Thoughts on G-Body 442

[acoen]

I ran across a nice 1986 Olds 442 this past weekend, the car was very nice, restored to original condition. The owner purchased all of his parts NOS everything is new, new paint, seals, stainless, shocks, brakes, lens, grill, bezels, exhaust, upholstery and on and on and on. The previous owner was nuts about these cars he had a couple and spent a ton to restore them. Most everything he purchased for the car was original GM. This car is very nice gray on silver with gold stripes, the wheels have also been restored. Extremely clean and runs like a top. I know they are dogs as compared to a GN/TR, what do you guys think of these things? Thought it would make a good driver if I could get it for a good price. Do you guys have a handle on pricing on something like this.

Thanks guys,

Aaron

 

[GNeric]

My wife has an 86 and we just love it. T-tops down for summer cruising and everyone gives us thumbs up when we drive by. We have Flowmasters and a hollow cat so it has quite a nice rumble to it. Ours has around 150,000 miles on it now and I have only had to replace the timing chain, water pump and fuel pump.

 

[Shane]

I love the looks of them, and plan to own one one day. Like you said they are complete dogs, but they'd make a great DD.

 

[xtremexnyc]

Complete dogs for sure but I love them! Nice car for a LC2 swap.

 

[acoen]

The car I'm looking at is just like the one photoed above. Beautiful car to me, the gentleman is asking $7500 for the car. I don't know if I can justify owning my 86 GN and an 86 442. Prices for these cars are all over the place, I am going to talk to the owner this weekend and see how low he will go on the car. I won't drive my GN as a daily driver, too many parts are unavailable any more. The 86' 442 sounds like a better choice and on top of it all it is in near show condition. The only difference between the car for sale and the one shown above is that the previous owner (car collector who passed away) added the hood bulge and rear wing (like the Hurst Olds). The previous owner replaced everything on this car it is almost unbelieveable. Sure is tempting.

 

[83hurstguy]

if everything is NOS, and the body solid, its worth the $7500. The 86-87 442's are even slower than the 83-85 hurst and 442's, Olds switched the heads and cam to a roller design in '86, ports in the heads shrunk a ton. Could find an Olds 403 and drop it right in, everything would bolt up :wink: Run 87 octane, get 20 mpgs, and run 12s with the cheap gas. Still not as good as a TR, but it would increase the fun.

 

[6APPEAL]

My wife loves those cars. That was the car she wanted before I bought our second GN. A lady she worked with sold her 87 442 which my wife wanted, but we had just bought the second GN. The car was sweet, but used a little oil which is why her husband made her sell the car. I would not mind finding one, but as acoen said the prices are all over the place. Would be sweet with a 455 swap :tongue: .
John

 

[acoen]

I love my GN but it is tough to drive it daily. Not only will it kill it's value but the damn parts are getting tough to find. A good example would be the brake bowl for the powermaster. Last time I checked they were going for $300 bucks or more. Black looks nice but tough to keep looking good. My car is factory original down to the exhaust tips, paint is good but very delicate. I would like to have a daily driver I can enjoy and for 7 grand the 442 is hard to beat. I will try to get some photos when I get a chance.s

 

[liquifire]

442

The only thing i could tell you is if it has the original engine, it will burn a lot of oil. Speaking from experience. Otherwise beautiful cars!!

 

[GNeric]

Our 442 is basically original and never burns a bit of oil. I pull the plugs once a year to see if it needs a tune up and they are always a nice tan on the insulator. Never a bit of buildup. She got it with almost 130,000 miles on it for $5000. We talked him down from $5500 and he was the original owner. Since we have had the car, it has had a set of plugs once. One carb kit because of fuel seepage of the top gasket and the previous items. Trans still kicks like new. Never any material in the pan. I love this car almost as much as my TR's.

I am looking for a good set of 3317 heads for it to compliment the factory roller cam.

 

[DCVING 6]

I had a MINT metallic blue/silver 86 442 that I sold to get a Buick. Was a nice car but it was SSSSLLLOOOOOWWWWWW.