Clean G-Body: 1987 Oldsmobile 442
The General Motors G-bodies from the late 1970s through the 1980s seem to have quite the following. They are unique in that they are some of the last cars to offer a full-frame, rear-wheel drive, and a V8 under the hood. For this reason, they have a smoother ride and can easily be upgraded in the power department. Clean examples, like this one, are getting a little harder to find. Found here on craigslist and submitted by reader Jack M., this 1987 Oldsmobile 442 will make someone a nice cruiser. The big question is whether or not someone is willing to pay the asking price.
There aren’t many details given in the listing, but the seller does say that this Olds is equipped with a V8. Although it’s hard to tell with the engine being strangled by all the extra nonsense, small glimpses of Oldsmobile valve covers appear to be there. If it’s the original powerplant, it’s likely a 5.0-liter (307 cubic inches) that would have sneezed out very little horsepower from the factory. The great news here, though, is that this engine bay looks pretty clean, with signs pointing to a car that’s been well taken care of.
The look of the interior continues to reinforce the notion that this 442 has had a bit of a pampered life. The seller does state that the odometer reads 19,000 miles but has likely rolled over 100,000. Even with the likelihood of it being 119,000, the pictures show a car that could almost pass for only 19,000. There are no details provided on whether the car has had any paint refinish work, but it does look very nice from the pictures given.
It’d be interesting to know more details about this Olds and its history. That may lend some credence to the $10,000 asking price, which the seller says is firm. That seems a bit high but maybe an in-person look could begin to justify that price somewhat. So, what’s your impression of this clean G-body? Is this a car that should be preserved in its current condition or used as a solid platform to add a little more power and fun on cruise nights?
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Comments
The same car was listed in August 2018 for $12,900. They even used the same pictures.
https://barnfinds.com/g-body-looking-for-somebody-1987-oldsmobile-442/
So you already saved $2,900 bucks off the price.
Olds should have stuck with sealed beam headlights, like on the ’86. Good luck finding inexpensive clear replacements or cleaning these leadlight bulb covers up. Can 4 prior year glass sealed beams be fitted? Sealed beams were still on cars as late as ’93, i think.
To me, the look is just not right on these & sister division cars – the roof in back is just too formal/upright to be called a “442”, along with added RWL tires & rear spoiler.
Even the luxury 1970 monte carlo has a sportier semi fastback roof in the back, yet even IT would not look quite right if the SS version had a rear spoiler – or even the Chevelle SS.
A pic of the ENTIRE driver’s seat here would help. I would think it would be showing some wear in some areas at 119k miles.
Agree with the other commenters, it’s overpriced with 119k and no pw/dl. Also, for the asking, seller should have included better pics.
The one piece headlamp capsule is glass on these. Really nice 442. Could not make it any better than this. 307 has power…unlike the 305’s. No T roof…no sale for me.
That 307 motor, belongs in the junkyard rite next to the 403 motor, both make fairly good anchors though
I had one in 1991, I was the second owner, it had 45k miles when I got it. Put 4 new tires, polished the rims, beautiful car. I was on top of the world. One week after I got it, it was stolen, never to be seen again. That is pretty damn devastating to a 19 yr old who’d never had anything nice before. I like to think the thief died very slowly and painfully in a drug deal gone bad. By the way, those headlights were glass, not the milk carton plastic crap they came out with later.