I found out today a guy I know at work is a serious car collector. He has some Hemis etc. I knew about those. What I didn't know was that he has 4 W-30 4 Speed converts. He told me there was maybe 15 left in the country. His cars are featured in Musclcar Enthusiast in the July issue. Check 'em out if you can. He has a survivor among them. I have been invited to come and see the collection. I showed him some pics of my lowely W31 clone. He liked it but I could see that he was picking the car apart in his mind. Everything is relative and as long as I like it that's all that counts. Take a look at his cars if you can they are really cool.

 

A few years ago, I spoke with a gentlemen whose name totally escpaes me. Anywho, he owns a bar across the street from the baseball stadium. He has a fleet of Olds stored outside Chicago in a warehouse he built on his farm.Sorry, I can't remeber more, but maybe you can look him up.

 

I doubt there is any way for him or anyone else to know how many are left. That noise you hear is the BS detector going off.

 

Jamesbo. Same guy, name is Tom Lembeck. And Joe, you could be right but I've known him for some time and he doesn't seem to need to profit from this statement. In fact I don't think the cars are for sale. There were only 100 4 speeds built in 1970 according to Year One. He also said he thought more would surface as the years went on. Any way, neat collection.

 

Another "Flat earth" experience.

If I recall he has several Olds Pace Cars also. Sounded like a nice guy, When I returned his call, it was 10 min. before "first pitch" and it was so loud, I couldn't hear him on the phone.

10 min. later, the baseball game had started and you could hear a pin drop in his place, and we had a pleasant conversation.

Have you seen his collection?

If I remember correctly, he was looking for a 69 H/O.

At the risk of being somewhat sappy, I have never met [in person, over the phone, via e-mails or via the net] a group of people who have been so helpful to one another as "Olds Guys". [ I believe in a typo on 442.com Joe was once referred to as a "Old Guy"]

The PATIENCE, help, knowledge, photos and sharing of their wealth of information has really been a wonderful, remarkable experience for me.

My sincerest thanks to you all.

 

I have not seen all his stuff. The last car I saw was a billboard striped 6 pack Cuda. I could not agree more on the helpfulness of the community here. Maybe it's because the cars are not cookie cut. I have been to countless all make car shows and have yet to see an under the bumper Ram Air car. Oldsmobiles are so unique and rare. How many SS Camaros do you see, and how many 442s do you see. I know what I would rather have. I read your post on the sixties. Good writing that brought back many fond memories.

 

I've seen one sho nuff unmolested survivor 69 W-30 that belongs to an Olds nut not to far from here. I'd loved to buy it but, my stable runneth over.

 

That was my first Olds. By the time I got it it had 455 in it. Had the red fenderwells and the bracketry for the ram air but the air cleaner and scoops and ducting were long gone. So is that car. I sold it in 91.

 

As a fellow Chicagoan I'd love to join you to see his collection

 

I'll let you know. If he's doing a show or something I'll contact you. He owns a buch of high end Mopars too and seems to be more into those right now.

 

You said a mouthful...

Two weeks ago I went to a local car show in my town. They had over 220 cars, 0 Olds.
Needless to say, I was disappointed. I wish they would have had a 'class' for each major car make. I would have surely won 'Best in class.'

 

I thinkl judges will respond positively to an Olds ...

I been to a few shows and no 442s' in sight ...

 

Yeah I guess it is up to "us" to keep our Oldsmobiles in attendance at the local shows. It just kills me though when one of the "experts" comes over with friend in tow and points to my car and calls it a GTO.

Regards,

Fred

 

Psssh!
Whatever.

How many DELTAS does he have? LOL.

 

Here's one pic of the Matador Red W30 you mention...this was taken as we set up for the magazine photo shoot. The second pic, as you can tell, is the Black 4 spd car. For some reason I don't have any pics of the Azure Blue car.

I attached these pics under the "manage attachments" function....any idea why they don't show up AS A PICTURE (vs a link)??? Thanks

 

The 66-7 W30s weren't available in convertibles because the top would drop onto the trunk mounted battery. I think they were two of the most interesting years. Both had stamped air cleaner "shrouds" that were visually impressive. The 66 had Tri Carbs, and could be had in a light weight stripped down F85, bench seat, no chrome, no radio or heater. 67 was the first year for red plastic inner fenders. These cars are beginning to be appreciated. When I bought my first one in 1973, they were ignored as worn out old cars.

 

GTO, LOL!!

 

The Rund Oldsmobile dealership 1966 442 W30 race car had this on the trunk lid in big letters:
Go To Olds

 

Just to chime in on the w-30 convertible thing. I was talking with a guy that I know about my car. Anyway he says that his brother in law has a 442 that he has had for about 20 years just sitting at his house. Has my attention, he couldn't remember the year but he said it is , and I quote " it's one of them with the air tube things through the fenders" still trying to get a peek, Mabey I'll find another one