Hello,

I have found a 1969 Cutlass W-31 Post coupe, column AT. Needs a resto but supp the underside is excellent with no rust or damage. Owners says #'s matching. Question is, can anyone give me a ballpark figure on value for such a car? It's been for sale or awhile so I'm guessing that either there is something major wrong with it or that these cars just don't draw the $$ that they used to. Price is $6500....do not have my own pics as the car is 2 hrs from me and I haven't been able to get out and look at it firsthand - not yet anyway.

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Nada says abt $14,500 high retail and as of now I have not seen any recent sales to compare it to. And of course, it's not a 4 spd it's a lousy column AT.

 

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/2092110594.html

Is this it? It has been out for a while & is with a dealer, both things to be wary of. As far as the column shift, the fact that it is a post coupe will get you some props from the hard core guys. The big things with these cars is the W31 specific parts (balancer, intake, i don't know what else) Hopefully someone more learned than me in W31's will post with more info. if you search completed auctions on EBay a '69 comes up with a floor shift automatic. The console is out of a newer car so who knows if it was born that way. That one was bid to $20K and its authenticity was questioned on ROP.

 

The only 2-door post coupe Cutlass that year was a Cutlass S. The Old Cars Price Guide (February 2011 edition) gives a value for this car in #4 condition (runs and drives but needs full restoration) at $2,300. In #3 condition ("car show" condition, but not showroom condition), the value is $5,180.

No mention is made of any premium for the fact that it's a W-31, but I'm guessing there would be something.

The NADA "high retail" price is for a car in excellent condition, which I don't think describes this car. Their "average retail" or "low retail" might be better numbers for you.


Collector Car Market Review lists values a little more pessimistic than the OCPG for the same condition at $1,850 for #4 condition and $4,625 for #3. They list some adds and subtracts at the bottom of the page, but, again, no mention of the W-31 option.

http://collectorcarmarket.com/menus/.../69olcuss.html

 

yeah, sounds more and more like he is high.........the last thing i want is a car that is worth way less than i have into it when i'm done - know what I mean? That's why i looked at the nada high retail.

THat is the car on philly craigslist, yes....been watching it awhile and thought it would have been long gone by now. that's what really makes me wonder.

I also found a '66 cutlass ragtop south of me that has a flr shift auto with vacuum gauge and AC........guys says gar kept from new til 3 yrs ago, needs a top and paint job but driveable the way it is. as the high-comp 330 and powerglide. Wants $2000, which I think is a steal if it's not very rusty. problem is, a lot of the ragtops have frame rot. (although he says it doesn't) Tis sounds like it might be a way better deal than the w-31 car.

 

I would say its worth a look. It has been out a while so that's leverage. If a price guide isn't listing a W31 that's not a good guide to go by. They are special models and are valued as such. NADA lists a 40% premium over a Cutlass.
Just get in touch with someone that knows these cars & make sure the special parts are there.

BTW - I think an automatic is actually a W-32 but I'm not sure.

 

I would agree something doesnt seem right that it has not sold but the economy is bad and the car looks really rough sheetmetal wise. As said OAI parts need to be there and the W31 350 had a Huge harmonic balancer on it. If that one part is there I would say it is legit. I believe a column shift auto was available with the 68 and 69 W31 as it was available in 67 and 70 on the W30 cars I am sure of. Also all W31's were Lansing built I think. To start if it is not a Lansing car it aint legit.

 

Just MHO but although I love 69's these W-31-2 don't crank my tractor. 69 W-30 is another matter, the rear bumpers of the 31-32's just look funny compared with the front bumper scoops.

Yeah, yeah, I know they're rare as hens teeth, I just thought I'd chime in.

 

i know about this car, a good friend of mine went to look at this car when it was first for sale months ago, Its the real deal, numbers matching, balancer, air cleaner and some ram air parts, original numbers auto trans also, 3:91 car

 

Probably typical dealer trying to 'double' his money!!
I'd offer $4000 and see where he goes, since he's had it awhile!!

 

With most of the good parts still there, the car will part out for close to the asking price. Go for it!

 

if it pans out I would say it is worth it if this is a car that does it for you. Documentation will greatly increase value when restored. As for not loosing $$ after the resto and sale, plan on it and if ya make out better that is good. Most cars like this are restored for fun and not profit.

 

3.91????? Geez, so i'll get off the line great but it'll be terrible on the highway. Should give a 442 a good run for the money though. Looks like i might have a trip for my day off next friday if the car is still there at that time.

I'm not too concerned abt sheetmetal or trim as a lot of it is repro'ed so I should easily be able to finish the car without spending decades looking for parts.

If year one is correct there were only 106 made in this body style and w-31.

Stick, why did your friend not buy it?

 

why does it have supreme trim and interior. that seems like a red flag to me or am i wrong?

 

I've had a couple 3.91 geared cars. My 69 H/O came that way (with the automatic of course), and the 70 F85 W31 (4 speed) that I used to own. Yes, they do turn quite a few rpms on the highway. You wouldn't want to cruise above 70mph for long and fuel economy is not on something I like to think about (it was better in the W31 than my H/O)...

The W31 has a uniquely coded TH350 (code 'JO') in it which would allow you to actually authenticate an automatic car, unlike the stick cars. The auto trans was only available in the W31 in 69 and 70, not 68 (as the TH350 was only introduced in 69 and the TH400 was only for big block cars).

 

A post coupe with supreme trim? something ain't right. What's the vin? 106 made? that # would correct for the club coupe, but it wouldn't have the supreme trim, and in '69 it wasn't available in the supreme.

 

I didn't even take note of the interior until now.....when you say trim you are talking abt the interior, correct? If so, I don't know enough about what the avail factory upholstery looked like to comment.

 

Here another 1969 W31...

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ184976775

 

The exterior stainless trim is for the Supreme, by virtue of it's placement.

 

Maybe I'm reading too much into it but the fact that it is in Troy Thornton's back yard and he hasn't jumped on it is a red flag to me.