1970 Black on Black W-31 4 speed, Documented
October 31st, 2014, 10:20 AM
#81
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,142
The CL code wheels are not correct to a 70 W-31. My 70 W-31 also had an XT spare in the trunk which is the correct wheel. The assembly manual actually says XT or IF for the heavy duty wheel. XT's and IF's are identical in every way except for the code stamp. The CL code wheels are different. The center is made completely different and the slot between the center and the outer is straight on the CL wheels and the XT/IF wheels have a step on each side of the slot. It is all very noticeable when you compare them side by side.
October 31st, 2014, 11:31 AM
#83
When I spoke to the original owner he confirmed that he sold the car with the original spare, but also confirmed that the stock wheels were the first and only modification, that he made. He replaced the originals with SS Cragars.
October 31st, 2014, 11:54 AM
#85
I have not spoken the the owner who repainted the car. It has not been completely restored. Without taking it apart I can't say excatly what was done. It's not a survivor, but does still have lots of originality. It's a good driver as it is. If I frame off it, I won't have as much fun with it.
It runs and drives very well.
It runs and drives very well.
November 4th, 2014, 09:59 PM
#86
I obtained more info regarding the history of the car today.
Someone recognized the W31 as having been at the Olds Nationals in recent history. Anyone here remember the car or have any pics?
Someone recognized the W31 as having been at the Olds Nationals in recent history. Anyone here remember the car or have any pics?
November 7th, 2014, 09:34 AM
#87
Here is a pic from the Geneva Concours Show this past Summer. We believe it was the first time they had a W-31 displayed.
Scan0031_zpsd92fda73.jpg
Scan0031_zpsd92fda73.jpg
Last edited by Stefano; November 7th, 2014 at 09:36 AM.
November 10th, 2014, 03:36 AM
#89
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa
Posts: 5
November 18th, 2014, 09:26 AM
#93
Thanks for posting.
I hooked up with owner #2, who purchased the car directly from Elmer back in the late 1980s when he was 18 years old. So the chain of ownership is now complete.
Both he and Elmer have some back in the day pics, they are going to scan and send. I'll post them when I get them.
I hooked up with owner #2, who purchased the car directly from Elmer back in the late 1980s when he was 18 years old. So the chain of ownership is now complete.
Both he and Elmer have some back in the day pics, they are going to scan and send. I'll post them when I get them.
November 18th, 2014, 09:56 PM
#98
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 203
November 19th, 2014, 07:51 AM
#100
Thanks to all the former owners, friends and family for helping put the chain of ownership back together.
Elmer was approx 19 when he bought it new and Dan was approx 18 years old. They both sound like they had lots of fun and adventure with the car.
This one survived with all of its original drivetrain and most of the original bolt on components. The 8-track player was added as was the rear Wing.
Most of what Dan modified or changed ended up going with the car when he sold it to Joe, the third owner.
Dan had some other very Kool cars and sold this one to get a '69 Chevelle.
Elmer was approx 19 when he bought it new and Dan was approx 18 years old. They both sound like they had lots of fun and adventure with the car.
This one survived with all of its original drivetrain and most of the original bolt on components. The 8-track player was added as was the rear Wing.
Most of what Dan modified or changed ended up going with the car when he sold it to Joe, the third owner.
Dan had some other very Kool cars and sold this one to get a '69 Chevelle.
Last edited by Stefano; November 19th, 2014 at 07:53 AM.
November 20th, 2014, 12:19 PM
#101
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa
Posts: 5
Thanks to everyone that posted pics. It is great to see the car still being driven, enjoyed and taken care as it was supposed to be.
Stefano, Thanks for all your help. I am glad to meet someone who does not just care about the cars, but the past owners and history of the cars as well. I wish I could make it this weekend, but I know my parents are excited to see the car again
Jason
Stefano, Thanks for all your help. I am glad to meet someone who does not just care about the cars, but the past owners and history of the cars as well. I wish I could make it this weekend, but I know my parents are excited to see the car again
Jason
Thanks to all the former owners, friends and family for helping put the chain of ownership back together.
Elmer was approx 19 when he bought it new and Dan was approx 18 years old. They both sound like they had lots of fun and adventure with the car.
This one survived with all of its original drivetrain and most of the original bolt on components. The 8-track player was added as was the rear Wing.
Most of what Dan modified or changed ended up going with the car when he sold it to Joe, the third owner.
Dan had some other very Kool cars and sold this one to get a '69 Chevelle.
Elmer was approx 19 when he bought it new and Dan was approx 18 years old. They both sound like they had lots of fun and adventure with the car.
This one survived with all of its original drivetrain and most of the original bolt on components. The 8-track player was added as was the rear Wing.
Most of what Dan modified or changed ended up going with the car when he sold it to Joe, the third owner.
Dan had some other very Kool cars and sold this one to get a '69 Chevelle.
November 20th, 2014, 01:00 PM
#102
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: McMurray, PA
Posts: 1,784
Love the car, the history and the pics!
I agree with the older post about the blue door VIN sticker - that's very likely a reproduction sticker. I've had many 68-72 Lansing cars and they do not look like that as far as the text / font layout or the location of the typed VIN number. That includes my own 1970 W-31.
Terry
p.s. - I've been considering Cragar S/Ses or Keystone Klassics for my W-31. Nice to have some visuals via the old pictures.
I agree with the older post about the blue door VIN sticker - that's very likely a reproduction sticker. I've had many 68-72 Lansing cars and they do not look like that as far as the text / font layout or the location of the typed VIN number. That includes my own 1970 W-31.
Terry
p.s. - I've been considering Cragar S/Ses or Keystone Klassics for my W-31. Nice to have some visuals via the old pictures.
November 24th, 2014, 11:00 AM
#103
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 203
Original owner and his beautiful wife....... Saturday Nov. 22, 2014 Donald E Stevens Conv Center, Rosemont, IL standing next to the black 70 W-31 MrMcElvy ordered new in April 1970.
Last edited by Bens71442; December 1st, 2014 at 12:51 PM.
November 24th, 2014, 11:02 AM
#104
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Delta BC Canada
Posts: 3,688
applause
Nice job guys. Very touching moment for this original owner to see the car today. I applaud your efforts.
November 24th, 2014, 03:25 PM
#105
Very very cool. I wonder if Elmer ever had any idea that his decision in 1970 would be creating such a fuss in 2014!!
November 25th, 2014, 03:16 PM
#107
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,620
Funny story:
I was waiting in line for an omelette at the Doubletree and was chatting with a gentleman in front of me. I asked him if he was here for the car show and he said yes, he was here from Pittsburgh and had a car here. I asked which one and he said a 1970 W-31. I asked if it was the black one and he said, "Oh, you mean Ben's old car?"
He was somewhat surprised I knew about this car and my comment of "Oh, so you're the original owner!" We chatted for a few min and then he parted ways with his eggs. Nice guy, and it's nice to see he totally enjoyed himself.
So many good people at that show.
I was waiting in line for an omelette at the Doubletree and was chatting with a gentleman in front of me. I asked him if he was here for the car show and he said yes, he was here from Pittsburgh and had a car here. I asked which one and he said a 1970 W-31. I asked if it was the black one and he said, "Oh, you mean Ben's old car?"
He was somewhat surprised I knew about this car and my comment of "Oh, so you're the original owner!" We chatted for a few min and then he parted ways with his eggs. Nice guy, and it's nice to see he totally enjoyed himself.
So many good people at that show.
November 26th, 2014, 09:39 AM
#109
Just wanted to say a special thanks to the McElvy's for coming to the MCACN show and sharing their "back in the day" experiences with us.
We had the W-31 on display next to a one of only two ever made White with Black stripes Douglass 427 Yenko. I thought the two cars with opposite color schemes would look Kool together. What I didn't realize was the the McElvy's lived not far from the Original Yenko Dealership and were very familiar with Yenko Super Cars as well.
It was also interesting that three of the prior owners of the W-31 were at the show.
We had the W-31 on display next to a one of only two ever made White with Black stripes Douglass 427 Yenko. I thought the two cars with opposite color schemes would look Kool together. What I didn't realize was the the McElvy's lived not far from the Original Yenko Dealership and were very familiar with Yenko Super Cars as well.
It was also interesting that three of the prior owners of the W-31 were at the show.
November 26th, 2014, 09:46 AM
#110
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,620
Seems Elmer chose the right car. :-)
Oldsmobile built the fastest small-block A-body ever - not even Chevrolet installed a small-block as fast as the Olds. What else is there? 350 HO Pontiac? Remains unproven. 340 Charger Super Bee and Road Runner? Has no reputation. 351 Falcon? Ports are too big for a dealer-stock performer. Buick GS 350? Perhaps the torque-leader of the bunch, but not much else.
Olds did it right.
Oldsmobile built the fastest small-block A-body ever - not even Chevrolet installed a small-block as fast as the Olds. What else is there? 350 HO Pontiac? Remains unproven. 340 Charger Super Bee and Road Runner? Has no reputation. 351 Falcon? Ports are too big for a dealer-stock performer. Buick GS 350? Perhaps the torque-leader of the bunch, but not much else.
Olds did it right.
November 26th, 2014, 11:23 AM
#111
Nickey display at MCACN
You can see some of our other business segments within the display.
Cars for sale = Yenko Camaro
Vintage Gassers = Custom built cars and parts by our fabrication shop
5th Gen Camaro NicKey branded Cars = Red Convertible
5th Gen Limited Edition Hot Rod Magazine Camaro = Silver Coupe
Wearables = NicKey Branded T-Shirts and other cloths, stickers and emblems
tn_DSC_0040_zpsdfeb4bff.jpg
tn_DSC_0050_zps237905a6.jpg
tn_DSC_0039_zps410f3025.jpg
You can see some of our other business segments within the display.
Cars for sale = Yenko Camaro
Vintage Gassers = Custom built cars and parts by our fabrication shop
5th Gen Camaro NicKey branded Cars = Red Convertible
5th Gen Limited Edition Hot Rod Magazine Camaro = Silver Coupe
Wearables = NicKey Branded T-Shirts and other cloths, stickers and emblems
tn_DSC_0040_zpsdfeb4bff.jpg
tn_DSC_0050_zps237905a6.jpg
tn_DSC_0039_zps410f3025.jpg
Last edited by Stefano; November 26th, 2014 at 11:38 AM.
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