Please help in identification - New Olds guy

70ra455 · May 15th, 2006, 01:44 PM

Hi guys:

I've always loved 442's (who hasn't) and have the chance to buy a '71 442 w-30 convertible 4spd with a/c and need to know how to identify the car and drivetrain as original.

Any help would be appreciated. I only know how to identify Pontiacs.

Thanks

Phil

texasred · May 15th, 2006, 06:56 PM

A build sheet is the only REAL way

Other clues:
VIN starts with 34467, 77 or 87
VIN 7th character is "M"
Red inner fender wells
Posi
disc brakes
Muncie 4 speed or TH-400 with "OW" tag
OAI hood and air cleaner
boxed rear control arms and sway bar
fender braces
F-block 455 (don't forget to check for numbers matching)
W-30 aluminum intake

ANYTHING can be cloned. And Olds doesn't have anything like Pontiac's historical documentation services. You don't say where you are from,but check www.oldsclub.org and see if there is an OCA chapter near you. I'm sure there would be a pro willing to check it out for you....for a fee, of course, but at least you could be "more" sure.

Caveat emptor and all that.

C.J.

cutlass66 · May 19th, 2006, 09:39 PM

Disclaimer: I'm not an expert my any means on this subject

I've been told that when people try to clone W-30s the most overlooked difference is that the doors and trunk lid of the W-30 have sound suppressing removed to reduce weight. So when you close the doors and trunk of a legitimate W-30 they will sound really light and hollow.

Just something I thought I'd add... texasred's info is much more useful.

texasred · May 20th, 2006, 05:25 AM

Cutlass66,

There is no sound suppression material in the doors and trunk to remove. There's the hood blanket...

C.J.

olds442111 · May 26th, 2006, 01:30 AM

Heres my 2 cents, and I may be dead mistaken, but I wasn't aware that a 71 W-30 could have a/c and a 4 speed together.

May 15th, 2006, 01:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
70ra455 Junior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1	Please help in identification - New Olds guy Hi guys: I've always loved 442's (who hasn't) and have the chance to buy a '71 442 w-30 convertible 4spd with a/c and need to know how to identify the car and drivetrain as original. Any help would be appreciated. I only know how to identify Pontiacs. Thanks Phil

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May 15th, 2006, 06:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
texasred Tom Servo's Stunt Double Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 824	A build sheet is the only REAL way Other clues: VIN starts with 34467, 77 or 87 VIN 7th character is "M" Red inner fender wells Posi disc brakes Muncie 4 speed or TH-400 with "OW" tag OAI hood and air cleaner boxed rear control arms and sway bar fender braces F-block 455 (don't forget to check for numbers matching) W-30 aluminum intake ANYTHING can be cloned. And Olds doesn't have anything like Pontiac's historical documentation services. You don't say where you are from,but check www.oldsclub.org and see if there is an OCA chapter near you. I'm sure there would be a pro willing to check it out for you....for a fee, of course, but at least you could be "more" sure. Caveat emptor and all that. C.J.

May 19th, 2006, 09:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
cutlass66 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Peoria IL Posts: 23	Disclaimer: I'm not an expert my any means on this subject I've been told that when people try to clone W-30s the most overlooked difference is that the doors and trunk lid of the W-30 have sound suppressing removed to reduce weight. So when you close the doors and trunk of a legitimate W-30 they will sound really light and hollow. Just something I thought I'd add... texasred's info is much more useful.

May 20th, 2006, 05:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
texasred Tom Servo's Stunt Double Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 824	Cutlass66, There is no sound suppression material in the doors and trunk to remove. There's the hood blanket... C.J.

May 26th, 2006, 01:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
olds442111 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hammond, Louisiana Posts: 7	Heres my 2 cents, and I may be dead mistaken, but I wasn't aware that a 71 W-30 could have a/c and a 4 speed together.