1969 Oldsmobile 442 W30 Convertible
Fresh on consignment is this Oldsmobile 442 right from the doctor's lab in 1969 as it is a 442 equipped with the high performance W-30 package on the car's shipping order. This car is 1 of 121 convertible W-30 cars built, but that's not all. It is 1 of 30 built with an automatic transmission and is 1 of 6 of those automatic cars known to exist and the only one with a papertrail to back up its pedigree. To sweeten the pot this car is presumed to be the only car with a bench seat and column shift, how's that for a dose of rarity in a monster? This Oldsmobile is equipped with all the right performance options along with its Protect-O-Plate, Certificate Of Authenticity, broadcast card and a forthcoming Rocket Report. Our example has been expertly restored, has a recently rebuilt service replacement engine, the numbers matching transmission and the correct TO coded rear axle. So let's delve into this underrated gentleman's muscle car that won a top award at the Year One Experience in Atlanta, GA in 2007.
Exterior
A respray in the correct Saffron covers the bulged hood that is complemented with twin black stripes. This hood is flanked by coke bottle-esque fenders flow into the rest of the undulating body, but the star of the show is the split blacked out grille and hood tooth that drops down to meet the integrated front bumper. While the 442 callout on the tooth gives an idea of what lurks under the hood, very few will spot the twin ram air scoops below the bumper. The gaps are well minded and the paint presents as show worthy with minor orange peel in one section and some very minor rust bubbling evident on the bottom of the passenger's door, but one must get on their knees or have the car on a lift to find these flaws. Shiny trimmings grace the wheel openings, windshield frame and body beltline trimmings to add a nice highlight to the curved early coke bottle design. A showroom fresh black canvas convertible roof with a glass rear window is highlighted by polished stainless trimmings around the rear base. Pointy bullet-like curves for the front and rear of this car and the rocket dressed rear side marker lights with another integrated chrome bumper finish off the look at the rear and is perfected by the fluted exhaust tips and inset cathedral style tail lights. 14-inch Oldsmobile Super Stock II wheels are on all 4 corners and are wrapped in like F70 rubber.
Interior
A swing of the door and we are in black vinyl interior heaven. The door panels have a vertical stitched vinyl pattern that cascades downward from the top of the door to a polished spear before where black vinyl takes over. All of this, along with the small rocket emblem give an elegant classy look. A split back front bench seat races between the door panels, and for the rear, a full bench sprawls across with all dressed in factory fresh stitched vinyl that emulates the door panels perfectly. The molded vinyl dash has a trio of deeply inset large circular gauges, with monitoring gauges to the left of the center speedo and the Tic-Toc-Tach to the right, also known as the Rally Pack. Control knobs and sliders for the heat, lights and wipers are mounted in a wood applique strip just below, all well within ergonomic reach of the driver. In the center of the dash is the factory AM radio with the chrome toggle for the power top just above. All of this floats in on black carpeting that is protected by Oldsmobile badged black rubber mats.
Drivetrain
A rebuilt dealership service replacement 400ci V8 is sitting between the red W-30 inner fender liners. It is topped with correct D-code cylinder heads and is fed by a correct 4-barrel Quadrajet carburetor to produce 360hp. Bolted to the back is a numbers matching TH400 automatic transmission that is retaining its OW stamped tag. A TO stamped 12 bolt rear axle turns the rear tires via a 3.91 AntiSpin gear set. The engine bay is spotless and presents with the correct "HD" water pump, correct "KA" water pump pulley, NOS fuel pump and NOS oil sending unit. We also see the correct W-30 distributor, and correct W-30 date coded alternator. Power brakes have been added to the car on the correct and restored master cylinder and drum brakes are equipped on all 4 corners.
Undercarriage
This ranks as one of the cleanest undersides we've had the honor to review and photograph and frankly mirrors should be added at any show to display the beauty underneath. Dual exhaust travels from the engine, meets up with stock style mufflers, and then exits via characteristic fluted exhaust tips. FE2 independent suspension with coil springs is in the front and a 4 link with coil springs is out back.
Drive-Ability
A twist of the key brought this monster Olds to life and within a few seconds the engine fell into a throaty burbling idle. Harmonious exhaust notes echoed through our picturesque valley with the push of the throttle and the power drum brakes brought the car to a straight and stealthy halt. All functions operated as intended with the exception of the radio not belting out any tunes.
Not to be left out nor forgotten is this car was a magazine feature car in the Muscle Cars Of The '60's/'70's to add to the provenance and heritage making this car a sure fire winner. It's a piece of Oldsmobile and American muscle performance history that has subtle looks that gave the W-30 an advantage at the stop light drags of yore but also luxurious enough for a night on the town.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpik
