My brother has a friend who is looking to sell his 70 Cutlass 442 coupe. Two owner car, Clear title. #s match 455 and rear deck spoiler. I have not seen this car yet and will post pics at that time. This is all my brother told me it's nice and The guy is desperate for cash. Couple questions is it rare for a 70 Cutlass 442 to NOT have power windows, doors, no AC, & he mentioned something else not having power steering or brakes don't remember. The main issues are needs new trunk floor pan and currently a 20ft paint job rest of body is good with only minor rust in the rear quarters runs and drives fine. I know this is tough to estimate without any pictures not holding anyone to it just a ballpark. Figure 75k miles daily driver in good condition. He keeps saying how rare it is for a 70 442 to basicly have no extra comfort options. Like AC power windows etc. Hope to see it in the next day or so and I'm bringing cash but how much cash that's the question. I do know he's a young kid who's not up on the value of these cars or hooked up with a cool Olds website. Any input helps

 

Offer him 3500. Tell him it will need 10k in work to make it a 15k car

 

Got some more info will be checking this car out on Thursday. Turns out it's a original 442 W30 Special order with deleted options. Copper original paint which is now faded. It's been sitting in this guys garage for 8 yrs. He saw it sitting in the back yard while doing construction. Asked about it the guy who was the original owner said it had a bad rod. Bought it for $1000 put oil in it jumped it and drove it home didn't hear any knocks or have any problems. Did a 50' burn out and spun it into the garage been sitting ever since. It had sat in a field where some kids broke out the rear glass which rotted the trunk bed. I'm sure the interior at least the back needs some love. Got a real good chance of getting this car for $3500 the guy is desperate for cash. Already has a 70 442 restored ready for paint. Another 70 Cutlass & 2 original 69 Chevelles one 396 & one 454 also has a 72 Nova. Can't wait to see it it's a borderline barn find my 72 might be heading to the back burner. Pics to follow

 

Not rare at all from what I have seen over the years. Those things were extra cost options and it was just the original buyer's preference to have them or not.

Well that explains it.

 

Good to know because I think he is stressing this point to up the value. However the 70 W-30 is the one to own if I'm not mistaken. HP started to decline after this year. Would there be any glaring numbers or details to make sure it's a true W30 or possibly discredit its authenticity ? Not sure this guy has done his homework. Even at a great price I need to be sure. Really don't need another project but would welcome a true W-30

 

First thing to look for is a big F on the cylinder head

 

The VERY first thing is to make sure it's an actual 442. Get a look at the VIN and verify it starts with 344. Then we can get into whether it's a W-30 or not.

 

I would like to find out what are some of the things that are done to scam a W-30 then or something thats kinda hidden. I read there's numbers on everything even the oil fill tube can I tell if there knock off red wheel wells stuff like that. U know what they say if a deal is to good to be true it probably is. This guy would not cheat me but I doubt he ever checked himself when he got it.

 

Subscribed, best of luck. I hope it is what you hope it is...

 

No, in fact this is 100% normal. A true W30 came with manual brakes because of the 328° cam. It doesn't allow enough vacuum to operate power brakes. The 1970 442 was also equipped with standard "armstrong" steering. You 'could' upgrade to include AC, PDB and PS, but that also meant losing the 328 cam in the engine. Does it have an AT or MT?? I'd be hoping it has the MT - more fun to drive.

He is completely wrong. It is more rare to see them with all those options.

If the car is as good as you say, it's worth huge money. It sounds like it's a runner so that will only bring the value up. If it has all the original W equipment under the hood, it's worth a lot of money. Pics would help, and so would knowing the rest of the cars history. 'low retail' according to NADA is 58,000.00. For all the work you need to do to fixit, if all he wants is 3500?? Take the wad with you and load it up fast on your hauler - get it home fast!

 

Agreed! The heads and dist alone will get you your money back. The carb?
Shipping and then some. Have you left yet? An Olds guy needs to own this one.
GO MAN GO!

 

what someone says it is and what it actually is are a little different ...you have a ways to go before you can say this is a w30 car

 

And this of course is the whole problem right now - someone who may or may not know what it is. Wonder if it has the W30 emblems/stripes and the red inner fender liners?? Pics would really help

 

The sum of the parts alone are why he needs to go see it now with the wad of cash. I hope it is and he can snag it, what a find it would be. Man, one of these days I'm going to find a 30 that was forgotten. I have been on the lookout for years. I missed a 70 auto with buckets when I was 16 because I didn't have $1895.

 

Take it from guy who is always hunting down these cars.

Always go Look!
(Even if you don't have the asking price in the bank. Prices drop in most cases)

Always have Funds Available!
(Not alway on you, but maybe at the local branch of your bank )

Do Not Procrastinate!

Good Luck!

 

This. You haven't even confirmed that it's a 442 yet.

 

this isn't entirely correct, but I'm sure you know that.

Like others have said, determine if it's a 442 first. Then look for those clues as to whether it _may_ or _may not_ be a W car.

price depends on condition, so it could be $1000 or it could be $100K. That's a big ballpark, but way too many unanswered questions and unknown details on what it is you really are going to look at.

for all we know it could be like a car a buddy and I saw at the Nats. it was listed and classified as a 70 SX. but the VIN and data plate CLEARLY showed it was a 72. Not to mention there was a Linden, NJ built 70 W-30 at the Nats too

 

Here's the pics read em and weep & weep I did. Only good news is 32K miles all original. Only thing I noticed not original was the upper radiator hose & clamps.

 

Sorry for all the hype I just repeated what was told to me

 

No idea how to post all pic at the same time or even turn them right I tried so bear with me.

 

Here's the vin it is a one owner car well technically 2 but the title is still in original owners name.

 

The car is really rough had it up on a lift completely rusted everywhere. Rear quarters are gone fronts are on there way. Total resto and still for sale I didn't make a offer I already have 2 projects. Was only interested if it was a W30 I knew I was in trouble when I pulled up and first thing I saw was this raised hood.

 

Well at least it's still a 70 442. W-30's are freaking unicorns unless you have a FAT wallet.

 

I have more pics if anyone wants to see them but I figured I wasted enough of people's time.

 

The hood pic never went thru but it's the first thing I saw pulling up I said to my brother please tell me that's not it.

 

Tell your friend he doesn't know what he's talking about with his car - he's full of "facts" that are simply not true.

Anyway, now that it's known to not be a W-30, he'll have to find someone else to listen to his BS.

 

He's my brothers friend I never met him before last night. I drove a pretty good distance too my biggest regret is I never asked him what made him think it was a W in the first place. After all that I would not think twice about doing it again if there's even a slim shady shot at a 70 W30 I'm all in when & where is all that's needed to be said. Ok maybe they can send me one or two pictures next time if it's 2 hrs away.