Oldsmobile dropped the 442 for the model year 1981, and everybody believed the iconic model was gone forever. The carmaker still wanted to revive the nameplate but couldn’t, especially as the 442 no longer made sense for its lineup.
Olds found a clever way to revive the 442 in 1985. Now part of the Cutlass family, the 442 returned to the market to represent the fight generation of a model that continued its fight for survival. Only 3,000 units rolled off the assembly lines in 1985, followed by 4,273 units a year later. The production dropped slightly to 4,208 cars in 1987.
Known in Oldsmobile’s nomenclature as the W42, the new 442 got its power from a 5.0-liter (307 ci) engine with just 170 horsepower for the model year 1986. The focus was no longer on performance, so the updated model received several mechanical changes, including new cylinder heads and a roller camshaft valve train to support the push for economical driving.
The folks at Primo Classics International recently listed one of the most mesmerizing 442s I’ve seen lately. Their 1986 example is one of the few units still in existence, but the most important tidbits are exposed as you start exploring the car.
The overall condition is fascinating. You won’t find any rust on this Olds, as the metal is spotless, and everything inside and outside is like on a new car. The 442 rolled off the assembly lines loaded with options, so you get power bucket seats, cruise control, air conditioning, the F41 suspension package, dual exhausts, an FM radio with a cassette player, power windows, power locks, and a factory T-top.
If you wonder how everything looks so impressive after 37 years, the answer is very simple. Check out the odometer, and you’ll understand. The car has just 3,000 miles (4,800 km) on the clock, and considering everything is still original, this 442 qualifies as one of the rarest time capsules still in existence.
The market appetite for Oldsmobiles was already going down in the late ’80s, so the 1986 442 isn’t necessarily a highly desirable model. However, with such a low mileage and everything original and in tip-top shape, this 442 could eventually make its way to a wealthy collector’s garage.