The 1987 model year marked the end of an era for American performance car enthusiasts. It would mark the final for production of the Oldsmobile 442 in rear-wheel-drive form. The company would revive the badge in 1990 and attach it to the front-wheel-drive Cutlass Calais, but it wasn’t a model that was warmly embraced by people with gasoline flowing in their veins. This 1987 Olds 442 could be the nicest original example in existence today. It spent many years as part of a private collection, and its odometer shows a reading of 7,041 genuine miles. It seems that Barn Finder Boot has an excellent radar for classics, so thank you for referring this remarkable survivor to us, Boot. Located in Ballston Lake, New York, you will find the 442 listed for sale here at Hemmings. The owner has set the sale price of this stunning classic at $34,500 OBO.

This final generation of the RWD 442 wore distinctive paint combinations. All cars featured Silver on the lower body extremities, while the upper panels wore a contrasting shade. In this case, the Olds wears that extremely attractive Code 79 Dark Red. The paint presents as well as you might expect from a car that has lived the sheltered existence that this one has. It was only titled for the first time in 2007, which means that it spent the first 20-years of its life in climate-controlled storage. It has hardly been run into the ground since that time, so it’s no surprise to find that the paint is flawless. There isn’t a mark or defect to be seen anywhere, while the unique 442 stripes and decals are perfect. Rust is not an issue with this classic, as it appears to be as sound today as it was when it rolled out of the Needham, Massachusetts dealership. All examples of the 1987 442 featured styled chrome wheels, and there is no evidence of any marks or deterioration on these. The original owner ordered the Olds equipped with a glass T-Top, and this appears to be just as well preserved as the rest of the exterior.

This car’s predecessors had included some fire-breathing monsters, but by 1987, the solitary engine available in the 442 was not a fireball. What buyers received for their money was a 307ci V8 that produced 170hp. Bolted to this is the mandatory 4-speed THM 200-4R automatic transmission, although the original owner did choose to equip the car with the optional limited-slip rear end. Performance figures are all that you might expect from a car that tipped the scales at 3,362lbs, with the journey down the ¼ mile taking 16.7 seconds. The owner doesn’t provide clear information on how well the Olds runs or drives, but the engine bay presents superbly. It appears that he can verify the mileage claim, and he also indicates that the car comes with a substantial collection of additional documentation.

It’s no great surprise when we peer inside the 442 and discover an interior that is in as-new condition. There is no evidence of wear or any deterioration of the upholstery and plastic, and no signs of any fading. The interior remains unmolested, with no aftermarket additions. Occupants aren’t likely to feel neglected when they climb aboard the 442 because it does come loaded with features. These include air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power driver’s seat, power trunk release, remote exterior mirrors, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, cruise control, and a premium AM/FM radio and cassette player.

There’s something almost noble about owning the last of the breed. Many enthusiasts will argue that Oldsmobile should have retired the 442 designation when tightening emission regulations began to strangle the humble V8. I understand that sentiment because that meant that it was no longer the fire-breathing brute that it had been in the past. Some will also contend that this should have been the last model to carry the name and that attaching the badge to an FWD vehicle was the ultimate humiliation. Regardless of which theory you subscribe to, there is no arguing that our feature car is a rare gem. You will struggle to find another example that compares with this car, and that’s why I believe that the owner will be parting with it sooner rather than later.