One of the most fascinating Oldsmobiles to roll off the line in Lansing was the Cutlass with the W-31 package and its 350 engine, a true all-around street sweeper. Car and Driver tested one in March 1969 and claimed that it handled so well, “Tom McCahill would run out of superlatives.” It ran a 14.5-second quarter-mile at 97 miles per hour, close enough to a 4-4-2 to make it a driver’s race, but because cubic inches bought status in the 1960s, the W-31 sadly never caught on. Few were built and those that remain are difficult to document, but this numbers-matching “barn find” in Broomfield, Colorado, might be one of them. Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. found it for sale on eBay, where it’s doing a brisk business; the high bid is currently $18,100, and the reserve hasn’t been met. Perhaps the Olds fanatics are convinced that it’s the real deal.
The heart of the W-31 package was its “Force-Air Induction” 350, and the seller says that this one has the correct W-31 Quadrajet, the correct harmonic balancer, and the Force-Air scoops beneath the bumper, everything but the air cleaner ducting. The W-31 had a rowdy cam for a 350, with 308 degrees of duration and .474 lift at the valve; that was enough for a 325-horsepower rating and a 6000 rpm redline. With Oldsmobile’s fine chassis tuning, this was an almost complete package (Car and Driver was critical of its unboosted drum brakes; there wasn’t enough engine vacuum for a brake booster).
The seller says that the car was parked for 30 years in a barn, and it is currently suffering from a 1970s hangover. With diamond-patterned upholstery, household remnant carpeting on the floor, and one of those “giant foot” accelerator pedals, this is either a fine piece of nostalgia or a tragedy. Regardless of your opinion of the decor, you can’t help noticing the clutch pedal and floor shifter, indicating that the Cutlass is most likely equipped with a four speed. Combined with 3.42 gears out back, the chances of this being a true W-31 car are that much better.
Long-term storage has also been kind to the sheet metal, as the undercarriage is rust-free, and the only spots of concern are the fender bottoms (and a dent in the passenger fender).
The current owner has gotten the Cutlass back on the road and says that “it runs and drives excellent.” Although I love driving around in a long-dormant old car and leaving its appearance largely alone, this rare Olds muscle car probably deserves better than that. Originally painted “Platinum Metallic,” it deserves a restoration in its original color. I hope someone does it proud, and I’d really like a ride once it’s done.
Thanks Toth. Love how Dr Olds offered up so many performance goodies and options on all the models. 🏁
Terrific article, Aaron, and the cam info is the first I’ve seen in the articles here on BF about these, tho I’ve not the time as a member that many others here have.
Change the loud pedal, replace the carpet/seat upholstery(“diamond tuck and roll, man!”), replace the air intake ductwork, fix the sheet metal and drive it.
I’ve watched videos online of some very nice W31 350 Oldsmobiles drag racing. And just like Aaron said, it can be a drivers race. These were very quick. Very quick…
This one looks pretty solid, like Nevadahalftrack said, I’d get the original pedals for it. I think I’d be tripping over that gas pedal every time I’d drive it. Redo the interior to stock ( they looked great). And enjoy it.
Platinum and black are great colors. Looks as if the seller has all the expensive and hard to find W31 parts. As much as I am a proponent of drivers and beaters, this is an Olds that truly is deserving of restoration. Hopefully the reserve is reasonable and the car finds a worthy caretaker.
My 3rd car was a 1969 Cutlass S coupe, 350 2bbl, automatic, dark gold and I wish I still had it (among about 6 or 7 others that got away over the years). Olds made a lot of good engines in the ’60s and I always felt my Cutlass was fairly quick. Until… I raced a friend’s parents’ 1970 Imperial 440. I got smoked by that barge.
I’d love to replay that day with my C6.
I hope whoever gets this gem redoes the interior and paints it a less dreadful color. A true W31 needs to be preserved. And driven.
A couple of the Smothers Brothers team cars were 1969 W-31’s, at least one of which still survives and has been restored.
Steve R
Quick cars
These were really great cars both for acceleration and handling but who would have guessed that you had to pay this much money for a fixer upper when for not much more, you could have a 442 with all the power options and A/C. I have a 68 442 convertible with a built 455 that is quicker and has air. To each his own and judging by the bids, I am clearly in the wrong lane. Will be a fun car when done.
325 horsepower my A$$…
These were wicked right out of the showroom!!
Super RARE!! 69 was the first year for the W31 sticker on the front fender. In 68 it was the RAMROD 350.
Nice car to restore. I had a 69 W30 4 speed convert in the early 70’s. I bought some Olds parts from a guy that had a 70 W30 and a 70 W31, both red, he used the W31 as a tow car for the W30 which was the race car. He had lettering above the rear wheel well arch, one car was the “Indian”, the other “Indian Master”.
The auction was ended early, the owner likely took an offer.
Steve R