Originally introduced as a performance model, the Oldsmobile 442 eventually morphed into a car with a focus more on luxury and comfort. It was still capable of reasonable performance in the context of its time, but tightening emission and safety regulations meant that by the time this 1987 model rolled off the production line, it was a car that was no longer capable of the sorts of acceleration that would make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. This one is still a nice example, and it is ready to be driven and enjoyed immediately. The Oldsmobile is located in Palm Beach, Florida, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set the sale price for the car at $15,900. I have to give a big shout out to Barn Finder Pat L for spotting the 442 for us.
Externally, the Dark Garnet Red Oldsmobile presents quite nicely. The panels appear to be free of any significant dings or dents, and there is no evidence of any rust. The paint has a few minor marks and chips, but given the fact that it is claimed to be original, it looks pretty good for a 33-year-old car. I think that Oldsmobile was right on the money when they chose to fit the chrome wheels with the color-keyed centers to the car. They impart a fairly tough look, but still manage to convey an air of class to the car. Those wheels appear to be in good condition, as does all of the glass. One great feature is the glass T-Top, and this looks to be in good condition. The photos of the 442’s interior show no evidence of water staining, which suggests that the seals for the top are sound.
I would be inclined to describe the interior condition of the 442 as decent and presentable, but not perfect. Some of the plastic, particularly on the console, door trims, and the backs of the bucket seats, is showing both signs of age, along with signs of wear and tear. It should be possible to locate replacement pieces if the next owner wants to really bring the interior up to a high standard, but it is also worth considering that there are companies that can restore these plastic pieces, and this is an option worth investigating purely on a cost basis. The upholstery on the front bucket seats is showing its age, and it isn’t clear how well they would respond to a clean. The rear seat looks virtually brand new, and this could raise a bit of a quandary for the next owner. If the front seats don’t clean-up well, then the obvious step would be to fit new covers. However, a pair of front covers seem to sell for around $530. I have found a supplier who sells a full set of high-quality replacement covers for front and rear for $645. I’m not sure which option you would choose, but I would be tempted to replace the lot to maintain a uniform color match. The original radio/cassette player has made way for a CD player, but the rest of the interior appears to be unmodified. As far as luxury appointments are concerned, the owner will find themselves with air conditioning, power windows, a power driver’s seat, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and a power antenna.
The 1987 model year marked the end of an era for the 442. This was not only the final year in which you would find a V8 under the hood, but it was also the final year that it would be produced in rear-wheel-drive form. The engine in question is a 307ci V8, producing 170hp. This power finds its way to an 8½” rear end via a 4-speed THM 200-R4 automatic transmission. In addition, the 442 sports power steering and power brakes. The owner claims that the Olds has a genuine 31,000 miles on the clock, but doesn’t indicate whether he has any evidence to back this claim. Sadly, he also doesn’t indicate how well the car runs and drives. The engine bay generally looks fairly tidy, but I did notice that the insulation on one of the air conditioning hoses has deteriorated markedly. With that in mind, I would probably be inclined to carefully inspect all of the other rubber components to ensure that all is well. Nothing ruins your day quite like a failed radiator hose dumping all of the engine’s coolant all over the road.
The end of an era. It has a sad ring to it, don’t you think? In 1987, 4,208 people made the decision to park a 442 in their garage. That didn’t make it a particularly rare car, but against Oldsmobile’s total vehicle production of 806,915 cars for that model year, it represents a tiny percentage. As far as this car’s price is concerned, it is probably in the ballpark for a car in this condition. If the mileage can be confirmed and the interior is brought up to scratch, there is no reason why it couldn’t be worth figures in excess of $20,000. Be aware, it won’t be far above that sort of mark, but with values climbing slowly but steadily, it should be the sort of classic that potentially won’t lose money in the future.
I don’t think it was regulations but more GM choice. There were some quick cars in 87.
It’s a beautiful car – yup I’m an 80 s kid and I can’t help it.
Does anyone else remember the Hurst Oldsmobile of this generation? It was the one with three Lightning Stick levers operating the transmission, so you didn’t miss a shift when you really needed to cover the quarter mile in less than 18 seconds.
You mean like this?
https://worcester.craigslist.org/cto/d/uxbridge-1984-cutlass-hurst-olds/7074445653.html
83 and 84 had the Lightning Rods shifters. Bizarre looking, not quite the Lenco look, but they were cool! I remember the original His/Hers but was called the Dual Gate, that was aftermarket, equipped with a key to lock out the manual gate, the “his” side… around 1962 or so? regarding the T-Tops, the leaking typically attacked the underside of the roof, where they were formed to accept the t-tops, often times water collected in the A-pillar, and rusted from the upper door hinge upwards. Add rust, the torque from normal driving, especially on Grand Nationals, the A-pillar would often crack. When you cut into the roof, you significantly weaken the structure of the car, and lose even more torsional rigidity. .
Most of the car appears to have 31k miles, until you take a closer look at the interior. I like these, my brother built a similar one with sbc and 5 speed manual.
GLWS
Compared to the Buick century listed yesterday with more miles on the clock, that interior has had a rough 31k miles, leading me to question the miles.
That fraying seat belt webbing showing on the passenger side is especially telling, I don’t believe the mileage.
I wonder what the electrical tape was used to cover up?
Lots of rust on the tilt stalk…. something doesn’t add up. Definitely need eyes on before buying.
Missed that the first time around, was distracted by the dead voltage gauge.
Sadly all I can remember from cars like these from the 80s was poor build quality, underpowered motors, and peeling paint.My time during that decade had me driving a Datsun 200SX and later a Nissan hardbody PU.
That’s how the foreigners took over, this junk, and believe me, I was there, these cars were junk, strictly stickers and wheels,anyone who thought these were fast, never rode in a real muscle car, or their fond memories of youth, leave out the part that the only way to smoke those tires was to pray for a little rain, not too much, just a little
Actually, these later eighties versions were quicker than the late seventies early eighties models, comparing one dog to another is perfectly fine, so by ’87 they’d figured a few things out. Buick really figured it out.
Nice comfortable car for Sunday drives, don’t see all that many on the road anymore.
I probably make this comment on every Oldsmobile 307 powered vehicle posted, pull the 307 for the next future owner. Bolt in a warmed over Oldsmobile 403, everything swaps over. Take it out on the highway and have some fun. Super comfortable coast to coast cruiser.
There was nothing quick in the 80s, except the 5.0 Ford, that was quick, and I’m a GM guy, anyone who thinks this car or a Monte SS were quick, need to go drive a real car
Buick Grand National, T -Type or GNX, 5.7 Trans Am or Z28 and 20th Anniversary TA all come to mind.
Go drive a 67 GTO, a 72 SD 455 Trans am, or a real 69 Z/28, Grand National was ok, go drive a real 455 GS, and stomp on it, after you change your shorts get back to me about what’s fast, and the 20th anniversary T/A was a Chevy powered car, so can’t be considered
All correct and decent for the 80’s. John, don’t start throwing in a bunch of 60’s and 70’s muscle cars when your original comment was about ’80’s cars and the feature car is an 1987. By the way, no 1972 SD 455 Trans Am. They were ’73 and ’74.
The Monte’s were slugs, but the OD transmission with a relatively low 1st gear, plus the 3:73 rear axle gave *ok* acceleration, but yeah, other than the GN, none of the GM cars were quick.
John you are correct. Ford didn’t BS around with performance and I am not a Ford guy. I bought a new GT and know first hand. The automatic trans was an option. The manual trans was standard. No silly order codes and you didn’t have to know someone to slide an order through the back door.
GM was in a sales race and only cared about selling cars. So many V6 and 305 Camaros. Couldn’t make anything faster then the Corvette……and it wasn’t fast either. Buick was able slip one in though although but was a one hit wonder. If the GN was all that it would have been made longer.
They did have the ability to MAKE it look fast though. They made a ton of money off of wheels and tape stripes. Here is an example.
My ’88 5-speed, Quad-4 powered Calais was pretty quick.
The Quad-4 was fast. But right around the time the warrantee was about to run out the coolant light came on. Time to replace the head gasket.
The second time at the 80,000 mark. Then due again after another 40,000 miles. Sad a good car but wasn’t worth a third time.
Instead of GM engineering out the problem they quietly stopped production. Not enough profit in smaller cars to build them right.
Sorry John O., the 20th Anniversary Pontiac Trans Am was powered by the 3.8 litre Buick Turbo out of the Grand National. Plenty stout to make you change your shorts in a hurry.
https://www.hemmings.com/blog/article/f-em-all-1989-pontiac-trans-am/
Absolutely correct, the TTA was a rocket ship compared to a GN, in stock form of course. They just never achieved the popularity and following that the GN did. I still think about getting one, they still can be found *somewhat* reasonably priced. I’n not much of a mullet guy, I graduated high school in 1970… but come to think of it, I have a 70 El Camino SS, does that make me a mullet guy? But I could definitely see one of them in my garage.
Still wasn’t a real Pontiac, I love Pontiac, I’ve owned them all my life as my toys, a 3.8 powered Trans Am is not a Pontiac, it’s a joke, my 455 Grand Prix is a real Pontiac, slow? Yes it weighs 4000lbs and in 73 it has a whopping 250 hp, but’s it’s a Pontiac, never claimed it to be fast, I’m a bit of a purist, my 18 E43 AMG which is a 6 cylinder is fast, my Grand Prix is not
Nice, you have a Guido mobile for weekends and a Gino mobile to drive to work!
Seriously, the government in my Province is taking all the fun out of owning a fast car.
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/070455
So a Pontiac isn’t a “real” Pontiac unless it has a Pontiac engine? I should get the DMV to revise the title for my ‘89 Turbo to be a Buick Trans Am? And the 403 in my ‘79 makes it an Oldsmobile Trans Am? Say it isn’t so!
Something tells me that someone who believes this would likely will claim that a Corvette isn’t a Corvette unless it has round tail lamps ;)
Something tells me that you weren’t around when street racing was real, and competition was fierce, and brand loyalty meant it all, sorry I’m older, I came from a time when putting a Chevy in a Pontiac was like crossing an ape w a dog, just didn’t happen, and in the 80s I owned those lousy 307 motors in my Rivera and that miserable 231 V/6 in my 80 Grand Prix, never bought another GM car again, sorry but that’s how I feel
John Oliveri…with all due respect, being “older” doesn’t make you immune from criticism when you post incorrect facts. You sound like a passionate muscle car guy. That’s cool, and those were awesome times for cars, but if you’re going to beat on the 80’s cars, at least do it with some semblance of knowing what you’re talking about.
John Oliveri, you also apparently came from a magical time when Pontiac made a ’72 Trans Am with a SD 455. Wow!! And you call yourself a Pontiac guy!
And as far as the Vette goes, I’m fine with whatever they do to it, I’m all for innovation, just not Mutation
Is a Dodge not a Dodge because it has the same motor as. Plymouth? Same with Mercury with Ford drivetrains. Yes, up until the late 70s all GMs had their own engines, but unfortunately that changed, but nonetheless, it was what it was. I’ve had the privilege of driving one of those ‘non’ Pontiac turbo trans ams with the 3800, and to echo Pat L, it goes like stink! Far better than any of the V8s they were churning out during that era. From 73 to the latter end of the 80s were dismal for all American cars.
Bob S that question today would be “Is a Dodge not a Dodge if it doesn’t have a Fiat motor?
That’s pretty funny, but the truth is there’s nothing left, unless you drive a Ford or a GM truck, brand loyalty is gone, American pride, diminished, that’s y there’s more Toyota’s on the road than Buicks
Back to John Oliveri’s points. The 5.0 ford dominated the era without question.
There were occasional exceptions and some special editions by GM to laugh at, namely a 442 Olds Cutlass and a Monte Carlo SS of the mid-late ’80’s. Love the Regal GN turbos, but there were very few made and you could build your 84′ small block Ford far beyond the potential of the 231 Turbo.
All said, the car listed is just a sticker and appearance package that otherwise looks like grandma and grandpas car. Never designed to perform, but the engine bay welcomes potential.
If you have to “build” your ’84 small block Ford to outperform the 231 Turbo it’s no longer stock. So?? Plenty can be done to many engines to do the same. Kind of a silly comment.
I always liked these the 80’s 442. They drove well. I guess if you wanted to make a dragster out of it you could put a twin turbo charged 1000 hp olds 455 in it but then you would ruin the car.
If this had the interior of the 87 triple black Cutlass Classic posted here it would even nicer in my opinion. Even with the bench seat..
Yup! my 87 had a Terry Houston downpipe, Hooker exhaust, TE-44 turbo, adjustable fuel pressure regulator, 43.5 lb injectors, Walbro hot wired pump engine torque strap, and drag radials, it would run 11.95’s at 113-115 MPH all day. The valve covers were never off the car, all extremely simple mods, it didn’t take much to make them fly. I also had the aluminum bumper mounts, no power windows, no cruise, no power antenna, hardtop car with bracing behind the rear seat and additional bracing up front under the car. Race it, turn the AC back on for the return road, cool it off and do it again. Deadly consistent car.
Why were 1970 442 metal numbers put on the sides and trunk lid? Pretty sure 442 was a decal application for this year! If this only has 31k on it, why is the seatbelt so frayed? I’ve owned several Olds 442s including 68, 75, and 83 Hurst Olds. Too much money for this one in my opinion.