The final time Basic Motors used the 442 nameplates, it was in reference to a high-output variant of the four-cylinder Cutlass Calais in 1991. The Oldsmobile model grew to become defunct 13 years later in 2004, so reminiscences are all now we have of a few of the world’s most impactful efficiency automobiles from GM.

The Decide of the Day is a 1987 Oldsmobile 442 listed on the market on ClassicCars.com by a personal vendor in Oakley, Michigan. (Click on the hyperlink to view the itemizing)

The 442 mannequin, first launched in 1964, was launched as a performance-tuned sport coupe when the muscle automobile period was nearly to warmth up. Its identify was derived from the truth that the automobile had a four-barrel carburetor, a four-speed guide transmission, and twin exhausts.

Within the many years that adopted, the 442 underwent architectural and engineering adjustments to maintain up with the instances. The nameplate took a break between 1981 and 1984 as Basic Motors was shifting it from the A-body platform to a brand new rear-wheel drive G-body platform. Then, starting in 1985, the 442 was a performance-tuned model of the Cutlass Supreme.

Displaying 63,228 miles on the odometer, this instance on the market seems to be well-preserved. “Present-quality shiny new paint, chrome alloy wheels with new BFGoodrich T/A tires, new battery, new exhaust system,” the vendor states. The outside end has a two-tone black and silver theme with gold decals and accent striping. For being a Michigan automobile, the underbody is proven to be miraculously corrosion-free within the photograph gallery.

Appointments had been beneficiant for the time with bucket seats, a tilt steering wheel, air con, a middle console, a sunroof with a sliding shade, energy home windows, and a Delco “Symphony Sound” AM/FM/cassette audio system with a built-in graphic equalizer. The photograph exhibiting the sprint brings again fond reminiscences of my first automobile, a 1986 Chevrolet Superstar, due to the keys within the ignition. For a few years throughout this period, Basic Motors autos had been issued with two keys: one with an oblong tip for the ignition, and one with a round tip for the doorways and the trunk lock.

Underneath the hood, torque comes from a 307cid V8 mated to a 700R4 four-speed computerized transmission. This powertrain was rated at 170 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque which had been respectable figures for the time. The vendor states that the battery and exhaust system have been changed.

The asking value is $23,000 for this clear, restored 442 which brings again reminiscences of considered one of Oldsmobile’s excessive factors.

To view this itemizing on ClassicCars.com, see Decide of the Day.