Repro Pontiac round port/Oldsmobile W30 cyl heads

[HO455]

Hi Stefano,


Very well said regarding the 1970 blue W-30 convertible that was offered for sale at the Mecum auction and on E-bay. As I said before this particular car raised a great deal more questions than it was able to answer. From what I understand the seller had a reserve price of around 400K when it went through the fall 2006 Mecum auction. This was not a realistic price for this particular car considering the lack of definitive proof/ history as well as the overall condition of the car.

I agree about the rarity and the desirability of the W-30 convertible four speed cars. They have always been on the elite list of convertible Muscle cars. But it seems as though lately they have become extremely sought after & prized. I think the 1970-2 W-30 convertibles have always had one of the most beautiful bodies of the entire GM convertible line-up. Although, I equally appreciate the W-30 coupes due to their unique styling & performance advantages. I certainly value the rarity and extremely collectible nature of the entire stable of GM's elite convertible Muscle Cars whether they be an LS-6 Chevelle SS convertible, RAIV Judge convertible, or a Buick Stage one convertible. Clearly for Oldsmobile the four-speed cars were something special in the W-30s making them the most sought after for the Olds marquee.

As far as legitimate W-30 convertible’s that have changed hands–I have to rely on what I have learned from both renowned Oldsmobile restorers/authorities Gorden Vandermuellen and Troy Thornton. Both Mr. Vandermuellen and Mr. Thornton recently told me that all of the authentic and completely documented W-30 converts are in the hands of astute collectors that don’t plan or need to sell their cars anytime soon. They claim that most of what they have seen moving through auction houses or for sale are just very well done clones. Thornton said that authentic convertible W-30 cars with perfect pedigrees don’t even come up for sale, and if one should that the seller could name their price. Thornton told me that when one does comes up for sale it generally moves from one collector’s hands to another collector without any public knowledge of the sale. The last true & fully documented 1970 442 W-30 convertible four-speed car that traded hands was sold within a complete collection of a dozen or so RARE Oldsmobile’s. This collection featured all true concours number-one conditioned pedigreed cars that sold as a whole to an East Coast Muscle Car collector. This collection included several W-30 coupes, HOs and others along side a 1971 W-30 (one of thirty-two) and 1972 W-30 (one of thirty-three) convertible four-speed cars all w/ironclad pedigrees that all benefited from frame off rotisserie restorations. The 1970, which sold as part of the collection-I, have personally seen and I can say it was one of the most stunning autos & restorations I have yet seen. This 1970 W-30 convertible was ordered new out of the Jim Stohlman Oldsmobile Dealership. It was originally ordered to compete in the convertible four-speed stock classes of NHRA drag racing. It was Platinum & black w/four speed, no power options at all and a W-27 rear end.

I must mention also what a great help Troy Thornton has been to me recently. I am in the process of doing a complete restoration of my 1969 Hurst/ Olds and Troy has provided me with a great deal of advice as to what is or is not correct etc… he has always been kind & patient when we have spoken.

Lastly I will include a cool picture of 1970 W-30 post coupe that was owned & restored by longtime Olds guy Greg Goden. It was raced under the name of the Skunk and featured a four-speed and a W-27 rear end.

I hope everyone has a great Christmas and New Year ahead!

Cheers


John


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