I've always been a fan of W-31s and think they are a great piece of Oldsmobile muscle car history. I ran across an old expired ad for one that looked really interesting. Unfortunately, its for sure missing many of the important engine pieces that make an W31 an actual W31. However, its still a unique enough combination I would really like to know more information about and the board's thoughts. There is no build sheet so I know there is no 100% way you could validate if its a true W31, but I wanted to come here to get your insite. Is there a chance this car could be a true W31? With it missing some of the important engine parts, is it even worth looking into as a W31. What do you think something like this could be worth? Did this get converted from column shift to automatic console type shifter?

Car information:
Includes hood (not sure if original to car), manual brakes, M in the VIN, jo70282 automatic transmission. Numbers matching block (413323). 10 bolt 3.91 gears. Automatic
Missing: Carb, #7 head (instead of #6), bigger harmonic balancer, intake has been changed.
History: Original owner used it for drag racing.
ST70 33277LAN513551
903 25 25
076 B90

 

Looks like a nice car. Buy it even if it is a clone if it is priced right.


Driver side fender is not original & is a 71-72 unit.

 

I think this car was talked about in the past. I would have to see the balancer. There was another smaller stepped balancer that is often mistaken as the W-31 balancer. Are the manual brakes drum or disc? 10 bolt rear? Should be 12 bolt. Without paperwork and all the W-31 specific parts gone it will be all but impossible to verify W-31 as even a remote possibility.

 

Sport mirrors were part of the W package. Interior has been redone and probably repainted. Nice car but doubtful a W31

 

Yes, mirrors were the other thing I was going to mention but forgot!

 

Apparently this is the week for questionable W-31s...

No. 6 heads are correct for a 1970 350 (W-31 or not). JO trans is correct for a W-31, but apparently not numbers-matching, so that doesn't prove anything. One-wire alternator is obviously newer (note the three screws where the external regulator used to bolt to the firewall). The car has obviously been cobbled together, so unfortunately you don't know what you have. W-31s got unique fuel line routing on the frame rail, as shown in the CSM. Check that.

 

Thanks for the all the info. I made an error in the original post. It currently has the #7 heads instead of the 6. Even if it has the unique fuel lines and is a true W31, it still seems like this car is needing to many rare parts and to much to fix (each fender has a little rust as well). It seems like all it really has going for it is the hood :-/

 

I have seen this car and talked to the owner as the car is near me. He believes it is a real w-31 but has no proof. It was raced and the orginal moter was destoried. The last time I saw it, rust was coming up around some windows. It has been for sale on and off for several years. That is what I know.

 

I feel like this one has been discussed before as well. Cool car but in its current state has to be priced as a clone that needs work. Could be a cool car to use as it or make a nice driver but IMO not worth it to try to restore with no docs.


Not to hijack (but to hijack) in the current MCR Olds issue they show two historic drag cars that are listed as W31 convertibles. On one you can make out the W31 on the fender. One is a '69 & the other a '71. Did they make W31 convertibles?


9DD6474D-FA1F-4E43-809C-CFFB0788E6E9_zpsxlu2zqgn.jpg

 

Frequent errors like this is why I dropped my MCR subscription long ago. There were NO 1971 W-31s built, convertible or otherwise. Documentation shows that in 1969, you could order the W-31 package on the convertible, but I have never seen one. In 1970 it was only available on the Holiday and Sport Coupes.

One wonders why you would order a max performance engine and then handicap it with the heavier, more flexible convertible body...

 

This is kind of my thoughts on it. I think it would be worth it if it was just priced as a standard F85 that needs work. Make it a nice driver and honestly not even worry about trying to make it a full W31 since it doesn't have the necessary paperwork, and just keep the fun thought in the back of your head that maybe, just maybe, it was a W31 at one time.

 

Sometimes you have to see who the author is in order and judge the info in that manner, although the editor also could have a hand in the error. In this case (as I don't have the magazine at my fingertips at the moment), I am going to guess the article was written by a photographer?

 

Taint

 

Correct - photos & article by Bob McClurg

 

Geez, Bob's a veteran muscle car writer and I always thought he knew his stuff. Maybe he's starting to show his age.

 

I've heard the "unique fuel line routing" for years. Don't think anyone has ever said what specifically it is.

I know "people" have said you can tell a 69 W-31 by the tin-e sound when you close the trunk lid. I've closed trunk lids on many different 69 cars (including my W-31) and they all sounded the same to me.

The car in question, it does seem familiar. Does it have a two fuel lines, one feed, one return? Looks like a drum brake master cylinder. The master could have been changed too. All automatic trans F-85s were on the column. Someone cut a hold in the floor (and the VERY hard to find rubber floor mat?) to install that aftermarket shifter on the floor.

 

There is a drawing showing the difference in the CSM.

 

and the PIM shows the exact same fuel lines for a/c applications are used on cars equipped with the W-31

 

Well, there you go


If the car gots a return line but don't gots AC it must be on acct of the W-pkg requiring the return line.

 

I don't know the guy, but I reckon his acumen is with drag racing facts and not factory information.

It's like with Jerry Heasley - he's been around forever and has a good grasp of all brands, but he often makes gaffes that seems like he's relying on his memory over research. JMHO....could be wrong.

 

True, and I guess I shouldn't be so critical, either. I'm sure several members here can point out gaffes I've made by relying on my increasingly unreliable memory.

 

That is likely why you could not buy one; Oldsmobile was very good at designing an entire package. Another example is no W-31 Rally 350s.

It is also pretty common knowledge that when a dealer sponsored a race car they often pulled one from stock and modified as necessary. Poor choice to pull a convertible, but who knows.

 

I definitely don't know who is right or wrong but 442.com has different information about the rallyes: http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofwmc.htm#WM W-31 (Personally, I also find it odd that they would have made a W31 rallye

This car has floated around the internet for a while now. Has no one checked this out before? I've never had a car with AC, I assume the dual lines should be similar looking to these pics from a 69?

 

http://www.hotrod.com/features/1511-...phen-j-minore/




"The biggest thing on any 1968 to 1970 W-31 and a dead giveaway to the car's pedigree is a dual fuel line just like a regular Cutlass equipped with air conditioning."