I'm a first time user on this site. I'm in the process of restoring a '70 W-31 that I purchased when I was 19 trying to impress a girl I was dating. I drove it for six years before handing it over to my brother who drove it for another six before having the engine rebuilt. However, he never got around to putting it back in. So it sat in our parents turkey brooder coop for 30 years. Michigan salt and sitting in the barn took its toll on the frame. Still searching for a solid frame.

My engine builder wanted to take the rebuilt block back to square one. We did the Mondello thing by replacing the 308 cam with a 286, roller lifters, roller rockers, and forged pistons. Should be ready for paint this week. The M21 four speed Muncie only needed reverse sliding and idler gears. The G92 axle with 3.42 gears has been overhauled, just waiting to find home on a better frame. Body work will begin in July.

Any advice or leads on a frame will be appreciated.

 

Nice ride. Nice crane. Nice paperwork. Nice color. Nice Nice Nice. Glad its being saved. Keep the pix comin.

 

^^^^^agree!

 

There is a man in my area that has everything you could possibly want for that car. But he's down here in tampa,Fl.
I don't know if that would be worth it...

 

sweet

 

That's completely awesome.
How bad WAS the frame???
The body looks incredible.

-pete

 

Welcome to CO. Awesome car. Damn, it washed nice.

Thank you for the pictures.

 

Diamond in the rough... Amazing!

 

Now that's what I call a serious cherry picker...........lol. Nice Ride!

 

And here I thought you were making a sly reference... 'till I saw the pictures.

That IS a nice cherry picker.

Car's cool, too.

- Eric

 

Saaweet!

 

Nice! That already been said?....

Really, great old car that's got the right stuff, and cool story. Welcome to the site. Love the retro photo.

I'm amazed at the body condition, since you brought up frame issues. Safety first of course and good luck finding a frame, and you will I'm sure.

 

Welcome to the site John.

Greg

 

Did it work?

 

Welcome to the site, cool story and pictures.

 

Rhonda B. was her name. She dumped me three weeks after picking the Cutlass up. I think she liked my '65 GTO better. . .

 

Let's put it this way, I would not want to use the jack on the rear bumper.

 

Couldn't have made that picture even a tiny bit bigger, huh?





Is there any rust-through, or is that all just surface rust?



- Eric

 

Thank you for the lead. If were talking about the same person, Bob A., a very interesting gentleman, I did buy a rolling frame from him only to discover upon returning to Michigan the front horns were bent eight inches downward. I don't blame him as it was not that noticeable while on wheels. Live and learn.

 

Bear with me guys as I learn to navigate this forum... The frame is extremely weak behind the rear wheels. All chassis mount holes are as big as the rubber mounts.

 

Nice ride. Now a question for the trans guys. I was surprised to see an M21 with the 3:42's, as I thought they only came with the M20, and the M21 only being available with the 3.91's and 4.33's, yet his window sticker clearly shows the M21/3.42 combo. Was this normal?

 

There is a 1970 W-31 on eBay now. Seller claims that the drivetrain is original and that the car has M-20 and 3.91 gears. I always understood that The M-20 could not be had with 3.91 gears and now this car claims 3.42 gears with the M-21 when it was always thought that 3.42 gears came with the M-20.

What gives?

 

This is all new to me. You'll see from the attached window sticker and bill of sale that the combination of M21 with 3.42 gears was built.

 

Always nice to see the documents. I like it.

 

Welcome to C.O.! You may want to come down to Homecoming in Dimondale Mi
next month. Maybe someone will have a decent frame for you there?
https://www.oldsmobileclub.org/oldsmobile-homecoming-3/

I love that you have the window sticker, W cars are hard to prove without them!

Pat

 

Welcome to the site. I have a 70 Vista Cruiser frame that I will give you if you come get it. It is longer than yours and is boxed but maybe you could use it or part of it. I am taking it to the scrap yard soon if I cant find anyone who can use it. I am north of Lansing- you will have to pick it up if you want it. PM me if interested.

 

Great docs. Row Olds out of Grand Rapids.

 

Pat thanks for the invite, but I already have boat tickets to Isle Royale National Park for eight days leaving on the 20th.

Not knowing I threw out the production card that was under the front seat, but did find another under the rear bench.

 

HS! I hope that's a parts car with that pealing roof??? Though I do see green on the F wall...

 

Great save and welcome

 

Yes, this was the car that I took the rolling frame from. The frame had no rust; however, the front horns were bent downward eight inches. If I can't find a better one in the next three weeks, then I'll keep my appointment with the frame shop.