1carsick

Re-creation started with a very clean and original 1970 Cultass S. The car retains all of its original drivetrain with stock Rocket 350 2V, TH350 transmission and open 12 bolt rear end. As for the appearance, everything was done to make this Cutlass S look the part of the MIGHTY W-31. Refinished in it's original Aspen green paint with painted black W Stripes, aftermarket OAI hood with steel frame, W-27 rear end cover and W-35 rear spoiler. All trim is in very good condition and NOS 1970 grilles were also installed. The dark green bench seat interior is all original with the exception of the front benchseat covers and headliner. All emblems and as well as rubber seals have also been replaced. To finish the look of the original W-31, color coded steel wheels, dog dish caps and Firestone Wide Oval tires were installed. You can drive this car anywhere with no worries. I'm sure I'm forgetting something, so feel free to contact me with any questions thay you may have. The car is located in NKY near Cincinnati, OH just minutes from the Airport. Asking $18,500.

1carsick

More pictures.

Allan R

It's a stunningly beautiful car. Wish you good luck with the sale!

Might have been a good idea to list it as a W31 'Re-creation' though because you know folks will jump all over it being not original. Since it retains it's stock 2bbl, it will obviously not have the coveted Oldsmobile W-350 intake.

By any chance did you go with the Thornton Hood, or the ones from Parts Place/Tamraz?

IMO, you're asking a fair price for a very nice turn key car!

1carsick

Thanks Allen. I meant to put that in the title. The hood is from The Parts Place. Wish I had purchased from Thorton, but I wasn't aware of them at the time.

Joffroi

I think that is just an awesome car. Good luck on the sale.

1carsick

Thanks Joffroi! It is a really good driver that's reliable, looks good and you don't have to worry about damaging an original. I thought about added some performance upgrades, but I like the way it is set up now. The new owner can add the extras if wanted.

StickW31

Awsome car for the price, love the look, love the color. Nice job. Tastefully done.
You can't build that car for what you are asking.

1carsick

Thanks for the compliments Steve, but it looks like you have the real mccoy! How long have you had it?

StickW31

I have owned my car for about a year and a half now, it's not a show car by any means. I drive it, love it, enjoy it as much as i can.

Steve

1carsick

Steve, Did you find it locally and were you looking for a W-31 when you bought it? I've never personally seen an original one.

StickW31

I am big into 1970 W-31's. This is the 4th one I have owned. This is the most original one i have owned. Have worked on and restored many W-31's also. Got my first one in 1993, been enjoying them ever since. Really appreciate and Love the W-31's

TenMidgets

I'm curious about the driving impressions of a W-31. Assume its a notch below the standard 455 in terms of acceleration and torque?

Paladin31

I had a 69 W31 back in the day as well 70 and 71 442 the W31 was a much wilder beast. A blast to drive, more primal than the 442's. they are more cultured. IMO.

TenMidgets

Wow does the oai add that much more to make it primal? If so, I may need to add it onto my 455. Or is it that feature combined with the guts as well - valves etc?

Paladin31

I never felt OAI impacted that much, certainly not for stoplight drags. Others here can certainly answer more accurately, but the rotating mass of the SBO V BBO is less so it can spool up quicker. Of course a lighter car, The W31 had no sound deadening, and was more bare or utilitarian. I later pulled the OE engine and built a 455 for it And the cars drive ability changed, a lot.

ent72olds

That's some car for the money! Always liked Aspen Green....

m455sx

i love the color.....

1carsick

Thanks everyone. After I get the kids off to college, my retirement gift will be an original W-31.

Sampson

X 2 to the complements above. Seems like a lot of car for the money. I am considering the same hood. Good price compared to some others. Can you elaborate on the quality and figment.

1carsick

Sampson,
A lot of prep to work the glass prior to painting. The lip at rear of the hood where to trim is mounted, stands almost straight up. I've noticed this on others. After my bodyman worked it over, it fits and looks pretty good. Had some minor damage during shipping. I would not buy from The Parts Place if you have an alternate source. Good Luck.

Bunser

Nicely put...I concur!

L69

the 70 w31 are fast little monsters. lol

Dave Siltman

So are the '69s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

StickW31

All w31's rip LOL

rocketman77

wow, what a beauty. That car is one fine Oldsmobile! I never knew much about the W-31 cars, but how would one know when looking at a W-31 car vs. a Cutlass S that a W-31 is a factory car or a clone? I have seen a car here locally that I wondered if it was a W-31 or not...

I know one can always look under the hood but should one study the VIN and any other telling features like the W31 markings on the fenders?

1carsick

Rocketman77, the drivetrain and documentation if available is the best way to identify a real W-31. StickW31 and others on this forum would have more knowledge about these amazing cars. Thanks for your comments.

Dave Siltman

Rocketman77, to respond to your questioning W-31s---They can be "faked". It seems when someone "Clones" one, they are a bit more honest than someone who may use different terminology. The hard-to-find items, such as the balancer (which has been reproduced in a limited quantity, but I haven't seen), the correct carb., and the ORIGINAL heads (I say original because externally they look the same) are out there. These items command a stiff price and USUALLY aren't on a clone---they MAY be on a FAKE---you see what I'm getting at here? The tell-tale signs are kinda hard to explain without having a REAL one next to an imposter---even then if the person building the car knew everything to do, only an original window sticker or some bullet-proof documentation would suffice. The W-31s were only built in Lansing, and Lansing build sheets are virtually non-existent.
Check out the '69 that is offered on eBay now to look at a REAL '69. That car is extremely well documented and the W-31 specific parts are present. 1970s are a different ball game---intake, ram-air, hood, wing, stripes, etc. StickW31 (Steve) knows these cars as well as anybody and he is the go-to guy. I hope this helps you and by no means did I try to hijack the thread here. By the way, the car for sale here looks great and I wish the seller good luck with the sale.

joesw31

The above was well said. And as always look for hard proof such as a broadcast card, authentic window sticker, and other tell-tell signs.

bkeese

The unique W31 pieces that Dave described can cost $3-5,000. That's why they usually are NOT present on a fake. An original without these pieces should be suspect.

455Olds

What a gorgeous machine. Best of luck selling it! I don't see it taking very long to find a new home.

1carsick

Thanks 455Olds. The weather wasn't so bad Saturday, so I had it out for about a hour or so. Lots of thumbs up by passers by.

firefrost gold

WOW that is a nice looking car.

1carsick

Thanks FireFrost Gold!

1carsick

Still Available!

oldsmobiledave

I really thought it was going to sell on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/W-31-...ht_1109wt_1021

1carsick

I actually lowered my reserve so that it would sell and the deadbeat backed out hours after make his bid. I don't normally put large items on ebay because of this, but I thought I'd give it a try.
Took it to a show in Cincinnati Sunday for a couple hours and it drew a large crowd. Many locals had seen it on craigslist, but the first time seeing in person. Real positive viewing. It will sell this Spring.
Thanks,

shatrab

Beautiful car! If I had room and the wife was on vacation for a year or so, I would take that car off your hands! Love the color!

1carsick

Thanks Shatrab. Although it's not perfect, I did get a lot complements on the color and good of a job the painter did spraying the car. I was told this is a very difficult color to paint.

firefrost gold

I was in the bids till 14 knowing it was going to cost another 1000 to get it home I had to back out . Are going to try to relist it or keep local now ?

1carsick

I'm currently trying to recoupe my ebay fees. If I can get those back, I may relist later. I've purchasde a slot in an upcoming carshow/swapmeet in Springfield, OH and I'll try my luck there. I've sold cars to dealers at this show in the past, so hoping for something positive. My Camaro is ready to come home from the painter and I don't have space. Bad situation.
Thanks,