I'm not an old's guy, and certainly not up to snuff with the proper documentation necessary for a w30....but my leads thus far seem favorable here is what I know.....(from other non-olds people looking at it) a 1970 w30 hardtop sitting a field (where it has been for many years) it's complete...engine, trannie, major body parts owners willing to sell I think they had a Fibreglass ram air hood, and red fibreglass inner fenders...with w30 badges/decals. Anyone know a website with vin/fisher number decoding for olds? What would a complete, rust bucket w30 be worth? thanks.... Mike
I would run not walk to the closest book store that sell automotive and find the info on the olds. There are books for decoding most all these cars
w30 is an option on a 442, the vin wil say 442 and thats it, think 336 is the VIN but heres a secret...all w30s, real ones have a hidden set of numbers..pull the a pillar moldings off, and stamped right into the sheet metal it says w30, also pull the back seat, and right on the rear package tray in crayon it will say w30...there is some certain things fisher body needed to know for the w30 option, although i have never seen it, many 442 guys have told me about it, and ive read it several time too...:grin:
You're close on the VIN. The VIN will start with 344 if it's a 442. No real easy way to authenticate W-30's. All were built in Lansing, so it should read LAN on the body tag if it's real. Look for disc brakes, as they were standard on 1970 W cars. Ram air hood with flapper door air cleaner assembly, red inner fenders were standard too. Should have aluminum intake manifold if original engine is there. Never heard the one about the stampings in the sheet metal.
Read this http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofwmc.htm They mention W30 hand written on the inside of the front fenders?
I have never personally seen the stampings, but I found a 70 w30 post car 15 years ago, white gold stripes, it was disassemebled, and the interior was out, and right on the rear package try it had w30 in crayon. I would guess its on the bodys because of the red inner fenders, and stripes they would need to know on the assy line... I read about the w30 stamps about 15 times on cars on ebay, and they all brought big money, so i would guess its true....ive also read it a few different times, but dont know where...so...i believe it until somone says different...ooops i goofed on the VIN...lol
I can tell you a lot of correct things on the 70 W-30. But without paperwork you cannot prove it is a real W-30 car. It will have an M in the vin signifying Lansing built and it should have F heads. Alum intake and glass hood and redwells. If any of these are missing you are buying a 442 only.
I can tell you a lot of correct things on the 70 W-30. But without paperwork you cannot prove it is a real W-30 car. It will have an M in the vin signifying Lansing built and it should have F heads. Alum intake and glass hood and redwells. If any of these are missing you are buying a 442 only.
Did you check it out yet Mike? BJ sells them for the same as the GTO and somewhat less than the LS6 Chevelle fully restored so think Judge money for the hulk rather than Stage 1.
In the book Oldsmobile 4-4-2 and W-Machines Restoration guide is also mentioned that 1970 W-30 cars did not have power brakes. Apperantly the hot cam did not produce enough vacum... I recommend the book. Christian
I believe that the hotter cammed engines did not have the power assist brakes nor A/C available, but the milder cammed versions could have these items. That, or the 4 speed option eliminated power assist. I remember reading about the factory restrictions from a couple of previous sources.
May be worth more in parts if the right ones are there ...F heads $3000 Snow flake intake $500 W-27 rear $8000 Nice steel hood $3000 Rallye Gauges $500 Dual gate $400 Let me guess all this stuff is gone right? Than the rusters worth about $500
MIke - Post some pictures.. It would be interesting to see it in its present glory with grass growing around it. I'm not an Olds guy but I like the 70 W30 442's. Mike Iggycat NJ
I tried to buy one from a guy for 10 years. He saved it for his son and when he turned 18 he got it. His son moved out and promptly decided he wanted a vert. Well we all know how easy it is to chop a top right? The guy went to visit his son and beside the garage was parked the W30 sans roof. When the son realized he didn't have the knowledge or funds to fix it he decided parting it out would buy him something better. Well let's just say father and son weren't exactly on speaking terms for a few years.
