Claiming that your classic is the best example on the planet is pretty bold. However, the photos suggest that this 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 could rightfully claim that crown. The seller has spared no expense during its restoration, ensuring that this Olds is in showroom condition. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P. for spotting this amazing classic listed here on Craigslist in Decatur, Illinois. The seller set their price at $100,000, which is roughly what they invested in its restoration.
The seller states that they invested a significant amount of cash into this 442, and its presentation seems to support that. They talk about it as a rotisserie restoration, but I prefer to consider it as a high-end refurbishment. Some readers may question that, but I make that assessment based on the original Broadcast Sheet included in the sale. The Matador Red paint looks stunning, with no flaws or defects. However, the car’s documentation lists a paint code of 55, which corresponds to Galleon Gold. It also confirms that the first owner ordered the car with a matching Gold vinyl top. I have always considered restorations a process that returns a classic to its factory form, but the color change indicates this isn’t the case with this Olds. Your opinion may differ from mine, but it is diversity and an acceptance of others that make the classic world so fascinating. Regardless of where you stand on the subject, you will probably agree that there is little about this 442 that justifies criticism. The paint shines richly, the panels are laser straight, and the stripes are crisp and clean. The underside shots reveal no rust, and the car features desirable options like the rear wing, Code P05 Super Stock wheels, and the fiberglass hood, an integral part of the W-30 package.
This Olds cements its muscle car credentials, courtesy of the 455ci V8 under the hood. The W-30 option boosted power slightly, with this motor generating 370hp and 500 ft/lbs of torque when the car was shiny and new. The power is fed to the limited-slip rear end, encased in the W-27 aluminum carrier, via a three-speed automatic transmission. Power-assisted steering and front disc brakes take much of the hard work out of the driving experience. The 1970 Olds 442 W-30 is a genuinely fast muscle car, with contemporary road tests producing sub-15-second ¼-mile ETs for those featuring a self-shifter. Although the seller stresses that this is a genuine W-30 and that they utilized only original parts during their build, they don’t categorically state that it is numbers-matching. They do emphasize that the car runs and drives well, making it a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
This classic’s interior condition doesn’t let the side down, presenting exceptionally well. It is trimmed in White vinyl that looks perfect, and is complemented by Black carpet and plastic. It features such creature comforts as a Custom-Sport wheel, a Hurst dual-gate shifter, the U21 Rocket Rally Pac gauge cluster, and an AM/FM radio with the optional rear speaker. The pictures tell the story with this classic’s interior, and if Oldsmobile were still a going concern, this 442 would look at home on the showroom floor.
If I were forced to use a single word to describe this 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30, it would probably be “wow!” The seller has left no stone unturned in their quest for perfection, utilizing NOS parts for authenticity. Is it the best one remaining on the planet? If it isn’t, it doesn’t miss the mark by much. The seller has invested over $100,000 in their build, and it shows everywhere you look. Is the asking price justified? It is at the very top end of the market, and some will question the figure due to the changes made. It will be fascinating to gauge your opinion on the subject.
Be nice if it was a 4-speed but the Dual Gate helps
You can’t “restore” a car to a state it was never in. I don’t think anyone begrudges reversible changes like wheels or audio equipment, but reversing a color change requires complete disassembly, so that’s a major deviation from stock. If you want to be really pedantic about it, original paint and chrome were nothing like today’s mirror-deep paint and triple-plated chrome, so you could argue that concours condition cars aren’t truly restored, either.
This is, at least to me, in my opinion, the ultimate 442. 1970 was the pinnacle year. That 455 was an animal!! This is actually one of the few muscle cars I wouldn’t mind the automatic. ( Is that the sound of Howard yelling Hooray???) This is one of my top colors too. If I was performing a no expenses spared body off frame restoration, I’m going to make it a color I want. And I think thats what this owner did, and I respect it. I like the looks of a vinyl top but I’m actually glad its not there anymore, one less place to worry about rust. This is just gorgeous. Great write up Adam!! Great car too!!! And a great find as well Tony P. This 442 is just beautiful!!!
This car looks amazing! I think it’s beautiful. I don’t see a vacuum booster by the brake master cylinder. What am I missing about the power brakes?
I agree with CCFisher!!
Nice car for sure, but a minor correction in the description as this car does not have the aluminum carrier, it is simply a W27 cover. The real W27 rear axle assemblies command huge bucks, I’ve seen $10k asking prices, not sure how many are sold at that price though. They are uber rare, less than 1000 were made.
The “W27” cover is readily available for $89.99. The seller shows a picture of the cover in the ad, yet doesn’t make mention of anything related to W27, that’s smart, it shields him from claims of deception while it leads many who see the ad jump to conclusions on their own.
Steve R
Yep, one of my 70’s had the W27 cover. Not sure if they are still available, but you could get a very similar one embossed with “GTO” instead of W27. I thought they were tacky…
The current going rate for a W27 axle is 25k, and yes, people will pay that price. Crazy money.
Those rears are now going for $25k+.
If it were W27, the pumpkin wouldn’t be painted black.
Broadcast Sheet shows also power lock option. In ’70 that option also automatically released the seat back, I believe.
At $100K, the top bid will come nowhere near the reserve. Unrealistic expectation by the seller. The market does not view this as a $100K vehicle.
I happen to like the original triple gold combination and would not have changed it personally. That said, the Matador Red respray over the Pearl White vinyl is simply stunning.
Very nice but that is a lot of money. I would a least put a power brake booster in it.
So we have to agree, very nice car. That being said, not $100k nice! The color change, not #’s matching, no 4 speed and that ugly wing deters the car for me. I do like the color he chose with no vinyl roof though.
I find that no statement from the seller one way or another about the numbers matching on a car this rare and valuable is telling. The block may in fact match the VIN (or it may not) but by not saying either way, it leads me to the conclusion that it could be a restamped block. The seller could know it, and doesn’t want any issues with misrepresentation, so he’s keeping mum and letting the buyer decide for himself whether it’s the original engine. I doubt anyone would sink that much $$ into a restoration and not try to “maximize the return” any way they could. There’s likely a 5 figure difference in value for matching numbers over a replacement engine.
I’m not a huge fan of the rear spoiler, but it is part of the W30 package on the hardtop. They look ten times worse when someone installs one on a convertible or the Supreme body.
The rear spoiler was not standard on the W-30 or any 442 per the factory W Machines brochure. It may be a misprint in that same document, but even FE2 suspension was not listed as standard or an option on the W-30 (although it was standard on the regular 442 and the W-31). Might make sense in that W-30s were essentially factory drag strip cars.
Given the condition, the asking price is actually under the market. Problem is, the seller likely won’t find the right buyer on Craigslist.
Very nice restoration. Problem is after spending $100k+ for a restoration, most people become tentative about driving the car.
Absolutely stunning car, but not 100K stunning I’m afraid.
A color change, especially to an available factory color does not negate a “frame off” restoration, and magically cause it to be the recipient of a mere refurbishment.
Concourse judging would seriously discount a vehicle that has experienced a color change. Professional appraisals would do the same. But this ain’t that. Call it what you like, this car has been restored.
Beautiful if not correct color combination. Hard to believe someone ordered a W30 with power locks and an automatic then scrubbed the power brakes.
My favorite car of all time. I wonder if they would take my 1320 in an even swap? :)
Maybe it’s the lighting but the red isn’t right for me or maybe the one I drooled over was a 69…. but white interior? and an auto? and a hunnert K? That’s a ton for Mom’s Olds….. I’m old… But I can still stir a stick…. He’s got to have the most understanding wifey in Decatur…. Peace, man…..
Big cam no vacumme no power brake
I have both a 4sp and a dual gate if your racing you want the dual gate
A lot of these W30s came in Rally Red which was a special order color that was more orange than red. Maybe that’s the red you are expecting to see on this car?
nice 442 we all can agree. being this car has the broadcast card which documents it. i would have not restored this car in the current color combo. it should have been done factory IMO to pull big #s. most buyers of these cars want them that way. seller needs to show the vin # on the driver side of the engine block, trans code and the letter code on the cylinder heads which should be an “F” which would prove its a #s matching car. this would calm any potential buyer’s fears. wanting this kind of money for a car done this nice it needs to go to a mecum or a b/j auction and it most likely will pull 100k or better. the restoration on this car looks from the pics to be top notch but C/L is not the place to try and sell it.
I still want to see the cowl tag showing a body number matching that listed on the Broadcast Sheet. BaT recently had a W31 with a Broadcast Sheet as documentation. Problem was the Broadcast Sheet was for a different W31.
I need my memory refreshed but wasn’t the omission of power brakes due to the cam design, which didn’t provide sufficient vacuum for power-boosted brakes? When a T400 was specified w/a W30 wasn’t it the M41, not the M40? I was under the impression that GM required an M41/T400 when ordering a W30 Olds, a Buick Stage 1, or an Olds’ B07 Apprehender, as these power sources mandated a heavier duty T400. I owned a 1970 Delta 88 B07 Apprehender
that had the specific M41/T400.
The difference in the cam was the duration. Auto is 285°/287°˚ gross, manual is 328˚ gross. Not enough vacuum for a booster, at least on the manual transmission. Google said it was an option with automatic. IDK. The manual-optioned cars were kind of lumpy.
most W30s had manual drum or disc brakes due to the cam and lack of proper vacuum. i have seen them with power brakes and those cars usually have a/c. i would install a factory brake booster for safety reasons if you’re going to drive it.