By 1964, high performance was a memory for Oldsmobile. Other than the turbocharged F-85 Jetfire of 1962 (which only found 3,765 buyers) the last speedy Olds powerplant was the 312-bhp, 371 cid V-8 with J-2 Tri-Power from 1958. The 215 cid alloy block V-8, meanwhile, was gone by 1963 – sold across the pond to Britain to power Land Rovers, Morgans, MGs and more.

For 1964, the Oldsmobile F-85 line (which included the Cutlass) grew up from a compact to an intermediate, gaining 11 inches in length and three inches in wheelbase. It also picked up some muscle. In mid-1964, dealers were offered the B09 Police Apprehender Pursuit package, sold as “Police needed it – Olds built it – Pursuit proved it.” This “4-4-2” package could be fitted to any F-85, and 4-4-2 meant 4-barrel carburetor, 4-speed gearbox and dual exhaust.

Also included was a high-lift camshaft, heavy duty engine bearings, beefed-up springs and shock, bigger red line tires, dual snorkel air cleaner and badges. A lot of the equipment was available in the police package, so it was just a smart realignment of resources.

The B09 package was good for 310 bhp and in August 1964, Car Life reported 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds and a standing start quarter mile in 15.6 seconds at 90 mph. “What Olds engineers have done is live up to the advertising copywriters and top-level spokesmen,” the magazine concluded.

The package could be added to the F-85 Standard two-door Club Coupe, F-85 Deluxe two-door Sports Coupe and F-85 Cutlass. As an option package, there is no separate record on how many 1964 Oldsmobile 4-4-2s were built.

Overall, Oldsmobile’s 1964 sales climbed 6.3 percent to 546,112 units, but the company slipped back a place to sixth position in the sales race. That said, the new Oldsmobile 4-4-2 helped F-85 sales jump 38.5 percent from the year before, with 173,816 sold.