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January 2021 Mecum Kissimmee, think what you will about dealers and auctions - and I mostly agree - but still a great place to see some really well done cars.
Check out these 4-4-2 4 speed convertibles, six of them in one spot. If youve never been, Mecum Kissimmee is an incredible feast for the car lover - a great car show at the very least. And perhaps at its worst: overpriced, over hyped cars of unknown pedigree, workmanship and documentation - but still super fun.
The first link is a 68, the second a 69 - restored by Thornton, and the next 4 are 70s - quite a 3 pedal drop top 4-4-2 sextuplet....
I remain skeptical of any "W-30" with shiny new reproduction red inner fenders. And don't get me started about a"1 of 97" four speed "W-30" with power brakes.
I agree with vCode - it is a fun auction. And it’s also nice to get out of the northeast January weather. Two days at Kissimmee for me, two days staying on Amelia Island for the wife and flew home from Jacksonville.
The 69 has a substantial pedigree going back 30 years:
1st place at OCA Nationals 1990, 2000, 2010
Edit: just reread the ad, looks like engine is not original, but a “correct” 400. Not a big fan of verbose and superfluous write ups. Looks like they’re claiming original W-30 status but unsure.
Last edited by vCode442; Dec 16, 2020 at 10:46 AM.
I've made comments about judging in the past - one of the best-of-class winners at the 2009 Nationals was a 68 "W-30" with the fender emblems and stripes in the wrong place.
Unfortunately, those are not "Factory original W-30 red plastic wheel wells", despite what the ad copy says. Those are amorphous reproductions. I assume the build date of this car is consistent with the mid-year introduction of manual disc brakes.
I've made comments about judging in the past - one of the best-of-class winners at the 2009 Nationals was a 68 "W-30" with the fender emblems and stripes in the wrong place.
Unfortunately, those are not "Factory original W-30 red plastic wheel wells", despite what the ad copy says. Those are amorphous reproductions. I assume the build date of this car is consistent with the mid-year introduction of manual disc brakes.
Thanks Joe, I was editing as you were posting. The NCRS judging stratifications are well described and fairly objective, but of course subject to (subjective) human interpretation/ application. However they seem to be well respected, especially Top Flight, Bloomington Gold and Duntov - not sure about Oldsmobile, I’ve not been to a national event - but am familiar with NCRS awards.
We all know judging can be very prone to individual bias, and certainly not always on target. Absolutely helpful hearing from experts like you, thanks again for your input Joe.
Last edited by vCode442; Dec 16, 2020 at 11:07 AM.
The NCRS judging stratifications are well described and fairly objective, but of course subject to (subjective) human interpretation/ application. However they seem to be well respected, especially Top Flight, Bloomington Gold and Duntov - not sure about Oldsmobile, I’ve not been to a national event - but am familiar with NCRS awards.
Unfortunately OCA judging has a ways to go to get to NCRS standards. There still are no judging databases. I've acted as a judge at two Nationals, and there is a lot of room for improvement. As an example, at Gettysburg in 2018, I judged the Senior Preservation class, which is comprised of former Best-of-Class winners. There were about half a dozen Senior Preservation cars with W25 hoods. No two of them had the hood stripes painted the same. OK, admittedly the factory wasn't that great on quality control then, either, but still.
I assume the build date of this car is consistent with the mid-year introduction of manual disc brakes.
Looks like 04B but I see front drums
The Cutlass hood ornament sticks out like a sore thumb but other than that the only other things I see on a quick glance is the incorrect shifter ball for a console.
The last is if you have a 68 PoP (which this one seems to have) post a pic of the engine code if you want people to believe your paperwork
BTW the Joe, the pic you posted looks like a 69
Last edited by allyolds68; Dec 16, 2020 at 01:58 PM.
Unfortunately OCA judging has a ways to go to get to NCRS standards.
Having lived in the Corvette judging world for years, I can tell you it would be a monumental effort to get that level of detail for all Oldsmobiles in general. Corvettes being one model spanning 1953 to 2005 (being judged) make them an easier target. Notwithstanding, the NCRS does have it together as far as judging standards. To even attempt to reach that level of detail, one would need to limit the effort to say the A bodies to start with. I see a logical breakdown as 64-65, 66-67, 68-69, 70-72, but then everyone else would feel neglected.
tc
Last edited by 4+4+2=10; Dec 16, 2020 at 04:45 PM.
Kissimmee auction has started, curious if anyone has attended or is planning to attend, also post any results on these cars or any others of interest. Again, don’t believe the hype - just enjoy the cars!
Kissimmee auction has started, curious if anyone has attended or is planning to attend, also post any results on these cars or any others of interest. Again, don’t believe the hype - just enjoy the cars!
Beautiful ‘70 Convertible Cutlass SX hammered today at 40 K, commentators enjoyed discussing its low end torque: 500 foot pounds at 2400 RPMs, and it’s two barrel 455 engine - familiar to us, but those guys seemed stunned
First 70. I swear Oldsmobile stripes kick so many peoples ***.
Then the off road aqua car.
The non W car. My favorite.
Then the dealer slapped together special. Nice trunk lid emblem placement. That's not a cheap or easy fix.. Top looks all jacked up. Get those body color wheels of it too.
Last edited by no1oldsfan; Jan 14, 2021 at 06:00 PM.
Guys - Curious as to whether anyone saw what any of these went for???
if you log in to Mecum and click the links in the first thread you can see prices. The first 68 convertible went to $55k and is a no sale. The last 70 convertible went $63.8k. None of the rest appear to have gone yet.
if you log in to Mecum and click the links in the first thread you can see prices. The first 68 convertible went to $55k and is a no sale. The last 70 convertible went $63.8k. None of the rest appear to have gone yet.
allyolds68 - Thanks! I don't have a Mecum account, so that's why I was asking. Guess I should set one up!
Thank you for posting those auctions. That 71 W-30 at 34.6 seems like a deal compared to the rest. Oldsmobiles sure seem to bring the money. 63.8 for that dealer rushed 70 is wow to me.
Thank you for posting those auctions. That 71 W-30 at 34.6 seems like a deal compared to the rest. Oldsmobiles sure seem to bring the money. 63.8 for that dealer rushed 70 is wow to me.
You've got to think there were some legitimate concerns about the 71 W-30 being a true "W" car to only go for $36.4? Either that, or someone got a hell of a deal?
Thank you for posting those auctions. That 71 W-30 at 34.6 seems like a deal compared to the rest. Oldsmobiles sure seem to bring the money. 63.8 for that dealer rushed 70 is wow to me.
Agreed, the 71 W-30 looked quite nice, was surprised at low selling price. The ‘dealer rushed’ 70 actually sold for 77k - lot F185.
Hard for me to figure who is throwing money at these cars sometimes.
You pay 64k for this Plus fees. How much will it cost to fix the top. Really says something when you exclude shots from up above. Won't even show the top from eye level.. The deck lid emblems aren't even close. Look at the trunk lid gaps. How do you make that mistake? So not a cheap fix. Body color wheels. I can only imagine the amount of incorrect parts. Look at the alignment of the nose on the hood and the front bumper. Look at the alignment of the front bumper period. Nice side gaps. Exhaust tips are way too long. Slapped together for an auction. Period. Definitely not assembled by an Oldsmobile freak.
Hopefully the GSX in front of this car isn't such a hack job.
Last edited by no1oldsfan; Jan 16, 2021 at 03:12 PM.
