Referenced as, “A Real Deal Original Owner, matching all the paperwork from Day 1“, this 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass W31 isn’t exactly that. It is fantastically documented but the seller is not the original owner, he acquired it from the original owner and has a video of him sharing his early story. OK, now that that is out of the way, there’s a lot here to review so let’s go. This Olds is located in Artesia, California, and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $18,300 with 39 bids tendered so far.
The Cutlass W-31 was part of a trend to offer muscle car performance in a down-sized product, ostensibly, to get around surcharged insurance premiums and provide lots of go for less dough. Started in 1968 and referred to as the Ram Rod 350, the W31 option continued through 1970 with a total of 3,000 W-31’s produced over the three-year run – 1970 was the best year with about 1,300 copies. As Hemmings noted, ironically, the W-31 was killed off at the end of the ’70 model year right at a time when it was probably most needed due to tightening emission controls, increased fuel costs, and the always nagging, and increasing insurance premiums. Later competitors included the Pontiac LeMans GT-37 and the small block V8 equipped Chevrolet Chevelle SS.
In the case of Oldsmobile, the smaller 350 CI V8 didn’t necessarily get one smaller power as the W-31 engine still cranked out an impressive 325 gross HP. The engine in place, however, is not the original unit, it was replaced in ’77 or ’78 and the car has experienced 243K miles of use. The seller adds, “Recent work done was (sic) had the carburetor rebuilt, new alternator & installed a new battery. Starts idles brakes shifts . Please understand it’s not a restored drive train but it runs“. So it sounds as if this Cutlass may need some mechanical attention. Putting the power to the rear wheels happens via a Turbo-Hydramatic 350, three-speed, automatic transmission which is original to the car.
Oldsmobile was big in offering two different two-door model Cutlasses, a “Sports Coupe”, like this example which is also known as a two-door post coupe, and a “Holiday Coupe” which is a traditional, non-B-pillar two-door hardtop without framed window class. This Olds still presents well, there has been some spot repainting but the hood is listed as original and the black vinyl top shows surprisingly well. The seller sums up the exterior as stating, “Beautiful California Solid Underneath – Frame Structure – Floor Pans – Trunk Pan Original flooring – no hack jobs. Solid roofline. Please keep in mind, it’s a Los Angeles Car that has never seen harsh weather and also stored away for 15+ years“. One bit of news for me is the fact that the fiberglass cold-air-induction hood was standard on the W-31 and not an option. The seller mentions that this Cutlass was in storage for fifteen years, and that’s correct but it was in a container in the owner’s backyard. I’d be concerned about the day-to-day conditions of that sort of storage but this Olds looks no worse for wear.
Inside is about as you would expect a car of this caliber, it’s in fine shape with white vinyl bucket seats and door panels and a contrasting black carpet and dash. The dash and instrument panel are a bit austere, typical for a W-31, but they are in excellent shape. The seller mentions that the original owner’s wife stitch-repaired the seats but they look fine. Also, apparently, the headliner is starting to sag a bit – a typical issue with an old car. The original radio has been replaced with a Sears aftermarket unit and auxiliary gauges have been added. All in all, it is a typical GM A-Body interior environment from the early ’70s.
There is a significant amount of documentation presented in the listing, be sure to check it all out, it’s a treasure trove of information. These are rare cars, and in some respects as desirable, or more so, than their 442 counterparts because of that rarity and the fact that they are still stout performers. Someone is going to go home with a very cool Olds, might that someone be you?
It’s amazing how the looks of this body is affected by the “post”, but in this case, the vinyl top and framed window combo looks great! I always thought that the pillarless coupes didn’t look as good with a vinyl top. This looks to be a a good buy for the next owner. GLWTA!! :-)
I never understood the post v hardtop thing, seems to be redundant in design on the same exact vehicle…post or no post no one cares, and for some reason hardtops cost more?…for less?…they couldn’t have had much more rigidity or rollover protection so why did they even bother?…job security for the design team?…I bet the window regulator is the same…what am I missing?…
Hardtops were a marketing tool used to increase profits from customers wanting a convertible look. Negligible manufacturing cost difference. Same crash safety. But customers would pay more despite the increased road noise. I really like the tri five 4door GM fisher bodies over their B post equivalent models.
One unfortunate aspect of the post coupe’s styling is the placement of the side view mirrors so far back on the doors. Awkward but necessary if you actually want to use them.
What makes the W-31 special is the wild cam 350 engine, to the point power brakes were not available due to the lack of sufficient vacuum. Without it it’s just a really nice looking Oldsmobile Cutlass.
What does “holiday coupe” really mean? Was it just a catch phrase or what? I’ve wondered about that for years.
To Troy S. Holiday means a pillarless design. Coupe means 2-door. In the 50’s you would see the word Holiday on the side of the vehicle. So even a 4-door could be a Holiday if it was pillarless.
Really nice car. At this point the serious players are probably still watching from the sidelines, the bidding over the last few hours should be interesting to watch, it’s likely far from over.
Steve R
Nice to see a W-machine showing factory side stripes in the correct location. Many restorers get these wrong.
Without that W-31 engine in this car it is just a Cutlass. They were very strong running engines when mated to a 4-sp.Very unique engine and very hard to find parts for.Most had the 3:91 gear and some even had the 4:33 gear in the back.
This is a really nice-looking ride. The more I look at the photos the more I am impressed with the designers. Not sure if it looks different in person but someone is going to get a cool ride. Thanks to the owner for taking such wonderful care.
Good luck!
All “W” machines engines were thoroughly blueprinted and hand assembled at the factory. The engine being replaced in the late 70s makes a significant difference on this one, and regretfully the factory original carb and distributor missing here are effectively unobtainium, as are the exhaust manifolds if they are missing too. On the plus side it does appear that they retained the correct heads and intake manifold.
Nice car but why is the engine Blue? 350’s in 1970 were Gold.
I would think most would have gotten the hardtop before they got a vinyl roof
Why I hate Ebay. It is a no reserve auction. Why play games.
Bid retraction and cancellation history
Bidder Action Date of Bid and Retraction
1***p(4feedback score: 4)
Cancelled:$20,200.00
Bid:31 May 2021 at 1:54:05pm PDT
Cancelled:31 May 2021 at 3:36:26pm PDT
n***o(1612feedback score: 1612)
Retracted:$19,000.00
Bid:29 May 2021 at 10:10:11am PDT
Retracted:29 May 2021 at 10:29:20am PDT
Sold with a closing bid of $19,099.32.
Agreed, there should be repercussions, such as a fee, for bidders that retract bids on more than rare occasions.
Steve R
Never any consequences…eBay is a joke and, basically, welcomes shill bidding with open arms and zero repercussions for those who offend.
Somebody got a real nice car.