1969 Oldsmobile 442 W30 Convertible 

Although Oldsmobile didn't field as many muscular models as its GM siblings Pontiac and Chevrolet, or competing automakers Ford and Chrysler, the division certainly made the most of what it did have.  For example, in 1969, there was the Hurst/Olds, the 4-4-2, the 4-4-2 with W-30, the 4-4-2 with W-32 and the Cutlass S or F-85 with W-31.  The Dr. Oldsmobile campaign, with its classic horror movie vibe of a mad scientist creating a monster for the street, was so visually arresting that it remained powerful in black and white, which also stayed true to the Hollywood era it was depicting.   Submitted beneath the exaggerated characters, smoke and vintage laboratory props were detailed specifications regarding Oldsmobile''s W-Machines. (Thx to Hemmings)

"I was working in the lab, late one night when my eyes beheld an eerie sight...", that's right folks, now gracing our Hallowed Halls and fresh on consignment and for your consideration is this Oldsmobile 442 right from the doctor's lab in 1969.  Make no mistake, this car is EXACTLY what the doctor ordered, as it is a 442 equipped with the high performance W-30 package on the cars shipping order.  The doctor surely guided the original owner, who purportedly worked for Holley carburetors and knew what he was doing when he put the pieces of this monster together to makes this car 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 7,759 title verified mile fully restored underrated gentleman's muscle car that won a top award at the Year One Experience in Atlanta, GA in 2007.

Exterior
A 30 plus year old respray in the correct Saffron covers the twin bulged hood that is complemented with twin black stripes racing rearward to the windshield.  This hood is flanked by coke bottle-esque fenders with black W-30 decal callouts which 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 larger than life integrated front bumper in super shiny chrome.  While the 442 callout on the tooth gives the general public an idea of what lurks under the hood, very few challengers will spot the twin ram air scoops below the bumper that are ready to force feed the engine copious amounts of air.  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 covers the passenger compartment and 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.  Charcoal gray and chrome 14-inch Oldsmobile Super Stock II wheels are on all 4 corners and are wrapped in like new red stripe F70 rubber keeping the car grounded.

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 delineation spear before smooth black vinyl takes over.  All of this, along with the small rocket emblem give an elegant classy look.  A rarely seen split back front bench seat races between the door panels and is equipped with a low headrest, and for the rear, a full bench sprawls across from side to side with all dressed in factory fresh stitched vinyl that emulates the door panels perfectly.  The original 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.  Lest we forget the like new black and burl applique 3 spoke steering wheel mounted atop the fixed position column with the transmission select lever to the right.  All of this floats in a sea of clean low pile black carpeting that is protected by Oldsmobile badged black rubber mats.  A shout out to the trunk with its gray mat, speckle finish paint and full size matchy matchy Super Stock II spare wheel with red stripe tire.

Drivetrain
A bronze painted block, intake and valve covers show off this recently rebuilt dealership service replacement 400ci V8 sitting between the correct red W-30 inner fender liners.  It is topped with correct D-code 400 370 casting cylinder heads and is fed by a date and part number correct 4-barrel Rochester Quadrajet carburetor for proper air and fossil delivery to the mill to produce a mind blowing 360hp.  Bolted to the back of this monster mill is a numbers matching TH400 3-speed automatic transmission that is retaining its OW stamped Hydramatic tag.  A TO stamped 12 bolt rear axle takes the power handoff and 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 as per the doctor's orders drum brakes are equipped on all 4 corners. 

Undercarriage
I could sum up the undercarriage in one word, wow.  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.  There's simply no evidence that this car's been driven and it looks fresh off the assembly line.  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
It's not often we get a muscle car of this caliber through our doors, so when it was time for the drive, employees were drawing straws and climbing the walls to get some seat time.  Even our detailer managed to hop in the back seat for the drive, which is a rarity to get him away from his wax and buffer, but I digress.  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, but that didn't bother us since frankly there is no better feeling in the world than cruising with the top down and the symphony of a big V8 under the hood.

The good doctor wrote the perfect prescription for this car which shows in all its restored glory and is now gracing the main showroom of our Hallowed Halls.  This car is perfect for the most discerning collector, and it would be a great addition to any collection considering its rarity and top level restoration.  However, it is meant for the world to see and enjoy, not be locked away like a princess in the highest tower of the castle.  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 with the wife.  Forget those silly Cobra Jet Fords, Hemi Mopars and L-Whatever Chevrolets...this W-30 is always poised to strike and kick ass not only on the boulevard but also on the show field!

344679M221707

3-Oldsmobile
44-442
67-Convertible
9-1969
M-Lansing, MI Assy Plant
221707-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

ST 69 33667-1969 Cutlass S Convertible
BDY LAN222002-Lansing Body #
TR 940-Black Vinyl Bench
PNT 40B-Saffron, Black Top
12B-2nd Week December

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 Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.

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