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The $302k 1970 W-30 was one rough car back in 2015. The original owner's brother owned the car for the majority of its life. It sat outside for years under multiple tarps and the moisture stayed trapped. Car sat next to a garage and was fenced in tight on three sides to keep it hidden. The car was originally nugget gold with a black interior. Frame was even rough on this one. May still have some pictures of the car from 2015; not pretty.
Any pics of the car prior to the restoration? Was it a MidWest car?
Congrats for what? Selling and buying an over priced trailer queen? For destroying the classic muscle car hobby to the future generations?
Congratulate the child who just finished their round of chemo as they fight for the lives to beat cancer. Congratulate the first responder who risks their life to save and help others.
Congratulate a rich snob for selling and buying a $300k or $150k car so they can brag to their friends as it sits inside a garage as car art?
They did NOTHING to better human kind except spend huge money on something they will never even use. Do you congratulate Jeff Bezos for buying another yacht?
A lot of critics. I think it’s great to see an Olds go for north of $300k at auction. To put that in perspective, that’s higher than some other great cars there like the ‘71 Judge, A12 Roadrunner, Yenko Deuce, etc. That’s pretty special, IMO.
Does it maybe price some guys out of the market on concours W-30’s? Probably. But that’s life. I’ve said it once on here but it bears repeating; there are levels to this hobby. The aqua W-30, Black Stallion W-30, Lee Pearl’s W-30 ragtop are all upper echelon cars. They’re the outliers so don’t even draw the comparisons.
The muscle car prices are hot right now!
Last edited by WTHIRTY1; May 24, 2022 at 07:39 AM.
I still see zero reason to own a bad *** car Oldsmobile or otherwise that sits and sits and sits. Huge difference between a "collector" and a true Oldsmobile person. Lame. Why? What is the point? Just so someone can say "Oh look what I have.."
Do you drive it? How does it pull?
Umm. I can't tell you. It's nothing but an investment. That is a car owner that doesn't get it. Doesn't really care.
That is certainly one perspective. Nothing wrong with that as it is your opinion. You want to row through the gears. I think that’s great.
Alternatively, there is nothing wrong with putting a car on the rack and letting it appreciate in value. As you previously mentioned, it’s an investment for some. The hobby isn’t one size fits all. There are unique demographics, experiences, wealth, knowledge, etc. that are tied to the hobby. I think Oldsmobile just happens to have a wide spectrum of enthusiasts.
And there is a slice of the hobby for everyone, however, just because someone’s opinion differs from yours doesn’t make them any less of an enthusiast. My W-31 has moved on and off the trailer and that’s about it in the one year it has been finished. I have other Oldsmobiles in the collection that I choose to drive instead.
I firmly believe that prices like what we saw at Mecum (don’t forget the beautiful burnished gold W-30 that sold for $154k!) are good for the rest of the community.
Last edited by WTHIRTY1; May 24, 2022 at 12:08 PM.
The $302k '70 W-30 came a long way since 2015. Here are some pictures when it left Illinois. The car sat outside for many years under six tarps which baked the original paint. Additionally the car was in a very confined area meaning moisture didn't escape well. Original motor, questionable original trans since the VIN wasn't stamped on it, and non-original rear end. Was very rusty and rough including the frame.
The $302k '70 W-30 came a long way since 2015. Here are some pictures when it left Illinois. The car sat outside for many years under six tarps which baked the original paint. Additionally the car was in a very confined area meaning moisture didn't escape well. Original motor, questionable original trans since the VIN wasn't stamped on it, and non-original rear end. Was very rusty and rough including the frame.
This is exactly why I have Zero interest ever in Auction cars. 300k plus for a non original color spoiler added blah blah blah. Glad it wasn't my 300 grand.
Looking at those photos, there is no way they saved those fenders or quarters, they were so badly rotted. Let alone the other sheetmetal. I wonder how much of the sheetmetal is actually part of that 1970 car? The frame, floorpans, doors, decklid, all had to be badly rotted also. It's an Illinois rustbelt car sitting outside. Those cars did not survive those conditions.
Looking at the interior condensation forming on the window. Wow! That thing had to be so badly rotted and destroyed. Also appears it was hit from behind as the rear bumper is pushed in at the center. Hard enough to bend the bumper. Same with the front end bumper.
Is it possible they removed the body cowl tag and VIN and placed it on another vehicle that wasn't a basket case?
Anyone got the VIN# ?
I wonder why Mecum pulled that sale off the site? Something had to have happened for them to do that. Those other cars are still up and the links work. Is it possible the sale was voided and/or is in litigation now?
The $302k '70 W-30 came a long way since 2015. Here are some pictures when it left Illinois. The car sat outside for many years under six tarps which baked the original paint. Additionally the car was in a very confined area meaning moisture didn't escape well. Original motor, questionable original trans since the VIN wasn't stamped on it, and non-original rear end. Was very rusty and rough including the frame.
Was the car in Northern Illinois area? Looks like a rural area.
Why did the owner keep it outside like that? Well, maybe that's a question that cannot be answered except by the owner
"The $302k '70 W-30 came a long way since 2015. Here are some pictures when it left Illinois. The car sat outside for many years under six tarps which baked the original paint. Additionally the car was in a very confined area meaning moisture didn't escape well. Original motor, questionable original trans since the VIN wasn't stamped on it, and non-original rear end. Was very rusty and rough including the frame.":
Thanks for sharing the info. So is just the transmission originality questionable or is 4 speed status questionable as well?
I know each person can spend their cash as they see fit. No offense to anyone but... Unless said car was 100 I mean 100 percent original and 20k miles or something along those lines I could never see any standard no history no paperwork (Which obviously this car did not have) 442 worth 300 grand.
To think that two people were willing to go that high on a no history non documented car is something that I have a hard time believing.
How in the hell do you throw that kind of money at a car with zero ZERO known history or proof? Hell this car isn't even it's original color. Nevermind all the sheet metal and possibly a frame replacement. Sure glad it got a wing though. Seals the deal for me. 👍
I know each person can spend their cash as they see fit. No offense to anyone but... Unless said car was 100 I mean 100 percent original and 20k miles or something along those lines I could never see any standard no history no paperwork (Which obviously this car did not have) 442 worth 300 grand.
To think that two people were willing to go that high on a no history non documented car is something that I have a hard time believing.
How in the hell do you throw that kind of money at a car with zero ZERO known history or proof? Hell this car isn't even it's original color. Nevermind all the sheet metal and possibly a frame replacement. Sure glad it got a wing though. Seals the deal for me. 👍
You’re pretty far outside your element on this one. Just sit this one out so you don’t spread anymore disinformation.
Last edited by WTHIRTY1; May 27, 2022 at 02:01 PM.
Man I can’t understand all the flack about someone who saves a rare car. I’m sure sinks a lot of time
and money into it and then is able to sell it. Is it worth it? That’s only a question that the seller and buyer can answer. Only a short time ago Olds people were mad because the rare Olds cars didn’t fetch as much money as Other models. LS6’s, Hemi cars, etc. Now a W car does and we have some people all up in arms. Personally I am happy for the seller and buyer.
Man I can’t understand all the flack about someone who saves a rare car. I’m sure sinks a lot of time
and money into it and then is able to sell it. Is it worth it? That’s only a question that the seller and buyer can answer. Only a short time ago Olds people were mad because the rare Olds cars didn’t fetch as much money as Other models. LS6’s, Hemi cars, etc. Now a W car does and we have some people all up in arms. Personally I am happy for the seller and buyer.
Hey I am not all hating on Anyone that wants to spend their cash in whatever way they want. All I do is give a point of view. My point of view is Wow I can't imagine spending my 300k on any car. I would rather go help the world instead.
So maybe it is an ex drag car. Who knows. Apparently someone does. I would appreciate it more if it were restored to it's drag racing roots If that is the case. If true known paperwork. All of it. History. Pictures from day one. Extensive restoration pictures and honesty. Let's see what happens.
Still going to sit and never be ran like it was built to run. That's what I don't get. Poor car. Like stuffing my Husky in a closet. Garage Plaque.
Last edited by no1oldsfan; May 27, 2022 at 03:46 PM.
Both gorgeous cars, but, the question is how much would notOldsfan pay for either car? I mean his sage guidance sets the standard of $ value for collectable Oldsmobile's.
Correct me if I am wrong but I thought I heard the mecum auction reversed that sale and gave the buyer there money back? I heard the argument was the car was a special order color of gold, but painted twilight blue..buyer says he didn’t know it had a color change?. Then again I heard the color change was documented in the proofing room. In my opinion if the color change was in the information packet and the buyer was sloppy in reading this then why shoukd they get their money back? Mecum may have a different take on all this..Any info out there?.
