G-Body 442: Last of the Breed
By Doug Newman,  Columbus, Mississippi

   When I was a college student during the late '80's, I really wanted one of the new G-body 4-4-2's, but there was no way I could afford one, going to class full-time and working part-time. 

   Fast forward to June 13, 1993.  There was an ad in the Sunday newspaper for a 1987 442, only 28,200 original miles, one owner, and it had never been smoked in.  (My reaction?  Imagine Homer Simpson with a box of doughnuts: "Uhhhhhhh...")  Later that day, I mentioned it to my friend Richard, and after daydreaming about it for a while, I tried to put it behind me.

   When I was off work one night the following week, Richard called and suggested we go look at the car.  It was at a dealership in Vernon, Alabama, about 23 miles away.  After trying to argue that it wouldn't do any good for me to dream, he finally talked me into going.  As we approached the lot, we could see the car from the highway.  As we turned in, I told Richard, "If this car is maroon, I'll die..."  When he drove toward the car and clicked on his high-beams, he laughed and said, "Looks like I'll need to alert your next-of-kin."  Because it WAS maroon.  GM paint code WA8529, metallic burgundy.  We looked at it for a while, long enough for a Deputy Sheriff to drive up and make sure we weren't up to any mischief.  Couldn't see the interior at night, but the body was straight, and it was my favorite color of the four that GM offered.

    The next day, I went and test-drove it.  It was obvious it had been sitting for a while, because it was very tired, and badly needed a tune-up.  Took it to the car wash and sprayed the top, and the T-top seals didn't leak.  This thing was loaded with every option except the power trunk release.  The salesman could tell I really wanted this car, and he told me that the original owner worked at the barbershop around the corner.   So I went to talk to the guy.  Found out that his mother had bought if for him when he was 16, and he gave it to his wife when he got married.  The wife had put about 9,000 miles a year on it for the previous two years.  But, she said he had too many toys when he got a new Chevy truck, so he traded it in on a Honda Accord for her.   (There's no accounting for taste in some people, right?)  I didn't see how I could afford it, so I went home and tried to forget about it AGAIN.  The following Monday, I received a call at work from the salesman.  He wanted to know if I still wanted the car, and if so, he was ready to come down a bit on the asking price.  The torture was getting unbearable, and a guy in my car club noticed how down I was feeling at our next meeting.  When I told him about the 442, he asked me why I didn't just go get it.  "Well, no collateral, for starters..."  He asked me, "Your truck's paid off, isn't it?"  "...Yeah..."  Then the little light bulb came on.  I called the car dealer on Friday, and yes, they still had "my" car.  So I took my truck title to my banker and asked for the loan.  I drove my "new" car home on Friday, July 2, 1993.

   Over the next three years, I replaced a few things, such as the center caps on the wheels, the chrome breather cover, the molding around the windshields, and I had some paint work done to it.  I also had the trunk customized at "Long's Glass & Kustom Interiors" in Vernon.  I take it to as many car shows as I can, and it consistently places first or second in the 1981 - present production class.

   Now that it's 12 years old, I think I got a pretty good deal on it, considering you can't find one in decent shape for any less than $10,500 nowadays.  It only has a little over 37,000 miles on it now.  (That's right:  9,000 miles in six years. I don't dare drive it to work.)  This is strictly my weekend cruiser. Many OCA members will tell you that the limited-run G-body H/O's and 4-4-2's are the last of a breed.  What they lack in performance, they make up for it in smooth ride and style.  Someday I 'd like to own a 1966 442, but until I win the lottery, this is the only Olds for me. For photos and more details on options and everything that was replaced, please visit http://newmand.oldsgmail.com