Don't believe at all that the car would be a #4... Last I saw the car which was about 15 years ago, the body was perfect, in Lacquer, Gold with Black Stripes. It would not have flaws when done, but now obviously would need repainted in my eyes to be perfect. Not a dent in the car. It has the original sheet metal including front fenders. My friend did the frame off so I can ask about if he painted the inside of the fenders or not... What should the inside of the W30 fenders been like originally? Not sure where that question helps with the originality or the front core support? It is perfect and original

As far as why the price is 17K? I found out why last night as well as why I can buy it for this. The car has not been advertised, no one knows it can be bought except my buddy which stays in touch, and the owner has 17K in the investment so far. He has a shop full of unusual cars and this is so far back on the list for completion, he said it could be bought for what he has in it. This is a good part... He does have a 69' W30 D head engine and trans including correct carb and distributor. He bought this 7 years ago for the car. I also learned that the original 400 case is with the car. It was damaged when my buddy tried to pull the front pump, not knowing how to properly and damaged the front pump case area. In my opinion, only reason to have the case fixed to mate back to the car is if the original block was available.

My intentions if I bought the car, would be a flip and probably would be asking in the range of 25,000. Honestly, too me, I think its a fair price for a really super nice low mileage project for someone to finish.

Correct me if I am wrong, but if we don't have the block, we can NOT verify this was a original 69 W30? I just want to make sure before or if I do anything. If I can verify this car without the block, there is no way I'd sell it for 25,000. I know people would disagree with the pricing and that's not why I started this. My goal was to get educated the best I can prior to making an offer and 99% of these responses did exactly what I came here for...

I know it's an original, my buddy knows it is as he's the one that let the cracked block (VIN MATCHED) end up in a field...I also realize you can't value the car on what you know. It has to be proof of what you are advertising.

 

The numbers matching block doesn't prove anything. It's just a G-block 400, same as used in every other 442 built by Olds that year. Yes, the W-30 motors had a unique cam, but even if the correct 328/328 cam is in the block, there is no way to prove it was born there. The fact that your buddy managed to score what appears to be a correct 1969 W-30 motor with carb and distributor from another car is just further proof that it is possible to swap all these parts onto any 442. Again, I'm not trying to rain on your parade, just giving you the facts so you can make an informed decision.

 

Even if it's damaged, if you have the original partial VIN matched tranny (and it's an OW), that's decent (and probably the only) documentation that it's a real W30

FWIW, #2, documented 68-69 W30's don't bring much more than mid $40's....

 

So if we do indeed have the OW VIN matched original 400 case, it could only have been used in a W30? The OW case could not have been used in a 442 without being a W30? If this is the case, this would be the proof I'm looking for to authenticate this was/is a true W30 car, not a clone/Tribute built car. Again, just looking for verification

 

Correct. Short of documentation, a numbers matching OW trans is the best you can get. Of course, you can also buy these:

 

Thanks everyone who has taken the time to help... I believe I have all the info I need to make my decision.

 

Actually, one more thing you can look for on a 1968 is the Protect-O-Plate. If it exists, it will have both the OW trans number and the VIN on it.

 

69' as well?

 

Sorry, brain fart. I was thinking this was a 1968 for some reason. The 69 P-O-P does not have that info.

 

Did you get the car? If so, would you share some pictures with us?

John

 

Not at this time as it was going to be a flip, not something I can finish now...Don't have the space. I'm convinced after reading all of these replies that its not a great investment as we can't document without the correct block that it is a true W30, even know we know it is and we let the block get away many years ago.