Hey all. I am going to look at a supposed 1971 442 W30. I know it is a442, not sure about the W30 part.
How many torsion bars are supposed to be in the trunk for a W30 vs a 442?

 

Why would they be any different? There are two torsion bars in the trunk on every 1970 Cutlass.

 

Devils advocate here
if the vehicle Had/has a rear decklid wing, wouldn’t it require a little more tension...

Brett

 

My mechanic worked on a GTO and a LeMans. The LeMans had less torsion bars in the trunk than the GTO.

 

Yes (which has nothing to do with whether the car was a W-30 or not, since the wing was not part of the W-30 package). There are three notches for the trunk torsion bars in the mounting brackets, allowing you to adjust them as required.

 

Which isn't an Oldsmobile...

 

The VIN will tell you if it's a 442. The cowl tag will have other pertinent info. Only factory paperwork, bill of sale, or build sheet will prove W car provenance. Otherwise its a 442 and should command 442 money not W money.

Is this a restored car or a barn find or other?

 

Right!!! You are spot on. It had 3 notches.
I'm not saying it's not a W30 or it is a W30 but we couldn't prove it. Since there were only 9XX made, I doubt it is. It is a true 442 in very nice condition. He will come down to $37,500. He seems to be right in the middle price range of what a car in that condition is worth.

 

The car was restored but it was many years ago. The owner has had it for 5 years and is guessing it was a few years before he purchased it.
I purchased it at a 442 price. He couldn't prove it was a W30. If I get ambitious I could hunt for the build sheet, but who knows if it is still in there.

 

Thank you all for your input!!!