We see some amazing classics crossing our desks at Barn Finds, but this 1986 Oldsmobile 442 deserves special attention. It is an immaculate and fully loaded survivor. However, its ace is that it has a genuine 3,053 miles showing on its odometer. This is as close as you will likely come to potentially owning a new example, making it unsurprising that it has generated significant interest since the seller listed it here on eBay in Lakeland, Florida. Bidding has scorched its way to $36,100, although that figure falls short of the reserve.
Many thought the “442” badge was destined for extinction when Oldsmobile discontinued the model in 1980. However, like a great rock band, it staged a revival in 1985 on the Cutlass Supreme platform. The revival lasted three model years, with our feature car 1-of-4,273 produced in 1986. Its Black over Silver exterior presents superbly, with no signs of flaws or imperfections in the panels or paint. I typically avoid using terms like “as-new” when dealing with cars with over three decades under the belt, but this 442 wouldn’t look out of place on a showroom floor. Its history is unclear via the listing, but the car’s overall condition is consistent with its verified odometer reading. The plastic and decals look perfect, as do the beautiful original wheels. The first owner ordered it with the optional T-top, and like the remaining glass, it is flawless.
This classic’s interior possesses the “wow” factor courtesy of its rich and luxurious Deep Burgundy cloth and vinyl trim. It is as spotless as the rest of the vehicle, with no evidence of wear or deterioration. The faux woodgrain has avoided the lifting and other issues that often plague trim of this type, and there are no signs of UV impact or crumbling plastic. There are no aftermarket additions, but it needed nothing because it was considered well-equipped in 1986. The new owner receives air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power seats, cruise control, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player with a power antenna.
Oldsmobile followed a “one size fits all” approach to the 442 in 1986. Buyers received the 307ci V8, producing 180hp and 225 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties fell to a four-speed THM-200-4R automatic transmission, while power assistance for the steering and brakes were standard features. This car rolled off the line during the height of The Malaise Era, so it would never threaten muscle cars from the previous decade. However, its ability to cover the ¼-mile in 16.6 seconds was considered respectable at a time when plenty of vehicles with “performance” credentials could do no better. The seller supplies no information on how the car runs or drives but insists the odometer reading of 3,053 miles is original and documented. The engine bay presentation and overall vehicle condition suggest this classic should be in sound mechanical health.
This 1986 Oldsmobile 442 makes a bold visual statement, but the odometer reading and equipment levels confirm it is more than just a pretty face. Buyer interest in this classic has been high, with forty bids submitted at the time of writing. The auction is heading into its final day, so I expect the bidding to intensify soon. If you have been searching for a gem from the 1980s, is this one you might pursue further?
Boy! This one would be a great one to show up with at Coffee and Chrome! Only problem: do you trailer it to keep the (allledged) low mileage low, or do you drive it as intended and to h*ll w/ the mileage?? GLWTA!! :-)
Just unhook the speedometer and drive it like some did in the old days to keep mileage diwn. 🙃
Its a beautiful car but to much to keep in a garage and never drive.
Just disconnect the speedo cable. You could still do that back then! 🤣
I was selling Chevy’s in the late ‘70”s and we would disconnect the speedometer at the cruise control module under the hood on the demonstrators we drove to keep the miles down. Only took a few seconds. Ah the good old days!
god?… i loved these cutlass …
man?…did they neuter it or what w a 307??
freind had a 77 then a 79…beautiful cars and had sport appeal too
I was indecisive wether i liked cutlass or pontiac grand prix…
these where great i bet to swap out powertrain or engineer motor to a beauty rebuilding
Drive it
Wow ; this car does look great for 86& being black; high maintenance color but looks clean This is the 2 n d to last ;final year for these great G M brand cars but still a classic great ; lineage. I would’ve thought that Old’s would’ve put a stronger engine ;(327)?! in this last hoorah of this car ;seeing how low H P was in the late 60 s; early 70 s w this motor in the hard top & convertible Malibu’s !!? maybe somebody can boost H P in this car w/ o rebuilding the original engine?! still a cool car for the mid- late 80’s muscle which I think but haven ‘t seen many of this car in different color combos w silver/ gray bottom. Sad but true that ’87 had to be the last year for this brand car of G M & also the Buick G N (X) And lastly this car could use a good highway run before it’s parked again for an undetermined amount of time ?!
The sad truth Norm, if you boost the performance of the engine you are kissing your investment goodbye. The appeal of this car is that it is 100% stock. If money is no object you may as well put an LS engine into it.
He’ll just see if you can find the 3.6 Turbo V-6 out of a Buick T-Type or wrecked GNX. It would fit, and give her a hell of a power boost.
Always had a soft spot for the 85-87 models especially the 87 with the composite headlamps, it has understated elegance
So agree with you Robert about the ’87 front-end headlights and grille, elegant indeed, also final year for the 4-4-2. Excellent write-up Adam, as always, and this one’s a real beauty, I’d have to drive it often and make those miles go upward on the odometer! Love that it’s got ToTops as well.
I wish I could have ordered my 87 El Camino with ttops. I did order my 78 King Cobra with ttops. I still have both. The Camino is my daily.. the KC is my weekend car.
Awesome looking car
This was just one of my dream cars when I was in high school in the 80s. I cant get over how deep that shine is on that black paint job. Half of me wants to drive it everywhere, the other half preserve it. The 307 wasn’t a bad engine in the day compared to what everyone else had. I had an 82 Electra with an Olds 307 and very high rear end and it did fine for what it was, they had good torque for the cubic inches. Nothing like the 455 in my 70 Olds 98 I had before it but still….
And that interior too, very well preserved. This is a really nice example. Hope it goes to a good home
Love the car. We sold an 85 442 a few years back that had 30K or so on it. It was black just like this one minus the sunroof and it had a light gray interior. We loved it right to the point we bought a new house a quarter mile down a dirt road, black cars and a dirt road is no bueno. Got good money for it because these GM G bodies are still pretty cars, even today. When we got ours, it had 28K on it and I hated putting miles on it, this one I would never want to drive with 3K. It’s wonderful to see it though.
The 5.7L TBI From The 77-79 Seville Would’ve Been Much Better
Nice, but not a tire burner. The early 442’s were the hot cars. It’s insulting to call this Cutlass a 442. It’s a wannabe, and surely not your Father’s Oldsmobile.
Well Frank, I owned a 68 442 and an 85 442 and loved them both. You’re right my 68 was a beast but the 85 G body looked great and drove like a dream.
Does anybody here know what 442 stands for because I owned a 67 that was a stick so if anybody knows what 442 actually means
4sp 4barrel 400eng
no your wrong 4 on t, he floor 4barell dual exhaust
4 speed, 4 barrel, dual exhaust
In the case of this 86 442 I believe it stands for 4 barrel, 4 speed automatic, and dual exhaust.
This seller always seems to find the most original, lowest mileage cars in existence. But, I’d suggest that a buyer needs to do their diligence with this seller. I’ve seen another Olds that was described as an all original low mile survivor and the car had signs of having paint, and perhaps sheet metal replacement / body work done to it. Not saying all this seller’s cars and claims are false, although the cynic in me would need ironclad documentation and proof, but, as always, caveat emptor.
4 Barrel, 4 speed, dual exhaust.
Love Oldsmobiles, but my money is on the 9,000 mile 1975 Hurst Olds Mecum is selling in Jan. Only year Hurst Olds had Hurst Hatches. And those awesome swivel seats.
Now 442 would stand for 4doors, 4 cyl. 2 turbos.
Nice car if you like this particular Cutless it don’t get any better than this. These cars rode good to.I like it but I can’t see spending big bucks on one.
So what do you do with a 37 year old brand new Oldsmobile??? Put it in a climate controlled garage under a car cover? Bubble wrap it? Take it to Cars and Coffee where some snotty assisted minus the isted kid puts fingerprints ir a belt buckle on it? To me it an anchor. Even special cars are meant to be driven and not just looked at!
I had an 87 442, all options except no moonroof or T-Tops. It was dark blue with a dark blue interior. I was the second owner, it was 4 years old and had 45k miles on it. I put new tires on it, polished the chrome rims, and really felt great about owning such a beautiful car. It was stolen within a week, and I never saw it again. After that I found a low mileage 86 Monte Carlo SS. These cars looked nice, but were not well made, and underpowered. Cars like this, in beautiful shape with low mileage, are very expensive. If I could afford it, I’d buy it and carefully enjoy it, keeping it as original as possible.
Sadly all G body cars were easy to steal.
It’s a beauty Clark!
Really nice looker.
Undercarriage envy.
What a beauty.
It’s nice but ? What to do with it ? It’s not a performance car by a stretch of the imagination, crappy drivetrain.
It’s from the plastic / velour Era of gutless cars, and it’s too much money to sink another bunch of cash into it to replace the running gear! It’s a hard no for me !
BRIAN , I THINK it was’4 speed, 4 on the floor and dual exhaust???
4 barrel 4 speed duel exhaust
Made it to $36,300, but ended at Reserve Not Met.