http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-...=p4506.c0.m245


The person selling this claims it to be a W-30. But, I thought a W-30 only came from Lansing....the VIN on this doesn not indicated Lansing?
Am I wrong???

 

You are not wrong, has to be Lansing built to be a "W" machine, "M" in the VIN.

 

He's not claiming it to be.

 

It sounds like an honest description to me. It's listed as a "1970 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible 4 Speed AC DOCUMENTED" . I don't see where it's being claimed as a W30. Probably will cost as much as a decent W30 to restore. That car needs help.

 

That car does need a little work, too bad the hood's gone.

It does have the original block and had a 4 speed, nice options, pretty cool car.

I'm not saying it's legal or right but somebody will probably buy it and switch VIN's with the good body that is "available" or some other one if the title can be straightened out.

 

That's one basket case.......

Too much work needed and $$$ needed for my taste.

 

That car is trash it's not in good enough condition to make junk status. I am amused by the comment that the mud on the frame has helped preserve it. Something akin to a woolly mammoth in the la brae tar pits. Been my observation that frames parked over mud puddles or wet dirt barn floors rot.



Not at all dissing this seller as it looks like they have a good rep by the feedback.

Just my opinion.

 

My mistake, he does not claim it to be a W30 car. I find it unusual that paint code 51 is given for Sebring Yellow, rather than the "dash" that would indicate a special order paint.

 

Some Sebring Yellow cars came with code 51, some with dashes. That is not unheard of. I am more interested in the fact that the car appears to have had W-30 side stripes for some time. A factory W-25 car would have had the wide hood stripes but the narrow side stripes.

 

Good observation. Unusual, but not unique. I just recently looked at a '70 Toronado that has the 38 paint code (not the dashes) for Aegean Aqua Poly, which is also a Special Order color. This Toro was Lansing built, so the dashes aren't just a Lansing thing. Unless it is a Lansing thing on just A-bodies?
Nice puzzle.

 

Yep, my quick read and his phrasing made me think he was claiming a W-30.

Is a car in this condition worth restoring????

 

I wonder what what the reserve price is for the vehicle. To restore this car the way I would want it, would cost at least $25-30k (doing lots of work yourself).

I don't think that mud on metal makes an ideal preservative. The car has lots of rust. And how about that build sheet - looks like it was in a fire.

It's another sad story about a former 442 beauty...worth restoring though IMO, if you have the money and the time!

 

I read the ebay ad & looked at the photos in the link & it's about as straightforward & up front as you can get. It's a documented 442 convertible with a bunch of rust. If Jeff says the frame is solid I believe he's pretty sure that it is.

If anyone is seriously interested I'd suggest just giving Jeff a call. His cell number is in the ad.