1970 OLDSMOBILE 442 W-30 RECREATION

Back in 1970, when Dr. Olds introduced one of the baddest, meanest, and most inspring supercars to hit the highway, it was the lucky ones who could could afford to cruise along in their rare 442 W-30. In 1993 a 1970 442 w-30, with this SAME Fire red/black color combination, was a featured ride in the Sylvester Stallone Hit movie Demolition man. This mostly restored Red and Black 442 is a great-looking example of such a car. With its authentic GM ram air hood, black interior, and black W-30 striping & badges, this is one insanely handsome car.

Opportunities like this don't come around very often. It is no great secret that the 1970 442 has continued to escalate in price over the last 5 years or more. Up to 1971, any olds posing as a 442 could be easily identified by the first 3 digits of the VIN. It HAS to start with 344, as this one does. This is a genuine 1970 Oldsmobile 442.

It boasts newly center-capped SS1 wheels wrapped in redline radial tires sized 225/70/r14. The exhaust and mufflers rumbling under this beast are so new that the stickers have yet to melt away. The 90s paint job still shows well, so it was buffed to a nice shine and covered with a fresh coat of wax. New paint was appointed to the top and bottom of the GM ram air hood, as well as the rear trunk lid and whale tail spoiler. New hood twist downs were added also.

The car was treated to all new rubber weather-stripping all around, new quarter window chrome and seals, U jamb moldings, window felts, trunk gasket, and more. Trumpeted dual exhaust tips, the trademark of the 442, round out the back of this beauty, exiting through the brand new factory style cutout rear bumper.

What you will notice when you pop the trunk is the freshly blasted market light backing brackets, but what you won’t notice is the brand new, welded-in, trunk pan, coated with some fresh black/aqua trunk spatter. Under the trunk is the original gas tank with a NEW fuel sending unit and sock strainer.

The period correct 396021F 455 engine is at the heart and soul of this monster. It was treated to a good cleanup, new air filter, plugs, and an oil change, fresh Oldsmobile blue paint from the parts place inc., and ALL new gaskets (minus head gaskets and rear main). A new timing set, oil pump, fuel pump, and water pump were all installed at that time, and should keep this big block seeing plenty of trouble free miles for quite some time. The correct W & Z exhaust manifolds were media blasted and coated with some fresh cast iron high temp paint.

Feeding this mill, under the freshly blasted/painted factory air cleaner, is an Edelbrock performer Olds 455 aluminum intake manidold mated to a brand new Quadra-Jet 4 barrel carburetor. Blasted and painted brackets/pulleys don the front of the motor, and new belts keep everything in check.

The non-original HEI distributor is a nice upgrade and allows for dismissal of the factory style coil. Behind all that, is a freshly painted firewall, and restored hood hinges on each side. Keeping things cool is a new 4 row radiator drawing fresh air in past the newly painted 442 grilles in front. A correct w-30 decal, was ordered and adhered to the radiator top plate in the appropriate location.

This striking w-30 Look-a-like is equipped with newly reupholstered bucket seats, a center console, and floor shifter automatic. You’ll also notice the unmistakable smell of new carpet, along with so many other new or restored items, it’s difficult to list. An original 4 spoke rally wheel directs this machine wherever you want it to go, but not without the brand new steering gear box bolted to the frame. There is a lot of new bling in this interior. You’ll see a new headliner up top, and fresh chrome piping on the bucket seats, and fresh burlwood grain / accented with chrome trim in the dash, and console.

Tunes are going to be left up to the lucky new owner. With everyone these days doing their own things with MP3s, streaming media, Satellite, radio, hands free… it’s hard to satisfy everyone. it was decided that the best route to go would be none at all. The new owner can, at his/her discretion, remove the factory AM radio (which is not hooked up) and install a radio to suit. The door panels have not been hacked up for speakers, as so many had been back in the 80s, and the new package tray under the back glass is ready for a clean speaker install if you so choose.

If you can take your eyes off the brand new duals underneath, you’ll notice the unmistakable shape of the TH400 trans pan. The trans has had a fresh service, new gaskets, o rings, and fluid. While the pan was off and being cleaned, it seemed like a good idea to give it a media blasting and new paint as well. I can’t tell if the floors in this car are original or not, but regardless, they’re in great shape as far as I can tell. The driveshaft has been balanced painted, and had the blessing of new U joints.

Behind the rear license plate bracket there is a fitting to fill up your air shocks as you see fit. The higher you go the more likely you’ll be able to see the olds 12 bolt, boxed rear control arms, and rear sway bar, options that only the 442 was allowed to boast.

Keeping all the this power in check was the responsibility of the braking system. In this 442 you’ll find a power booster, and as you’d expect, correct front disc brakes. Rear drums out back, as standard.

These 70s 442s were some of the nicest handling cars of their time. This one glides down the road and is effortlessly controlled with fingertip precision. Ultimately, this 442 is a nice example of a clean driver quality car that can be driven without worry of a bump or a bruise. However, it is nice enough to show up at any local cruise in event, and is sure to turn more than just a few heads. It’s not perfect, but it’s sure to please most. Great care has been taken to write an accurate and appropriate description here, please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding this 442. I will to my best to answer them honestly and accurately.