Mike
Just to keep the record straight, I have no suspision about the legitimacy of the Red/White W30 just sold at the BJ Florida auction. See their photos at
www.mission442.com. There is no where implied that this car was restored by Thornton,to the best of my Knowledge.
Thornton did restore a Red/White automatic car that sold at Russo in 2006,it is for sale here,
http://www.worldwidemusclecars.com/
As for the twilite blue car, the owner who sold it ar Russo is a good friend and I have inspected and driven that car. Although it has no build sheet I feel strongly that it is the real deal based on the paperwork he does have and, although it is repained it has not been restored.
Getting back to the Red/White car, I have left a message with a well connect Olds guy who relayed a story about a 70 442 ragtop that he and another fellow bought about 4 years ago and in retreiving that car the frame split in two dragging it onto the rollback. The photo at mission 442 looks like it could have been the same car.
On the subjet of Muscle car prices, Oldsmobiles seem to be doing well in todays market, they never jump as high as The LS and Hemi cars and dont fall as hard when th market softens.
I know of several private sales where documented W30 ragtops have sold $225,000 to $250,000.
Paul