Hello Guys,

i know that many of you are very knowledable and need to get an opinion on this car listed on ebay (although I will travel and buy the car not through an auction) Any info thoughts or ideas would be appreciated 70 SX Convertible

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Oldsm...fCarsQ5fTrucks

 

Looks like a pretty nice car. Also looks home built so less chance of being slapped together for quick resale. I would like to see a lot more build pics but if it 1/2 as nice as it apears to be you could never get close to building one that cheap.

If you happen to see one in the DFW Texas area you are interested in let me know. One of the things I do is offer an inspection service for out of town buyers. You can get an extensive inspection including a compression check if the seller allows. My expertice is overall quality of build, paint, fit finish, details hidden rust ect. My weakness is numbers. I will look for any numbers you want but I have never been a numbers guy. You will need to be specific when it comes to what you want for numbers.

 

Someone who knows more about the SX please correct me on this if I'm wrong, but I thought the SX only came with a 2bbl carb.

 

I'll have to dig through my service bulletins for 1970, but I think there was a bulletin announcing the change to the 4 barrel version for the SX somewhere mid production.

 

Here it is:

Oldsmobile Marketing Department Bulletin N/C 70-3 (dated 2-24-70) announced the cancellation of engine L33 (320hp/455/2bbl HC). It was replaced with the L31 engine (365hp/455/4bbl HC) as standard in the Y79 option (SX Performance Package) for models 4257 and 4267. It was intended for use with lower axle ratios (2.56-20.78-3.08). According to the bulletin, the optional W32 engine was intended for use with higher axle ratios (3.08-3.23-3.42) in cars with option Y79.

 

Thank you for the input so far and gearheads I wil let you know as there was a 69 442 convertible for sale around that area. I am getting ready to look at more cars and will search for answers on my next question. Is it only 72 442s that are hard to varify without the build sheet?

Also to verify numbers on a car besides motor how do you even begin? I would like a numbers matching car just because but do not want my lack of knowledge to get me to buy a CS at a 442 price.

If any knows or cars for sale that are maybe not show quality but real nice please let me know as I am looking all over for that next love to put in the garage.

 

The 72 is the problem with ID in the 442. Up till then the 442 had it's own VIN identifier. The first 3 numbers will be 344 on a 442.

 

I've never heard of a '70 SX Convertible. I've heard that there were less than 800 made in 1970 but that is total Sx's. Is there such a car (SX Convertible)?

 

Yes the SX did come in a convertible for 70 and 71 only from what I understand. All 442 performance options without the appearence. More or less a 442 in a supreme outfit and my guess was maybe for insurance reasons but I am not certain

 

Try www.sx455.com lots of info on the SX cars there. Good Luck with yours!

 

I actually bought my SX from this guy. If I was you I would check the numbers on the transmission. When I went to his shop in March he was rebuilding a SX convert and told me it didn't have the original tranny. This could be a different car tho. The one he was working on had a dual gate shifter on it and Im 75% sure it had a 2bbl(these could be changed easily tho), and he also told me he owned a few other SXs. He seemed like a honest man and didn't lie about my car that I know about, so I don't think he would lie about this one but I would still double check if I was you.

P.S. Your guess that they made the SX for insurance reasons are 100% true from what I have read.

 

Hello Wasted

Do you know the guys name? How is the quality of his work?

 

The guys name is Garret. I don't remember his last name off the top of my head but, I could look it up in my paperwork.

If he used the same painter the paint should be beautiful in person. He didn't line the bumpers up that good on my car but they seem a lot better on the car your looking at.The engine started up without a problem, and drove great. He did forget to put on the vacuum hose to the distributor, and the inspection plate.
Heres some pictures of my SX
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/5452/cali1r.jpg
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/6962/cali3m.jpg
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/3499/cali4.jpg

Just looking at his buy it now price he has alot more money into the car your looking at, so the quality of your car is probably better then mine. Overall Im happy with the quality of his work, it seems like he tried to do everything like the factory did.

 

Well I spoke with him today and he has allot into the car and sounds great. He is firm at 23K. It seems like a fair price if he has into it as much as he does. He did not seem as if I was a serious buyer and stated that another guy was interested in it. he was supposed to call me back after he tested the cruis control and went through the vehicle to make sure everything was working but have not heard back

 

I was watching this car on Ebay also. As a former '70 SX owner, yes the SX was a way to sell a high performance vehicle under the guise of a "gentleman's" car, while skirting the insurance issues. I believe there were more than 800 produced in 1970. '71 was the low production year. Don't know how many convertible's were made. $23K seems a little high unless it is a full frame off resto/ #'s matching, option loaded car. I see most SX's go for around 8K - 12K. Not that the car is not worth it. A collector car is worth whatever the buyer is willing to pay for it. If I had the $$$$, I would not hesitate to pick up a ride like this. But then, I'm partial to the SX. Hope you find a good replacement for your loss. Chumley

 

Just keep calling him. He didn't always call me back when he said he was going to.

Here are the production numbers from SX455
http://www.sx455.com/content.aspx?pa...module_id=4875


Only 793 70 SX convertibles were made.

 

Chumley, the car is a frame off resto numbers matching and loaded with air cruise power windows etc. I am not sure if 23K is high or not. There is value in buying a car that is done and I will spend around that but would be nice to get a big block car like an SX for around that 12-15K range. If anyone is aware of a 442 SX or even a supreme that is a good deal please let me know. As everyone knows there are lots of cars for sale but finding a good one at a good price is the tricky part. So if the production numbers were so low on the SX's why do they not command more money?

 

Because they are missing 3 little numbers .....442.

 

There was an article in Hemming's Muscle Machines a few years back
that had the entire SX story. Basically it says the SX is the 'undiscovered' muscle car, and many went to the crusher before people realized what they were. Personally I like having the same fun as the 442 guys without having to pay the premium prices for that model. You should also know that what an SX was to a 442, a T-37 was to a GTO and a Heavy Chevy was to an SS Chevelle. Option packages that didn't command high insurance premiums. It was also the same with the Mustang LX instead of a GT.

 

Well here is what I am thinking. Ever since I remember I wanted a 442 convertible with the OAI hood and 455. To find one nice and original for a good price is getting harder and harder and would prefer a 70 or 71 with buckets and console and would like AC and power windows. Add that all up and the price goes up. maybe a SX will be a good fit as I can get all of the above and not be forced to spend 30k and higher. With me being a right now kinda guy I feel I have to buy today and enjoy the summer but maybe it is time to relax and get the car I will love instead of settling for somthing to just enjoy now. Maybe october-december will be a better time to buy as not as many people will be looking and holidays get expensive. In the mean time I will keep looking and any leads on a car would be great. I have no problem traveling for a car if the car is right

Thank you all again

 

Taking your time is never a bad idea. Yeah you may miss the one that got away. More likly you rip your hair out from a quick bad choice.
Larry

 

The SX can be a bargain if you buy one right. Remember to check the frame for rust and look for the extra front fender bracing that says you have a 455.

I found mine in a dusty Phoenix carport and left the guy notes on the windshield for 2 years before I got a response. It's a rust free AZ survivor that was never hit or hot rodded. Numbers matching too! Now, I'm just taking my time with the restoration.

 

Yes, there were 793 convertibles made in '70, but more hardtops. I've seen SX's for sale where the owner hasn't a clue as to what he has. Kind of like when you see guys selling there 'S' model as a Supreme...No, the 'S' does NOT stand for Supreme. Different model. For the car considered in this thread, $23k would be a decent price if one could afford it. After all, classic's usually never go down in value if taken care of.
Chumley

 

The seller of the black car is Garrett Logan and he had at least 3 or 4 '70 SXes listed for sale since last fall - a Matador Red convertible for sure and a couple others that I screen captured to add to the sx455.com site eventually.

The SX had several purposes: Insurance savings was one, but also the fact that the 70-72 Supreme notchback hardtop was never offered as a 442. If you wanted a 455 in that bodystyle - particularly the higher performance W32 that was the base 442 engine - you had to get the Y79 option. In my 10+ years of following SXes obsessively, I have seen non-W32 455s that were factory-installed in a handful of 70 Supremes, but *very* few (low single digits so far).

I have a documented '70 SX ragtop that is scruffy right now but in original Rallye Red paint with sport mirrors, rallye pack, A/C, and buckets/console. I'm having every bit as much big block fun with it as I do in my 442... If the restoration is decent, $23K is very fair. I know I'll have at least $10K more than that in mine when I finally restore it...

IMG_2796cropped.jpg

Terry