Had an interesting discussion with a fellow forum member and enthusiast about which of these two cars is more desirable and valuable.

Your choices are 1970 442 and 1970 W-31. To be clear the 442 is NOT a W machine.

Both cars are numbers matching and both are M-21 4 speed cars. Cosmetics is equal as both are strong cars.

Which would you rather own and why?

I started the voting and voted for the W-31.

 

Well thats a no brainer...

 

Perhaps to you... you do realize the 442 in the poll is not a W-30?

 

I do realize, there is a lot to like about the W31, but all things considered a IMO 455 is more appealing.

 

Im w OC 455 for me.

I will say tho good poll question should be interesting.

 

W-machine, of course. And the W-31 beats a base 442 in the rarity category. We see a ton of 442s at the local car shows, but when a W-31 shows up it's something special.

 

Dave would a discussion be ok in addition to your poll?

 

Torque monster

 

"Which would you rather own and why?"

I "Think" that's what he wants

 

Yes, that was my intent. Thanks.

 

I voted for the 442 4 speed. I think I'd rather have the 442 over a Cutlass, even with the package, and I think that the hi comp 455 manual set up engine would be more fun than the 350 W engine manual set up.


However, had this been a 1969 or 1968 year question, I would have taken the w-31 over the 400G block 442.

 

While the W31 is a rarity, is it really as valuable as a 442. The only time I see a W31 attract attn is at an all Olds get together. IMHO, most of the common car folk have no clue to what a W31 is, they just see a Cutlass with a 350 and a 4 speed and cool hood.

 

I agree that outside the Olds community the 442 is the winner. I am most interested in what us hardcore Oldsmobile addicts think.

 

Personally I would not throw either out of my garage...

 

Since I prefer Lansing cars, I would lean towards the W. But if the 442 is an M VIN than I would prefer the 442.

Pat

 

A 4 speed 455 trumps a small block, but that's just me.

 

442...my reasoning is the same as Eric's.

 

4 speed 455. What more can ask for

 

Since i own a 1970 w31 with the 4 speed i am biased to my car. This car was intended to be a factory race car. The 442 may have been ordered for that purpose but it is not as raw as a 308 cam in a small block. The w31 launches just as violently as a big block with the 391 gear however there is one main difference. The small block hooks up way better and beats the big block out of the hole. The w31 package is complete with all of w30 extras outside of the motor including the looks. Even at national shows the w31 is not that common. I prefer purpose built muscle cars whether they are big block or small block. Just my two cents. Thanks Dave for the soapbox!

 

442.
I really like the W-31's...but I couldn't resist the urge to throw a big block in my Rallye...I'd hate to give in to the same urge with a W-31.

-pete

 

They would both be fun to drive, but I'd go for the W car. The rarity would be the draw. I'd be happy to school other car guys on what makes a W 31, and non-car people may not know what a 442 is either. Even now I've had people ask me "who makes a Cutlass?"

 

if I didn't own a 442 already I'd probably take the 442 but since I do I'd jump on the W31 in a heart beat to go with the W30s. I think a radical small block is way cool and they are rare as well.

 

I just love the torque of the 455, and 4spd 455's are not too common today.

 

W car with docs over a 442. No docs, then 4 speed 455 can't miss.

 

The Old 442-455 4 speed is a legend that even the run of mill muscle car enthusiast lusts over. It's the car that was seen back in the day (unlike the W30 4 speed machine, far too rear). From zero to 100 mph it was a beast. Big block Olds with a 455 was a young man's dream escape. Legendary automobile. The W31 will never attain that status (yet, awesome car). Hell, look at the auction prices, if you dare

 

If I was choosing a car for driving enjoyment it would be the W-31. Last year I had a chance to drive two customer cars back to back after we completed repairs. I was surprised how much more I liked the W-31 over a 442. the W-31 had a 3.42 with manual steering and the 442 had a 3.91 with power steering. I expected to like the 442 more, but to my surprise the W-31 just felt light and right. ~BOB

 

I have a Nugget Gold 1970 442 4 speed car and love the torque of the 455 cu in motor especially through the 4 gear. I love the look of the 31 package but have never driven one so I am at a disadvantage in making an unbiased decision. The 31's get the better stripes and all of the appearance of a 30 but you can't beat the torque through every shift of the 455. Guess it's 442 455 4 speed! Al

 

I broke Big Block rank, and went with the W31. The Mrs and I talked about what to vote for, and her first response was Big Block no question. Man, I love this woman. However, we live where there is quite a lot of roads with curves, and I think the W31 would be fun to drive out those roads. Besides I have a Big Block already for the straights.

 

Al

Time for Tom to take you for a ride in his W-31 so that you can make an educated decision.

Dave

 

Thanks for voting.

So far 25 votes for the 442 and 22 votes for the W-31.

On Facebook it was a run away victory for the W-31.

Dave

 

I
say W 31 very rare especially with documentation you are in rare company.
Alain

 

W-31, no questions

 

Everybody is shy .W 31 is better package
Alain

 

There is a good article about a W31 owner's opinion between the two in Muscle Machines "Back Home Again". For me they are both desirable and it would depend on the colours, documentation and condition. Everything being the same it would boil down to price. So I have to say there is some equality there.

 

W 30 Six figures$$$ or W 31 five figures$$$ same performance but very limited
supply W 31
Alain

 

Voted for W31, one for how rare they are and two it would be cool to have both the W30 and W31 next to each other in the garage.

 

I wouldn't hesitate on that choice. W-31


I skipped the 454 and ordered a 1970 Corvette LT-1; I had it for 45 years, so my thought process is still the same. I like the sound of high winding engines.

 

I don't want to be Mr Obvious but why not buy them both. After a few months sell the one you "love" the less.

 

I saw that. Where are all the W31 fans when one is actually for sale? Great cars but you see nice examples struggle to bring $30K.

 

Fair or not most look at it as a Cutlass, why doesn't a 72 W30 go for more than a 70 - it is the only year with W30 in the VIN. Why does the Cutlass Pace car of 70 go for a fair amount less then the 70 442 pace car.