6,648 Miles! 1987 Oldsmobile 442

All 1980s GM G-Body “Muscle Cars” are popular these days, as the kids of 1987 who wanted a Monte Carlo SS, Pontiac 2+2, Oldsmobile 442, or Buick Grand National are often in the position to finally buy one. The Grand National is far and away the most expensive of the four these days, but the 1987 442 was rarer than the GN when new (only 4,208 were built that year), and what’s even more uncommon than finding a 1987 442 in any condition? Finding one that has 6,648 miles, its original tires, and two owners from new. Barn Finder T.J. did just that, and it’s being auctioned here on eBay in Warner, New Hampshire. The bidding has been unsurprisingly strong, with its current high bid of $26,250 not yet meeting the reserve. How high will this low-mileage ’80s muscle car go?

Of course, when we’re dealing with a low-mileage car, we all want to see the odometer. The current owner bought the car from the original owner 20 years ago, and back then it only had 670 miles on it. I think the 5,000-plus miles it has been driven over the last 20 years is a good thing; it’s still a low-mileage car, but it’s been exercised to some extent.

Of the G-Body muscle cars, the 442 ranked near the bottom in acceleration (the Pontiac 2+2 may have been a little slower). Oldsmobile added a hotter cam and dual exhaust to its 307 four-barrel, but power numbers were still only OK: 170 is the number I see quoted most often. The 442 had standard 3.73:1 gears and a 200-4R overdrive automatic to help it get off the line, but Car and Driver’s 1985 comparison test with the Monte Carlo SS and Grand National showed that the 442’s zero-to-sixty time of 9.1 seconds was well over a second slower than either the Buick or the Chevy (and the Buick would get stronger as its production came to an end). But the Cutlass was a popular nameplate, and a lot of people simply liked its looks. Speed isn’t everything.

The 442 was available in a limited number of colors, and this one is Burgundy Metallic with a Silver Metallic lower body, and its beautiful complementary red velour is in excellent shape. The 442 is very well optioned, with glass removable roof panels (T-Tops); power windows, locks, and driver’s seat; cruise control; cassette stereo; tilt wheel; and more. It even has working air conditioning.

It also has its original tires. This is a neat thing to have, but I think I’d save the tires and wheels for the shows and have another set on the car for my limited driving time. The wheels themselves are Oldsmobile classics: Super Stock chrome wheels with gold accents (which match the 442’s gold stripes).

The “W42” 442 package cost $2,577 on top of a $11,539 Cutlass Supreme Coupe. Add in all the other options, and this beautiful 442 went out the door with a sticker price of $16,694, not that cheap in 1987.

But it’s certainly going to top that in 2026. The seller is downsizing, and their new living situation won’t have a heated garage (as it does now), so it’s going to a new owner who (I hope) will treat it as the last two owners have. The ad says this: “[The 442] is in excellent condition in and out, and I do not believe you could have asked for 2 better caretakers over the last 39 years.” The third will have to pony up, but they’ll certainly be getting a nice car, perhaps one of the nicest 1987 442s in America.