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; 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.
I was hoping you’d snag this, Aaron, because I knew you would appreciate this low mileage 442 and provide a nice write-up!
Thanks, Todd!
I want to apologize to 2010CayenneGTS, way back on a Vega post, I didn’t want to insinuate that they were a sucker for an alleged 10K mile car, but I did eventually want to point out a car that obviously has low mileage. We can only speculate why the original owner only put 600 miles on in 20 years, but it does happen. It’s an amazing find.
Apology accepted Howard, no worries. We all love this hobby and we can all have different opinions. People seem to forget that these days!
All I meant to imply in that Vega thread was that just because a vehicle has low mileage does not necessarily mean it will automatically be mint. A poorly stored and/or poorly constructed car might not age well despite not being driven. I think the Vega was a good example of that.
This one appears to be the opposite end of that spectrum. Somebody loved it and cared for it clearly. I would obviously want to look it over closely for leaks and things like that. But this one seems like it’s a pretty well cared for example of one of these cars
In 1987, if I were ordering a brand new 442….. This would be it, color and all. Simply amazing. This is an amazing find Todd J. When I was in High School, this was definitely a car to have. I’m right with Aaron too save the original rims and tires for shows and drive it very, very sparingly. I’ll second what Todd said, great write up Aaron, thank you for yet another great trip down memory lane. This is litterally like brand new!!!
Thank you!
Good write-up Aaron. These were attractive, desirable cars in their day, and still are. This one looks great.
I hope no one jumps in to assert that the mileage isn’t true, citing some trivial thing they think they see.
Nice. Nothing to find fault with here. About as close as one can get to teleporting back to 1987 and driving off the lot in a new G body. Like the low mile GN I bought a few months ago, the only conundrum one will have if you bought this 442 is how much do you drive it? I’ve put on about 600 miles on my Buick thus far, and despite it having low mileage, I plan to keep driving it. I just can’t own a car to look at in the garage. I know that others will disagree and say you should keep the mileage down but I am from the school of cars are made to be driven. Either way, I am sure someone will be quite proud to park this Olds in their garage. I know that I would be.
Owned many G body
OCA member – this is a capsule of Olds that is hard to find as new not trashed
But god those 307’s suck
Hope it finds a nice home
My only GM experience was an ’86 Cutlass Supreme, with the 307 4 barrel. I really hated that car. What a dog for power. It was a nice highway cruiser though. I was so glad to sell that one. It was an 80,000 one owner car. Not a good memory…
I put a 455 in my ’87 442 it moves like it’s a ’70. Dyno numbers HP 430 Trq 525
That motor’s performance was easily improved with a few internal carburetor adjustments, not even any modifications. GM had an emissions issue that they new about before delivery but after production when they lowered the original float setting due to an evaporative emmissions control failure that would syphon raw fuel right out of the float bowl and THAT choked these engine like you wouldn’t believe. Also, it was possible to increase performance by “modulating” EGR flow fate with a nearly microscopic bleed hole drilled opposite the vaccuum hose at the top of the EGR valve and increasing primary metering rod up travel 1/32″ higher AND bumping distributor base timing 2 degrees. I performed HUNDREDS of those “adjustments” when I worked at an Oldmobile Dealership in the 80’s. REALLY WOKE THOSE ENGINES UP !
Thank you for your service in the cause of better performance.
finally someone who knows whats theyre doing !
to condemn an exceptionally well suited American classic like this over highway gears and tuning deserves a ‘heres your sign’ for sure.
This car is absolutely beautiful and NOT a drag racer; nor should it be.
I grew up cruzing in one, and it we still say it was one of the nicest cars weve had to date.
Love these Oldsmobiles. Cheerful cruisers, and supremely comfortable. The deep gears really helped out.
very nice indeed and in 1 of the most popular best-looking color combos. looks to have a lot of nos parts as well. bids are almost 30k with reserve. i am guessing they are looking for close to 50k. i owned a couple of these and drove them when they were dropped off the carriers when new and were neat to drive but not worth the high asking prices today.
I bought one of these ,1987 for $200.00 in 1990 in Daytona Fl,because they drove it on the beach for 2 years,and all the brake lines were leaky/rusty.The guys at an auto parts store across from BOOT HILL SALOON lent me a set of torches,and tools and sold me the brake lines so I could drive it home to Boston. What a wonderful vacation..I moved there to live after that,. I fell in love with the place because of that. Mine had a 260 v-8 that got 25 mpg on the way home
A three-year-old car for only $200? I don’t think they had the 260 v8 in 1987 model year and 25mpg is hard to believe also.
Sweet Olds 442
Maintenance records, on a 40 year old car with that mileage, hopefully all the fluids are not original.
My son bought a 14′ Shelby GT 500 conv. with 7,500 less than 3 years ago,i bet he hasn’t put 400 miles on it.Yeah i don’t know.
SOLD for $37800.
79 bids.