oldsmobiledave

Not mine just sharing. Numbers match original paint car.



http://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-Oldsmob...m=201731392042


Up for auction is my original paint numbers matching 1972 442 w30. I bought this car in 1998 as a complete original car with 105719 miles on it (has 106731 on it now). Though it ran it was in need of a mechanical rebuild. Engine was bored sealed power pistons were added in the complete rebuild as well as comp cams extreme energy camshaft and added comps adjustable roller rocker set. all new bearings and the big valve heads were rebuilt to stock. During the rebuild I replaced the original intake with a reproduction (original goes with it) and also replaced the original 4 core radiator with after market (the original also goes with the car). Any items that came on the car that were replaced go with it. I have built many olds 455 engines and this combination works very well for a stock rebuild, its not radical and allows the big olds 455 to make power the way it was designed too (tons of low end torque and good mid range) combined with the 3.42 rear it makes for a solid performing package. Transmission and front suspension were also rebuilt at that time. My intentions was to rebuilt the mechanics get it road worthy and then start on the repaint/restoration and take it racing in the pure stock/fast series racing. Life and many other projects got in the way and now 18 yrs later for better or worse it is in the same condition as I purchased it other than its roadworthy and runs very well. As for the condition of the car it is a very solid South Carolina car that still wears most of its original paint other than minor blending/repaint on passengers door and fender above the w30 stripe and the obvious primer and patina. The extent of rust on the car can be seen in the picture with the dime taped to the lower passenger quarter. The trunk lid was replaced at some point with an original paint matching color to the rest of the car ( sequoia green). A sharp eye will notice a trailer harness plug has been added to the rear bumper. Interior is in good original shape, head liner needs replaced, bench seat though not the original to car but of correct 72 gm vintage will need recovered. Car has been stored in a climate controlled shop for as long as I've owned it. This car originally came as a bench seat column shift turbo 400 automatic car without any frills other than the sport wheel and mirrors. It doesn't have the factory tachometer and gages, it was ordered without them. It does have a vintage indy tach mounted on the column that I thought was way too cool to remove. It's nothing fancy but it is a w30. If you're not familiar with the w30 package please do your research, it's allot more than just a big motor.


Car is located in Ohio and can be viewed in person if you'd like. I can email additional pictures if needed. If you have any questions feel free to ask, email or call me @ 419 796 0167. I know my Oldsmobiles well and represent them as accurately as possible.


Pick up from Ohio only, can assist in shipping at buyers expense. I do require a non refundable deposit and car doesn't leave my possession until all funds are secured.

Joffroi

I saw that posted over the weekend and think its a really cool car. Great color combination and its always really rare to see what original paint really looks like. I'd almost be tempted to just leave it like that.

With that being said, 35K for a low optioned W30 seems high to me. Will having the original engine justify swinging the price that high?

oldsmobiledave

As the owner & lover of a 1972 W-30 I can tell you that we get no respect. If it were a 1971 model in the same condition yes it would bring $35000 but for some damn reason the 72s don't bring the money. I hope he does well on the sale & that the car goes to a good home. He'll have it for a while if the price is firm.

joe_padavano

I completely agree. The Rodney Dangerfield of W-30s. Considering that it's impossible to fake one (vs all the earlier-year clones out there), I don't get it either. Performance isn't that different from 1971.

oldsmobiledave

Performance is IDENTICAL to the 1971 when comparing bone stock cars. The 1971 H heads flow the same as the 1972 GA heads & cost 20X as much.


For the only W machine that does not require documentation the low values of 1972 X code cars remains a mystery.

Joffroi

They look great, drive great, and the built in documentation with the VIN is priceless. Although mine unfortunately doesn't have the original engine, it has much better options then this one (in my opinion) and I won't complain if the price for them catches up to previous W30s.

joe_padavano

I was under the mistaken impression that the 1972 cams were slightly different, but I just confirmed that they are not. Sorry for the mis-information.

Rocketbrian

It is an interesting conundrum. In the 72s favor, it is the last year of the popular A-body and W30, along with low production, and as stated above, the X in the VIN ensures it's validity. Horsepower is rated the same as 71. It still has a specific carb, clutch fan cooling, OAI hood, aluminum intake and the W30 specific OW TH400.

So what is less "attractive"? In a general sense, the muscle car era was considered mostly over in 71, with a few exceptions, ie. , the Super Duty Firebirds in 73 for one.
The specific 72 negatives, and I haven't any idea individually as to how much these items affect the value, but here are my ideas; ...the fact it doesn't have it's own VIN as a true 442 model vs. option status on a Cutlass. Cutlass status changes small detail items such as... no roof drip molding, no woodgrain on the dash, Cutlass script on the glove box door instead of 442 and "S" on the door panels along with no chrome backing plates behind the armrests. I doubt these detail items would have any affect on value. And really when you think about it, what difference does not having a 34487 VIN matter when you have the X?

Perhaps a few things that impact negatively on value would be the elimination of the red fender liners, the fact there aren't specific cylinder heads with a W30 specific letter. So other than these items, what is really different?

I can only guess the fact the 72s don't have as many special W30 specific parts as I have indicated, and combined with the general perception power was down by 72 on all muscle cars, it may have combined unfairly to lower their market values.
The situation is certainly a plus for those in the know who are looking to purchase one. You have the benefits of great looks, power, VIN verification and exclusivity.
I would love to have one.
This is just one 71 Olds guy's opinion and observation.

joe_padavano

I suspect you are correct, and yes, consider the 72s an "opportunity". Note that many 1971 W-30s also got black inner fenders.

jensenracing77

Never heard of that before? Are you sure of this?

I for one love the 72 W-30. I like them better than the 71 because I like the grill color and tail light lenses better. I do prefer red inner fenders though. Wish I had my 16,000 mile 72 W-30 back... We all have that one car and that one is mine....

joe_padavano

No, actually, I'm just going to shut up now and go back to bed. I was thinking of the the handful of early 1972 cars getting red.

jensenracing77

LOL, i know that feeling

oldsmobiledave

I have days like that to Joe.....and lately, more often.

steedaq

I like it! Unfortunately, the auto on the column kills it for me.

Rocketbrian

So it was just the fact they ran out of red liners that most 72s got black, interesting. The one 72 W30 I know of locally was built in November 71 and it has black inner fenders. I wonder how quickly they ran out, I never knew any 72s got them.
Time to get up Joe and keep enlightening us.

jensenracing77

To the best of my knowledge this is just rumor. I have never seen it proven. I have heard this since the 90's but still not sure about it. The original rumor I heard was that maybe as many as 10 but not sure what the story is now or if it has been proven.

rcktdoc

That was my car I sold it to him in 98 at the Olds nats in Sringfield Il. Greg

allyolds68

I think the 72 W30's don't bring the $$$ because there are so many of them and they are all documented. I could never figure why 71's don't bring more than 70's. Because of the strike the production numbers are way lower for the 71's

Joffroi

I don't get this correlation.

Production numbers (W-30 4-bbl engine)
1970: 3,100
1971: 920
1972: 772

72 had the least number of them all. Documentation would do nothing but raise value in my opinion, no easy way to fake.

source: http://enthusiast.yearone.com/vehicl...ction-numbers/

oldsmobiledave

Huh? Please explain this post. So many of them? What?

oldsmobiledave

Gregg


You could buy it back & work your magic! You could make that car perfect again!


Dave

allyolds68

.

There were 772 documented 72 W30's. Every one left is DOCUMENTED

There are no where near that many DOCUMENTED 70 W30's left. Even fewer 71's

rcktdoc

I have owned 4 72 W30s if I bought one back it would be my 72 post 4sp,ive tried to locate that car but to no availe. I can't even find the time to finish my 69 post 4sp. On another note,is your buddy still looking for H heads im looking to deal on them.

Diego

I personally don't like 1972s due to the black trim (true for Chevy and Buick too), but I'd love to have a Cutlass or a Cutlass S sports coupe with the 4-4-2 package and W30 - 19 and 17 built, I think?

rcktdoc

You are correct,of the 19 post W30s only 4 were 4spds and all 19 were bench seat cars.

Diego

The Cutlass S sports coupe could have buckets, but the Cutlass hardtop couldn't.

alain

Very good project.I am still looking for a W 30 project with Ac.But open to all
This 1972 is interesting I am positive it is a very good W 30Beng different is good
Alain

joe_padavano

FYI, the only W-30 cars with A/C available from the factory were the 1970-71 cars.

alain

alain

We all know that 1970 and 1971 W 30 olds are the only cars with Ac.But good info for those who did not know
Alain