Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

1987 Oldsmobile 442 With 7,000 Genuine Miles!

The 1987 model year marked the end of an era for American performance car enthusiasts. It would mark the final for production of the Oldsmobile 442 in rear-wheel-drive form. The company would revive the badge in 1990 and attach it to the front-wheel-drive Cutlass Calais, but it wasn’t a model that was warmly embraced by people with gasoline flowing in their veins. This 1987 Olds 442 could be the nicest original example in existence today. It spent many years as part of a private collection, and its odometer shows a reading of 7,041 genuine miles. It seems that Barn Finder Boot has an excellent radar for classics, so thank you for referring this remarkable survivor to us, Boot. Located in Ballston Lake, New York, you will find the 442 listed for sale here at Hemmings. The owner has set the sale price of this stunning classic at $34,500 OBO.

This final generation of the RWD 442 wore distinctive paint combinations. All cars featured Silver on the lower body extremities, while the upper panels wore a contrasting shade. In this case, the Olds wears that extremely attractive Code 79 Dark Red. The paint presents as well as you might expect from a car that has lived the sheltered existence that this one has. It was only titled for the first time in 2007, which means that it spent the first 20-years of its life in climate-controlled storage. It has hardly been run into the ground since that time, so it’s no surprise to find that the paint is flawless. There isn’t a mark or defect to be seen anywhere, while the unique 442 stripes and decals are perfect. Rust is not an issue with this classic, as it appears to be as sound today as it was when it rolled out of the Needham, Massachusetts dealership. All examples of the 1987 442 featured styled chrome wheels, and there is no evidence of any marks or deterioration on these. The original owner ordered the Olds equipped with a glass T-Top, and this appears to be just as well preserved as the rest of the exterior.

This car’s predecessors had included some fire-breathing monsters, but by 1987, the solitary engine available in the 442 was not a fireball. What buyers received for their money was a 307ci V8 that produced 170hp. Bolted to this is the mandatory 4-speed THM 200-4R automatic transmission, although the original owner did choose to equip the car with the optional limited-slip rear end. Performance figures are all that you might expect from a car that tipped the scales at 3,362lbs, with the journey down the ¼ mile taking 16.7 seconds. The owner doesn’t provide clear information on how well the Olds runs or drives, but the engine bay presents superbly. It appears that he can verify the mileage claim, and he also indicates that the car comes with a substantial collection of additional documentation.

It’s no great surprise when we peer inside the 442 and discover an interior that is in as-new condition. There is no evidence of wear or any deterioration of the upholstery and plastic, and no signs of any fading. The interior remains unmolested, with no aftermarket additions. Occupants aren’t likely to feel neglected when they climb aboard the 442 because it does come loaded with features. These include air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power driver’s seat, power trunk release, remote exterior mirrors, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, cruise control, and a premium AM/FM radio and cassette player.

There’s something almost noble about owning the last of the breed. Many enthusiasts will argue that Oldsmobile should have retired the 442 designation when tightening emission regulations began to strangle the humble V8. I understand that sentiment because that meant that it was no longer the fire-breathing brute that it had been in the past. Some will also contend that this should have been the last model to carry the name and that attaching the badge to an FWD vehicle was the ultimate humiliation. Regardless of which theory you subscribe to, there is no arguing that our feature car is a rare gem. You will struggle to find another example that compares with this car, and that’s why I believe that the owner will be parting with it sooner rather than later.

Comments

  1. Avatar Geo

    Looks very nice, but think 7K Miles is a bit of a stretch……compare the two front seats in the picture. I’d believe 107K.

    Like 1
    • Avatar DGMinGA

      I’m not sure what you think you see that would make you think the car, or even the driver’s seat would have that kind of mileage. The seat fabric is a kind of corduroy velour. The light lines you are seeing on the near part of the driver’s seat are not wear, but just the space between the ribs catching light. Similarly, the dark appearance of the bolster on the right side of the driver’s seat is just a function of how light and shadows look on this fabric. I’m an Olds guy, seen many of these, and this one looks to be a legit garage queen. Not for me, as I’ve recently bought a 1979 Cutlass Calais to drop in the kind of engine a 442 SHOULD have had in those years.

      Like 2
  2. Avatar Patrick Curran

    Berejik was to Oldsmobile like Tasca was to Ford. If you wanted your Oldsmobile “tweaked” back in the day, there was no better place than Berejik Oldsmobile in Needham, MA.

    Like 5
  3. Avatar Miguel - Mexican Spec

    That is a strong number.

    Like 1
  4. Avatar ace10

    Might be worth a shot at $3450

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Marko

    Considering what sub 100 mile Buick Grand Nationals and GNX’s are fetching these days, I think this 442 is a great value. While not the fastest G body that GM offered, they did have decent handling, and great styling.
    My parents bought a brand new 1980 Cutlass Calais, with the sport package, and it was quite a nice car I thought.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar JimmyinTEXAS

    No pictures of the underside but everything in the pictures looks like it may be a true 7K miler. Door seal rubber looks good, interiors can be replaced for reasonable monies but under the hood is very tidy and is where the money starts to add up if it gets much refreshing.
    34.5K seems like pie-in-the-sky, but it is an OBO price.

    Like 3
  7. Avatar John Oliveri

    307 powered,34,000 are you kidding? That’s a guy who told his wife, I’ll try to sell it, but no one is gonna want it,

    Like 4
  8. Avatar John Oliveri

    Funny thing about these so called Muscle cars, I used to blow their doors off with my 1988 Lincoln LSC, talk about feeling stupid, lightening Rod Shifters available with 150 hp

    Like 5
    • Avatar steve

      I used to beat up my friends 305 Firebird formula with my 1991 Mark VII. I still like rib him about that.

      Like 2
  9. Avatar Keith

    Not in my lifetime would this car ever be worth 34k. This was the slowest 442 ever built. I think 442 meant in this year 4-sp overdrive,4 tires and two people in the seats.

    Like 8
  10. Avatar Steve

    Test drove a new 87 442 because they are the sweetest looking, full actual gauge package, an actual arm test, and drive nice. Not fast by any means. Wife wanted it but I convinced her to go test drive a new 87 Buick Turbo Regal (same drivetrain, good, suspension as GN). Bought it on the spot. Tons more fun to drive every day beating vettes and modified cars. This 442 is a nice car but about double price as to what it’s worth.

    Like 6
  11. Avatar TomW

    A low mileage malaise mobile. Maybe a $15,000 car on a good day. Definitely would try to verify mileage.

    Like 3
  12. Avatar Kevin

    I like it,and oldsmobile in general, it’s a shame they faded away making alero’s,and silhouette vans,but with that said, even if mileage is real,no way I’m paying more than about $12k on one of these.

    Like 3

Leave a Reply to steve Cancel reply

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.