viper771

Hey guys. I was looking into this 71 442 convertible and I got to thinking.. I know the glass hood is aftermarket on the car I am checking out, but I was wondering, if you did get the w25 option (hood) could you get the "ram air" without getting the whole w30 package? I was thinking I could add this and have it be "correct" even though it didn't come from the factory that way.

Also, what can you guys tell me about the stripes? From what I have read, 71 442 all had the thin stripes on the trunk lid, and down the side of the car (correct me if I am wrong), and on the stock hood. If you got the fiberglass hood, you had some different stripes on the hood itself, but not the car. You only had the fat stripe/thin stripe combo if you had the w30 option... right??

How many cars had the dual gate shifter in 71?? This car has it, and I think it is one of the first 71s I have seen with it.. usually they just have the normal shifter in the console.

Looks like a pretty neat car with some minor rust. It wouldn't matter to me since I could drive it, have fun with it, and restore as I go. I just don't know my way around the 71 yet.. just know about the 68s so far. thanks in advance

1971 442 convert

I have a 71 442 and I believe you are right about the stripes not sure about the ram hood though. There a guys on here alot smarter than me.

I believe my stripes are right.
Do you have any pics?

Bluevista

According to the '71 442 option list you could get the W25 hood for $167.98.
No W35 spoilers on convertible trunk lids.

1969w3155

If you ordered option "W25" what you got was the hood and the air cleaner with the flapper and foam seal, the "Outside Air Induction". It would not be a W30, nor would any of the W30 engine components come with it. The glass hood would have the dual paint panels on it. The body stripes would be as shown with '71 442 convertible above. Dual gate shifters are not uncommon, but a nice option to have.

viper771

ah ha that is what I wanted to know! Did having the non w30 ram air really do anything to increase your hp? It would be cool either way. The car I am looking into has w30 stripes on it, but I know it isn't a w30 and it isn't being sold as such. I plan on checking it out in person in a few days and take a look.

I was never really crazy about the trunk lid wing on the a body cars, but was there a reason why you couldn't have one on the convertible?? Did it interfere with your view out the back window or something to do with having the top down?

Anyway thanks for the info! I hope to get some more shots of this car here soon.

1969w3155

The Supreme and convertible had a different angle on the trunk/rear of the car than the "S" & 442, so you not see the downforce provided (albeit a high speed). The spoiler was pushed by the dealers, as any option, so it could be dealer installed.

viper771

thanks for the info... I guess the dealer could install just about anything you wanted

BlackGold

Yes. Cooler air always makes horsepower. The main benefit of the OAI was the fact it gulped outside air, not the ram effect.

At the dragstrip, my mid-13s W-30 runs 1.5 tenths slower if I leave the OAI adapter off the air cleaner base. Surprisingly, most of the degradation occurs early in the quarter mile. I guess that makes sense, since when you're staged at the line, there is no cold air being forced through the scoops, and, without the OAI adapter, the carb can't suck it through the scoops either. For the first hundred feet or so, the engine is breathing nothing but hot air which has gone through the radiator.

viper771

Cool to know..something I would consider doing. I would like to do a w30 engine build if I ended up with the car or have someone build me a w30 (but use 1970 stuff do to better compression). Thanks for the info!

Scotty B

The rear wing was a dealer add, but IMHO, looks awesome on the convertables. My ultimate set up is the OAI hood with rear wing on a 442 vert. Now I just need the OAI hood and air intake and I'll be set...oh and about $4000 to buy and paint it Viking Blue.

viper771

I think Viking Blue looks cool! Blue and Red and cool muscle car colors.. I guess that green was popular too, but I dunno it never really looked good to me, but thats just me

Scotty B

I tell you, the Viking Blue with white Sport Bucket seats is an awesome set up. Wasn't exactly my first choice, but it has become my favorite original color now so I am sticking with it.

oldsdroptop

Here is my recreation convertible in your favorite color combo...
It was sienna brown with saddle interior, but I like this so much better. Now if I could just muster up the strength to cut the fenderwell bolts and put in those high dollar red wells. They did a lil too good of a job painting and painted the bolts that go through the fenders and are too nice to unbolt and chip all that pretty paint off them. I guess I went too far on the paint and now I'm paying the price for it. I have put about 50 miles on it in the last 10 years now. Trailered everywhere other than that.Enjoy the view. OldsDropTop

wmachine

[QUOTE=viper771;176387]
How many cars had the dual gate shifter in 71?? QUOTE]

The W26 Dual Gate was available if the Cutlass S, Cutlass Supreme and 442 models. Approx 3670 dual gates made it into those models in '71. More made it into the Cutlass Supremes than made it into 442s.