In a photo taken in 1999, Minore proudly poses with his gold with black stripes 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass W-31. You're looking for a 344 in the start of the VIN on dash or door decal. Oldsmobile W-30/W-31 Secrets Revealed by Expert Stephen J. Minore 1971 Oldsmobile Paint Charts and Colour Codes: For correct identification, please refer to the Color code listings on this site. Documented with Build Sheet, Dealer Invoice, and Protect-O-Plate. The W31option disappeared afterwards. That certainly was true of a W-30. Read. To be able to look at a picture of an original W-30 car from back in the day to reference something is priceless.". Decoding your GM A-Body's Here are features on more than 100, Muscle cars created their own culture. Every car manufacturer is obliged to mark all its vehicles in this special format. When it comes to differentials, the best you can do is confirm a build date before the assembly of car that's within a reasonable amount of time, say between 6 weeks to three months. Oldsmobile VIN decoder - Lookup and check Oldsmobile VIN number and get Obviously, that dramatically boosted the value of the car. This code has a 2-letter prefix code followed by . Stephen took his father's advice, and says now, "Drafting has provided me with a good living and a solid foundation to move ahead, get married, raise a family, and follow other pursuits." In 1970, Oldsmobile Division stamped out only one style of fender. The 1968 Cutlass has a central grille and four headlights divided by parking lamps in between. Are you thinking of buying a 2007 muscle car, or any other car? This signifies an Olds 442 model. Originally, this was a complete aluminum rear differential carrier but it was only offered in 1970. If it's a car for cruising and personal enjoyment, you can relax about a non numbers matching engine or transmission. Documenting and Verification: How far you wish to go with this depends on your end use. A very nice original VW Kever. 0000001633 00000 n Oldsmobile car parts catalog for additional information if you're looking for parts to repair your vehicle. For 1972, the 455 engine letter code was Fa. This meant that engineers had to cut compression from 10.5:1 to 8.5:1 on the car's standard 455 CID V8 engine. I'm currently in the process of working on a W-31 Authentication Guide and am hoping to have it published sometime next year. Share More sharing options. We'll guide you on how to buy a good Rocket instead of a dud Scud. You should also check the transmission for partial VINs. Guest For the first time, the 4-4-2 became its own model, still based on the Oldsmobile A-body midsize platform. The 442 grille is a blacked out egg crate with the 442 emblem in the center. Sign up for a new account in our community. The four speed equipped cars easily destroyed the actual carrier and it was dropped as an option. This is all the more so because these cult cars reach dizzying prices. 1965-1971 Oldsmobile Models . One of them was a 1970 4-4-2 W-30 convertible. 0000002372 00000 n Home \ Uncategorized \ 1971 oldsmobile 442 w30 vin decoder > Hopefully someone on this forum can answerthe questions, and hopefully shed some light on the subject.I have a 67 Olds 442. Stephen spent some of his formative years "banging gears and laying rubber all around town" in his uncle Mark's 1969 Cutlass Supreme. | Tune-up | Torque | They have the wrong markings on the bolt heads. The 4-4-2 nomenclature stood for a four-barrel carburetor, four-speed manual transmission, and two exhausts. SUFFIX OR CODE 250 L6 l55 1-BBL MT 8.50:1 VB 250 L6 l55 1-BBL AT 8.50:1 VF . Oldsmobile by VIN number. The VIN decoder will allow you to determine the technical data of Oldsmobile based on the model year, type of equipment or place of production . Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security. Then there's the more obvious. For most enthusiasts, the big three are what matters. The variable is the location in the VIN. Unfortunately, we only support translating VIN numbers from cars built between 1965 and 1972 as of now. Share this: Olds also began listing net output with all accessories in place. This 72 Cutlass Supreme in Flame Orange sports SS2 wheels and sports mirrors. A-2080. Let's start with identifying the 442 option. The 400 engine from the 1968-69 era was a G code engine and casting number is 396026. Oldsmobile VIN decoder | OldsmobileCENTRAL.com I recently purchased a 1970 442 W30. 1971 oldsmobile 442 w30 vin decoder. You don't find the right color or plated bolts in the right places anymore. This online service allows a user to check the validity of the car and get detailed information on almost any VIN number, search for Oldsmobile car parts and check the car's history. There are dead giveaways, like the wrong [mounting] hardware has been used. decoding an Oldsmobile cowl tag, refer to the. NASCAR race cars embody the muscle car philosophy of power. Vehicle history and comps for 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W30 VIN: 344871M151712 - including sale prices, photos, and more. 6 Digits - Sequential production number starting with 100001. Oldsmobile was certainly a force in that fray, as the details of the 1970 version of the 4-4-2 and 4-4-2 W-30 illustrate. The muscle car market segment to which the 442 belonged was disenfranchised by shifting social attitudes, crippling insurance rates, the Clean Air Act and the fuel crisis. Enter VIN and press "Decode": Decode. <>>> It included the Outside Air Induction hood and air cleaner, an aluminum intake manifold, body stripes, sport mirrors and lightweight body insulation. It became the W31 option in 1969 and 1970. By 1970, the cubic displacement rule was shattered as the 455 V8 became the standard 442 engine. Automatic. Want to link to this site? My photo file goes back over 20 years. Auction Source: 2012 Daytime Auction by Mecum, 1971 Oldsmobile 442 sold for $27,500 1971 was the penultimate year for Oldsmobiles great 442, which retained the powerful 455 CI engine as standard equipment. Obviously, I look at the VIN on the block and transmission. 20 16 Auction Source: 2011 Monterey Daytime Auction by Mecum. All rights reserved. See Consumer Guide Automotive's New-Car Reviews, Prices, and Information. But the muscle car era was unmistakably in decline due to rising insurance rates and soaring gas prices. Last Sincerely Jim Barnett. The rare three speed manual transmissions are harder to check as the partial VIN is stamped on top of the case. 0000002100 00000 n This number contains vital information about the car, such as its manufacturer, year of production, the plant it was produced in, type of engine, model and more. 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W30. Cutlass rear bumper is worth a thousand dollars, that is if you can find one. Beitrags-Autor: Beitrag verffentlicht: 14. Rare 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 Was Once a Magazine Project Car There's a certain spot weld you have to look for where they spot-welded the four-speed transmission boot adaptor bracket into the transmission tunnel. 0000004616 00000 n Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). V-8 Performance Engine (1968) L80 Engine, V-8 4BC (403) MC4 Shift, Floor Sport MY1 Manual Transmission, 4-Speed M11 Shift, Floor M11 3-Speed Column Shift (1968) M13 Heavy Duty F-85 Column Shift 3-Speed Manual . Up to that point I didn't know the difference, so I went and inspected the car. In 1970, Oldsmobile Division came out with an aluminum W-31 intake similar to the one used on the W-30s and made by the same foundry. Startseite > Uncategorized > 1971 oldsmobile 442 w30 vin decoder. "1971 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30" However, he said that so-called experts had told him that it was not for that particular car because it didn't have the VIN listed at the top of it. A 1968 442 convertible is a rare sight and has blacked out grille with 442 badge and die cast vents on hood. The latest supercar news, rumors, reviews and more delivered to you each week. Regular 4-4-2 mills lost not only compression, but got a milder camshaft and some other detuning that dropped them to 340 bhp, from 365 (both gross ratings). 0000007285 00000 n Starting in 1968, the engine and transmissions received partial VINs to aid police in recovering stolen vehicles. 0 "Another thing I've done is take a lot of pictures. I can only do one car at a time, but the job gets done right.". The 442 engines were 400 and 455 blocks. For 1971, the Cutlass S had horizontal bars breaking up the grille while the 442 used a fine screen grille in black with die cast '442' letters installed on the driver side panel. The Ramrod 350 Cutlass appeared in 1968 and became the W31 in 1969. 1970 Oldsmobile Body Plate Data - tpocr.com Auction Source: The 2013 Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company, 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 Convertible 344671M171956 did not sell for $115,000 Matching numbers. Oldsmobile - VIN decoding. %PDF-1.5 W-31 fender emblems. Today they're among the most desirable and popular Cutlasses made. These are collectible now. Look for hammer marks, misshapen metal, putty skimmed over stretched metal from a porta-jack and elongated holes. So the muscle car era lived on for another year with the help of the 1971 . In particular, the information affecting the price of Oldsmobile, i.e. To learn about it, read. The last set I found went for crazy money, $700 per pair! Any help that can be provided is greatly appreciated. When Stephen J. Minore was in high school, his father Joe, a gas station operator, took him aside and gave him some advice. Do not forget to read about Last Your vehicle registration. . This page last modified on February 15, 2003. However, the cost of checking the VIN is small in relation to how much we can pay for a vehicle that may have come to Poland illegally. 1971 oldsmobile 442 w30 vin decoder The 442 model grilles are blacked out with egg crate grilles and the hood divider has die cast 442 numbers instead of the Rocket emblem. Every Car has one repaint that was done in 1989. This Viking Blue low mileage example is trimmed with the W-30 striping package and equipped with the twin-scooped forced air induction hood and air cleaner. COMB. Enjoy! For questions, comments or 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W30 VIN: 344870M241859 - CLASSIC.COM Can I look at it?' Minore's expertise hits its sweet spot with the 1968-1972 Oldsmobiles, but he's boning up on earlier and later models as well. 0000001174 00000 n Encoding the body number in Oldsmobile can be a good way to verify your car before you buy. Cougar pulled out of Mustang's shadow with the striped and spoilered 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator. In time, he also began buying Oldsmobile parts cars and stripping them. The only way to confirm if it's a 442 by VIN that year is if the engine code is X. The 400 was dropped in 1970 in favor of the 455 Rocket which came in two forms, a base 455 and the high performance W30 version. W-30s again were factory blueprinted and those used with manual transmission re-tained the hotter 1970 cam. A numbers matching drive train is essential and a car with most of its factory hardware intact is preferred. Original Numbers Matching 1972 Oldsmobile 442 W30 X Code - HotCars Poor window seals are to blame for the trunk floor rust outs. But there's still some soul left in Lansing, and despite all the furor, a 4-4-2 will still churn up all the smoke and fury the average muscle car driver could need and probably handle.". Anti-spin rear axle. You can find your Oldsmobile's VIN in the following locations: On your car's insurance and title documents. I thoroughly check the codes on a W-30 carburetor, distributor, cylinder heads, and starter, as there are a lot of re-stamps out there. 0000002448 00000 n Here is how it works: 1965 THROUGH 1971 MODELS From 1965 to 1967 the Serial Number identification plate was attached to the left front body hinge pillar directly below the upper door hinge. When it comes to the 4-4-2s, there are people out there who are changing things around, so you've really got to look at things like the tags and their location, the type of rivets used, those are all important clues. decoding an Oldsmobile cowl tag, refer to the Deciphering The Cowl Tag page. These Oldsmobile press photos of the then-new 1968 4-4-2 were taken in April 1967 by Petersen Publishing's Bob D'Olivo. Finally, a few details to help determine if the car is a 442. Gross output fell slightly less than on the base engine, to 350 bhp from 370. "This is the car that got me interested in the W-31 small-block cars," he said. SS1 wheels weren't body color, starting in 1972, a wheel option was available called SS2 which gave you wheel inserts painted body color. Sport steering wheel. PDF OLDSMOBILE VIN DECODER 1965-1972 - Rubber The Right Way The factory chalk marks aren't usually there anymore. 1969 Oldsmobile Vehicle Identification Numbers (vin) Very serious restorers go all the way and document virtually every mechanical part including the distributor, carburetor, heads, rear axle and interior by means of date codes and plenty of forum discussions. On a true four-speed car, you'll see the slag on the edges of the opening. The Cutlass range included hardtop, convertible, two and four door sedans and even station wagons. I know where there are a number of excellent condition, unrestored 4-4-2 W-30 cars that I can refer to when the occasion arises, which is an excellent source to have. If someone owned a 1970 4-4-2 W-30 and it was rotted to the core, but it was one of 96 4-4-2 four-speed convertibles built, less scrupulous souls might remove the VIN and cowl tag and install them onto a Cutlass convertible body. Oldsmobile - how to find, decode and check the VIN number? HVrH}W[fM*I9)g< I8@HDAO[bp N b? All Rights Reserved. Oldsmobile Cameo White. Please I don't have a lift, a compressor, or anything like that, just handtools. 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 $99,000. For the Classic Car Restoration Enthusiast. Is there an service that can provide a history and/or build sheet on this car given the VIN #??? Original hood. 22 0 obj<>stream On older Oldsmobile models, however, the VIN could be replaced by a serial number. Why don't you do something like drafting for a living? Check the front frame horns just before the engine cradle. Other W options include, the fiberglass force air hood W25. Tie ins with Hurst using the Dual Gate shifter and H/O model helped initiate the supercar concept in 1968. 3535: 4 dr. Sta. Built as a response to the Pontiac GTO, Oldsmobile prepared the 442 as a performance option on the Cutlass. As you can see, Oldsmobiles VIN contains really important information about the vehicle, so you can verify the data given to the seller, thus minimising the risk associated with the purchase. The VIN number has a specific format that is globally recognized. Production was very low. You've really got to know what you're looking at. It had ram air, sport mirrors, W-31 side stripes, and W-31 fender badges, but otherwise it looked just like a W-30. Find all the latest facts, figures and The early 'stick' type font F is found on 1969 and early 1970 455s while later 1970 to 1971 units used a Serif F font. 1969 Oldsmobile vehicle identification number (vin) decoder. <> Right away I could determine that the block had been re-stamped. 1970 442s have bold vertical column grilles and if W30 equipped the hood has twin scoops with hood locks. All engine casting numbers are found above the water pump housing in front of block. So how to find the VIN in Oldsmobile and how to decode it? Registry | Messageboard | Location: On plate attached to top left dash board. This 1972 Oldsmobile 442 W30 features the X Code in its vehicle identification number (VIN 3G87X2M251063). By adding a parts bin special cobbled from the Police Apprehender's package, the Lansing boys made their F85 and Cutlass a performance car. honolulu police department records; spiritual meaning of the name ashley; mississippi election results 2021; charlie spring and nick nelson There are currently 21 other Oldsmobile 442 - 2nd Gen for sale. When it comes to the W-30 cars, Oldsmobile made only about five or six different Julian codes, and you've got to be able to recognize those carburetors when you see them. I'm 40 years old. The technical knowledge came from owning and parting out cars and dealing with Oldsmobile collectors. (W30) 455 V8 380 4-BBL AT 10.50:1 QE(Hurst/Olds) 1970 ENGINE HP CARB. All photos on this website are copyrighted material. This can be done online via the form below. Usually, it was a Cutlass, Cutlass S or Cutlass Supreme engine. However, it may not be easy to find the VIN in the Oldsmobile because the number is not always in the usual places. The W-30 setup associated with blueprinted engines and banzai hole shots would last only through '72, though the name appeared on enthusiast-oriented Oldsmobiles for years to come. 0000002134 00000 n On dual exhaust cars, you might need a mini mirror to get a good look at it. From 1968 to 1971 the VIN will identify if the car is a factory 442. 6 digits - Production sequence starting at 10001 at all plants. Real W-30 VIN NUMBERS MATCHING 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 MCR: What are the areas you look at when authenticating a car? Stephen's company is called Cas-Am Performance. <> The 442 model used last year's grilles with silver paint instead of black. The W32 was a Cutlass Supreme performance package which supplied a 365 horsepower 455. If it's a four-speed car, I look to make sure that nobody's tampered with it and installed a new transmission tunnel. Bucharest Airport Taxi an exclusive service tailored for corporate travelers. Special aluminum intake manifold above is a W455 casting as well. A special Sebring Yellow promo model called Rally 350 was issued in 1970 only. If you want to find out if the Oldsmobile you are interested in is accident-free, decode the VIN via the form below. COLOUR. PDF It's All About the NUMBERS By Judy Badgley Oldsmobile Viking Blue Iridescent. Visible through the windshield. DECODING THE VIN TAG 1969 Hurst/Olds 3 4 4 8 7 9 M 3 4 0 9 4 4 3- designates Oldsmobile Division 44 - designates the 442-hardtop body style 87 - designates Holiday coupe, a 2-door hardtop, 9- designates the year, 1969 M- designates the assembly plant Lansing, MI 340944- Oldsmobile sequential numbers . On some Oldsmobile models, the VIN can also be found on the label at the top or side of the frame behind the drivers upper swingarm bushes. 0000000913 00000 n Except for new grille and taillamp inserts, the 4-4-2 was essentially unaltered from 1970, though the pillared coupe body was dropped. 2023 Second Chance Garage, LLC. 1971 Oldsmobile 442 - sold for $27,500 1971 was the penultimate year for Oldsmobile's great 442, which retained the powerful 455 CI engine as standard equipment. PDF Oldsmobile Engine Decoder - thepartsplaceinc.com This is worth checking on manual transmission cars as they led a harder life than the automatics. The 442 and W30 option in particular are wildly popular and from 1970 onwards, it's relatively easy to make a Cutlass look like a full house W30 optioned 442. The Rocket 350 wasn't used in the 442 until 1972. 0000000616 00000 n These are the two items that most frequently have been changed over the life of a car. The VIN # confirms that it is a 442 (344.) Cutlasses will have some horizontal lines while the 442 is fine mesh with die cast emblems on driver side grille. Aluminum intake manifold, low restriction air cleaner and exhaust system, and air-induction hood continued as components of the $369 W-30 option. 20 0 obj<> endobj A quick visual identification if the car is original is metallic gold for the 350 V8, bronze for the 400, and metallic blue for the 455 V8. The predecessor to the 1969 W-31 was Oldsmobile's 1968 Ram Rod 350. I would like to learn more about both the earlier and later year cars, as my ultimate objective is, for lack of a better term, to become the Kevin Marti or Galen Govier of Oldsmobile authenticators. Among those other pursuits is Minore's complete and total infatuation with Oldsmobile's W-Machines, specifically the 1968-1972 models. It is rock solid. The performance features are usually coded as "W" options. It was the body number, which matched the one on his cowl tag. You'll see cars with W27, an aluminum differential cover. Minore: I go from the top to the bottom to the best of my knowledge working with the references that I have. A-2482. Minore's expertise hits its sweet spot with the 1968-1972 Oldsmobiles, but . As you can see, whether you are interested in the Oldsmobile in Aurora, Bravada, Custom Cruiser, Cutlass, Delta 88, Silhouette, Supreme or Toronado, its worth locating the VIN in the car, because its the VIN thats stamped on the fixed element thats most reliable. Note the telltale M in the sequence, denoting a real-deal W-30. He is standing next to Stefano Bimbi's 1970 W-30 four-speed convertible, which was featured on the cover of the Nov. '15 issue. 1971 oldsmobile 442 w30 vin decoder . For 1972, the Cutlass went with a couple of grilles, a coarse checkerboard and a chromed horizontal bar style. Last Oldsmobile used hotshot parts previously only available to police departments. Oldsmobile knew the time was right to field a high performance intermediate after the runaway success of Pontiac's Tempest option called GTO. If owning a show car is your aim, a frame in good shape cuts down your restoration cost significantly. ISO institute. F-85 Club coupe F-85 Deluxe Holiday coupe So the muscle car era lived on for another year with the help of the 1971 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30. Tests | Technical How-To's | Owner's Of interest to some buyers is the Vista Cruiser wagon option which supplied a glass rear roof section for viewing. Power disc brakes. Vintage Test Drive of 1971 Olds 442 W30 4 Speed Convertible - YouTube By Minore (right) chats with Ryan Weaver at the 2015 MCACN show about Weaver's barn-found 1969 W-31. Oldsmobile car history before getting a car loan or credit. Meriden, Connecticut's Stephen Minore is a self-professed "Oldsmobile nut" with a particular interest in the 1970 W-Machines. He pulled it out, and it was the broadcast sheetthat car's Golden Ticket! His cousin Pete Chillemi owned a 1972 Olds 4-4-2 W-30 four-speed car, red with white stripes. Have you run across any earth-shaking discoveries in the authentication process? 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2/4-4-2 W-30 | Hemmings Thank you. Hurst His & Hers option. It's clean work, and you have a natural talent for it.". Post in the forum instead. 1971 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30: A Profile of a Muscle Car - HowStuffWorks By Guest June 10, 2004 in Oldsmobile - General. | My Personal Project - Photo Galleries | Updates/Journal | Sign My Guestbook The rear deck spoiler W35 was offered only from 1970 442s and Rally 350 models but it's so popular you'll find them installed on later examples. | 1967 Specifications - Model ID | Product and it has all of the right parts for a 442 including W30 parts. In. 1971 oldsmobile 442 w30 vin decoder - dhakafurniture.com Wagon: 5437: 2 dr. Holiday Coupe: 3635: 4 dr. Sta. The VIN also allows a user to get a build sheet of This 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 sold 2 months ago. I also plan on expanding it to cover the 1968 and 1969 W-31 cars as well. The correct URL for this website is http://www.OLDSmobility.com/) 1971 Oldsmobile vehicle identification number (vin) decoder. He can be reached by email at casamperformance@sbcglobal.net. 0000004371 00000 n The next two numbers afterwards should decode to either a hardtop, pillar coupe or convertible. Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, Activate Your Premium Membership Today >>, The 1969 Dodge Charger custom build by Ringbrothers, 1960s Muscle Cars Their Beginning, Downfall & The Best Muscle Cars Ever Made, The 2013 Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company, 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 Convertible 344671M171956, 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 (Ultimate Guide), The Mercedes-Benz 280 is a Bulletproof Beauty. An N.O.S. First, you need to find the VIN number in the vehicle documentation and compare it with the one found in the car. That meant it was a 455 W30 engine which was a 442 exclusive. 1st digit - GM Division . 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 VIN: 344871M174544 - CLASSIC.COM (3) Oldsmobile 2nd and 3rd digits - Series. The casting number for the 455 block should be 396021 and can be either F or Fa letter code. Vehicle history and comps for 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 VIN: 344871M174544 - including sale prices, photos, and more.

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