SOLD!!!

You guys are probably tired of the what’s it worth question…but I’m selling and I know this has some value. Hope you can help.

I have had this car for more than 30 years. Worked on it a lot (mechanically) in the mid to late 80’s but life got busy and it’s been sitting ever since. It’s been a goal of mine to get back to it at some point, but I’ve come to the realization that if I had the time, it needs too much work and I don’t have the skills. I could spend the money and have someone do it, but that wouldn’t be smart.

The car was involved in a front end collision sometime in the 70’s. When I got it was running, most of the front clip was replaced; fenders, hood (non OAI), core support etc. The front part of the frame was bent and the passenger side floor was pushed in a bit. When it was put back together, it was repainted and copious amounts of bondo was used on the rust. They sure rusted fast back then! Especially up here in the northeast (MA). When I bought it, some of the bondo was already lifting and some of the paint was peeling. This is definitely a car I should of passed on, but I was naïve. It was a W-31, what could I do? I had the frame straightened and the floor fixed. The floor was done before the availability of replacement pans. After all these years, this might have to be redone.

The car is in pretty rough shape. It’s been outside the whole time (covered). It’s been a great home for the mice! There’s a lot of rust, but it might not be too bad. You guys be the judge.

Okay now for the details:

1970 W-31 Cutlass S Sport Coupe
M-21 4 speed
3.91 rear
Low option car (I think just the rear wing and SSII wheels)
Burnished Gold (58) w/ black stripes and interior
Bench seat
Numbers matching w/ documentation
· Original engine (balancer, intake and carb)
· Trans (P0D17B)
· Rear end
· No broadcast/build sheet (as is typical)
· 2nd owner Protect-o-Plate and warranty transfer receipt with names of 1st and 2nd owner
· Title

As mentioned above, I did a lot of mechanical work. Body was off the frame when frame was straightened. Frame was blasted and painted, front end redone, new springs, body bushings, rotors, calipers, clutch, engine rebuilt (standard bore). It’s been sitting outside, all of this would have to be refinished or checked.

I have a bunch of parts that could go with it if the buyer wanted them.

· 2 – OAI hoods – rough, need work
· 3 – OAI air cleaner assemblies w/ bases. One top missing flapper door
· Rechromed bumpers
· NOS Cutlass S grille and housing
· New seat covers
· New carpet
· Extra dash pad for post car w/ no AC (no vents)
· Many NOS trim pieces, door handles, emblems, wheel well molding, sill plates
· New weather stripping
· 1970 passenger side fender in good shape

So, what do you think it’s worth? For the sake of figuring that out it would include my best hood and air cleaner. The rest of the parts would be in addition to. This is a rare sucker. It’s one of 116 in this body style. How many of those were 4-speeds? How many have the original drivetrain? How many survived? Can’t be too many.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your reply’s. If anyone wants to take a look at it, I’m west of Boston, just outside of Rte 495.

Harry

 

More pics

 

Email sent

Thanks

 

That is a rare car and nicely optioned.....as in next to nothing but performance goodies! I am not up on 70's prices but I would say the car to be worth somewhere around the 7000 dollar range.....just my 2 cents.

 

That is quite a project but I would love to have it next to my W-31 which is also burnished gold but with white stripes, they would make a great pair! I also have a very solid and complete, running and driving 1970 F-85 post that would get this car back on the road in no time!

 

Have you had any offers yet or got a price in mind ?

 

I have someone taking a look at it today. We haven't talked $$ because I'm still looking for some feedback as to what it's worth. I'm not looking for top dollar. Just want a fair deal for both sides.

Harry

 

The Old Cars Price Guide lists the value of a 1970 Cutlass S 2-door coupe with the W-31 option in #4 condition (runs and drives but needs total restoration) at $3,900. This car is probably in better shape than this because you have done some things to it. In #3 condition ("car show" condition but not showroom condition), the value listed is $11,100. That's a big jump. I would say that yours is perhaps slightly better than #4 but a LONG way from #3.

So, what, maybe $4,000?

 

Good luck with selling your car, perhaps someone will just fall in love as you did, and belly-up with a good offer. I believe any running driving car is worth at least $5k in the condition that yours is in, plus the spare parts.

What you have to realize, and I'm sure you know, that restoring or even catching up on over 30 years of neglect is expensive. So when you consider a driver quality resto is going to cost at least $8 - $13000 and then add the cost of the car, well you see where I'm going here.

 

If it had a broadcast sheet,it would boost interest a lot.I too had a Cutlass 'S' post W31,1 of 115,and the whole car was original & unmolested.I carefully looked everywhere for a sheet,and nothing,so I found it better to leave it alone,and sold it as-is,like a survivor.
The W31's did not get any type of undercoating,so that is another reason they rusted,but the north can do it all by itself.
I'd say $6,000.00 for the whole package.More if you can find a paper.

 

No luck on the paper. I know a lot of the Lansing built cars are lacking iron clad documentation. The engine is numbers matching. I have the Protect-o-Plate, all the dates (body, carb, and trans) line up and the title (issued in 1980) says W-31 under model. It’s not iron clad, but it’s very very close.

 

Did this car sell yet?

 

Harry is the car still for sale ?MY son and I are looking for a project car to do! Im not to far from you IM in pittsfied ma. My cell 1 631 830 5612 thank you ED.

 

If you have the protecto plate you can decipher motor number to match w-31 motor# I beleive and if it is numbers matching then a real w-31.

 

I do believe I could sell the extra parts for what you guys say is a fair price for a W31!

 

Nope. You have to know what year you're referring to. '70 POPs (like the '71 attached) have no engine info on them.

 

I wouldnt let it go for any less than $6k. But like most will say, a car is only worth what someone will pay for it. If it were me id say "$6k or im keepin it"

 

OP here,

There has been a lot of interest in my car. Negotiations took some time during the summer, we had a price and then…a lot of time passed. I waited far longer than I should have. With that said, the car is back up for sale. All those who had interest have been sent a PM.

I have a bunch of pics.

Car: http://s1219.photobucket.com/albums/1970_W-31
Parts: http://s1219.photobucket.com/albums/1970_W31/Parts

At this point I’m comfortable asking $7k or best offer for the car. That includes the OAI hood and air cleaner. The additional parts are extra.

No rush trying to be the first guy, that didn’t work for me before. I'm going to give everyone interested a fair shot to look at it and make an offer. Whoever is higher gets it. If you need more detailed pics, let me know. My goal is to have it sold before the snow flies.

Thanks,
-Harry

 

PM sent hairy. i would like to buy the car. please call me at the number i put in my PM to you.

Thnaks

Steve

 

Thanks again Harry.

 

Steve, welcome to the post club

 

X2

 

Saw Steve's car in Wild About Cars newsletter. Drooled a little after looking at Harry's pictures ...including correct carb which was the only piece missing from my off frame resto of a documented '70 'S' W31 4spd. Found correct carb but added $2 grand to costs and it's now complete except for another couple hundred hours work. Cheers,
Richard

 

Is this car Sold? If not I have emailed you to discuss.

 

The car was sold to another member on here.

 

 

What would you like to discuss?

 

It's about time I came back and closed out my OP.

Steve, StickW31 is now the new owner. I was checking out the YouTube videos of the startup. Very Cool!

Funny story...first time Steve came to look at the car, we recognized each other as we had met once back in the mid 90's. It's kind of amazing as it was only one time.

I went down to Berejik Olds in Needham, MA for the Spring Dust-Off. I have only been to this show one other time. I'm hanging out and up drives this gold W-31, just like mine (almost). I snapped a pic. Steve says that was the only time he ever drove it up there from CT.

So I actually found the picture! It was Spring '96

Steve, have fun with it. I hope to see it this upcoming Spring Dust-Off.

-Harry

 

xD Thats an amazing story, funny how cars tend to get their way more than us. Its like most will tell you, you dont pick the car, the car picks you

This reminds me of a very similar story of my own with Camaros instead of Cutlaii haha

 

The answer to your question, maybe a little late.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Barn-...item3cbf07e7fb

 

cool car, wondering what it will go for. I actually took my W-31 for a ride the other day. I wonder what a running numbers matching barn find is worth???????

 

Read closer Stickw31. It has a GM replacement block, but they did transfer all the W31 stuff, thank god.

$7500 and counting and reserve is NOT met!

 

[QUOTE=StickW31;344900]cool car, wondering what it will go for. I actually took my W-31 for a ride the other day. I wonder what a running numbers matching barn find is worth???????[/QUOT




I was referring to my w-31 when i said "I wonder what a running numbers matching barn find is worth???????" When i initially bought my new w-31 i didnt think it was a running and driving car. Yes i did see that the green W31 has a replacement block. its cool to see the original stripes on the car with some original paint.

 

...and I got to ride shotgun. First time in a W-31, and it was pretty impressive.

Terry

 

And how poorly they match up from door to fender, wonder if that is a door adjustment issue or just how it was painted, as you can see the back of the door matches nicely with the qtr panel

 

[QUOTE=stevengerard;344985]
In the add it says "Front clip was off and other parts then put back on to store."

I would bet that is the alignment problem.

I wonder how high this will go?

 

$9999 and didn't meet reserve!