time. It has a top speed of 125 mph. The Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 dominated the NHRA C-Stock drag races as the ‘quarter-mile king’. But the Oldsmobile 442 Couldn’t Outrace The Pontiac GTO’s Cult Following Autotopia LA, YouTube Only about 21,997 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 models were built in 1966, falling well behind the Pontiac GTO’s production and sales. However, both of these muscle cars had similar prices of around $2,800, making them extremely competitive. The Oldsmobile fell behind in production and availability.Plus, it arrived on the scene a little late. The Pontiac GTO had already established itself as the dominant streetcar before the Oldsmobile 4-4-2 was able to catch up. The GTO provided more options for buyers and appealed to younger drivers, while the 4-4-2 was seen as a more luxury-oriented option.Also, the GTO has a more iconic style that brings serious muscle with coke bottle styling, while the 4-4-2 has a more conservative shape to resonate with a more mature audience. It was designed for folks who wanted speed without flashy styling or having to compromise on refinement. The 1966 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 Still Left Its Mark via Mecum Racing culture gained a lot from the 1966 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 as it delivered the first functional cold-air intake system straight from the factory. This was one feature that set a serious trend for future muscle cars. Plus, its enhanced weight distribution helped prove that mid-size cars could dominate in drag racing and street racing competitions.It stands out in the crowded 1960’s era for having better handling than its rivals thanks to its standard heavy-duty suspension and sway bars. This provided a more comfortable ride and better manners on the road as well. Other muscle cars quickly worked to become more comfortable as well.As a ‘gentleman’s’ car, the 442 helped General Motors prove that luxury high-performance cars can be popular. It’s a well-rounded muscle car that maintains a balance between performance and comfort instead of just providing the basics. Some refer to it as the muscle car in disguise, while the Pontiac GTO looked fun and maybe even a little dangerous.