Stefano's W30 Ragtop !!
 

I recieved a call one day from a local Olds Afficianado who owns a Rallye 350 Post 4 speed and a '68 W30 4 speed. He had stumbled upon a 1971 Olds W30 Rag Top and he knew that I was looking for one.

The second owner had purchased the car upon the recommendation of his Brother-In-law, back in 1984. He is also a diehard Olds Guy with two '69 HOs in his collection. The car was known by the local Olds cummunity ,in Minnesota where it was for sale.

NOS parts were still readily available at that time, so the necessary parts were gathered and restoration started a few years later. The second owners Job took him from Illinois to Kansas back to Illinios.

Once the car was restored he drove the car regularly as a fair weather driver until it develpoed a mysterious miss.

He parked the car untill his wife came across a local gas station, which had a Flame Orange Cutlass SX Convertible on the premissis. She recognized the body style and stopped in to see if the owner could recomend a competent repair facility, for her husbands W30.

It turns out that the Owner of the gas station was a competent mechanic and the W30 was brought there for repairs.

While there for repairs, my friend inquired if the car might be for sale. The owner of the Gas Station called the owner of the W30,who said, that since he didn't drive it any longer and that since his son and daughter were not into old cars, that he would consider selling the car.

He came up with a price and I agreed. Ironically I had travelled many miles and been on a few wild goose chases prior,for a W30 rag. This car was located only 2 miles from my office.

As is, the older restortaion is showing its age especially since the car was driven. The Color combo is original as is the numbers matching drive train. A few options were added during the restortaion, so now it is loaded with equipment.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...71%20W30/2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...71%20W30/1.jpg

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

I love those cars...they have such cool looking front ends.

I also love the color combo...very https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif car, Stefano!

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

Bring it to Lombard! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

Lombard ?? https://www.yenko.net/attachments/133...ardStreet1.jpg

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

Love it!

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

Very nice, I'm a fan of the 442's as our family had a new 1972 when I was a 16 year old kid. They have a fairly good size back seat.

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

Very nice Stephano,
Was this car sitting in Prior Lake, MN by chance. I remember many years ago seeing a car very much like this one sitting outside a garage. I was totally into Chevrolets at that time so I ignored it. If it is, it has turned out great. I know the car disappeared many years ago so I assumed someone was restoring it.
Rick

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

Very cool car Stefano. Can't say that I have seen that running around the neighborhood. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

very nice car and a rare piece 1 of 110 built 1 of 37 left (i think)but a very nice and under appreciated car https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

Hey Bob!! Do you have small blocks on the brain now that you own a Deuce?? The title of the thread says W-31 but should be W-30... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif

Stefano, sweet ride. I grew up in a W-31/W-45/W-30 household and I still love those cars. I think the 70-72 forced air hood cars are the best looking of the A-bodies. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

I PM'd him earlier to change that.. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...elairSucks.gif

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

Very nice Stefano!
I would love to own a car like that!

Re: Stefano's W30 Ragtop !!
 

Does this help? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

[ QUOTE ]
Lombard ?? https://www.yenko.net/attachments/133...ardStreet1.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]---------------------Looks like a Sobriety Test Course-------------------pretty/ https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif W30----------

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

Dig the car Stefano! I am a huge fan of that color combo! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

Thanks for all the compliments ,on the car.

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

Man, where's Rusty and Dave H, our resident Olds fanatics?! They should be all over this thread!
Nice ride, looks like it was built for the local cruise scene...https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

I was admiring from afar. Like someone stated, droptop 442's with OAI hoods are a killer look. Nice looking, rare combination. Congrats on having something to go out with, drop the top, and fry the hides with! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif

Re: Stefano's W30 Ragtop !!
 

Cool ride, Stefano!

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

[ QUOTE ]
Man, where's Rusty and Dave H, our resident Olds fanatics?! They should be all over this thread!
Nice ride, looks like it was built for the local cruise scene...https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm here, Rob......and drooling. These things are unbeleivably cool and rare. I did a double take on the pics as I had an identical one back in the 80's, except it had the SS1 (Magnum 500) type all chrome wheels and wasn't a W30. In a weaker moment, sold it and bought an Escort station wagon. (OK to throw eggs and tomatoes, here, I deserve it).

The heads on the 1971 W30 are a one year only thing (code H) and are the rarest Olds production heads ever (and most expensive, too). 1972 W30's used the standard Ga 442 heads.

These cars were supposed to have the carryover high compression 455 from the 1970, but GM killed the high compression thing in March, 1970. Easy fix for Olds, all they did was change to a bigger dish in the pistons across the board. That killed the W31, though. Wouldn't run with the lower compression, and not worth the effort to develop the new package in the short time to production.

There were preproduction and pilot cars built with 1971 high compression engines before the hammer dropped. Some of the race teams already had their 1971 engines along with the "updating" trim kits to convert their 1970 cars to 1971's. Casey's uncle Jack still has his 1971 W31 engine in a crate in his garage.

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

I prefer the SS1s/Magnums on all Cutlass'/442s. '71 was the first year for the body color painted SS wheels.

The W30s received the blue printed/ hand assembled factory engines in '71, as well. The cam timing was revised along with the compression drop to maintain the W30s status as one of the premier performers for the '71 Model year.

Some of the Special W30 equipment Included the "H" heads mentioned, Mandatory ram air/OAI set up,an aluminum intake, specific distributor, specific coded auto transmition and rear axle housing. Along with the signature red inner fender wells.

This one also has:
Power Windows
Power Door Locks/Added
Power Disk Brakes
Power Steering
Sport/Tilt Wheel
Cruise Control/Added
Hurst Dual Gate Shifter
A/C /added
Power Trunk Release/Added
Rally Pac/Gauges
W27 Aluminum rear end cover
AM/FM with underdash eight track player
Aux. lighting group
Internal Hood Lock

This car is great for cruising and runs well on premium pump gas. It also has a tremendous amount of torque https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif

Re: Stefano's W31 Ragtop !!
 

Stefano & Dave H: EXCELLENT info, fellas! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Stefano's W30 Ragtop !!
 

Simply Beautiful. Great combo and year!!!