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I recently purchased this car at auction. I am usually reluctant to do that, but I had seen this car in person at MCACN back in 2018. At that time, I thought it was a very striking color combination. I never thought I would have the opportunity to buy it, much less be the owner.
I have the broadcast card which documents the W-31 and the Sebring Yellow paint with gold vinyl top.This surely had to be a special-order car, what with the color combination, vinyl top, Dual Gate, 3.91 gears, and AM/FM 8-track. The top and stereo are not items you would normally find on a W-31. As I understand it, the gentleman that restored the car stayed true to the way it was built, so I'm assuming they're factory installed. This is going to be a really fun car!
This surely had to be a special-order car, what with the color combination, vinyl top, Dual Gate, 3.91 gears, and AM/FM 8-track. The top and stereo are not items you would normally find on a W-31. As I understand it, the gentleman that restored the car stayed true to the way it was built, so I'm assuming they're factory installed. This is going to be a really fun car!
Very sharp looking car but don't confuse an "ordered" car with "special order" (yeah, Sebring Yellow - not really that "special order" as opposed to say, Plum Crazy). Anything you could get simply by checking pre-printed boxes on the order form wasn't really a special order, and unlike today, when this car was new more people ordered their cars to taste rather than buying off the lot. At the time that wasn't considered a special order, as opposed to something like a civilian getting the L77 police-only big block in an F85. The gold top and stripes were even recommended with Sebring Yellow. My Sebring Yellow 70 W30 MT car has (black) vinyl top and factory 8-track.
Definitely an interesting color combo. Screams 1970. Sure looks like a nice car from here. W-31's pull like no tomorrow. Beautiful car. I hope you enjoy it. Surely will never see another like it 👌👍
I understand what you're saying, but from being in the car business, there is a difference, however slight, in the terminology. An "ordered:" car was one for dealer inventory, and they were often ordered in batches of 10, with variations for color only. A "special ordered" car was one where the customer and salesman sat down with the order guide and ordered the car exactly to the customer's specifications. Often times, this was not a car that the dealer would normally stock. At least in my dealership, that's how those terms were used.
I understand what you're saying, but from being in the car business, there is a difference, however slight, in the terminology. An "ordered:" car was one for dealer inventory, and they were often ordered in batches of 10, with variations for color only. A "special ordered" car was one where the customer and salesman sat down with the order guide and ordered the car exactly to the customer's specifications. Often times, this was not a car that the dealer would normally stock. At least in my dealership, that's how those terms were used.
Today everyone tries to claim that their car is a one-of-one special order. Ordering to stock is exactly the same process as customer ordering, the difference being that the dealership picks the options vs. the customer. Ordering a combination not normally available is a special order, otherwise why would something that over half the buyers did be considered "special"? To my prior post, let's use the 1968 model year as an example. The B07 police apprehender package (basically the 442 suspension) and the L77 400 motor with TH400 (again, essentially the 442 drivetrain) were not available to the general public in a Cutlass, only to police fleet buyers. Motor Trend was able to special order a Cutlass Supreme equipped with those options and did a road test.
Special order in that it was picked by a customer, instead of for the lot. I agree that the term special is being used in two different ways here. I would almost call what Joe is describing to be an out of spec order.
Special order in that it was picked by a customer, instead of for the lot. I agree that the term special is being used in two different ways here. I would almost call what Joe is describing to be an out of spec order.
I certainly am not in the car business, but when these cars were new, "special" orders were things like COPO Camaros. Checking boxes on the order form was just called "ordering".
I think the term "customer ordered" is the one you're looking for. A lot of people ordered cars with the specific options they wanted back then in lieu of what we do today and mostly pick one off the lot or dealer trade for one that we like.
... To my prior post, let's use the 1968 model year as an example. The B07 police apprehender package (basically the 442 suspension) and the L77 400 motor with TH400 (again, essentially the 442 drivetrain) were not available to the general public in a Cutlass, only to police fleet buyers. Motor Trend was able to special order a Cutlass Supreme equipped with those options and did a road test.
Great post, Joe -- thanks. Not to detour too far down a rabbithole but I found it interesting to note that the PI option appeared to incorporate the 350 HP MT engine with the TH400, so something of a precursor to the '69 4-4-2 W-32 option as well.
Great post, Joe -- thanks. Not to detour too far down a rabbithole but I found it interesting to note that the PI option appeared to incorporate the 350 HP MT engine with the TH400, so something of a precursor to the '69 4-4-2 W-32 option as well.
Good eye. I've often wondered if that were true or if the TH400 cars got the same milder cam that the 325 HP 442 motors got. The Olds marketing literature is kind of fuzzy about this. Keep in mind that the Police Apprehender package was also available with a manual trans.
Some of the available performance options were 4.33., 4.66, and dealer installed 5.00 ratios. Can you imagine how fun those would be?
Doing some napkin math, with 27 inch tires, a 4.66 rear, and the advertised 12.8 second quarter mile in magazines, you're at @140 mph at 1/4 mile (actual) and @8100 rpm.
I ran into Randy several years back at a restaurant in Lansing just by chance. We don't know each other. It was during the winter and I was wearing my hoodie that says "Cutlass" on the front. He stopped me as I was walking out, and he was sitting at his table with who I assume were his friends/family and we talked Olds for a bit. I specifically remember my girlfriend saying something to the tune of, "oh boy, here we go." He showed me tons of pictures on his phone of the restoration process of this car. He said he had just finished the restoration and he still owned it at the time. He was a really nice guy. I've since seen it a few times at the Homecoming. Cool car.
Last edited by olds_freak; Feb 12, 2024 at 10:54 AM.
Very sharp looking car but don't confuse an "ordered" car with "special order" (yeah, Sebring Yellow - not really that "special order" as opposed to say, Plum Crazy). Anything you could get simply by checking pre-printed boxes on the order form wasn't really a special order, and unlike today, when this car was new more people ordered their cars to taste rather than buying off the lot. At the time that wasn't considered a special order, as opposed to something like a civilian getting the L77 police-only big block in an F85. The gold top and stripes were even recommended with Sebring Yellow. My Sebring Yellow 70 W30 MT car has (black) vinyl top and factory 8-track.
Jon, drop dead beautiful car. I love the color combo. I have never ridden in or driven a W31. I would love to see how different they are in power and power band to the big brother w30. Congratulations on one cool freakin car..😊
And to the OP, that is a seriously cool car. Special order or not, I’m sure you’re not going to run into another ordered like that.
And that’s the cool factor.
