Trying to verify 70' 442/W-30 convertible

442 · 03-06-2007, 08:21 PM

Hi gents,
I recently purchased a car needing restoration that was represented as being a 1970 442 convertible with the W-30 package. I researched some info and found it to have some of the W-30 hallmarks. It has a 455 with aluminum intake and the F heads, it has red plastic inner fender liners, it has a fiberglass hood with twin intakes, and the VIN begins with 344. It has an automatic trans with the shifter on the floor. The car has been in the guys garage since 1983, he tells me that a local dealers wife special ordered the car with a Dodge paint color called "Plum Crazy" because she did not like the Olds purple. My question is, how do I verify the W-30 package without the build sheet? There is no interior in the car at all, so no hidden documentation to find.

Any help or advice greatly appreciated.

2blu442 · 03-06-2007, 10:40 PM

Did you look on top of the fuel tank yet? I found the "remains" of a build sheet for my 1970 442 between the fuel tank and the underside of the trunk. I'm drawing a blank on the engine, the intake and "F" heads could have been added.... if someone could find them! But I'm not sure if the engine had anything stamped in the block to show W30. Did you check the numbers on carb. and distributor yet? I believe the correct carb would be 7040258 and distributor 1111979 You said it's an automatic transmission, there should be a vin number stamped on the drivers side facing the floorboard just in front of the electrical plug . It should also have a metal tag that would show it to be a W30. The metal tag is mounted on the passenger side. It should have an OW printed with ink, and also stamped in smaller letters into the tag. Can you post any photos for us to drool over? Congrats on the purchase, and I hope it is a real W30, although even if it isn't it does sound like a really cool car!!! John

442 · 03-07-2007, 04:42 PM

Thanks for the info John, I was able to verify the engine numbers matched the VIN for the car, I have not checked the carb or distributor yet. The transmission does have the "OW" on the passenger side as you mentioned. I have not dropped the tank yet to check for a build sheet, but I did find a W-30 chrome emblem in the center console. I'll post some photos in a day or two. Thanks again for the help!

Richard.

442 · 03-11-2007, 11:06 PM

A link to pictures of the recent 442 W-30 purchase. http://picasaweb.google.com/rshearer03/442/

ReasonOne · 06-25-2007, 10:05 PM

If you send me your cowl tag infor, trans indentification number and rear end code just give it to me and I might decode it all for you.

442 · 06-30-2007, 08:58 AM

Thanks, I have all the info I needed now, not sure how this post showed back up, I posted it months ago.

Chip · 07-10-2007, 11:42 PM

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone knows how many 442 convertables were built in 1971 and how many were W-30's I now am the proud owner of a 1971 442 convertable that needs some serious TLC but she runs now, and so I don't think I'm doing to bad. Shes stock with a 455 and a turbo 400 as to the rear-end I haven't the foggest idea of it. but I sespect it's a limited slip.

I serously doubt if she's a W-30 because she doesn't have the normal telltail signs, and since I also don't have any idea what the W-25 package was either... ok so I just don't know.

any help is greatly appresishated and I am sorry for my spelling.

ReasonOne · 07-17-2007, 09:51 PM

There were 1,304 442 Convertibles for the 1971 year.

A mere 25 were equipped with the 3-speed transmission.

183 were 4-speed equipped.

1,096 were automatic.

I believe W25 is the Dual Intake, Forced Air Fibreglass hood Option. W25 option cost was $157.98 for the 1971 model year.

Any other questions just let me know, Chip.

joe_padavano · 07-18-2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReasonOne

I believe W25 is the Dual Intake, Forced Air Fibreglass hood Option. W25 option cost was $157.98 for the 1971 model year.

Correct. W-25 was the option code for the O.A.I. hood and air cleaner on non-W-30 cars.

03-06-2007, 08:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
442 70' W-30 Convertible Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 27	Trying to verify 70' 442/W-30 convertible Hi gents, I recently purchased a car needing restoration that was represented as being a 1970 442 convertible with the W-30 package. I researched some info and found it to have some of the W-30 hallmarks. It has a 455 with aluminum intake and the F heads, it has red plastic inner fender liners, it has a fiberglass hood with twin intakes, and the VIN begins with 344. It has an automatic trans with the shifter on the floor. The car has been in the guys garage since 1983, he tells me that a local dealers wife special ordered the car with a Dodge paint color called "Plum Crazy" because she did not like the Olds purple. My question is, how do I verify the W-30 package without the build sheet? There is no interior in the car at all, so no hidden documentation to find. Any help or advice greatly appreciated.

03-06-2007, 10:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
2blu442 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 1,099	Did you look on top of the fuel tank yet? I found the "remains" of a build sheet for my 1970 442 between the fuel tank and the underside of the trunk. I'm drawing a blank on the engine, the intake and "F" heads could have been added.... if someone could find them! But I'm not sure if the engine had anything stamped in the block to show W30. Did you check the numbers on carb. and distributor yet? I believe the correct carb would be 7040258 and distributor 1111979 You said it's an automatic transmission, there should be a vin number stamped on the drivers side facing the floorboard just in front of the electrical plug . It should also have a metal tag that would show it to be a W30. The metal tag is mounted on the passenger side. It should have an OW printed with ink, and also stamped in smaller letters into the tag. Can you post any photos for us to drool over? Congrats on the purchase, and I hope it is a real W30, although even if it isn't it does sound like a really cool car!!! John __________________ 1964 Cutlass Factory 4spd 1965 442 4spd 1967 442 Auto 1967 Cutlass Convertible 1968 442 Auto 1969 442 W30 Auto 1970 442 4spd 1971 Cutlass Flat Top Wagon 1973 Che*vy 3/4 Ton 454/TH400 Tow Vehicle Only the tow vehicle is finished!

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03-07-2007, 04:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
442 70' W-30 Convertible Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 27	Thanks for the info John, I was able to verify the engine numbers matched the VIN for the car, I have not checked the carb or distributor yet. The transmission does have the "OW" on the passenger side as you mentioned. I have not dropped the tank yet to check for a build sheet, but I did find a W-30 chrome emblem in the center console. I'll post some photos in a day or two. Thanks again for the help! Richard.

03-11-2007, 11:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
442 70' W-30 Convertible Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 27	A link to pictures of the recent 442 W-30 purchase. http://picasaweb.google.com/rshearer03/442/

06-25-2007, 10:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
ReasonOne Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 9	If you send me your cowl tag infor, trans indentification number and rear end code just give it to me and I might decode it all for you.

06-30-2007, 08:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
442 70' W-30 Convertible Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 27	Thanks, I have all the info I needed now, not sure how this post showed back up, I posted it months ago.

07-10-2007, 11:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
Chip Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 15	Hi all, I was wondering if anyone knows how many 442 convertables were built in 1971 and how many were W-30's I now am the proud owner of a 1971 442 convertable that needs some serious TLC but she runs now, and so I don't think I'm doing to bad. Shes stock with a 455 and a turbo 400 as to the rear-end I haven't the foggest idea of it. but I sespect it's a limited slip. I serously doubt if she's a W-30 because she doesn't have the normal telltail signs, and since I also don't have any idea what the W-25 package was either... ok so I just don't know. any help is greatly appresishated and I am sorry for my spelling.

07-17-2007, 09:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
ReasonOne Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 9	There were 1,304 442 Convertibles for the 1971 year. A mere 25 were equipped with the 3-speed transmission. 183 were 4-speed equipped. 1,096 were automatic. I believe W25 is the Dual Intake, Forced Air Fibreglass hood Option. W25 option cost was $157.98 for the 1971 model year. Any other questions just let me know, Chip.