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As noted, the N-body cars were not exactly a pinnacle of GM styling. Plus, it's wrong wheel drive. Now if this were a longitudinal Q4, T5, and RWD (think Toyota AE86), I could overlook the styling.
There is some reason that this car was never used.Maybe it's just me ,but isn't that a bad spot in the paint on drivers back corner of the top.
In picture # 3 is that not windshield wiper scratches on passenger side. Paint looks very dull to have been inside all it's life. Just my opinion,Larry
Question I would have is how long ago were the pictures taken... Photo of the Odometer reads 561 miles... Which means the vehicle has been driven an additional 331 miles...
From the looks of the tires, I do not believe they are original. They had GT+4 black wall Goodyear when new. I still have the original set from the car I had.
I drove a Quad 442 for a couple years in the early 90's. I bought mine from a woman who won it in a raffle, when it was brand new. Fun cars and surprisingly quick.
A W-41 sold in IL a few years back with less than 500 miles; sold new from Weil Olds in Libertyville.
To me this car doesn't have the look of a car with that mileage; maybe it is the pictures.
Contacted seller he is looking for $12,500.00 obo. If milage claims are true and no other issues I would think he is still 4 k high.
I sold a very nice one with 50K miles for $9000. If the miles are true and is as nice as it should be for the miles then it will likely bring close to it. If I was in the market for a nice daily driver I would be all over it. The W-41 got 32 MPG also. Did he say if he had the window sticker? It has the order number of the car on it.
Edit... I was off on the MPG. The window sticker said 29 highway but I was getting 30, not 32.
Last edited by jensenracing77; Mar 23, 2017 at 05:59 PM.
I guess I'm not that old. Meaning I used to not like the 73-77s at all, now I think they are really cool and way undervalued/under appreciated. But this car is not my cup of tea yet. To each his own, but low mileage or not I wouldn't pay 5k for it. Of course I wouldn't pay anyone close to what my W30 is worth now either.
The people who make out on cars like these are the second owners. Original owner buys thinking he will make money on a future collectible, has money tied up for 25 years, stores the car, and ultimately sells for zero profit. Same scenario with the 1978 Corvette Pace Car.
The people who make out on cars like these are the second owners. Original owner buys thinking he will make money on a future collectible, has money tied up for 25 years, stores the car, and ultimately sells for zero profit. Same scenario with the 1978 Corvette Pace Car.
That is what my dad and I said about these cars in the early 90s. At that time I knew of three of these cars that were bought and parked like this one. We joked because we knew they would never be worth more than they invest in them in the original owners lifetime. I suspect that this car is one of them if it is legit...
I sent a message to him but at this point I am still suspect. Most people will think I am crazy but I love these cars. I do prefer them with the 83-84 H/O scoop though. I still like to brag that these will SMOKE the G body 442 and H/Os even though I do not own one any more. These are not much higher HP than the standard Quad 442 but with the gearing of the W-41 with that little extra power, it sure makes a BIG difference. This car, the 62 Jetfire and 70 W-30 are all tied for my number one favorite Oldsmobile.
I just for the first time talked to my neighbor at length. He says he is the one who designed the convertiple top for these W cars. He claims to be a design engineer, or was. He says its unique as the top gets wider at the bottom when it opens? He also said he designed the convertible top for the C5 Vette. I dont really know him, but i have no reason to doubt him. My neighbor on the other side says he was the final body inspector late 60's, early 70's, for Buick A bodys.
Sorry for this here, but this car reminded me to say something.
I came so, so close to buying one of these little Calais new in 90. It was black and smooth, grey interior and had some sweet wheels on it... very different than any other olds on the lot. I wanted it and sat down with the salesman. Turns out the car payment was affordable, but monthly insurance payment would have exceeded the monthly car payment.
So that was the end of that.
Last edited by MichiDan; Mar 24, 2017 at 04:39 PM.
I got more information and pictures of the car. It is very dirty under the hood. I think it was stored with the hood open all these years. Many of the bolts are rusty under the hood. The one I sold with 50,000 miles was much nicer under the hood. Also has a cracked wing and a couple scratches in the paint. For sure has some flaws. I am interested in the car for sure but just have to see if we can get the price right for the condition. Does anyone live near Fort Myers and want to look at it for me?
Down here on vacation, could take a look at car. Are you sure seller will be able to take less than asking price if defects are pointed out. Car is hour away from our location.
Contacted seller he is looking for $12,500.00 obo.
That seems high to me, even if it is a W41 in great condition. Good condition Cutlii from this era will maybe bring $4k or $5k if they are pristine. Where does the extra $7k or $8k come from?
That seems high to me, even if it is a W41 in great condition. Good condition Cutlii from this era will maybe bring $4k or $5k if they are pristine. Where does the extra $7k or $8k come from?
He is lower than that now but I believe he will work down a little more. It is not in the condition you would expect a 1000 mile car to be in. I sold the one I had for $9K but it was a little nicer than this one and had 50,000 miles on it.
It is very unusual to have an owner keep the delivery plastic on the car, keep the mileage ridiculously low, and then let the car deteriorate in other areas. What is the story/explanation?
It is very unusual to have an owner keep the delivery plastic on the car, keep the mileage ridiculously low, and then let the car deteriorate in other areas. What is the story/explanation?
I question the miles myself without seeing the car in person.
I just for the first time talked to my neighbor at length. He says he is the one who designed the convertiple top for these W cars. He claims to be a design engineer, or was. He says its unique as the top gets wider at the bottom when it opens?
The Calais is an N body, and with the exception of a couple specialty built cars no convertibles were built.
After the Calais the N body became the Achieva (of which W-41 cars were also built), then from '97 to '99 the import copy Cutlass, and after that the Alero.
I still like to brag that these will SMOKE the G body 442 and H/Os even though I do not own one any more. These are not much higher HP than the standard Quad 442 but with the gearing of the W-41 with that little extra power, it sure makes a BIG difference.
I was really hot on buying a Quad 442 for a long time, and had trouble finding a nice one for a good price. My GF and I drove a couple of them intending to buy.
While the car (including the HO I Series version) looks great on paper, the seat of the pants feel was disappointing. Even one W-41 car we drove just . . . . it did not feel like a good powerful engine. The "88" in '90 and '91 with the 3.8 feels like a much more powerful car.
I was really hot on buying a Quad 442 for a long time, and had trouble finding a nice one for a good price. My GF and I drove a couple of them intending to buy.
While the car (including the HO I Series version) looks great on paper, the seat of the pants feel was disappointing. Even one W-41 car we drove just . . . . it did not feel like a good powerful engine. The "88" in '90 and '91 with the 3.8 feels like a much more powerful car.
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The 88 sure would not come close to beating a 5.0 Mustang. I beat them with ease. These cars were best on curvy roads. Get the RPMs up to around 5500 to 7000 and keep it there and it would pull corners like no other car I ever had. The brakes were just a little under sized for that style driving though.
Just talked to the current owner of the one I had. It is not for sale but I am very pleased it has a good home. The guy is very proud of it and taking it to Homecoming this year! Can't wait to see it again.
I had a 1991 Intl Series which had the H/O Quad 4 at 180 hp. The W-41 had an extra 10 horses at 190 hp. My Intl Series was fast and tremendous on gas. I am not going to put in print how fast I drove that car on the Blue Route in Eastern Pa but it was FAST and the car wasn't done. I sorely miss that car but it was very, very cheaply built and quite frankly it was a death trap compared to today's safety standards. For that reason alone I probably will not get another one.
The later Quad 442's had 15 inch wheels which in my opinion were better than the earlier ones with 14/s. Not sure if any of the W-41's had 15 inch wheels though. My Intl Series had 16's and that was even better.
I had a 1991 Intl Series which had the H/O Quad 4 at 180 hp. The W-41 had an extra 10 horses at 190 hp. My Intl Series was fast and tremendous on gas. I am not going to put in print how fast I drove that car on the Blue Route in Eastern Pa but it was FAST and the car wasn't done. I sorely miss that car but it was very, very cheaply built and quite frankly it was a death trap compared to today's safety standards. For that reason alone I probably will not get another one.
The later Quad 442's had 15 inch wheels which in my opinion were better than the earlier ones with 14/s. Not sure if any of the W-41's had 15 inch wheels though. My Intl Series had 16's and that was even better.
All W-41's had 14s. The 16 are MUCH better for handling the curvy roads. I only has a set of 16 on my car for a day but the difference was incredible. I can not remember the tire size that were on those wheels I ran. They were on loan to me from a friend to try them. I was going to put a set of 16s on my car but could never find a wheel that had an original look that I was happy with.
