I came across an 86 442 for sale locally on CL, and it's black with gold bottom. I was under the impression that the 85-87s came silver bottom only. I haven't contacted the owner, and haven't seen the car in person. I am just going off the CL ad.


What say you, knowledgeable people? The car looks good in that color combo, but could it be factory colors?


Thanks!

 

I never seen anything but silver. At least factory.

Pat

 

x 2

 

looks smart tho

 

The SPID in the trunk should have the factory paint codes.

 

Based on reading the ad, I would have questions...
The ad states it has a 305HO engine, I have never see an 86 442 with a small block Chevy engine from the factory, unless it was possibly built in Canada or the seller listed 305 instead of 307 in error... The VIN Code should be a 9 for the 307 and there is no code listed for the 305 in the CSM... Also according to the 86 CSM, all W42's were VIN Code 9
The color combo is also different for an 86 442, but like Joe mentioned, check the SPID on the trunk lid...

Here's the listing:

PRICE REDUCED!!!
Very nice 1986 Oldsmobile 442. Black/Gold with T-tops. The T-tops do not leak! Runs great. 67,200 original miles on original 305HO engine. This car is all original, no body work, never driven in winter. Needs an interior headliner and some TLC.

 

On the other hand, I've seen LOTS of people who think the Oldsmobile 5.0 liter engine is a "305". I wouldn't read anything into that. Again, it is trivially easy to verify whether or not this car is a real 442 thought the VIN (all 442s were VIN 9 and only 442s were VIN 9).

 

Yeah, I attributed the terminology of the engine to be in error. I too have seen lots that equate 5.0L to 305 instead of 307. It's difficult to say what they know vs what they don't.

As a CL browser, the car looks decent for the price. A headliner isn't a big deal. It's an added bonus when the T-tops don't leak. A little TLC is relatively simple as well.
The color combo just struck me as odd because I have never seen an 85-87 442 with anything other than silver lower body color. Odd in a good way, because the car looks great with the black/ gold, IMO.

Now the real question is, am I in the market for another one? Either way, it may be worth a road trip. This is kind of how I ended up with the 87. I got there to look at it and she told me to take her home! LOL.


Thanks everyone for your input!

 

All the Hurst/Olds and 442's were American built with Metric Speedometer's added, along with 88 CSC to be sold in Canada. So only Olds 307's factory in those cars. Only have seen silver but the gold on that car looks awesome.

 

I would still want to see a photo of the engine compartment as well as the SPID and VIN... That's where the originality will be verified...