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Story summary
- Oldsmobile developed the W-43 engine, a 455-cubic-inch V8 built on the Rocket 455 V8, delivering 440 horsepower early.
- A modern test showed the engine could generate 560 horsepower and 540 pound-feet of torque.
- The W-43 never reached production as the industry shifted to unleaded gas and prioritized efficiency and emissions during the 1970s oil crises.
- Oldsmobile's legacy includes creating America's first muscle car, but the W-43 remains an unfulfilled promise.
