57chevymike

1970 w30 question for the experts out there..I've heard that all w30 cars had a stamping on the frame somewhere that said w30 is this correct..The person that told me is a very smart guy when restoring 442 cars...I've never heard this before has anyone ever found such a stamping thanks 815-385-8175 need 1970 rear 442 bumper thanks again belaire1956@msn.com

joe_padavano

News to me. The only definite factory indication of a car being a W-30 that I am aware of is the 1972 cars, where the engine code appeared in the VIN for the first time. I HAVE seen pictures of a set of 68 or 69 front fenders where "W-30" was written in chalk on the inside of the fender. The implication was that the factory did this due to mods for the O.A.I. hoses and scoops, but again I have not seen any firm documentation that the factory did this (it might have been a wrecking yard that wrote it, for example). I have not had the fenders off my 68 to verify this.

texasred

There is a stamping on the frame (usually on top, driver's side) that should match VIN or be a VIN derivative. I've NEVER heard of another "secret" W30 one.

Now in 1972, 442 was an option, not a seperate model, and W30 was designated with an 'X' in the 5th VIN position...

C.J.

57chevymike

thanks for the info...I never heard of this w30 marking on the frame but I was talking to a nice guy at the olds nationals in bowling green and he clearly told me that he has restored many w30 cars and still have lots of them and he always finds a w30 staming on the frame somewhere...thought I'd ask around as this is news to me..I can't find any thing on my 70 w30 but I haven't really given it a good hard look thanks again...I know that on my 70 chevelle the vin is on the driver's side rear frame rail and it's a gm product

joe_padavano

The frame WILL have a VIN stamping in the same place as on the Chevelle. First, prior to 1972 the VIN did not indicate any engine information. Furthermore, I thought this was a VIN derivative stamping anyway, so that you wouldn't have engine info even for a 72.

88 coupe

The venue, and how nice the person is, has nothing to do with the accuracy of the information.

Much like the internet.

Norm

57chevymike

your possibly correct "a large gathering" at a national cars show of a lot of people that have restored or own oldmobiles one would think that a better source of info could be had.I still feel that this w30 stamping statement might have some merit..like the ls6 chevelle there are alot of w30 cars running around even at a venue in bowling green ky.thanks for the reply

myolds442

HI, there is an old myth floating around that if you take off the interior pillar molding aound the window frame, on passenger side, there is a stamping, some believe the W-30's would have W-30 stamped on it. This stamp was believed to be used when the cars were on the assembly line it could be distinguished which cars got the performance package. This is only a myth and not been proven. I have seen a few regular Cutlass have a W-30 stamped here, and I have seen a true W-30 not have W-30 stamped there.