Hi Everyone,
I'm starting a new thread to give updates on the W30 restoration - this will probably be a 2-3 year project given how backed up the shop is. I didn't really want another car but have always wanted a 70 W30 and just couldn't pass up such a highly documented convertible. The car was originally burgundy mist with black stripes, top and interior. With the exception of the color change this car is a time capsule with all original date-coded parts including carb, alternator, distributor, radiator, water pump, rear, motor/trans, and small parts. The drivetrain was never out of the car. I purchased it from the 2nd owner in BC Canada and it never left that area since new. There are many clues to authenticate this car including the "D" stamp on the block under the heads (just learned about this).
Its highly optioned except AC/W27 and has: his/hers, AM/FM stereo, tilt wheel, speed warning, power seat, trunk release, and a few others. The drivetrain is out of the car and out for rebuild but that shop is a year out. Lots of parts are either rebuilt already or are out for rebuild. I'm adding the 8-track player and inside hood release, but everything else will remain stock. Got GM NOS fenders and quarters as its got some rust needing repairs. Progress will be slow but please enjoy!! I'd appreciate any help with the codes on the broadcast card, like what is the circled A46? Thanks

 

Great looking car! Good luck with your restoration

 

Thanks. Its not as nice as it looks in the pics. Lol

 

Selling dealer: "Dick Irwin, what a great, great guy!"

 

A46, U58 and A31 are shown on your Canadian GM documentation. A46 = Seat Adjuster, 4-way power for left bucket seat.
Fisher Body used the the trim card to prep the body shell for specific options.

 

Nice car and worth restoration. You found the right place for knowledge and advice.

 

Very nice! I see lots of cool original stuff. Like the oil pressure and temperature sending units. Both original and vey expensive to replace when missing. May need to restore parts but when you start out with the originals it really helps.

 

With it being a W-30, I would not use NOS fenders. They are slightly different than what come on the car. Either fix the ones on it or find better originals. With the price of a restoration it is best to do it right. For the price you could sell the NOS ones for it would likely be enough to fix yours or replace with correct ones.

 

Thanks for all the responses and advice guys. Merry Christmas

 

As Eric mentioned, I suggest not using the NOS fenders unless they are smooth lipped. If you were close to Texas, I can help you with 1 if not both smooth lip fenders among other parts but I see you are in Canada. Is that the car that Paul help you find?

 

I have some old 442 friends up in BC that told me about the car earlier this year. I had them inspect the car for me as well.

 

did the car actually have the power bucket seat….is in with the car now?

what were you told the D stamp under the heads has to do with W30 authentication? and how many D’s were there?

 

Yes. I think I have a picture of the button on the bottom of the seat somewhere.

 

 

I was told about the D stamping on the block by experts who have taken apart lots of W30s. Recognized experts. I've read that there may be multiple D stampings under there but my car only had one D stamped. I've also been told that the D stamping indicated to the factory engine builders to only use D sized pistons. Other 442 or cars with 455 engines used a mix of ABCD pistons but W30 used on size D pistons. My car had all D pistons as stamped on the top of each piston. I'm not an expter in any way on this and just repeating what several knowledgeable W30 people have told me. There are others who have verified that a W30 should have at least one D stamping on it, but like any human process maybe some do not. Is this something you have heard?

 

is it the numbers matching block to the car?

 

Yeah the engine and trans both have matching VIN der stamps. Neither have ever been out of the car.

 

So I mispoke on the piston stampings. I was told that the W30s were all bored for size D pistons but used all A sized pistons. Undersized so that they could rev higher. My car has all A stamped pistons.

 

This is documented in the Chassis Service Manual. Here's the chart from the 1972 manual.

 

Thanks for sharing that. Interesting that for 70 they stamped the block. Maybe someone on here has the 70 service manual and we can see what it says about stamping the block.

 

Very cool project and looking forward to following this thread. A burgundy W-30 ragtop will be sharp when finished!

You're correct with the D stamping on the block and A piston.

 

Looking at your broadcast card, looks like we now go well into January 1970 without 'W-30' being printed on the broadcast card for a convertible. I was in the crowed that thought it was only October 1969 to December 1969 that didn't have it printed on there. Very cool nugget of data right there.

 

What are the four digits on the OW tag? I see the 1 9 and 3. What's in between the 9 and 3?

 

 

Looks like 1943

 

Yes and interesting that the shipping date is listed as Jan 19th too before the 01D build date on the trim tag

 

 

Did we ever find out what the "Z" is before the Trim Tag? I know there was a lot of discussion years ago about this Z
.

 

Great example of what an original water temp sensor should look like.

I see some serious originality with this car - very cool! Looking forward to following your progress. The code 78 burgundy color is one of my favorites for '70.

 

Thanks! Can't wait to see color on the body and the stripes. There's a long line ahead of me so need to be patient. The master cylinder is not original and we think that the intake manifold was replaced a long time ago with the earlier Oldsmobile script style - those are the only non original parts. I already sourced a correct intake.