The feeling an enthusiast experiences when they open the doors of a barn or shed to unearth a long-forgotten and dusty classic is unparalleled. The intensity of that exhilaration is intensified when the find is an exceptionally desirable car. Therefore, locating a vehicle the caliber of this 1970 Oldsmobilee 442 must have left the finder feeling initially thrilled. However, the W-30 badges gracing its front fenders would have lifted those feelings to a higher level. It is unclear how long the 442 had spent in hibernation, but dragging it into the light of day revealed a car that was structurally sound and largely unmolested. It has returned to its former glory, ready to find a new home with an enthusiast who appreciates the finer things in life. The Olds is listed here on Craigslist in Mustang, Oklahoma. There is some confusion over the price, with the seller quoting both $149,900 and $99,900. Interested parties are probably hoping the lower figure is correct!
The transformation from dusty barn find to desirable classic has been amazing, with this Olds presenting superbly in Aspen Green Metallic with a Black vinyl top. The seller states the car received a repaint many years ago, and it seems the revival involved nothing beyond a thorough cleaning and polish. The vehicle shines beautifully, with the seller admitting that although it isn’t perfect, it can be considered a high-end driver. The panels are as straight as an arrow and feature consistent gaps, and the vinyl exhibits no evidence of deterioration or distress. The seller indicates that every square inch of steel is original, and there is no mention of existing or previous rust problems. The trim and glass look excellent, and while some may not approve of the aftermarket wheels, they add a touch of aggression that perfectly complements the factory Ram Air hood.
Many enthusiasts believe that 1970 marked the year when the 442 was at the peak of its power. General Motors let the company off the leash, removing the capacity cap that saw previous models restricted to the 400ci V8. Oldsmobile acted swiftly by making its 455ci powerplant the default motor, delivering 365hp to eager owners. However, ticking the W-30 option, as the original owner of this Olds did, pushed power and torque to an “official” 370hp and 500 ft/lbs. Manufacturers were quite coy during this period, and the widespread belief is that both figures are incredibly conservative. A figure above 400hp is often suggested, but I have found no concrete evidence to support that number. I won’t be surprised if one (or more) of our readers can shed light on the claim, and I look forward to your feedback on the subject. This car’s 370hp feeds to the genuine and original 3.91 W-27 rear end via a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission. The 442 was marketed as a “gentleman’s muscle car,” meaning it could deliver a ¼-mile ET of 14.1 seconds off the showroom floor. The seller admits that this isn’t a 100% numbers-matching classic. The original engine succumbed to a life of drag racing, but its replacement wears the correct cylinder heads, intake, and carburetor. They say it runs and drives as it should, making it a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
The listing doesn’t include an image that provides an overview of the interior, but piecing together those that are provided paints a positive picture. The car features bucket seats and the ultra-cool “His n Hers” shifter. The Dark Green vinyl upholstered surfaces are in good order, as is the console. What we see of the dash and pad show promise, although the rest of the interior remains a mystery. The gauge cluster includes a Tick-Tock-Tach, and the speakers mounted in the rear parcel tray suggest there may be an upgraded stereo.
This 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 proves that desirable classics are hidden in barns and sheds across the country, waiting patiently for the right person to open the doors and release them from captivity. This car isn’t perfect, and losing its original V8 is a blow. The classic market downturn and recent sales results indicate that the higher price quoted in the seller’s listing is unrealistic, and even the lower figure might be stretching things because of the engine change. However, it is almost guaranteed that someone will be willing to hand over the cash to take it home. Would you be tempted, or would you prefer to sit out this dance?
@Adam: The wheels appear to be OEM Super Stock II wheels, which were an option, IIRC, (I’m by no means a GM expert, LOL!). Another beautiful example of a green car selling for lots of greenbacks! GLWTS!! :-)
You’re correct Moparman. The wheels are SSII which when painted in argent grey are correct for the 1970 model year, Looking at the pics though, these wheels on this car look more silver than argent, so maybe they’ve been resprayed. Not sure, as lighting and the reflection from the trim rings may throw off the color. This car is also not all original as stated. The passenger side fender has been replaced. You can see the post-70 ridges on the lip inside the engine compartment.
They are really post-1973 SSIII wheels with the snap on center caps painted something approximating argent silver. Definitely not original to the car. I’ll not complain too loudly as they are a common swap to get an extra inch in diameter over stock. Correct on the passenger fender and the driver’s seat has been re-upholstered as well (incorrect grain compared with other seats in the car). That said, it otherwise looks super clean. I’ve never seen a real w-27 rear end in a car.
The seller even says in the CL ad that these are not original wheels as he wanted 15″ tires. As noted, these are the 1975-up SSII wheels with snap-in centers. That W27 rear axle is worth $10K-15K just by itself.
Nice looking car & color but the under hood shot tells a little diferent story,,should have edged it out then it’d be really sharp,not earl shribe job.
I used to be on an oldsmobile forum, where many of the regulars were hard to convince that one of these was indeed original, numbers matching, there are so many details and documentation needed, and that could be faked, especially when big money is at stake. Some of them come to this site, so there may be a posting here from one of them. It looks beautiful, and if it looks that good in person, and was honestly presented, it will be worth a lot, but I don’t know how much. At prices that high, it puts a car like this way out of reach of a regular guy/collector, and into the clutches of investors who probably don’t care all that much about it, except as a way to make money and impress their friends.
What a gorgeous car ! ……I love the colors. ….These cars are worth big bucks. …..Not sure he will get what he is asking.
Good luck !
Looking further at the pics, I am pretty confident the entire car has been repainted at some point as well. Unless my eyes are really bad today, the paint color looks slightly off and the stripes, especially on the trunk, are off. I noticed some trim missing in one of “barn finds” pics and that has been replaced on the cleaned up pics. I’d go over this car with a fine tooth comb. Curious to see what resident Olds gurus like Joe P. have to say. I am confident in saying though, this car is not all original as stated by the seller.
Duh, I need more coffee. Or maybe, I need to read more closely before assuming. My apologies, what an ass I am. The seller stated it has been repainted. My fault. Still, not all original sheet metal as the seller states, as that pass side fender has been replaced.
The W-27 rear (not just the cover) is likely worth $20k or more these days.
Not a vinyl top man, but with the black stripes, vehicle is good looking. Should have plenty of power, even tho auto trans. Nice vehicle.
A Dr. Olds Street warrior with the autoloader, gear ⚙️, and the torque. 🚦 won’t lose many races.
With only 355 442 W30s and a handful of W31 & W32 Cutlasses built with the W27 aluminum axle housing, it’s a valuable addition to this car, regardless of whether it’s original or not.
Beautiful car…
I was never into most Oldsmobiles growing up but I did like these. Did Oldsmobile not match the paint of the inner fenders of the engine compartment to match the exterior paint color? Just asking….
It was a repaint the wheel wells should be black <have no idea where the red came from, and the light green is the original color,but not that nice of a color, olds had 2 other greens,,darker but not sure if they used them or something else as pictures don't always bring out the true color. The id on the cowl tells you it was a lite green #45 aspen poly,,#46 is ming jade poly 0 is sherwood green poly the darkest of the greens and its not that.
Thank you Jeff.
The solid red plastic inner fenders are part of the W30 package.
The CL ad says it is a repaint. The heavy metallic is not a factory color. The cowl tag shows the original color to be code 45 Aspen Green
Those are the option red plastic fender liners i believe like pontiac use to offer
I believe the Pontiac pieces were just plastic liners over metal inner fenders, while on the W-30 Olds they are the actual inner fenders, at least on the front(I think the rears were liners).
SteVen is correct. The Olds plastic inner fenders (red on W30s, black on lesser Cutlii) were complete inner fenders, not liners. First use was in 1967.
I read online that w-30 at 5,800 rpms was actually putting out 440 hp.
Must be true!
Not with the AT cam
Not really an Olds guy. But that’s an absolute gem right there. I always liked the look of a vinyl top on a muscle car. Grand Prix, Monte etc … love to have this one in my stable.
Click bait
Let’s start with non original engine 442 W30, that’s honest!
Small town classic car dealer sue explains the Barrel Jackson auction price tag on this thing
Car is a steal at 99k . Broadcast card should also prove the W-27 axle.
Non original motor non original paint at 99K is a steal?
why did the 442 have an auto option if it was supposed to 4 barrel 4 speed dual exhaust?
Oh gawd, not this again…
Thank you 19sixty5 and Joseph Padavano! I appreciate your knowledge and insight.
Lot of replacement parts but not a 4 speed. The 4 speed had a wilder cam, making the official 370 hp laughable. Too much money to relive my youth.
Roger Huntington claimed that the MT version of the 1970 W30 put out 440 HP with the 328/328 cam. As you correctly note, the AT versions came with the same 285/287 cam that was used in every 1970 442 with an automatic, not just W30 cars.
Firstly, The 70’ model year 442’s are my fave of all the years (especially the W-30 cars) that being said, that price is outrageous…..I truly had to laugh at even the 99k figure….as the many comments point out, fender replacement, repaint, short block replacement, (and I’d like to see a good shot of the rear housing too)…the 370 hp rating was spot on too (I ask readers to check out Joe Mondello’s points on that engine…..he said the W30 cylinder heads did not flow well at all)…to me the color is certainly not earth shattering either…..so the 14.1 et is wishful thinking especially with the auto trans…..just my honest opinion here…….
It’s listed on their website, which is mentioned in the ad, for $99.900.
442 represents 400 cubic inch, 4 bbl , dual exhaust.
Not originally… it meant 4 barrel, 4 speed dual exhaust. The original 1964 442 was equipped with a 330 CID engine. The 400 first appeared in 1966. Here we go again…
The 400 first appeared in 1965…
Fat finger, Joe, I had a 65!
Just looked at this car again, the side stripes do not appear to be correct, either. the larger bottom stripe does not extend to under the trim, there is normally what, 3/4″ or so of body color visible.
Comment was for James, 4spd was not designated in “442”
I am sure someone has run this orig configuration engine along with other pre 71 muscle car engines on a chassis dyno to get a good idea of HP and torque actually is . I think in 72 they went from gross to net numbers . But with a net number I subtract 25% to get to a quessamite of WHP and Torque
I never could understand the olds, Buick bodies, certainly not as slick as a Chevelle, to me they look heavier. Bigger chrome bumpers, lots of extra stuff. I think the Chevelle is a much nicer looking car.
Buick Olds and Pontiac buyers were classier, had more money, and better taste. Ford Plymouth and Chevy were called The Cheap Three for good reason.
Geez!
Never heard that before and I’ve been around the hobby for almost 60 years. What publication was that in? Buick was and somewhat still is considered a luxury car going back to when Walter P Chrysler ran it so well. I’ve owned Olds and drove a GTO 55 years ago and never experienced any over the top quality. Even Ford who claimed to be the best made junk at times.
The “hierarchy” at GM was Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Chevrolet at that time. In the collector world, Chevrolets generally draw top dollar and are in the highest demand.
A friend who owns two 1970 442s has a huge stash of NOS Olds parts, including a legit NOS W27 axle still in wood shipping crate. He went crazy in 1977, and ordered all the GM parts he could. His Sherwood Green W30 is MCACN Gold. His burgundy 70 442 comv is a four speed car. It is the first car car he bought in 1976. Still has it. I was the editor of Hemmings Muscle Machines when I put that car on the cover. Got to drive it. What a thrill.
George i have a 1970 W-30 im looking for NOS grills and a carb 7040258 . Is yoir friend selling any of those parts?
Brian
Call me crazy but for that money you could get something or two a lot nicer.
A silver, very stock appearing but restored 1970, 442 W-30 went to $130,000 but didn’t meet reserve last week at Mecum Indy.
And it had the W-27 differential.
And… I’ve always preferred the 1970 Olds 442 and Buick GSX to the Chevelle SS..
It was just a Chevy.
But I’d like to own any of the three..
They stated that the car was repainted at some point years ago. But looking at the drivers side picture on here it looks like there is a slight crease from front to back side of drives door. Could be a reflection in guessing. Nice care ! I wouldn’t be to afraid of buying a car from Oklahoma and worry about rust, they aren’t in the rust belt of the north and east.
I have a friend that bought one of these in white with gold pinstriping during his high-school years. I know he had it 5 years after school and had no plans on selling it. Not sure if it had 455 Olds in it.
You shouldn’t rely on the current location to assume a vehicle condition or history. Collector cars are bought, sold and traded all over the country, very few are still in their home “neighborhood” any more.
My bad, I didn’t state specifically a car that had permanently resided in Oklahoma. That is what I’m referring to. Yes cars are moved all over the country now and you may even get a new looking car that was mostly submerged from a hurricane in North Dakota. So be careful what you buy follow the paper trail.
When I click on the craigslist link above, It shows the map of Oklahoma but if you look at your browser above it, it shows up Phoenix, AZ.
My best friend’s dad had a 72 Cutlass in what looks like that exact shade of green with the black vinyl top n black buckets.in our freshman year, didn’t take much to burn rubber with that rocket 350..man this brings back memories… RIP JG
crease probably came came after the paint job,,if its a crease and usually don’t paint over creases or dents