Currently this 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W30 2 door hardtop proudly displays it's original color Matador red with black accent striping on sides and hood. Fiberglass (W25) Outside Air Induction hood with lock down hood latches and fiberglass rear wing. Original date coded SSIII wheels painted to Matador red body color. Complete new black bucket seat interior including headliner, Rally Gauge Pack, power steering and front disc brakes. The original motor is long gone but it currently has the Factory Warranty 455 cubic inch replacement engine (rebuilt). There is no VIN stamped on block pad. The pad is still cast and has never been machined. Original date coded aluminum intake manifold and also original to the car is the M22 4 speed Rock Crusher transmission (rebuilt) with original Hurst shifter and center console. The car also features the original “TO” coded rear end with 3:73 gears and an added W27 rear end cover along with an aluminized exhaust system. Red inner fenders, new windshield, new bumpers and an odd, not often seen option, is the B85 window reveal trim molding. Extremely clean inside, outside and underneath. In my opinion this is a high number 2 car. I have documented the restoration of this car on a thumb drive with about 200 photos. Furthermore, I have a 2-3 inch folder that contains receipts of parts, labor and titles from previous owners from years gone by. My research has indicated the production numbers for 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W30 is 810 hardtops and 247 4 speed cars. The 442 styling and color combination make this W30 a constant head turner and gets the thumbs up where ever she goes.
I purchased the car from a co-worker approximately 11 years ago. He was not the first owner. Possibly the second or third owner. The best that I can recollect from his story is that over 20 years ago or so, he dated his wife in this car. Then a variety of issues came about, mainly leaks but the car was still running good. Shortly after getting married and buying a house the car went into hibernation in his garage and had been sitting in his garage for about 15 years. The odd but true story is that he and his wife bought a modest house with a 1 car garage. So up until the time I bought the car his and his wife's daily cars sat outside while the W30 was garaged. When I met this co-worker I already had a 71 442 convertible. He asked me to come by his house to show his wife what a restored 442 looked like and take a look at his 442. This next part I remember very well. When he opened the garage door it just hit me that I had not asked him (if by some outside chance) it was a W30 and he said yes it was and it was also a 4 speed car. As I entered the garage I saw the “W30” badges on the side of the fender. The next day in work he asked me if I would be interested in buying his 442 W30. I wasn't looking for a project car but I couldn't turn down a W30. So we struck up a deal with one stipulation, that I would restore the car and not part it out. I agreed, purchased the car and started on an approx. 1 year complete frame off rotisserie restoration.
I don't know every detail about the history of this W30 and neither did my co-worker friend that I bought the car from. But through my years of (on and off) research I have compiled what I believe is the history of this car. This car was built in May of 1971. It appears that during the warranty period the motor was damaged. It also appears the motor was replaced with a 1972 W30 Factory Replacement Block and possibly Heads. Being that the car was originally built in May of 1971 that left only 2 months of 1971 manufacturing before the factory would start tooling up for the 1972 models. So that is why I believe within those 2 months or while the car was still under warranty, the motor was damaged and replaced with the 1972 motor.
Finally, along with the car goes 4 extra date coded wheels, misc. stainless steel trim, a die cast model and a car cover.
