If you're gonna build a "tribute" car, at least use the right body style.

 

Likely lot of things, but most glaring is 4-4-2 (and W-30 if I squint) callouts on a formal roof Supreme body. Not to mention the hood.

 

It's all in fun... If the owner likes it, why not?

 

Hey, it's a one-of-one.

 

Mirrors, rocker chrome, red fender wells


Actually its 1 of none

 

Would be a small amount better if they had just put SX emblems on it. At least that would be the correct body style for something they never built.

 

Only thing I don't see is a spoiler. Hopefully it has trunk lid stripes. Other than that ..🤔

 

I don't believe that aluminum walking stick is capable of holding the car. I'd set the parking brake.

 

I figured it was to prop the hood up after the springs were removed for the OAI hood conversion.

 

The house in the background needs a repaint? Or is it supposed to look that way?

 

That's called "patina"

 

Apparently, nothing is wrong with it anymore. It's interesting to see how attitudes have shifted on this subject over the past 20 years.

For me, personally, I draw issue with clones (which this isn't) because you always hear the same line about "well, I can't afford a real one," or "I can't find one," or "I'm making one like one I remember" and it's always on the up and up. Then, several years later, the car is being sold as the real deal and someone gets scammed. It's like leaving a loaded gun out in a public place; sure, you didn't commit the crime, but you enabled it.

I don't have that problem with the car, since it's obviously a customization. I don't really have a beef with it, other than the fact that bolting W parts onto a non-W car is kind of tired by now. I really enjoy seeing Olds A bodies with original non-OAI hoods. I like not seeing a S hardtop profile spoiler at the wrong angle on a Supreme body. Etc.

One thing I do have a fondness for is thought exercises in things that could have been made, but weren't. A W-31 Rallye 350 is inspired. A big block Rallye 350 is not. 67 442s with the L69 option added are somewhat interesting. A 66 442 with a 67's turnpike cruiser package is interesting. 67 track pack with a convertible similarly (if they can make it fit), etc.

 

Not to worry. I suspect this car contains few (if any) actual W-30 parts beyond the re-pop emblems.

 

Indeed. I should clarify, I find adding W-* coded production parts, usually repro, to non-W cars to be tiring and overdone. Hood, red fender wells, spoiler, etc. This is my own personal reflection on the trend only.

 

Well, only if he's trying to say its a real 442 W30. I've got a 1971 Cutlass flat top wagon I have been collecting parts for to make it into the W30 wagon Oldsmobile never built. I won't claim its factory, but I've seen flat top and Vista Cruiser wagons with OAI hoods and I think they look sharp. Bucket seats with a console, dual gate or 4 speed. Either would look nice and be fun to drive but were never built by the factory. As long as a person is honest about it not being factory I don't have a problem with it.

 

Well, in your case you really don't need to be honest: it's not likely that you'll be passing it off as an original as Olds never built one.

Unless, of course, it's an ultra-rare factory prototype.

 

Don't forget the glaringly obvious red inner fender wells.

 

I will say this. I don't mind the hood and the red fender wells. The 442 and W-30 emblems? You lose me there. Why not just use no emblems or as was said already SX emblems? I don't hate it. I see defense here of fake cars all day. At least this car you obviously know it isn't a 442.

 

I put stripes on my 71 Supreme in '95 since the pitted dinged up "chrome" trim would have cost much more to restore for a car I paid $2,500 for. I've never regretted doing it, but would probably not do it to a 52 year old semi collectable car. Back then, it was just a driver I had paint and body work done.