While very cool, and desirable, the seller is just a little proud on this one. The needle was buried to end peg. The last set I found went for crazy money, $700 per pair! The body was refinished in its factory shade of Nugget Gold Metallic (53) during prior ownership in 1984 according to the seller, and photos of paint meter readings are provided in the gallery below along with close-up photos depicting the paint and trim. June 17, 2010 in Technical, I am trying to determine if my 1970 350 is a w31 engine, It has #6 heads with 1.62 exhaust valves and it has a large harmonic ballancer,can some one tell me how to know for sure. Starting around 1967, automobile insurance companies started premium surcharges on cars with outsized horsepower or low curb weight to power ratios. By 1970, the W-31s final production year, the body styles included either a Cutlass S (Holiday or Sports Coupe) or the F-85 Sports Coupe. production date code (month/day), and a suffix code which identifies the engine. The front passenger fender looks to be a repaint. That's a dead giveaway that the fenders have been changed. eBay item number: 125789414248. To be able to look at a picture of an original W-30 car from back in the day to reference something is priceless.". if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'barnfinds_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_4',148,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-barnfinds_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'barnfinds_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_5',148,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-barnfinds_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_1'); .large-leaderboard-2-multi-148{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. I would knock several digits off the price just for this being a non-runner. By 1970, the W-31's final production year, the body styles included either a Cutlass S (Holiday or Sports Coupe) or the F-85 Sports Coupe. Fear of rejection undoubtedly explains Oldsmobile's 1969 ad campaign inviting America to "come see the Young-mobiles from Oldsmobile. Torque @ 3,600 rpm -mile: 13.94 seconds @ 105.5 mph Specifications Price Base price: $2,970.00 Price as profiled: $4,378.90 However, he said that so-called experts had told him that it was not for that particular car because it didn't have the VIN listed at the top of it. The option disappeared after 1970. . Very rare car in restorable condition. In addition, a W-31 would never have had a 3-groove pulley because A/C was not available with that motor. Senior year I had a six pack challenger paid 2500, Your insurance rates must have been off the charts with that lineup of cars . An original 1970 W-30 car like the one I authenticated in Chicago [Beth Bimbi's Oldsmobile, "Mom's W-30," Feb. '16] is easy to authenticate. Your email address will not be published. Equipment includes a fiberglass dual-inlet hood, sport mirrors, black accent stripes, and W-31 badging. It is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and available here on craigslist for $22,500. A 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass W-31 recently sold at auction for $90,000. The car was ordered with the W-31 package and is powered by a numbers-matching 350ci V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. For those hardcore Oldsmobile W-Series collectors, they will know what a truly special car this is, more specifically, the engine. Certain things get painted over. Although it used the same block as the 455, GM management would not allow Oldsmobile to install an engine of more than 400 cubic inches in the mid size B body. The 1970 W-30 featured a 455 cubic inch 370 HP engine. No, theyre not too common. First, I need to have my travel, motel, and any ancillary expenses paid for regardless whether I have to fly or drive. These models were equipped with the Pace Car package. . The body panels, however, appear to be free of crash damage so thats encouraging. Oldsmobile Decoding Oldsmobile Engine Color Cutlass Production Numbers Mopar Decoding Mopar Engine Colors Mopar Fender Tag Decoding 4-Speed Transmission Decoding Engine Decoding Mopar VIN Decoding VIN 1964 & 1965 VIN 1966 & 1967 VIN 1968 & 1974 Cutlass Production Numbers Subscribe to our mailing list The muscle car's future looked grim. But even between Porsche and BMW, the comparison is somewhat skewed. The seller states it is all original. My photo file goes back over 20 years. I agree. I became involved with the W-31s after I went to the 1993 Oldsmobile Nationals in Somerset, New Jersey. I have owned W30 442s and several Hurst Olds through the years, and most recently a 70 4 speed Rallye 350. The Ramrod 350 Cutlass appeared in 1968 and became the W31 in 1969. Jimmy was astounded to find an old color print that John's mother had taken at the dealership where she picked up the car brand new. Properly tuned, a W-31 is fun to drive, but it isnt going to scare anyone. Of the above production, these models were equipped with the L-69 32-bbl engine. GM Corporate mandated a 10:1 minimum ratio across all five divisions through the 60s. Assuming the VIN derivative shows it to be a 1970 block, and the #6 heads have the 2.000/1.625 valves, and the cam is the correct 308 degree cam, and it has the W-31-unique balancer, and it has the correct distributor, and the pistons are flattops, then there's a high probability that the motor is an original W-31. "A lot of people will tell you back in the day this car, with the 3.91 stock rearend, would keep up with the W-30 at the track. Engine stamping 30M304131 is pictured above. The carpet is typically faded but the dash-pad and instrument panel seems fine. The engine balancer is big and as rare as hen's teeth. I wonder if it still has the original carb and distributor are still in place? The W31 package actually existed in 1968 but it was known as the Ram-Rod and it was essentially the same car, it just used the Ram-Rod badge for identification as opposed to the W-31 moniker. Its not the same thickness as your pic,mine is only Aprox 5/8" thick,it is 7 1/2 inches tall. Vehicles with Similar 21.55 HP/Weight Ratio Good luck! My inspection would be an all-day affair, so the fee would be in the neighborhood of $1,000. In effect, an argument could be made that they were not targeting, and possibly turning away, their best potential buyers. The Oldsmobile 442 (pronounced four-four-two) was a muscle car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. All contents 2023 The best vintage and classic cars for sale online | Bring a Trailer, Privacy Notice "I've been doing engine bay restorations for years," he says. I have pictures of the cars that I actually took apart and took photographs of and can tell within two seconds whether the VIN is right because I have examined so many cars. These Oldsmobile press photos of the then-new 1968 4-4-2 were taken in April 1967 by Petersen Publishing's Bob D'Olivo. Compression Ratio was also up to 10.5 from 10.25. Click to reveal Oldsmobile Division only made 500 of those cars, and all of them were four-speeds. The flat ridge acted like a spear. Andy was asking for information about how to fix the harmonic balancer on the 350 in his 1970 Cutlass, a detail Jimmy recognized as "a rare part that only came on the W-31 cars.". As a longtime collector, though, Jimmy had a spare "255" carburetor. I inspected it in person. (Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online), Your email address will not be published. I have the original carburetor numbers and pictures so I can compare the fonts. Your IP: More than 300,000 Porsche cars were sold in 2021. Many of the 1970 Olds Cutlass models have been restored and modified. The biggest thing on any 1968 to 1970 W-31 and a dead giveaway to the car's pedigree is a dual fuel line just like a regular Cutlass equipped with air conditioning. Unless you can do all of the work yourself, I wouldnt touch it. When Oldsmobile did its four-speed conversions on-line [1970-'72], it just cut out the floor with a torch! I always wonder why they stopped making this model. The engine balancer is big and as rare as hen's teeth. Power's 2020 ranking of the most reliable brands. Copyright 2023, Antique Automobile Club of America. These are some of the most sought after muscle cars, by collectors and enthusiasts alike. You CAN get a good indication if the motor appears to be original and unmolested, and if all the correct W-31 equipment is in place. These models were equipped with the W-31 350 package. I would go to people I had sold parts to and ask, 'You own a 1970 4-4-2 don't you? The W-31 for 1970 had very similar styling to the W-30 trim but the engine was a more economical 350 cubic inch with 325 HP. Other notable components included a lightweight aluminum intake manifold, the W25 fiberglass ram-air hood, anti-spin differential with 3.42:1 gears (3.73:1 available), and heavy duty cooling. $32,500 Dealership CC-1661981 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Yellow 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 AUTO 8-Cylinder Recent Arrival!This 1970 Oldsmobile 442 hardtop c . W-31 fender emblems. The exhaust valve diameter was up on the 70 to 1.630 from 1.625 for the previous two years. Porsche Panamera vs. BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe. While it is true these are limited number models, the cost to restore this after paying the asking price will put you upside down in a hurry. Always had a thing for W-31 cars. The W-31 actually started out in 1968 and was the Cutlass-based Ram Rod 350. Super Stock II wheels with polished trim rings wear vintage-style Firestone white-letter tires fitted during current ownership. When it comes to the 4-4-2s, there are people out there who are changing things around, so you've really got to look at things like the tags and their location, the type of rivets used, those are all important clues. Also hood air induction and disc brakes are added. Sell your Oldsmobile Coupe with Gateway Classic Cars. Are you sure you want to proceed? There are a few familiar names at the top of the chart, starting with, The average cost for a Porsche 911 oil change is. The W-30 was an option of the Olds 442, while the W-31 was an option on the Cutlass. Put a powerful V-8 engine in a two door sport coupe and you have the makings of a classic American muscle car. Of the above production, these models were equipped with the W-30 4-bbl engine. Quickest production Charger ever with a quarter-mile elapsed time (ET) of 10.6 seconds at 129 mph. The major change for the 1970 W-31 was the deletion of the long induction tubes. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Greenlight Barrett-Jackson Auction Block 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass W31 Holiday Cpe at the best online prices at eBay! Required fields are marked *. In J.D. Specifications listing with the performance factory data and . Photos of assorted casting numbers and stampings are provided in the gallery below. Of course if money is if no consequence. By 1970, the insurance industry was losing money and began a clampdown. "Hardware store hardware," we call it. Car Fin Styling of the 1950s / Photos and History, How to Find Vintage and Antique Car Parts, Locations of Serial Numbers and Stamps on Vintage Vehicles, Model T Serial Numbers and Registering Antique Vehicles, Sample Decodings of Classic Car Serial Numbers, Search for Cars, Trucks and Parts / Advertise on this Site, The Worlds Two Highest Selling Cars At Auction, Tips on Keeping Your Antique Car or Truck Looking Great, Value of Classic and Vintage Cars and Trucks. Terms of Use, Your Privacy Choices 1964-67 V8 models engine code is stamped on the right cylinder head. Menu Search (866) 383-1416; Inventory. The two kept in contact, and in January 2018, Jimmy made an appointment to look at the Oldsmobile. Dimensions included a 112.0 inch wheelbase, 203.2 inch overall length, 69.5 inch width and a 54.1 inch height. Features include 14 Super Stock II wheels, front disc brakes, dual hood scoops, and a push-button radio. And further inspection may reveal other things to use when dickering the price down. Cutlass rear bumper is worth a thousand dollars, that is if you can find one. The "it" was a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass S Holiday Coupe with the W-31 option. It's a, Mazda was ranked number one with an Overall Score of. Nothing screams muscle car more than the 70 line up across all makes, I read somewhere you could be nailed by the insurance just for having a four speed.. so if its going to need restoring I hardly think the claimed mileage even matters. Stephen took his father's advice, and says now, "Drafting has provided me with a good living and a solid foundation to move ahead, get married, raise a family, and follow other pursuits." There is a lot more than 49,000 miles on it. Nope. In 1970, Oldsmobile Division came out with an aluminum W-31 intake similar to the one used on the W-30s and made by the same foundry. What makes the W-31 the car it is, is Oldsmobile' 325 HP, 350 CI, V8 engine. Thanked 11 Times in 2 Posts would be nice to see it redone,not just flipped all over the place. It was pointed out that the largest market for Oldsmobiles was the population whose parents had in fact owned Oldsmobiles. I agree with both of the above comments 100%. The Olds Cutlass accounted for 154,300 of them. For 1970, 3,100 W-30s were built. have had a number of new and used cars, I found the Mercury Milan to have great styling, handled beautifully, and never broke down. Through a number of conversations I was asked if I knew anyone who was interested in a 1970 Oldsmobile W-31. That is why the Hurst company built the Hurst Oldsmobile with the 455. 1970 f85 w31 the car has everything a w31 has except carb intake and harmonic balancer has edelbrock carb and intake on it now and its a automatic trans which was rare only 52 made and its correct for a w31 car has matching number block but has 71 heads on it car needs some . Sliding into the number one spot, the French brand was named the most reliable car brand of all, beating all other manufacturers to the top. "See these hands, son? The cost is going to be the same to restore and the 200k car owner knows its value is gone . The average annual repair cost is $652 which means it has average ownership costs. Of the above production, these models were equipped with the W-30 32-bbl engine. V-8 and its 4.057-inch cylinder bores. Something well never know. There is quite a bit of metalwork required from what you can see, wait until you begin to peel back the onion. Larger engines, high end wheels are a few of the modifications. There are a lot of nice finished muscle cars out there for less than $50K. I started buying cars in 1980 and through the years they almost all had at least 70k and yet somehow all these cars have half that 30-40 yrs later Item specifics. That's part of how they advertised it.". Additionally, Oldsmobile assembled two W-30 Vista Cruiser wagons. Oldsmobile muscle car fanatics, you will want to take a very close look at this amazing Olds W-Machine! These models were equipped with the 442 package (only on Cutlass Supreme). It's kind of hard to explain, but it's easy to tell if one of these cars ever got into an accident. I look at the fonts. Stephen's first "real" car was a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, purchased from a customer of his father's who had bought the car new. Unfortunately, everything that makes it a W-31 can be bolted to any 350 Olds motor, so without a build sheet and matching VIN derivative on the block, there is no way to know with absolute certainty. If you want the purist 911 experience for the least amount of money, The GT3 RS, which joins the lineup this year, gets tuned up to, Price: 2022 Porsche 911 pricing starts at $101,200 and can reach. I also plan on expanding it to cover the 1968 and 1969 W-31 cars as well. After all the rust and grime are cleaned away, it's much harder to authenticate. Copyright 2023 FortranFAQ.Com All rights reserved, The worldwide production will be limited to. Let Us Sell Your Oldsmobile Coupe. . In general, all high performance cars from the late 1960s through 1971 are popular collector cars. There are dead giveaways, like the wrong [mounting] hardware has been used. Celebrating the 100,000th Bring a Trailer Auction! 1969 Oldsmobile 442s, except for the Hurst had the 400 cubic inch engine, not the 455. There were 165 3rd Gen sold in the last 5 years. The dark blue finish is still presentable and the faded presence of the black W-31 body stripe, as well as the black hood accents, are still visible. The Oldsmobile Cutlass first came on the scene as a 1961 1/2 model. For more info, read about our auctions or email us with any questions. Can I look at it?' The following year the car was changed to the W-31. Post in the forum instead. In spite of the clutch being shot, its not too tough a job to replace. A number of Honda Accords have experienced excessive oil consumption. This would include a six- to 10-page detailed vehicle report with breakdowns on cowl tag info; date codes on the engine, transmission, rearend; and all the important pieces that make a W-30 or W-31 car what it is. If you win the auction, your card will be charged for the service fee and you pay the seller directly for the vehicle. AS mentioned above, the Cutlass W-31 came with a 350 cubic inch V-8 engine with 325 HP. This W-31 is equipped with a four-speed manual transmission, definitely a nice find. Would be a pleasure for most to work on!! No power brakes on these due to the wild cam profile,,, the minuete I read that as a teenager back in 82 I had to have one, never found one, seen so so few. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. A special edition Hurst/Olds paced the Indy in 1972. Steve's 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass retains it's stock W31 engine, the period-correct block, with #6 W-31 large valve heads, and a special W-31 only harmonic balancer. What does it cost to authenticate a 1970s Oldsmobile muscle car? Minore's expertise hits its sweet spot with the 1968-1972 Oldsmobiles, but he's boning up on earlier and later models as well. Its why its so hard for me to pay the crazy numbers they want now. When it comes to the W-30 cars, Oldsmobile made only about five or six different Julian codes, and you've got to be able to recognize those carburetors when you see them. The Antique Automobile Club of America defines the Muscle Car Era as between 1961 and 1974, a wider range than many muscle car enthusiasts recognize. Your real-time updates could not be connected. In a photo taken in 1999, Minore proudly poses with his gold with black stripes 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass W-31. Among those other pursuits is Minore's complete and total infatuation with Oldsmobile's W-Machines, specifically the 1968-1972 models. ". California Notice at Collection With that being said, the asking price is ridiculous. Why don't you do something like drafting for a living? If it's a four-speed car, I look to make sure that nobody's tampered with it and installed a new transmission tunnel. Perhaps another slogan would have been more effective. Of the three years for the W-31, the 70 is the one to own for its one year only components. Tim Murphy (right), a longtime friend of Minore's (and a "1969 fanatic"), helps him remove the air cleaner on Weaver's W-31 to check the date code on the air cleaner and the number on the carburetor. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. I wanted to see how things were put together. The 1990s were not good times for Oldsmobile. Chevrolet, Pontiac and Buick had been doing this and Olds joined the movement. Antique and Classic Car VIN Numbers / What Do They Tell Us? Oldsmobile would offer actually, two choices.. the Rallye 350 and the W-31. 50 years of rust hiding who knows where, may sink a sale, upon close up inspection. The grilles on a 1970 W-31 are very hard to find, but they did come on four-door cars, station wagons, and Cutlass S cars. Its not accurate. 1970 W-31 Production numbers: 1,029 Cutlass S Holiday coupes like this one. If I lived closer and could afford to bid, I wouldnt offer any more than $12.000.00. . We have seen other 1970 Cutlass W-31s advertised in the $80,000 to $115,000 range. In the early 1980s, model-year production totaled more than one million vehicles several times, something only Chevrolet and Ford had achieved. It was in a pile of paperwork that included the original title, Protect-O-Plate, broadcast card, dealer invoice, and receipts from the 1970s when the motor was rebuilt. I helped a friend swap out the one in his 67 442 using a curb in a suburban neighborhood, serving as a ramp, for under-car access. A full-size spare wheel with a Goodyear tire is located in the trunk.