https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/c...319430605.html

 

HMMM. Wonder why the dash was replaced. Car looks nice, not sure what the going price is for these cars today

 

Something doesn't smell right to me. Got before pictures?

 

I know W30's pretty well but not W31's. How would one go about validating this car? What's it actually worth. Interested in opinions.

 

I could be wrong on this but pretty sure you cannot validate a W-31 by VIN. Pretty much need factory paperwork to prove. If I am wrong I would love to know myself.

 

W-31's really need to have the correct engine parts. Numbers matching block and trans. Correct oversized balancer. Olds 350 aluminum intake, correct numbered carb and distributor. Of course you cant see the big valves unless rhe heads are removed, but you could use a bore scope to see the flat top pistons, and maybe view the valves.

 

What makes you think the dash was replaced? Didn't the non A/C cars also have vents in the dash for "flow-thru-ventilation" in '70? For sure, the bellhousing isn't factory, nor the headers or driveshaft, and trim is missing from the deck lid. Hard to see the balancer, but the intake appears to be alum.

 

No. They didn't. Non AC cars did not have that center vent.

 

And most importantly paperwork (usually a Broadcast card), which this one apparently doesn't have

 

Non A/C dashes dont have the center vent, just a plug, and the outer vents dont have the center chrome adjusting ****

 

I may be wrong, but this car has been making the rounds for the past 18 months. It started as a barn find on Craigslist for around $28k out of New York, then was listed by a second person from somewhere else (sorry, can't remember where) for around $32k. Now it is at this dealer in Texas for $37k. If it is the same car (don't know how many black and gold 4 speeds would be out there), it had the correct dash when I first saw it on the original Craigslist ad. May be a case of people "fixing" the car....not.

 

If I had $37 K I would buy it and I did sell my 70 Cutlass W-31 5 yrs ago for $20K. Mine didn't have the original 350 (71) but all other parts were there. It had a 400 trans and was Gold and drove it to Mich. in 1997 for Olds 100 Birthday and was on the bridge with all the W-30's. My friend came with us on the drive from Calif to Mich. with his Cutlass conv't pace car.

 

One more thing I sprayed the exhaust manifolds and 20 yrs later still look great I use Cast blast by Saymore. It works great. I have more pics if needed.

 

From what I have seen and heard from others, most of what this Sherman outfit sells is not worth what they are asking. Usually hiding all kinds of horrible nastiness and incorrect things. Shifter is incorrect. Bell housing is MIA. Buyer beware.

 

I have heard the same thing many times. They keep pumping them out. Fools keep buying them.

What makes a W car is/are the motors. They aren't just a 350 or just a 455. I have driven both many times. HUGE difference in what they are and how they run. That's what makes them a W car. Otherwise it just a Cutlass. I guess most end up as trailer queens these days anyway.

 

I had some early interest in this car but after researching it for awhile, it appears to have been through about three different dealers with each one raising the price. No longer interested in getting it but I would like to find one.

 

Plate number on this car matches the picture above.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/la...441295666.html

1970 Oldsmobile cutlass W31 ram air fully restored turn key - $36,500
1970 oldsmobile cutlass
W31 ram air 350 V8
Automatic turbo 400 fully restored
Rust free California car
Everything works great
Must see excellent condition
Please Sirius cash buyers only
Please calls only
51O,46O,5574

 

This is on Oldsmobile Central for $46, 500 so dropped by 10k last couple of days. Let's see if that does it.

 

W-31 any W-31 needs paperwork just my opinion
Alain red W-31

 

Amen. Proving a W-31 is super difficult. Proving the correct internals (Which is a Huge part of a real W-31) are in that motor are damn near impossible unless you tear down the motor.

The extreme prices on Oldsmobile's as of late has so many willing to part with their cars for money.

PS: I do not like body color wheels on any 70 other than a pace car.

 

Unfortunately now though there are fake documents that can even be aged enhanced. Most of our Lansing cars didn't contain any documents under the seat. If you really want a car, get it and know if you ever want to sell it, you'll have to convince the next buyer or love it forever, have fun and enjoy it.

 

So it this Gerald Nickels old car? If so he said the motor is a 71 but the seller makes no mention of that

 

After looking it over YES my W-31 car. I know every thing about this car ask away. I bought it as a shell in Sac. Calif. Hood is off another car. The rear end is orig. It was Gallen Gold with white stripes and white interior so I changed it all. I liked it better in black. It has the original heads 2" intake valves and intake with a W-30 carb I had. I built the 8 track myself with a CD installed. Not sure if they fixed the am/fm radio in dash yet. The top of air cleaned was NOS in box I bought at Reno Swap. The steering wheel I bought for $5 at Pic N Pull off a Starfire like a Vega. The car was in a flood at one time as the frame was full of dirt and black widows when cleaning. I did such a great job restoring it the guy I bought it from didn't even know it was the car. Has a Factory trans oil cooler I installed from a station wagon I found in a wrecking yard. I have been trying to find it to buy it back but not at this price. I have the Broadcast card with W-31 on it so orig. W-31 car. I helped install head liner and top at my house.
Gerald
Thanks for posting

 

Should reunite the broadcast card with the car / current owner.

 

For the right price now where did I put it......

 

Is this the same car that is now for sale online on Hemmings advertised by a dealer in Milford, Connecticut? The odometer has almost the same mileage and appears to have the same sticker on the lower left area of the windshield. Tires are now BFGs. Hmmm...

 

I think it is....... 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Coupe

 

I just called the dealer in Connecticut, and he said he bought it from someone in CA. He said he has an "expert" coming sometime in the next few days to verify what the car is or isn't. He said he replaced the tires and had the brakes redone. He said he thinks it's a real W-31, but he doesn't have any paperwork to prove it. He said he knows that it does not have the original engine, that the engine now in the car is a 350, but he doesn't know whether it's another W-31 engine or not. He won't discuss the price he wants until after his expert can tell him what he has, which means the price will go up if he's convinced it's a real W-31, which according to the previous posts, it is, but that still leaves the missing paper trail. So, Gerald Nickels, what engine does this car have in it? I noticed that it was recognized as being the car you had restored, but I didn't see any particulars mentioned about the '71 engine that is supposed to have now. Can you help with any info on that?

 

A W-31 without a W-31 motor is nothing but a Cutlass with stripes etc. Especially a W-31. Huge difference.

 

I agree. The single best thing about the W-31, IMO, is the engine and it's upgrades from a regular 350. Without that, as you said, it's just a slightly fancier Cutlass. So, I guess, it doesn't really matter what 350 it has in it now if it isn't the original. I was just curious if it was a run of the mill '71 engine or not.

 

It is the same car. If you go out to their website it lists the motor isn't original, it has a TH400 trans, and the interior and stripes should be white. Either way still a nice looking car

 

I built this W-31 and yes a real W-31 Cutlass. The motor is not a 70 BUT has W-31 heads cam and intake is original 70 W-31. Like I said before I bought it as a shell put what I had at the time. I do have the paper work not sure where it is. Yes I was looking for this car but price keeps going up. If a Olds person checks this car out they will find what I said is correct to a bone.
Gerald

 

So one thing that Truly makes a W motor is that it was factory balanced. Balanced to an engine is so different than a non balanced motor.
One of my brothers owned a factory 70 W-31. That car would pull to seven grand. I grew up around everything. Huge difference between a factory W car and a Plain Jane 350 or 455. That was the soul of a W car.

I am sure this car will sell and great job on restore. Beautiful car. I absolutely love that gold.

 

Car moved east to New England and bumped $9500. Shipping must be really, really high right now.

https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/83449678

 

I completely disagree. This car was born a W-31 and Gerald has the broadcast card to prove it. It's unfortunate that the original block is gone but that doesn't end W Machine status.

Many collector cars are without their original engine or transmissions. Yes the car is less valuable than it would be with the original engine, but born a W Machine then always a W Machine.

 

[QUOTE=oldsmobiledave;1415265]I completely disagree. This car was born a W-31 and Gerald has the broadcast card to prove it. It's unfortunate that the original block is gone but that doesn't end W Machine status.

Many collector cars are without their original engine or transmissions. Yes the car is less valuable than it would be with the original engine, but born a W Machine then always a W Machine.[/QUOTE

I rarely chirp on here, but this one I am on your side.

 

Thanks Dave, And to think I sold it for $20K years ago.i.m still looking for the card. The car was Gold with white interior and stripes. Not sure why they changed the brakes and the rear are Vista brakes I installed. They might have a problem finding brake drums to fit the pads which are Vista too.

 

I agree with David born a W car always a W car
Not all these cars had a pampered life I was fortunate to get one that is complet.
Alain
red W-31

 

I get both and all of your opinions but....

I was fortunate enough to live in a time frame that I actually got to drive a W-31 factory car. The difference between a factory W-31 engine and a four barrel 350 are not even close. I get that a car was born as a W car. All years. There is no match for a 66 W-30 at the time. None.

Ok a car born as a factory W-31 with all the stripes suspension hood etc is a True W-31 car. Who takes the time and Respect to build and balance the motor like Oldsmobile did? My brother's W-31 pulled like no bullshit. Way different than just a four barrel 350. That is my point. Is you rebuild a true W car. Show your work. Show that you balanced that motor. If you are so proud then no problem. You can prove that.

 

I drove my brothers 4 speed 1970 W-30 and that car would pull like there was no tomorrow ! It was a blast to drive and I didn't baby it and that was the real fun to see what it would do. My friend had a 4 Speed 1970 W-31 and, although I never drove it I was in it quite a lot. That little 350 was a screamer. One night he ran a 1969 Shelby GT 500 with, I believe, a 428 in it. We gave that car a really tough time. He did finally beat us but not by that much. The Shelby driver couldn't believe the Olds was a 350. The Shelby guy even had headers and a different gear in it! My friend was merciless on that car unfortunately it may not have survived his ownership. I never kept in touch with him BUT, I never forgot that W-31. I always said I think I'd rather have the W-31 over the W-30. So, while this W-31 is an original W car, I'd think not having a balanced W-31 block in it would make a bit of difference in the price people are willing to pay. Probably why it's always for sale. Nice car.....just missing an important part of it's collector soul. Kind of like a 69 Z/28 without the DZ motor.