Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Jay Leno is finally getting behind the wheel of a car he read about decades ago—the one-of-one 1968 Oldsmobile 442 with a front-wheel-drive secret!
Automotive appraiser Donald Osborne tracked down this incredibly rare vehicle, and Jay is joined by the car's current owner, Fred Mandrick (aka "Four-Four-Two Fred").
The Secret:
The car appears to be a stock 1968 442, but Hurst Performance took the car and converted it to front-wheel drive in a rapid 45-day process back in 1967. They achieved this by taking the entire drivetrain and front-end torsion bar suspension from an Oldsmobile Toronado ("Fournado" is the nickname for this creation) and transplanting it into the mid-sized 442 body shell.
Why the Conversion?
Circumventing GM's Rules: The conversion allowed Hurst to install the massive 455 cubic inch engine into the intermediate-sized body, bypassing General Motors' rule limiting that body to 400 cubic inches.
Testing a New Concept: It was an exercise to prove that a high-performance, front-wheel-drive car was possible in an intermediate size.
Fred Mandrick, a lifelong 442 enthusiast, details the car's incredible history, including how the second owner drove it for over 100,000 miles before parking it in 1986. Jay and Donald examine the meticulous engineering and custom bodywork done by Hurst, and Jay notes the car drives "more comfortable" than the rear-wheel-drive version.
Watch as Jay and Donald finally reveal the legendary "baby Toronado" and explore the bold, adventurous engineering of late 1960s General Motors.
Shop car care and detailing supplies from Jay Leno’s Garage: lenosgarage.com/shine
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ABOUT JAY LENO'S GARAGE
A new video every Monday! Visit Jay Leno's Garage, the Emmy-winning series where Jay Leno gives car reviews, motorcycle reviews, compares cars, and shares his passion and expertise on anything that rolls, explodes, and makes noise. Classic cars, restomods, super cars like the McLaren P1, sports cars like Porsche 918 Spyder and Camaro Z28, cafe racers, vintage cars, and much, much more.
#JayLenosGarage #Oldsmobile442 #Hurst #MuscleCar #Toronado #FrontWheelDrive #OneOfOne #ClassicCars #AutomotiveHistory
Jay Leno is finally getting behind the wheel of a car he read about decades ago—the one-of-one 1968 Oldsmobile 442 with a front-wheel-drive secret!
Automotive appraiser Donald Osborne tracked down this incredibly rare vehicle, and Jay is joined by the car's current owner, Fred Mandrick (aka "Four-Four-Two Fred").
The Secret:
The car appears to be a stock 1968 442, but Hurst Performance took the car and converted it to front-wheel drive in a rapid 45-day process back in 1967. They achieved this by taking the entire drivetrain and front-end torsion bar suspension from an Oldsmobile Toronado ("Fournado" is the nickname for this creation) and transplanting it into the mid-sized 442 body shell.
Why the Conversion?
Circumventing GM's Rules: The conversion allowed Hurst to install the massive 455 cubic inch engine into the intermediate-sized body, bypassing General Motors' rule limiting that body to 400 cubic inches.
Testing a New Concept: It was an exercise to prove that a high-performance, front-wheel-drive car was possible in an intermediate size.
Fred Mandrick, a lifelong 442 enthusiast, details the car's incredible history, including how the second owner drove it for over 100,000 miles before parking it in 1986. Jay and Donald examine the meticulous engineering and custom bodywork done by Hurst, and Jay notes the car drives "more comfortable" than the rear-wheel-drive version.
Watch as Jay and Donald finally reveal the legendary "baby Toronado" and explore the bold, adventurous engineering of late 1960s General Motors.
Shop car care and detailing supplies from Jay Leno’s Garage: lenosgarage.com/shine
» Subscribe: bit.ly/JLGSubscribe
THE BEST OF JAY LENO'S GARAGE
» Exclusive First Looks: bit.ly/JLGExclusives
» Ultra Rare Supercars: bit.ly/JLGSupercars
» Jay's Book Club: bit.ly/JLGBookClub
JAY LENO'S GARAGE ON SOCIAL
Facebook: facebook.com/JayLenosGarage
Twitter: twitter.com/LenosGarage
Instagram: instagram.com/jaylenosgarage
TikTok: tiktok.com/@jaylenosgarageofficial
ABOUT JAY LENO'S GARAGE
A new video every Monday! Visit Jay Leno's Garage, the Emmy-winning series where Jay Leno gives car reviews, motorcycle reviews, compares cars, and shares his passion and expertise on anything that rolls, explodes, and makes noise. Classic cars, restomods, super cars like the McLaren P1, sports cars like Porsche 918 Spyder and Camaro Z28, cafe racers, vintage cars, and much, much more.
#JayLenosGarage #Oldsmobile442 #Hurst #MuscleCar #Toronado #FrontWheelDrive #OneOfOne #ClassicCars #AutomotiveHistory
