Automotively speaking, and otherwise, I learn something new every day. I knew that Oldsmobile’s storied 442 moniker lasted long beyond the time that it probably should have but it failed to make the scene from ’81 to ’84. Who knew? Some of you Olds aficionados probably did but it was a new one on me. For ’85, the muscle car designation returned as an option on the Cutlass Supreme. It must have been a surprise as the ’85 Oldsmobile catalog doesn’t mention it but there was a later brochure, published in February ’85, that announced its return. And today, Mitchell G has found us a listing for just such a car. The seller considers it to be hinky but let’s look it over and decide for ourselves. It’s located somewhere in South Jersey (that’s what the listing claims) which isn’t very telling and it’s available, here on craigslist for $3,500, OBO.
So what did 442 constitute in 1985? Well according to Oldsmobile, it started with a Supreme two-door model and was defined by a 4 barrel carburetor (140 net HP 307 CI V8 engine), 4-speed automatic transmission (Turbo-Hydramatic 200-4R), and 2 exhaust outlets, both emanating from a single transversely mounted muffler. But wait, there’s more! Also included was a suspension handling package (including rear air shocks), a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, styled steel wheels, white-lettered Eagle GT tires, 442 badging, a two-tone paint job (lower half finished in silver), an accent stripe, blacked-out headlight bezels, and bucket seats with a center console. Total production was about 3K units.
First up, this Olds has lost its 307 CI V8 engine (probably a good move) and had it replaced with a 350. The seller adds, “Somewhere along the way someone dropped a 350 in it. they did a real nice job by using all the proper 442 accessories (carb, intake manifold, exhaust manifolds..etc.. ). runs pretty well considering it has been sitting many years. no funny noises and with a little shot of gas down the carb it starts right up“. Apparently, it yard drives but the brakes aren’t too hot. Here’s an operating video.
I don’t know what it is with New Jersey cars but they rust everywhere and not just in the usual places. This one is losing both of its doors and its trunk lid. The paint is burned off in places with surface rust bleeding through, and the driver’s side fender is bent. This car has T-Tops but I wouldn’t try to open either one, they’ll likely never seal again. There are images of the trunk included and the pan appears to be sound but I’d suggest that anyone who is interested in this 442 inspect the underside closely.
Inside is not as far gone as I would expect. It’s definitely dirty and the carpet is down-right grimy but the dash and instrument panel look OK so a rejuvenation shouldn’t be too involved. This is an A/C-equipped car but I’d bet it’s non-operational.
I don’t know how much interest there is in pseudo 80’s muscle cars (0-60 MPH in 9.8 seconds according to Olds) or how their values trend. It was laudable of Oldsmobile to attempt a 442 revival in ’85 as it was a difficult period for anything with sporting intentions. It’s a rare car and it does run, though it’s rough, and then there’s all of that visible rust – usually an invitation to finding more. The seller suggests, “You can choose to restore or throw a few hundred into it and roadkill it” and that leads to the obvious question, what would you do with it?
24 Hours of Lemons?
A few points from an Olds guy. First, I do not believe a Supreme was the base for a 442 model, ever. In the 60s the 442 was considered its own model designation. In the early 70s, the 442 and Hurst models were typically upgrade packages on the S or Salon – the bucket seat and console std model, but I have seen column shift 442s, so maybe those were Supremes to start off. For 1978-79, the 442 was a sticker package on a “butless Cutlass” Salon slantback. In 1980, the 442 was a trim package on the Cutlass Calais (again, the sport pkg with buckets, console and suspension upgrades standard.) The 79, 83 & (I think) 84 Hurst models were Calais underneath. In 85 or 86 maybe 84), they returned to Salon for the sportier model, presumably because they had the FWD Calais in the design stage. The car pictured has aftermarket T-Tops, so buyer beware, there may be no direct fit replacement weatherstripping available as there is with the OEM T-Tops.
“First, I do not believe a Supreme was the base for a 442 model, ever”.
Read the attached, specifically the paragraph regarding the Supreme.
JO
If you continue reading where it says 4-4-2/Olds Package, the text continues on the next line with (Salon only).
Thanks for verifying what I stated. I assume this is from the later years, probably 85-87, given the description of the headlights and leather wrapped steering wheel. Both of my 79s were/are Calais trim and had rubber two spoke sport steering wheels.
The confusion stems from the 442 package being listed under the title “Cutlass Supreme Available Equipment“. Then, under that, it does state that the Salon was used as the 442’s base. Another source that I used indicates that the 442 moved to the Supreme, from the Salon, in ’87 so I’ll admit that I over read that one.
JO
Good knowledge! As one point of clarification though, in 1966, the 442 package was available on all F-85 and Cutlass models, including the new for that year Supreme. In 1967, the package was Cutlass only, again including Supreme. For 1968 it became its own model.
“Buttless Cutlass.” LOL, good one. Given the engines these were equipped with, often the 260, I would call those the buttless gutless Cutlass, haha!
My general understanding of the 1980 442 is that it was more of a leftover 1979 Hurst/Olds than it was a legit trim package on the Calais. The two are virtually identical, down to the same tan interior and white/gold or black/gold paint schemes.
I am more of an Olds fan than an Olds guy, but I do find these cars fascinating.
I would be afraid to drive this on I-95 the doors may fall off due to rust!! 😂 I never seen so much rust on any GM model from these years. I am surprised because that part Jersey should be just dirt and dust. I wonder if this lived near the ocean before tracking inner state. What do you do with this once you buy it? As for the T-tops my girlfriend at that time had a 84 V8 Grand Prix with T-tops and these here look off. Her T-tops did leak also because it had way over 100,000 on it. It’s sad to see this Olds in this shape. Good luck to the seller. 🐻🇺🇸
Is this a 442 or not? I’m not sure if this year should have the weird shifter, but there appear to be 442 emblems where they don’t belong. One thing to check is the rear end. If a real 442, it should have an 8 1/2 inch ten bolt rear. If not, it’s not a 442. If it does, that’s probably the most valuable part of this car.
The “weird shifter” you are thinking of is probably the Hurst Lightning Rods found in the 83-84 versions of the Hurst Olds, or dual gate from the 1980 Hurst Olds. The 442s from 1980 and 1985-1987 did not have any special shifters, they just had the standard floor mount console shifters like any other Cutlass Calais (1980) or Cutlass Salon (1985-1987). You are correct on the 8 1/2″ rear end. The 1984 Hurst and 85-87 442s got the upgraded (from 7.5″) rear differential. Posi was optional (oddly).
That’s the shifter I meant. Just didn’t take the time to type it out.
I would not want to be on I-95 either especially near Philly where it collapsed. I guess this Olds could be saved if you could find some nice doors and a trunk lid out here on the left coast but only if you could buy it for a grand…
I’d make a serious sleeper out of it! It already has a full frame and a 3.73 rear end which is screaming for a 455 and Diesel front springs to hold it! I’d leave it looking as it is to attract the kids with a 4 cylinder Turbo they think is Fast and their paychecks! She’s ugly enough to find light to light takers and rusty enough to make up the weight difference of the 455, as long as it’s structurally solid enough to handle the torque I’d have a Blast teaching these kids some manners LOL!
Wow. With all that you’d get it down to 15 seconds flat. Once.
I helped a friend build one back in the early 90’s using a 69 455 w/turbo 350 trans, since the Big Block was all done at 6000 rpm we had to knock the gear down to a 3.08 posi and let the 500 lbs of torque do the work! Our goal was 5800 in hi gear at the end of the track, but since it smoked the tires over half way down it was hard to get it to hook up with the lower gears (the 2.42 or 2.73) but it did it’s best run of 13.07 at 112 mph with the 3.08 gear! It lost serious time before it finally Bit and launched HARD at half track slinging it to 11 second speeds in a 13 second run! From a 25 roll that car would EASILY WHOOP any 11 second car that it ran! You have to pick a 68-70 455 unless you want to spend a fortune getting it up to over 10 to 1 compression and heads that breathe, so if you knew a guy that put a 76 olds 455 in one and it was a pig it’s because not all 455 olds motors were created equally LOL!
Don’t underestimate those tuner kids. As much as I love the US V8s some of those cars are boosted to within an inch of their lives and make very serious HP.
That car would need a ton of dollar bills thrown at it just to be road worthy and another ton to run a respectable 1/4.
You do have a very good point with those tuners, but my point is those turbo kids have Thousands if not Tens of thousands into those popcorn machines to get those 1/4 mile times. You could put that Olds in the running for a fraction of the cost for a street car and it’ll sound much cooler! I’m just talking about a cheap sleeper for the street, not a 1/4 mile monster because that’s where the Oldsmobile can get expensive too LOL!