1971 oldsmobile 442 w30 vin decoder

1967 Oldsmobile 442 VIN plate, found on the left front door pillar. Sport steering wheel. Drivetrains: The engine line up used a small block and a big block. Minore was there to authenticate the car, which we recently featured in Rare Finds ("More Than Just a Car," Sept. '15). The manual transmissions have a partial VIN stamped vertically on the gear case on the right side of transmission. 20 0 obj<> endobj The engine balancer is big and as rare as hen's teeth. He pulled it out, and it was the broadcast sheetthat car's Golden Ticket! "See these hands, son? Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security. 1969 Oldsmobile vehicle identification number (vin) decoder. June 10, 2004 in Oldsmobile - General, I recently purchased a 1970 442 W30. Let's start with identifying the 442 option. A-2080. Location: On plate attached to top left dash board. Original inner fenders and doors, quarter panels. It looked and sounded like it was a W-30, but it was a Cutlass W-31. The casting number for the 455 block should be 396021 and can be either F or Fa letter code. <> The last three feet of frame rails tell stories too. I recently purchased a 1970 442 W30. Very early 1972 cars might have red plastic fender liner but most were black. The Julian code on the rearend has to be correct, and the code will tell you what the rearend ratio is. The large O in the upper left corner of this TH400 transmission tag tells you it's for an Oldsmobile, while the 70 in the lower left corner denotes the 1970 model year. The rear quarter panels, lower door frames, trunk floors and frame rails are prone to corrosion. By adding a parts bin special cobbled from the Police Apprehender's package, the Lansing boys made their F85 and Cutlass a performance car. A bent, torn or misaligned rear cross member under the bumper could be from collision damage or a tow hitch that wasn't installed correctly. These fenders had a flat ridge running all the way down to where they meet the hood. Rare 1971 442 W-30 convertible in excellent condition. FORMULA NO. Copyright 2023, Antique Automobile Club of America. By Visible through the windshield. You've really got to know what you're looking at. <> The specific gear ratio and axle codes are stamped on the passenger side tube facing upwards and the date code for carrier is stamped just under the differential cover area. (W30) 455 V8 380 4-BBL AT 10.50:1 QE(Hurst/Olds) 1970 ENGINE HP CARB. It's common for inner wheel well housings and even package trays to vanish once they've been acid dipped or sand blasted. He can be reached by email at casamperformance@sbcglobal.net. The 1970 Cutlass grille has a fine egg crate design with Cutlass script on the driver side while the 442 model has bold vertical columns with die cast 442 letters in the hood divider. On dual exhaust cars, you might need a mini mirror to get a good look at it. Pictured at left: sample 1967 Oldsmobile 442 VIN plate, found on the left front door pillar. Silver with Black interior. The basic version of the service is available free of charge, while those who wish to see detailed information on Oldsmobile vehicles can use the full history report of the vehicle, which is paid for. If someone owned a 1970 4-4-2 W-30 and it was rotted to the core, but it was one of 96 4-4-2 four-speed convertibles built, less scrupulous souls might remove the VIN and cowl tag and install them onto a Cutlass convertible body. }jY6}[S. The last six characters should match the last six digits of the car's VIN. Enter VIN and press "Decode": Decode. You can search Original trunk lid. Visible through the windshield. This 1972 Oldsmobile 442 W30 features the X Code in its vehicle identification number (VIN 3G87X2M251063). (3) Oldsmobile 2nd and 3rd digits - Series. Sport Coupe: 9487: 2 dr. Hardtop Coupe: 4467: 2 dr. Convertible Coupe: 9687: 2 dr. Cust Int Htop Coupe Registry | Messageboard | It's easy! The car needs some minor body work, the floor pans are mint, it is paint code 75 Matador Red, White Vinyl Top, White Interior, White W30 stripes. Powered by Invision Community. On the driver's side of your dashboard. #olds #oldsmobile #442 #oldsmobile442w30 #4speed #convertible #olds442 #gm #driver #racing #musclecar #testdrive #carguy. Oldsmobile car has a unique identifier code called a VIN. MARKETS . endobj The monster 455cid V8 was stock for that 442 but that would be the swansong year although the 442 had put the Oldsmobile in the muscle-car map. This meant that engineers had to cut compression from 10.5:1 to 8.5:1 on the car's standard 455 CID V8 engine. 1964-72 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS/442. For questions, comments or decoding an Oldsmobile cowl tag, refer to the. "Not full restorations because I only have a one-car garage. Oldsmobile 1965 to 1971 1st digit - Make. There are currently 21 other Oldsmobile 442 - 2nd Gen for sale. Check out these profiles of muscle cars, which include photos and specifications for each model: For related car information, see these articles: Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide the number of previous owners, damages, post-accident repairs or meter mileage. It was gold with back stripes and had a ram air hood. By 1968, the Cutlass gained more respect from buyers. 1971 oldsmobile 442 w30 vin decoder. Wagon: 5437: 2 dr. Holiday Coupe: 3635: 4 dr. Sta. All rights reserved. As you can see, Oldsmobiles VIN contains really important information about the vehicle, so you can verify the data given to the seller, thus minimising the risk associated with the purchase. Power steering. I also plan on expanding it to cover the 1968 and 1969 W-31 cars as well. On some Oldsmobile models, the VIN can also be found on the label at the top or side of the frame behind the drivers upper swingarm bushes. That really helps when you're putting one of these cars back together. The VIN number has a specific format that is globally recognized. These cars have a lot of rare engine parts on them, Minore says, including carburetors that were W-31 specific. Checking the engine codes is essential for proper ID as many cars have been restored or hot rodded several times by now. To learn about it, read. Except for new grille and taillamp inserts, the 4-4-2 was essentially unaltered from 1970, though the pillared coupe body was dropped. Want to link to this site? W-31s have a lot of rare engine parts on them. An original 1970 W-30 car like the one I authenticated in Chicago [Beth Bimbi's Oldsmobile, "Mom's W-30," Feb. '16] is easy to authenticate. Documented with Build Sheet, Dealer Invoice, and Protect-O-Plate. The owner I purchased it from stated that it is a W30. Followers 0. Gross output fell slightly less than on the base engine, to 350 bhp from 370. All photos on this website are copyrighted material. That's a dead giveaway that the fenders have been changed. xko xX{ bYNup.P63}Y)897EUWO8jJOODrnlz?_^}>Z7Wk>V[VLB____OO.^vmm*!ZWNOrij-Uq@9`5BGW'K$ An original engine, transmission and body satisfies most buyers. Encoding the body number in Oldsmobile can be a good way to verify your car before you buy. This is the VIN stamp on a W-30 engine block. I thoroughly check the codes on a W-30 carburetor, distributor, cylinder heads, and starter, as there are a lot of re-stamps out there. Obviously, that dramatically boosted the value of the car. In 1972, the Cutlass Supreme used a coarse checkerboard grille while the 442 model used last year's grille only painted in silver instead of black. If he is authenticating a 1970 model and the fender doesn't look like this, that means it has been replaced for some reason, and an owner's claim of "all original sheetmetal" goes out the window. Very solid, very special 1972 VW Beetle in Pick Up version. Over the years, the package grew more powerful with tricarbs, trunk mounted battery, ram induction systems and bigger engines. For 1971, the Cutlass S had horizontal bars breaking up the grille while the 442 used a fine screen grille in black with die cast '442' letters installed on the driver side panel. 1971. Starting in 1972, the VIN changes in a couple of ways. This online service allows a user to check the validity of the car and get detailed information on almost any VIN number, search for Oldsmobile car parts and check the car's history. Power disc brakes. Cruise control. The 1969 Cutlass grille has vertical fins, a center metal divider and four headlamp arrangement in pairs with the parking lamps moved to the front bumper. Cutlass rear bumper is worth a thousand dollars, that is if you can find one. <]>> Copyright 2023, Antique Automobile Club of America. The VIN # confirms that it is a 442 (344) and it has all of the right parts for a 442 including W30 parts. 26. If youre wondering where the VIN is in your Oldsmobile, manufacturers have a standard rule of thumb to place the VIN near the left-hand post of the windscreen so that the body number is always readable and visible on the outside. Original floors. Home / Uncategorized / 1971 oldsmobile 442 w30 vin decoder. "At the time, I was about the only Oldsmobile swap meet vendor around. 0000004371 00000 n buy a car, it is possible to check the VIN number one the online database to ensure that the car was not stolen, damaged or illegally modified. The 442 grille is a blacked out egg crate with the 442 emblem in the center. The muscle car hardware options everyone wants include W30 high performance 455 Rocket with 370 horsepower. W-30 package was the most powerful Rocket V-8 built by GM for the day. Then there's the more obvious. The 442 and W30 option in particular are wildly popular and from 1970 onwards, it's relatively easy to make a Cutlass look like a full house W30 optioned 442. Look for hammer marks, misshapen metal, putty skimmed over stretched metal from a porta-jack and elongated holes. Auction Source: The 2013 Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company, 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 Convertible 344671M171956 did not sell for $115,000 Matching numbers. 1971 Oldsmobile 442 - sold for $27,500 1971 was the penultimate year for Oldsmobile's great 442, which retained the powerful 455 CI engine as standard equipment. For more cool information on muscle cars, go to: No muscle cars were more stylish, sophisticated, or brawnier than those from Oldsmobile. For complete information on Aluminum intake manifold, low restriction air cleaner and exhaust system, and air-induction hood continued as components of the $369 W-30 option. In 1971 slight improvements were added to the Oldmobile 442 which can be easily identified by its round running lights and black grille with 442 script. This one confirms a 455 V8 engine. 1971 PAINTED TEXTURED METAL MOLDING COLOURS (MATCHED TO VINYL ROOF COLOUR), For correct identification, please refer to the, 1971 OLDSMOBILE PAINT CHARTS AND COLOUR CODES. You look at the head castings because there are a lot of forgeries out there these days, especially with Oldsmobiles. I became involved with the W-31s after I went to the 1993 Oldsmobile Nationals in Somerset, New Jersey. Poor window seals are to blame for the trunk floor rust outs. V-8 Performance Engine (1968) L80 Engine, V-8 4BC (403) MC4 Shift, Floor Sport MY1 Manual Transmission, 4-Speed M11 Shift, Floor M11 3-Speed Column Shift (1968) M13 Heavy Duty F-85 Column Shift 3-Speed Manual . Oldsmobile Viking Blue Iridescent. The G is the application key; for 1970 this trans would have been used in 4-4-2, W-32, or SX, but not a W-30. 3 0 obj Through a number of conversations I was asked if I knew anyone who was interested in a 1970 Oldsmobile W-31. You'll see cars with W27, an aluminum differential cover. By far, the most popular performance options are W30 and M22, the heavy duty four speed shifter. Oldsmobile - VIN decoding. Meriden, Connecticut's Stephen Minore is a self-professed "Oldsmobile nut" with a particular interest in the 1970 W-Machines. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> This sheet confirms W29 option status making it a 442. Here are features on more than 100, Muscle cars created their own culture. model year 1971 - Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Series, 2-door Convertible-5p, 4467 - 1304 units General Oldsmobile numbers for that years: model year 1968 - Oldsmobile all versions, total sales - 562459 units The body color sports mirrors were D35. For most enthusiasts, the big three are what matters. If owning a show car is your aim, a frame in good shape cuts down your restoration cost significantly. The partial VIN on the Olds engine block is found on the driver's side front of engine just beneath the cylinder head on a machined pad. Note the telltale M in the sequence, denoting a real-deal W-30. "Another thing I've done is take a lot of pictures. Minore: I go from the top to the bottom to the best of my knowledge working with the references that I have. The rare three speed manual transmissions are harder to check as the partial VIN is stamped on top of the case. Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, Activate Your Premium Membership Today >>, The 1969 Dodge Charger custom build by Ringbrothers, 1960s Muscle Cars Their Beginning, Downfall & The Best Muscle Cars Ever Made, The 2013 Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company, 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 Convertible 344671M171956, 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 (Ultimate Guide), The Mercedes-Benz 280 is a Bulletproof Beauty. We'll cover specific details to look for in a later section. Let's face it. Oldsmobile problems, recalls and complaints. Vehicle history and comps for 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W30 VIN: 344871M151712 - including sale prices, photos, and more. The VIN, or vehicle identification number, is a sequence of 17 numbers and letters that is unique to your vehicle. The bloom was off the performance rose by 1971, especially at General Motors, and it took a determined assault on the order sheet to come up with a muscle car worthy of the name. You should be spending sixty percent of your time looking over the body of the car when considering a purchase because if things are amiss there, it will cost a lot to make it right. However, it may not be easy to find the VIN in the Oldsmobile because the number is not always in the usual places. 1964. W-30 package was the most powerful Rocket V-8 built by GM for the day. honolulu police department records; spiritual meaning of the name ashley; mississippi election results 2021; charlie spring and nick nelson Last The engine is now included as the fifth digit and the 442 model status is gone. Share More sharing options. Right away I could determine that the block had been re-stamped. stream This brought horsepower down to 340 from the previous year's rating of 365. This Viking Blue low mileage example is trimmed with the W-30 striping package and equipped with the twin-scooped forced air induction hood and air cleaner. 0000020183 00000 n 0000001174 00000 n It had ram air, sport mirrors, W-31 side stripes, and W-31 fender badges, but otherwise it looked just like a W-30. A lot of people don't know that. 1971 oldsmobile 442 w30 vin decoder. VIEW AUCTION . But the decline in performance was unstoppable. Y)h nx$103uo. The factory chalk marks aren't usually there anymore. Obviously, I look at the VIN on the block and transmission. This signifies an Olds 442 model. I have pictures of the cars that I actually took apart and took photographs of and can tell within two seconds whether the VIN is right because I have examined so many cars. SOLD . There they had a VIN decoder. Among those other pursuits is Minore's complete and total infatuation with Oldsmobile's W-Machines, specifically the 1968-1972 models. W-30 option cars were equipped with Ram Air intake hoses leading from a chrome-topped dual snorkel black air cleaner to special under-bumper air scoops and set . %%EOF Cougar pulled out of Mustang's shadow with the striped and spoilered 1969 Mercury Cougar Eliminator. The VIN # confirms that it is a 442 (344.) This could be old damage. For 1972, the 455 engine letter code was Fa. A-2482. 1970 442s have bold vertical column grilles and if W30 equipped the hood has twin scoops with hood locks. Thank goodness for the folks that keep www.442.com alive. . This was available on Cutlass S four barrel cars as well as 442s and W30 cars. The 4-4-2 itself reverted to a Cutlass option after '71. Every car manufacturer is obliged to mark all its vehicles in this special format. Oldsmobile by VIN number. On a true four-speed car, you'll see the slag on the edges of the opening. A newer gas tank and rear bumper may be your only clues. On the TH400, you'll find the VIN stamped on the driver side of the oil pan rail. | View My Guestbook Reproductions of this cover are gaining popularity. It said "W-30" right on it, but the number listed at the top was not the VIN. Up to that point I didn't know the difference, so I went and inspected the car. This page last modified on February 15, 2003. Muscle cars quickly became unaffordable and impractical for many people. You're looking for a 344 in the start of the VIN on dash or door . Other W options include, the fiberglass force air hood W25. The hardtops still used 442 emblems on the glove box doors. The Rocket 350 was painted metallic gold and has its own casting number. Automatic. When it comes to differentials, the best you can do is confirm a build date before the assembly of car that's within a reasonable amount of time, say between 6 weeks to three months. The four speed equipped cars easily destroyed the actual carrier and it was dropped as an option. But what was 10.5:1 the previous year became 8.5:1, a drop in engine output which affected all of GMs engines as the result of a corporate policy requiring engines to run on lower-octane regular-grade fuel, in preparation for the introduction of the catalytic converter on 1975-model cars. suggestions, please e-mail me. That meant it was a 455 W30 engine which was a 442 exclusive. All 1969 Cutlasses used a single, square tail lamp. Production was very low. Usually, it was a Cutlass, Cutlass S or Cutlass Supreme engine. Muscle cars wouldn't have much muscle without horsepower -- but what exactly is horsepower? It included the Outside Air Induction hood and air cleaner, an aluminum intake manifold, body stripes, sport mirrors and lightweight body insulation. You're looking for a 344 in the start of the VIN on dash or door decal. We would share knowledge about these cars with each other.". In time, he also began buying Oldsmobile parts cars and stripping them. The Hurst Dual Gate shifter with separate ratchet shifting gate was coded W26. 0000000016 00000 n "I've been doing engine bay restorations for years," he says. This is worth checking on manual transmission cars as they led a harder life than the automatics. xref For complete information on decoding an Oldsmobile cowl tag, refer to the Deciphering The Cowl Tag page. otherwise noted. Solid, handsome and fast, the Cutlass and 442 have been favorites for decades. As we have already mentioned, the verification of Oldsmobiles basic data before purchase can be very helpful, all the more so given the current prices of these cars. 1971 Oldsmobile vehicle identification number (vin) decoder. Last The 442 model used last year's grilles with silver paint instead of black. A numbers matching drive train is essential and a car with most of its factory hardware intact is preferred. MARKETS AUCTIONS DEALERS VALUATION BLOG SELL YOUR CAR LOGIN . Not only does Minore authenticate classic Oldsmobile muscle cars, but he also works on them, seen here with a 1967 W-30. Oldsmobile vehicle history report may contain the following information: title problems, prior damages, unsafe salvage rebuilds, odometer mileage, theft, past sales. Is there an service that can provide a history and/or build sheet on this car given the VIN #??? He is standing next to Stefano Bimbi's 1970 W-30 four-speed convertible, which was featured on the cover of the Nov. '15 issue. So the muscle car era lived on for another year with the help of the 1971 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30. All Rights Reserved. 1971 OLDSMOBILE PAINT CHARTS AND COLOUR CODES: SAMPLE. these models were equipped with the W-30 32-bbl engine. Originally, this was a complete aluminum rear differential carrier but it was only offered in 1970. decoding an Oldsmobile cowl tag, refer to the Deciphering The Cowl Tag page. 2023 Second Chance Garage, LLC. The W31option disappeared afterwards. There are Julian codes on the front disc brake calipers, the master cylinder, and the radiator tag. I know where there are a number of excellent condition, unrestored 4-4-2 W-30 cars that I can refer to when the occasion arises, which is an excellent source to have. 0000002134 00000 n I have not been able to locate the build sheet anywhere in the interior. Home \ Uncategorized \ 1971 oldsmobile 442 w30 vin decoder > Hopefully someone on this forum can answerthe questions, and hopefully shed some light on the subject.I have a 67 Olds 442. Please support us by subscribing. 0000001042 00000 n Anti-spin rear axle. Like the 1968-'69 models, the '70 4-4-2 was available in three body styles, a two-door post coupe, which Oldsmobile referred to as the Sports Coupe; the two-door hardtop Holiday Coupe; and a convertible. Links |. . Other signs of abuse and possible expensive repairs include, twisted, damaged control arm to rear axle bushings. The predecessor to the 1969 W-31 was Oldsmobile's 1968 Ram Rod 350. The next two numbers afterwards should decode to either a hardtop, pillar coupe or convertible. 6 Digits - Sequential production number starting with 100001. Your vehicle registration. Hurst His & Hers option. The 1968 Cutlass has a central grille and four headlights divided by parking lamps in between. 0 COMP. I would go to people I had sold parts to and ask, 'You own a 1970 4-4-2 don't you? 1971 oldsmobile 442 w30 vin decoder . To be able to look at a picture of an original W-30 car from back in the day to reference something is priceless.". See profiles, photos, and specifications of, Muscle cars came in many shapes and sizes. The 400 was dropped in 1970 in favor of the 455 Rocket which came in two forms, a base 455 and the high performance W30 version. The build sheet is valuable when documenting a 442 especially in 1972 models. Thank you. F-85 Club coupe F-85 Deluxe Holiday coupe | My Personal Project - Photo Galleries | Updates/Journal | Sign My Guestbook When Stephen J. Minore was in high school, his father Joe, a gas station operator, took him aside and gave him some advice. These models were equipped with the B-09 442 package. Faithfully Restored by Marque Specialist Joe Cubellis. I have the original carburetor numbers and pictures so I can compare the fonts. We'll cover the drive line examination next as part of the verification process. A very nice original VW Kever. Then in 1971, GM mandated a decree that said there had to be crush zones built into the fenders, so from 1971-1972, all fenders have built-in crush zones. Auction Source: 2011 Monterey Daytime Auction by Mecum. © VIN-Location.com. Olds' W-27 aluminum rear axle carrier and cover reduced weight by about 22 pounds over the standard cast-iron carrier and stamped-steel cover. No patch or bond work. From 1968 through 1971, the 442 was a model in its own right. information concerning equipment versions, potential repairs, accidents or mileage. is chocolate soldier drink still made. The 1969 Cutlass has vertical grille columns while the 442 has die cast numbers in center of hood. No crap, we promise. It is possible to get market price of new or used 0000001633 00000 n This is long but SO WORTH IT! 1 0 obj Oldsmobile people would actually go just to look for me. I ended up buying that car, and that's what got the ball rolling with my research on the W-31s. "That's when I got really charged up over those cars. If you want to find out if the Oldsmobile you are interested in is accident-free, decode the VIN via the form below. Read. The Sports Steering wheel N34 is another solid favorite. All 1972 Cutlasses used six window tail lamps. The grilles on a 1970 W-31 are very hard to find, but they did come on four-door cars, station wagons, and Cutlass S cars. Oldsmobile Cameo White. As these cars became more popular, Stephen began to question things like verifying an Olds as a real 4-4-2. The Hurst/Olds were the only formal hardtops to get W30 engines. I'm currently in the process of working on a W-31 Authentication Guide and am hoping to have it published sometime next year. There really is no book that I can pull out and unequivocally say this is the way it was done. All engine casting numbers are found above the water pump housing in front of block. The correct URL for this website is http://www.OLDSmobility.com/) The W-30 setup associated with blueprinted engines and banzai hole shots would last only through '72, though the name appeared on enthusiast-oriented Oldsmobiles for years to come. But the muscle car era was unmistakably in decline due to rising insurance rates and soaring gas prices. The 350 Rocket four barrel, the 400 Rocket four barrel and the 455 Rocket four barrel.
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