Hello from the land of Oz
September 16th, 2010, 09:42 PM
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Hays, KS
Posts: 9
Hello from the land of Oz
Hello from middle America. I signed on a couple of weeks ago but have been busy at work and unable to submit the first post. We have had a few Oldsmobiles during the last 40 years we have been together (daily driver is a '02 Bravada which we really enjoy). Our '70 442 W-30 found us about 8 years ago. I was working at the local high school as a School Resource Officer and had gotten to know some of the staff. The secretary in the office approached me one day and, knowing I was a motorhead, asked if I would be interested in an "old gray car that was sitting in their llama pen". I told her "probably not" as I was just finishing a '56 Chev Wagon and had a '55 Chev 2 dr on the back burner.
As we all know, the car you don't follow up on is the one that gets away. The farm was 50 miles from here and I asked if she could just write down any names she sees on the car. The next week she hands me a note that simply says: 442 W-30. I accused her of making this up or having someone put her up to it as a joke. She got mad and said if I was not interested in the car, they intended on digging a pit in the pasture and pushing the car in
. It turned out the car belonged to a relative who had worn out his welcome, moved out of the farmhouse some years before and left the car there.
Long story shortened. Saw the car, a rough... but complete and original, '70 W-30 post car and rescued it from the Llamas after 6 months of telephone calls to the estranged nephew. It's been stored inside since we towed it home and is awaiting restoration. The Olds was driven into the pen in 1981 and left to rot. Nephew was the second owner and said it was the third fastest car in Salina. KS in it's day...he just couldn't keep up with the Hemi cars
(nice to know I bought a gently treated used car).
The information I have already seen on this site in incredible and the members knowlege is truly impressive. Thanks for the opportunity to participate!
MAX 442
As we all know, the car you don't follow up on is the one that gets away. The farm was 50 miles from here and I asked if she could just write down any names she sees on the car. The next week she hands me a note that simply says: 442 W-30. I accused her of making this up or having someone put her up to it as a joke. She got mad and said if I was not interested in the car, they intended on digging a pit in the pasture and pushing the car in
. It turned out the car belonged to a relative who had worn out his welcome, moved out of the farmhouse some years before and left the car there.Long story shortened. Saw the car, a rough... but complete and original, '70 W-30 post car and rescued it from the Llamas after 6 months of telephone calls to the estranged nephew. It's been stored inside since we towed it home and is awaiting restoration. The Olds was driven into the pen in 1981 and left to rot. Nephew was the second owner and said it was the third fastest car in Salina. KS in it's day...he just couldn't keep up with the Hemi cars
(nice to know I bought a gently treated used car).The information I have already seen on this site in incredible and the members knowlege is truly impressive. Thanks for the opportunity to participate!
MAX 442
!! Glad you saved her! Can't wait to see pics.
September 21st, 2010, 07:47 PM
#9
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Hays, KS
Posts: 9
Llama pen 442 W-30
The only surviving photos we have of the Llama pen 1970 442 W-30. I think 'Frosty the Llama' was upset when her scratching post was removed.
MAX 442
Llama pen 442 W-30.jpg
MAX 442
Llama pen 442 W-30.jpg
September 22nd, 2010, 10:55 AM
#14
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Ukiah, California
Posts: 95
Lucky you, There are a few Llama pens around here, I think I'll cruise by and check them for W-30"s. Cool deal, keep us tuned in for the "rest of the story" Welcome aboard, your going to love it here! Lots of info and help. Keep the pictures coming. Dan
October 15th, 2020, 08:20 PM
#17
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Hays, KS
Posts: 9
10 years? can't be possible...
10 years ago I submitted the info and photos of the 'llama pen' 442 W 30 post and promptly dropped off this site never to be heard from again....almost. The LP 442 is still residing in the garage...sheltered from the elements. Life in general, including medical issues, career, family and finally... retirement... all seemed to interfere with my making any progress on the old girl or the '55 Chevy sharing the next door stall. Today, while visiting with my son in Oklahoma, he told me he had recently met a neighbor who is restoring an 80s Cutlass and during their talk, he relayed the llama pen story. I doubt that time will allow me to finish...or even start on... the 442, but it was nice to see the photos of her rescue from Frosty the llama again. I guess I might be the oldest inactive 'newbie' in the history of this site!
October 16th, 2020, 05:07 AM
#20
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Harrison, Michigan
Posts: 4,809
WoW!! I never saw this before. What a story. I hope you can get to it soon or move it on to someone who can. Not trying to be negative or critical but there would be no shame in letting it go if you realize you will never get to it....
October 16th, 2020, 05:10 PM
#21
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Hays, KS
Posts: 9
I totally agree with maybe passing it on sometime in the near future but I know that if I do, the chances of ever buying and driving a muscle car will probably be gone. Some friends have suggested parting it out but there is no way I would since she has survived mostly intact....even with the abusive llama herd surrounding her!
October 16th, 2020, 05:21 PM
#22
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Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,641
Have you thought about just going through it mechanically so it is safe and getting on the road as is? I think it would be an awesome driver just the way it is especially if it is mostly intact and original. If you were closer to me I would come help you myself just to get an original W30 back on the road but I am in PA so that is not really an option. There may be others closer to you that would be willing to make the same offer. Definitely DO NOT part it out!
October 17th, 2020, 07:01 AM
#23
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Hays, KS
Posts: 9
Have you thought about just going through it mechanically so it is safe and getting on the road as is? I think it would be an awesome driver just the way it is especially if it is mostly intact and original. If you were closer to me I would come help you myself just to get an original W30 back on the road but I am in PA so that is not really an option. There may be others closer to you that would be willing to make the same offer. Definitely DO NOT part it out!
October 17th, 2020, 01:29 PM
#26
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Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,641
Hey, thanks for that offer! Parting her out was the suggestion of several friends but will never be an option as long as I have ownership. She looks much better in the old grainy photos than she actually is. the seller may have been only the second owner during the 11 years she was on the road but from what I see he was a rough driver. Her time abandoned in the farmyard took its toll rust wise as she sat from 1981 to 2002 under trees (our long needle pine trees seemed to have been unusually hard on the roof panel).. I've never even tried to see if the engine will turn and I suppose almost 40 years of inactivity might be rough on the inside of a 455.
June 8th, 2023, 04:09 PM
#27
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 825
Linking to the continuing story of Frosty the llama: New to Oldsmobile and hit the Jackpot
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