View Poll Results: Which car?
Voters: 85. You may not vote on this poll
Which car? Choose only 1.
April 21st, 2017, 03:29 PM
#1
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Which car? Choose only 1.
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.
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.
Last edited by oldsmobiledave; April 21st, 2017 at 03:45 PM.
April 21st, 2017, 04:03 PM
#6
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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.
Last edited by Fun71; April 21st, 2017 at 04:05 PM.
April 21st, 2017, 04:52 PM
#11
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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.
However, had this been a 1969 or 1968 year question, I would have taken the w-31 over the 400G block 442.
April 21st, 2017, 04:55 PM
#12
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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.
April 21st, 2017, 04:58 PM
#13
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Thoughts
I agree that outside the Olds community the 442 is the winner. I am most interested in what us hardcore Oldsmobile addicts think.
April 21st, 2017, 05:45 PM
#17
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442...my reasoning is the same as Eric's.
April 21st, 2017, 07:47 PM
#19
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!
April 21st, 2017, 08:33 PM
#21
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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?"
April 21st, 2017, 08:50 PM
#22
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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.
April 21st, 2017, 11:56 PM
#25
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We all love the W 31's. But,
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
April 22nd, 2017, 06:30 AM
#26
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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
April 22nd, 2017, 07:52 AM
#27
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
April 22nd, 2017, 08:59 AM
#28
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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.
Last edited by Troys Toy 70; April 22nd, 2017 at 09:04 AM.
April 22nd, 2017, 09:07 AM
#29
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W-31 ride along
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
Time for Tom to take you for a ride in his W-31 so that you can make an educated decision.
Dave
April 23rd, 2017, 05:09 PM
#34
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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.
April 24th, 2017, 05:15 AM
#37
Gary
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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 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.
April 24th, 2017, 11:28 AM
#39
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April 24th, 2017, 11:36 AM
#40
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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.
