While mainstream musclecars like the Charger or the GTO seem to hog the spotlight, there’s a lot of slick musclecars that really don’t get the attention they deserve. The Olds 442 is one such musclecar. Oldsmobile themselves titled it the “Keeper of Cool”, and it definitely deserves the moniker.

Originally, the 442 was an options package, but from ’68-’71 it grew into its own model. The ‘442’ actually designates three of the original model’s distinguishing features – its four-barrel carburetor, four-speed manual transmission, and dual exhausts.

However, this ’69 442, owned by legendary musician Paul Jackson, Jr., strays far from the original, sporting a 3-speed automatic transmission mated to its carburetor-fed 598-cubic inch Shafiroff BBC. But the resto-modifications don’t end there, as the Olds also wields a full Hotchkis suspension system – complete with sway bars and QA1 shocks – a Baer brakes setup, and a Gear Vendors overdrive for the 3-speed.

Using pump gas, Jackson’s nearly-600 cubic inch 442 pushes 750 horsepower and 750 lb/ft of torque at the wheels. Jackson explained that, despite the enormity of the motor, the 442 accomplishes his goal of being a blast to drive while remaining reliable and predictable on the street. And from what we can see from the video – minus the incident where Leno bottomed out on the headers and made sparks fly – he definitely achieved a smooth, healthy ride.

But even with the Gear Vendors overdrive, Jackson stated that he can squeeze at most six miles to the gallon. So while he does still drive the car on a regular basis, this Olds leans towards weekend-cruiser status – more or less out of necessity.