When originally introduced in 1964, the "442" stood for 4 barrel, 4-speed, dual exhausts. A few years later, it stood for 400 cubes, 4-speed, and dual exhausts. But all you really had to know was it was quick and strong. In my mind, the Mopar 440 and Olds 442 had big strong, bulletproof engines, that you could flog all night, and they would still be there in the morning to get you to work. And Olds offered some interesting options, like the W-30, which got you some serious machinery.