Photo gallery Factory Invoice RPO Codes Specifications
This is my pride and joy. I found this car in the classified section of Bryceman's 442.com. The ad that I responded to follows:
Date Posted 3/30/1998 - 1987 Olds 442 - Black and Silver, moonroof, a/c, power everything, am/fm cassette, new GT+4 tires, excellent condition garaged, 80,000 miles asking $4,800.00 jenjohan@us.ibm.com Hawthorne, NY
I contacted them as soon as I saw the ad, and was gratefully informed that the car was still available. Of course, the fact that it was 991 miles away, made it difficult for me to determine what the condition of the car was. I have family in Western NY, and after a few frantic emails, and phone calls, the arrangements were made for my Aunt Nancy to make the 330 mile trip to see the car on Easter Sunday, 1998. Fortunately, my Aunt works in the automotive industry, and I was quite lucky to have her to check on the car. There are few, if any people that I would trust more to give me the straight scoop.
At about 12:00 noon on that day, I got a call from her simply stating that I had bought a car...without having ever laid eyes on it personally. Some quick checking of the VIN and RPO codes were enough evidence that this was a "real" 442, and was in pretty good mechanical shape. The car, originally from NY, had spent a good portion of it's time in Florida, and after having returned to NY, was garaged during the winter months. The engine compartment still looked brand new, and the body and frame had no signs of having ever seen salted roads. The interior was likewise in immaculate condition.
The car was fully loaded. It had every option available from the factory, including the anti-spin rear axle, power bucket seats, and most importantly (for me) a factory "moonroof", a feature that I had always admired, and desperately wanted. This car, was the "dream car" that I had been searching for.
Arrangements were made, and I, along with my mom, decided to fly to NY to bring the car back. We were met at the airport by the owners, and I'm happy to say that I was not disappointed at all. I drove the car to their home, signed the papers, and we drove the 330 miles back to my Aunt's house.
Before driving the remaining 600+ miles back home, we had the car checked out. It was determined that the car would make it home OK, but to be on the safe side, we replaced the radiator (tiny crack at the neck), and replaced the factory air-shocks that were shot. Other than that, it was in great shape. A few things needed to be done, but nothing that would keep us from making it home (brakes, pinion seal, exhaust). Those have all been taken care of now, and all it really needs is a sunroof gasket repair (already scheduled), and a paint job to get it back in perfect shape.
I need to thank the Johanson's for being so honest and forthright selling me the car. They wanted it to go to someone who appreciated it as much as they had. I of course need to thank my Aunt, for taking the time to drive across the state to look at the car for me, and get the parts I needed to get it home safely. I also need to thank my mom... I wouldn't have been able to pull this off without her, as she bought a one-way ticket to NY to come with me to bring the car home. It was one of my happiest moments to have her there with me, and the time we spent together on the trip will forever be one of my fondest memories. :-)
This page is dedicated to Oldsmobiles, Moms and Grandmas, little and not-so-little boys, and fond memories of long trips on open highways.