For whatever reason, purveyors of “limited edition” GM products have a strong tendency to buy new cars and then promptly never drive them again. Pace Car Corvettes, limited edition SS pickups and other window-dressing variants get coddled from the day they roll off the lot, kept in a cocoon of near concept-car reverence. Take this 1991 Oldsmobile 442 here on craigslist, for example – it has only 892 miles from new.
The plastic is still on the seats and on the floors, so fabric and carpeting are as-new. The steering wheel is even still wrapped up! The seller doesn’t elaborate on why or how this car has stayed so preserved or why it was driven so little; he also doesn’t elaborate on the price he’d like to see, using the tried and true method of “best offer,” none of which will ever be close to what he thinks it is worth. Sorry to say but I don’t think this new-in-the-wrapper 442 is going to be worth much more than he paid, as they never become collectibles.
However, this reworked Cutlass Calais does have something going for it besides its preserved state. As a late production 442, it sports the W41 package. In Oldsmobile-speak, this translates to 10 additional horsepower versus the previous year and a 5-speed manual transmission with revised gearing. Overall, the 442 trim line was a compelling offering solely for the powerplant, as these cars packed Olds’ venerable Quad 4 motor with higher output camshafts. This engine could be found in other models, and it was a quick car for its day.
To think, every time you move this thing, it has to go on a trailer! Well, perhaps not – but for me, I would have drive the car a bit more. Maybe keep the plastic in the trunks for shows and long-term storage use. The 442 package on these late-model Oldsmobiles won’t necessarily be a big-time collector’s item, at least not so much that you can’t drive it once in a while. Heck, anything below 20,000 miles likely won’t affect its value long-term. What would you do – preserve it or drive it?
It would probably be a fun daily-driver, but I don’t think it will ever be very desirable. $5k tops for my money.
to call this thing a 442 is a total insult of the 442s that came before it I class this in with pontiac aztecs, chev citations, forenzas, fieros, lumnia mini vans all 3 bag cars one bag for you one for the little woman and one for the dog! so you never have to owning up to the fact you own it!!
“Limited Edition” GM cars are the Beanie Babies of automoblies.
Wow. I have an ’87 Calais with 784 actual miles… but it’s got an Iron Duke and a slushbox, and that “magic” GM silver paint that peels with age. I’ve long wondered what (if any) value it might have; my guess is little to none. (Hasn’t stopped me from putting the factory tires up in the attic for safekeeping, though!)
The plan so far: I’m saving it for the youngest member of the family. She’ll be of driving age soon… and what better gift than a “brand new” car, a semi-sporty little coupe that would require genuine effort to get a speeding ticket in – and thanks to its need for paint, she’ll even get to pick her own color!
Too bad mine didn’t have a Quad 4 and a 5-speed. Then again, if it did, I doubt it would have sat all these years.
Hi Keith, I’ll bet the owner of this had the same idea. I only hope, you aren’t in for a rude awakening, when your kid says, ” what am I going to do with that”? Happens all the time these days.
Thats the truth. My wifes uncle has a 64 dodge 440 two door sedan. It has 61k on it. Its packing a 383 4v, 4spd with 3.55 sure grip. His kids say. I don’t want that old crate. I tell him to sell it to me. It will have a nice home.
784miles and needs paint? why? I know the GM paint in the 80s paint sucked but is that the reason?
The silver paint had an issue it peeled no matter what
Let me guess, burgundy inside with the alloys and the Auto Calculator?
That was one of the GM Collection BJ auction cars, I think you might have Calais 00002, 0001 was also sold at the auction, but it was white.
Edit, nevermind, I just saw yours is an 87, these were 1985 cars.
Why so little miles?
Burgundy, yes; calculator, no.
A local voc-ed school bought it at a deep discount in ’87, after some idiot at the dealership left the windows open over a particularly rainy weekend. After the teacher and students dried everything out, it sat inside the auto shop for a couple decades, and was occasionally used to demonstrate mechanical concepts (especially those related to EFI, since this one’s TBI setup was about as basic as you could get).
As an alum of said school, I immediately recognized the car when I spotted it parked beside a barn, about 20 miles from its former home. Turned out the farmer had bought it at a school auction. He had planned to part it out for profit, but quickly realized that there was no demand for the parts. We haggled over the course of a couple weeks, and before long I was towing it home.
It had been a flawless car when I’d last seen it, circa 2005. But a few years beside the barn had merely accelerated the peeling of that “falls off all by itself” silver paint. Of course it needed *everything* to become roadworthy – from fuel components and exhaust to suspension bits and brakes – but for the couple hundred bucks I’d paid, I wasn’t concerned.
So now, like so many rare-but-undesirable cars, the only thing it lacks is a purpose for being!
I had a 4dr 1990 Calais quad 4. Purchased used in 92 after my 88 Cutlass was totaled out not at a fault accident. Gray over silver with maroon interior. It was a quick car and had paint that peeled like a bad sunburn. I ended up getting a “free” total paint job.
He picked the wrong car to preserve, plain and simple.
Hi Fred, conversely, I threw away a gold mine, apparently.
Useless fact of the day: These used 14-inch wheels/tires because Olds engineers determined that the cars generated better handling statistics with 14-inch wheels than with the 16-inch wheels used on the International Series.
Now, if I could just get my mind to hold on to important things rather than random automobile trivia!
My dad had one. Olds Calis, Quad 4. Same cherry red colour. Bought new, he drove like an old timer. I don’t think he knew what he had under the hood. Until his teenage son got a hold of it. (Me)… If there was any carbon built up in the engine or exhaust, it would be gone by the weekend out. Not that I beat on it…just tipped the go pedal to the carpet once in a while… and BOOM! She’d scortch the city block with that blaze red paint faster than you’d expect. Hold the hell on! …Good times. Thanks for the memories…and more important thanks dad!
GM calling this a 442 is like McDonald’s calling itself a restaurant.
They are not fooling anyone, and I am not Lovin’ it.
It was a 442, only this time it stood for 4 cylinder, 4 valves and 2 cams.
This will, more than likely, smoke pretty much every stock “good” 442 made between 1964 and 1987.
I seriously doubt it could take my 70 w30 with the m21.
Well said Jay. Am I losing my mind or just not enough coffee yet today? What is with the mileage. the report on the sales sheet says, 892, the car’s OD says 561?
Once again a prime example of someone having the right intentions of putting a car away and it missing the mark. At least it is red and not green or beige!!
My dad was a big car guy as am I, he too had a ton of cool cars and finally decided to save one (great thought too late) which is a 64 olds 98 4 door…yes green….cool car but his 50 olds 98 rag top, 57 Ranchero or one of his many Cadillacs would have been better!! The recession bought my car collection. Time to rebuild but I won’t be starting with this one. Cool car for someone.
Zzzz😴😴💤💤😴😴
not a stimulating machine at all
pass
When I look at this car I see the new GTO and you see what happened to it.
Sorry JW, but the “New” (04-06) GTO is not a fair comparison.
400 HP/ 400 lb. ft. of torque…very high quality (built in AU) fit & finish.
Mine’s NA and built to 550+ rwhp
That said, this Olds was a good idea at the time, but it was not the car GM needed to slap a 442 badge on.
Paul I wasn’t saying the newer version of the GTO wasn’t fast, it was as I’ve seen a few at our local 1/8 mile track. I was commenting more on the looks, I’ve had 3 GTOs of the 60’s and 1 70 and me a quite a few on the Pontiac sites were really disappointed that they didn’t retro the looks just a bit. Like the 442 badges on this car the newer GTO did not deserve the GTO badges and that’s the opinion from hardcore GTO owners of the past. No offense intended to those who bought the newer version and love it.
I had a 1988 4 door calais with the Quad-4 yes it was quick.
Is it me who just likes a good underhood pic?
Always thought it would be cool to stuff one of these W41 Quad-4 motors in a last year Pontiac Fiero, GM probably would have had they kept the Fiero in production longer.
I interviewed with GM for a summer internship in the mid-late 80s. I would have been working on the next-generation Fiero, which was going to get the Quad-4 and 4-wheel steering.
These W41’s were talked about as being Oldsmobile’s car for SCCA racing. I drove one once when new. Made it about 1/2 mile from the dealership when the transmission let go. 892 miles in 25 years doesn’t surprise me.
JW, No offense taken.
I agree that GM should have used a bit more of a retro look on the Holden version, but looking at the car from the front it does resemble a 69 somewhat.
I too have owned several 60-70 muscle cars, and believe me that the GTO from down under (once your inside) really does give you the “feel” of a true muscle car.
Now if it didn’t have such a generic side profile…
OOPS meant to say 1970.
My point exactly, have a nice day !!!
The “Holden” version of the GTO is an interesting car, and will eventually become a collectable for a very sad reason. The two-door, which was derived from the Australian Holden Commodore is no longer in production. On the 6th October this year the Commodore will also cease production, bringing to an end local manufacture of Holden cars. Toyota in Australia will cease manufacturing a fortnight later which will signal the end of the Australian car industry. Therefore, the Holden based GTO will become a collectable because it will be like the Dodo, it will be the last of its breed.
As an interesting aside, the Holden Monaro (from which the GTO was derived) was originally developed as a hobby by some stylists at Holden with no official sanction from the management. When management saw the car they were so impressed they chose to display it as a concept at the Melbourne Motor Show. Public response was overwhelming, and the decision was made to develop the concept for production. So I guess that the Holden GTO is not a true GTO because it was the only GTO not designed and built in the USA, but here in Australia.
I too think some of the disdain for the newer GTO was based on the fact it was designed and built outside the USA. That and the fact from certain angles looks like a FWD Grand Prix.
A Holden SS Ute is high on my list of must have cars, soooo damn cool.
One day I will have one!
Don’t blame you for that Jay M. I’m a Ford man through-and-through, but I’d have one!
There is a company in Colorado that imports and certifies them. http://lefthandutes.com/
Very unique
Mr. TKD, I notice that they also import the Australian Ford Falcon utility. If anyone ever gets a chance to drive the “Typhoon” version of one of these, give it a go (no matter what your manufacturer allegiance is). They are a straight six, 24 valve, dual ohc turbo motor. They are an incredible thing to drive!
The owner was probably too embarrassed to drive it.
Heads and head gaskets had about a 50,000 mile life span on these. If you had a good one congratulations.
These in their time were very fast cars. Yes they would smoke many 150 HP V8’s. This car is in the same vein as the Chrysler econo performers. Only they get (some) respect. Not the Olds here. No it isn’t a 1970 Cutlass. In 1991 as now Olds wasn’t going to make them anymore. Get over it.
The real problem with the Quad 4 is simply GM. They had a great design but instead of fixing the lousy head gasket issues they opted to stop making them. Had GM fixed it they would surely had a contender in the tuner car market soon ruled by Honda and Mitsubishi. It is what your kids lust after now. I can only imagine what a Quad 4 would run like with a turbo and some tuning. Thanks GM for not making it so. I happen to think this Quad 442 is a great find. It will make someone WHO UNDERSTANDS IT and can accept it as Oldsmobile’s last real performance car.
I wonder how much he would sell the car without the plastic?
Or better yet, the plastic without the car? The seller, no doubt a mathematician, beieves these two items sold together will multiply the price.
At first I thought it was a Chevy. It would be very interesting to know how much it actually sells for–if at all.
Doesn’t the Quad 4 have a really difficult to change water pump/thermostat setup under the car driven by the timing belt?
I worked for GM as a tech during the late 80’s-90’s. These, as well as the rest, were throw away cars. GM wanted them to last about 5 years so you’d have to buy a new one. Is is collectable? Sure to some one. Is it collectable to the rest of automobile world? Not likely. Quad 4’s were bad back then to blow the head gaskets. I changed a bunch of them.
Hi dj, GASP!! Planned obsolescence, you say? We can thank our beloved Brooks Stevens for that. I’ve always thought, car makers picked the weakest link for a failure, and trade-in, the head gasket. Years ago, we never had head gasket failures, heck, they were an 1/8th of an inch thick. Now, they are paper thin.
Hey Howard, I think that you’ll find that this photo is one of the best pieces of planned obsolescence in automotive history. This is the grille badge from a 1956 Buick Special. This was in the post WWII affluence of the 1950’s when everybody wanted the latest and greatest cars. Putting the model date in the middle of the grille was a brilliant way of encouraging people to sell their “old” cars the following year, lest they be seen to be out of date.
I drove the twin to this car for years, it went like a little rocket. Loved that car. I ended up with two parts cars, I still have all three out back with tons of NOS parts, would love to sell the whole group to someone…If anyone is looking hit me up please !
Heres what i don’t get, if you’re going to go thru all the trouble wouldn’t you buy the top of the line optioned car?
This thing has manual windows and no pdl. What else is missing or how it’s optioned is not listed.
I can here the guy now when he bought it. “Honey, this will fund our retirement”
No American car from 1991 is worth much these days.
I had one of these and it was plenty fast. Could smoke a 5.0 Mustang. It is one of only a couple of cars entirely banned from stock classes in SCCA autocross. It so dominated G stock that it got banned. I raced in Street prepared with race tires and it still took an easy foot to keep the tires from breaking loose. Great cars.
Some of us younger guys grew up wanting cars like these, IROCs, Fox Body Mustangs, etc. just as some of your older guys grew up wanting 55 Chevys.
What did you expect GM to make in 1991….a ’91 version of a 1970 Cutlass? It wasn’t happening then just as it’s not happening now.
Um…..AMX Steve most likely the guy who bought the car had NO choice in options. Could have already been built and sitting on the showroom floor. Dealers order for a price point. Too many options add to the price.In 1991 power windows were not the standard option as they are now.
IF the guy did order this car then opting against power assists is on par. It is a manual trans car with a powerhouse under the hood. Who needs power anything? It is a mans Oldsmobile.
If he bought it to put away it is no different then the 1000’s of people who bought 1984 Monte Carlo’s and put them away. They too seemed like a good choice but are not worth their window sticker today That seems like a good thread. What car would you buy TODAY and put away for retirement???
GM missed the boat then with the future tuner market and now. Tesla has over taken GM as the most valuable automotive company in the world. GM had the technology with the electric car the EV1 (pre VOLT) but trashed their own product Great documentary it is older but tells the story. “Who Killed The Electric Car” Was on Netflix.
That’s not the point fan. If you are going to go to all the trouble you want to maximize the investment. These cars had all the power options available and therefore made them the top of the mark when equipped that way and were priced accordingly.
Does this thing even have ac?
Looks like my wifes 88 Grand AM, junk.
It IS entirely the point Steve. I happen to know these cars as my friends parents bought a 1989 Black Gold Edition Olds Calis with the Quad 4 brand new. It is not so named Black/Gold anywhere and was not a limited edition. It was Black with a Gold Stripe and gold between the spokes in the wheels as on the car above.It had gray interior. It was a pre Quad 442. The car was purchased new at the dealer already built and parked on the lot and had Crank windows and manual locks. Why?
Either GM dumped these on the dealer to sell OR they were ordered by the dealer for a price point. Being a price point car I am sure you know if you have a 450 credit score if you can get financed at all you will need the most inexpensive car. The W41 Quad 4 was the main option here and was a cost upgrade. As a consumer you were wowed by the mag wheels stripes and power under the hood.
The dealer had to park it next to an Iron Duke version and had to be half way comparable in price in order to sell.
Lastly if the guy ordered the car without power windows maybe he was thinking ahead. A 1991 anything with them would surely have trouble decades later regardless of mileage
.
Power assists wouldn’t change the value. It is a 1991 with 800 miles. It will be worth what someone is willing to pay.