Need some advice
Thread Starter
True W33
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 21
From: Fresno
You have a unique Oldsmobile - enjoy it. You have a 390 hp 455 cubic inch engine. carburetor shared with the standard 442 (not a W30), heavy duty transmission (OL), and a 2.92 rear axle - it may not accelerate with some of the better-known muscle cars, but it will certainly outperform them in stretches that exceed a quarter mile. There is a book entitled Oldsmobile W-Powered Muscle Cars by David Newhardt that has several pages dedicated to the W-33 (a one-year option) and includes information about the evolution of the W-33 from the 1998 Police Interceptor through the termination of the program after 1970 as a result of emission standards that became effective with the 1971 model year. It will be easy to spend money on the car because many of the parts are difficult to find (many B-Body reproduction parts are not available because of the relatively low demand). If you are not already a member of the Oldsmobile Club of America or one of the chapters in California, you might consider a membership to facilitate access to a nationwide network of others who share your interest.
There are resources that can help you with decoding the cowl tag and determining what options were ordered with the car. Options available included heavy duty cooling and alternator, heavy duty frame, automatic transmission oil cooler, highway patrol suspension, heavy duty front disc brakes, heavy duty wheels, police speedometer certification, and wiring harness for roof flasher.
I encourage you to keep the car stock - and retain its originality for others to appreciate. If you elect to sell it, please find someone who will restore it to what it was when it rolled off the assembly line.
There are resources that can help you with decoding the cowl tag and determining what options were ordered with the car. Options available included heavy duty cooling and alternator, heavy duty frame, automatic transmission oil cooler, highway patrol suspension, heavy duty front disc brakes, heavy duty wheels, police speedometer certification, and wiring harness for roof flasher.
I encourage you to keep the car stock - and retain its originality for others to appreciate. If you elect to sell it, please find someone who will restore it to what it was when it rolled off the assembly line.
Thread Starter
True W33
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 21
From: Fresno
I don't think you should be telling us what should or shouldn't be happening here with what was 9 posts to your name when you wrote this. You don't know what has been said or done here.
Sounds like you bought before you did your homework, got taken, and want us to tell you you got a good deal when you didn't and now you don't like what you hear.
Sounds like you bought before you did your homework, got taken, and want us to tell you you got a good deal when you didn't and now you don't like what you hear.
Thread Starter
True W33
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 21
From: Fresno
Thread Starter
True W33
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 21
From: Fresno
8,000 W-33's is not exactly what I would call "super rare". There are no outward visual differences from your car and any other "88".
B bodies and W-33's are not highly desired. The W-33 was not a "high performance" car. You could say it may have "enhanced" engine and suspension items. If you are comparing horsepower ratings in 1970, the A bodies are rated lower for insurance reasons. As far as having "more ***** than any stock Cutlass", what do you base this statement on ?
The pics of the cars you posted are cars that have been finished and they do look nice. But, you'll need to spend $20,000 or so to get to that condition.
B bodies and W-33's are not highly desired. The W-33 was not a "high performance" car. You could say it may have "enhanced" engine and suspension items. If you are comparing horsepower ratings in 1970, the A bodies are rated lower for insurance reasons. As far as having "more ***** than any stock Cutlass", what do you base this statement on ?
The pics of the cars you posted are cars that have been finished and they do look nice. But, you'll need to spend $20,000 or so to get to that condition.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,225
From: Edmond, OK
I like the blue one. The one with "SS" stripes isn't my cup of tea, but at least it isn't in the salvage yard.
Like others said, just because a car is rare doesn't mean it's valuable. How rare is a 1978 Oldsmobile Starfire? Doesn't mean a mint one would bring big bucks at Mecum.
Like others said, just because a car is rare doesn't mean it's valuable. How rare is a 1978 Oldsmobile Starfire? Doesn't mean a mint one would bring big bucks at Mecum.
Thread Starter
True W33
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 21
From: Fresno
I already posted pics of my car, you would see that if you payed attention, but I posted other pics of what a delta can look like if you put some money into it...
Thread Starter
True W33
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 21
From: Fresno
I like the blue one. The one with "SS" stripes isn't my cup of tea, but at least it isn't in the salvage yard.
Like others said, just because a car is rare doesn't mean it's valuable. How rare is a 1978 Oldsmobile Starfire? Doesn't mean a mint one would bring big bucks at Mecum.
Like others said, just because a car is rare doesn't mean it's valuable. How rare is a 1978 Oldsmobile Starfire? Doesn't mean a mint one would bring big bucks at Mecum.
Kjr442
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,817
From: Texas
W33
Well, from reading everyone’s input here, I would say, you should have a pretty good understanding of this car’s value and how rare/desirable it is.
You left me a message asking me about this type of car because I had one. Well, here is my input. My car was a one owner, rust, free car and completely numbers matching. It came with everything heavy duty, including a rear sway bar and a positive track rear end. I rebuilt the engine to fact specs and struggled to get 7,000. out of it. The buyer tried to double his money on EBay and I don’t think that ever happened.
When the car finally did sell again, it went to a very good home, and was restored. This car was even published, pages 96 and 97 of the book, “Oldsmobile W powered muscle cars” by David Newhardt. Great book by the way.
If you looked up my car, you know it was in excellent condition and 100% original. I had excellent documentation, that means window sticker, original car order documents and every service record from day one.
I’ll be honest with you, these cars should be saved, but the car is worth more parted out and sold piece at a time, unless your personal connection to it makes it more valuable, to you.
I know it sucks, but it’s the truth. The car, with the W33 option is really cool and super rare, but not super desirable.
just my honest opinion.
You left me a message asking me about this type of car because I had one. Well, here is my input. My car was a one owner, rust, free car and completely numbers matching. It came with everything heavy duty, including a rear sway bar and a positive track rear end. I rebuilt the engine to fact specs and struggled to get 7,000. out of it. The buyer tried to double his money on EBay and I don’t think that ever happened.
When the car finally did sell again, it went to a very good home, and was restored. This car was even published, pages 96 and 97 of the book, “Oldsmobile W powered muscle cars” by David Newhardt. Great book by the way.
If you looked up my car, you know it was in excellent condition and 100% original. I had excellent documentation, that means window sticker, original car order documents and every service record from day one.
I’ll be honest with you, these cars should be saved, but the car is worth more parted out and sold piece at a time, unless your personal connection to it makes it more valuable, to you.
I know it sucks, but it’s the truth. The car, with the W33 option is really cool and super rare, but not super desirable.
just my honest opinion.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,225
From: Edmond, OK
Per the forum rules there shall be no trolling.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...aq_userconduct
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Registered User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4
From: St. Louis, MO
Well, from reading everyone’s input here, I would say, you should have a pretty good understanding of this car’s value and how rare/desirable it is.
You left me a message asking me about this type of car because I had one. Well, here is my input. My car was a one owner, rust, free car and completely numbers matching. It came with everything heavy duty, including a rear sway bar and a positive track rear end. I rebuilt the engine to fact specs and struggled to get 7,000. out of it. The buyer tried to double his money on EBay and I don’t think that ever happened.
When the car finally did sell again, it went to a very good home, and was restored. This car was even published, pages 96 and 97 of the book, “Oldsmobile W powered muscle cars” by David Newhardt. Great book by the way.
If you looked up my car, you know it was in excellent condition and 100% original. I had excellent documentation, that means window sticker, original car order documents and every service record from day one.
I’ll be honest with you, these cars should be saved, but the car is worth more parted out and sold piece at a time, unless your personal connection to it makes it more valuable, to you.
I know it sucks, but it’s the truth. The car, with the W33 option is really cool and super rare, but not super desirable.
just my honest opinion.
You left me a message asking me about this type of car because I had one. Well, here is my input. My car was a one owner, rust, free car and completely numbers matching. It came with everything heavy duty, including a rear sway bar and a positive track rear end. I rebuilt the engine to fact specs and struggled to get 7,000. out of it. The buyer tried to double his money on EBay and I don’t think that ever happened.
When the car finally did sell again, it went to a very good home, and was restored. This car was even published, pages 96 and 97 of the book, “Oldsmobile W powered muscle cars” by David Newhardt. Great book by the way.
If you looked up my car, you know it was in excellent condition and 100% original. I had excellent documentation, that means window sticker, original car order documents and every service record from day one.
I’ll be honest with you, these cars should be saved, but the car is worth more parted out and sold piece at a time, unless your personal connection to it makes it more valuable, to you.
I know it sucks, but it’s the truth. The car, with the W33 option is really cool and super rare, but not super desirable.
just my honest opinion.
Thank you for the work that you did on the engine - the decals will be added when the interior is complete.
The documentation that you preserved has been helpful for authentication - for restoration and reviews with the GM Heritage Center.
As you know, there were only 1,607 W33s produced (541 - Delta 88, 518 - Delta 88 Custom, and 548 - Delta 88 Royale) in 2-door and 4-door editions, and there are very few survivors.
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