T4Tuna

Hello, New to the forum. This is my dad's 442 w30. He passed March 2012 and left me his cars and this is one of them and its my favorite out of all of them. I now understand what this car is and plan on keeping it for ever but I need help with the VIN and what it means. My Dad was the car guy and I love offshore fishing but this car in the past year has turned me into a car guy with the help of his friends. Can anyone help me. VIN # 344670E181876. As I keep learning about the car I am sure I will have more questions. Thanks, T

ddd777

The Postwar Oldsmobile VIN Decoder 1946-1997
344670E181876

Year: 1970
Division: Oldsmobile
Series: 442
Body: 2dr Convertible
Plant: Linden, New Jersey
Serial Number: 181876

oldsman72

Welcome T. Sorry to hear about your dad.

That is some car! The "344" tells you it's a real 442. I'm sure others with plenty more knowledge will chime in with further breakdown. If you snap a picture of the trim tag under the hood, driver's side, up by the windshield. folks will be able to tell you more about original info if you're interested.

I'll go an a limb and claim that the '70 442 W30 convertible is probably 1 of the most desired and sought-after Oldsmobiles.

orange442

Very nice looking car, sorry to hear of your father's passing. 442's were built in several different plants but W-30's were only built in Lansing so your car is a 442 but is not a factory W-30 car. Again, still a very nice and sought after car being a 70 442 convertible. Enjoy the car and the memories of your father that come with it.

stevengerard

sorry to hear about your father, never easy to lose a parent. As other's have said great looking car, its a reall 442 but since it was not made in Lansing its not a W30. It also has a rear deck spoiler that did not come on convertibles. Looks like an great car in great condition. Nice color combo too.

T4Tuna

Everyone, Thank you for your kind words and Thank you for the information. It clear to me now that the guy the did the frame off restoration for my father was not telling the truth. He passed away last year so I am sure my dad is dealing with him. My dad always was driving his cars and that is what I will continue to do. Thanks again to everyone! Tony

jaunty75

I'm curious. What did the guy who did the restoration actually tell your father? That the car was a factory W-30 when in fact it wasn't? Did this have an effect on the restoration or how much the guy charged your father for the work?

Finn5033

What a great looking car. Its very cool that you will always have it in remembrance of your dad.

T4Tuna

Yes it did and how he got away with it is my dad did not like the red front fenders so black were installed. Because of that my dad did not put the w30 badges on because he did not want to answer the questions. He loved the car and did not care. He was sick during the restoration and it was on his bucket list. I put the w30 badge on after installing the red fenders and now feel kinda stupid and now I can't take them off. Also, my dad put the wing on because he thought it looked cooler.

stevengerard

Keep all that stuff on and do not feel stupid. Its a great looking car, your dad enjoyed it and you will too, that is what matters. So its a clone - its a nice looking clone and its your car. If you don't like that take the emblems off and put the black inner fender wells back on but I'd keep it as is. I have real W30s and I get just as tired of people asking if they are real so try not to be bothered by that.

You will note that many people can't stand the rear spoiler on convertibles others like it and put it on, again that's a personal choice. I think it looks great with some colors not so great with others. I think it looks great on your car. ENJOY IT in your dads memory.

Joffroi

Exactly what he said. I think it looks great!

oldsman72

+1 on that. Well said!
There's something terribly wrong with this world if you can get behind the wheel of that awesome machine AND feel a hint of "stupid". For every 1 person you come across who would actually know the difference, you'll find 1000 drooling and green with envy.

Rule #1 of car-crafting/hot-rodding: your ride is YOUR ride. If people "would've done" this and think you "should've done" that, they can get their own and have at it.

T4Tuna

Thank you again! feeling much better about the whole situation. I love the car and I will enjoy it.

QMaster

Sorry to hear about your dad. I agree with the others. I too, have a real 442 with W-30 emblems and stripes, put on by the previous owner. I have not decided if I will go further down the clone path or not. I'm just enjoying it.
Your car looks great!

stevengerard

I see Vader has all the parts you need for sale

Markbgt01

very nice!

Allan R

T, my condolences on the loss of your father, sounds like he was a car guy too.

As some others have indicated, the VIN you posted is not for a W30 even though the car may be badged as such. You can do some additional research if you want, but ALL W30 cars were produced at Lansing Michigan. 442's on the other hand were produced at almost all other Olds production plants. There's a difference between W30 442 and 442. Here's the specific information you asked about.

3 - Oldsmobile Division of GM
44 - 442 model
67 - convertible
0 - 1970 model year production
E - Production Plant (Linden New Jersey)
181876 - production sequence at Linden.

Here are some things to look for on a real 70 442 W30:
M in the VIN
Red plastic inner wheel liners (which your car appears to have; these are repopped)
455 engine with F cylinder heads
W25 OAI hood and air breather (looks like your car is missing the second component)
Dual cutout bumper with trumpet flare exhaust tips
Aluminum intake with OLDSMOBILE W-455 cast on it
Disc front brakes (not power) due to 328° cam
4 core rad

Overall though it's a really gorgeous looking car.

Can you post a picture of the cowl tag? That will give some additional information not contained in the VIN.