VIN tampering

[Ribbedroof]

I know it's not a 455, but I had TONS of fun when I owned my W45. They can be bought for considerably less than 442s...if you can stand the yellow paint. Plus they come with all the good stuff already on them...OAI, sport mirrors, wing, trumpet tips, 4 spoke wheel. Not a car to own if you don't like attention at gas stops.

I stupided out a few years back when I passed on my buddy's F85 post Rallye...right car at the wrong time in my life.

 

[Canon_Mutant]

Well, it is NOT a W30 car as marked. We know that.

It is likely a real 442 as despite the almost illegible VIN tag, it agrees with the Cowl tag. And, the car has supposedly the original title which also agrees but it looks so nice it is hard to believe it is a 46 years old title? But they do have it. Still a really well done car.

Here's a new twist though. A W30 car valued out at Hagerty's value tool for exactly what they are asking for this car. To the dollar. If you drop the W30 to just base 442, it cuts the car's value almost in half which can be re-valued up if I find an "independent" appraiser to raise its value above Hagerty's. I actually had to do that to insure my 87 for more than $12,500 back when I switched over. Reminds me, I had it raised to $20K then and need to revisit that too. I wouldn't sell it for that. [even in pieces]
Unfortunately, I have to have it together and running again to do that

Need to go start updating my build thread instead of this one . . . health isn't cooperating at the moment! 🙄

Speaking of F85s, check out this old Starfire . . .

 

[fleming442]

A W30 car valued out at Hagerty's value tool for exactly what they are asking for this car. To the dollar. If you drop the W30 to just base 442, it cuts the car's value almost in half which can be re-valued up if I find an "independent" appraiser to raise its value above Hagerty's.

This was moreorless my point. In actuality, 68-69 442's usually had the small bore, long stroke 400G block= not so good. I had one built out of ignorance, and it went 13.0 in a 3900lb car. It worked out to something like 370whp which isn't hateful, but a 455 is much easier to work with.
The main thing about 442s is that the VIN doesn't tell you anything other than it may be a Cutlass Supreme built in Lansing. There are some Canadian and Fremont, CA built 442s. The cowl tag can provide some 442 clues, but not all. There are other things you have to look for like boxed lower control arms. The Oldsmobile records were destroyed in a fire.
I do dig the Starfire!

 

[Canon_Mutant]

Yeah, the 69s had the tractor engine. Like 3.8 bore 4.25 stroke? I had a friend that put air shocks on his and blew them up quite a bit so the *ss end was up high and, with that "all torque no power" engine, the car wouldn't move. Just sat there in one spot broiling the piss out of his skinny tires. Car would NOT move!

I think the 68s had the perfectly square bore stroke 400. Or at least the early ones did. I new a guy that had one at least. Those engines were quite good!

Some of those Starfires had 425s in 'em. Not to be messed with . . . at least at the time. Some still think that was the best big block Olds ever made. Not sure they are wrong?? As I documented over in my build thread, I've got the 425 C&R in my over bored 455 block. Same TDC point but all forged balanced lower end instead of cast but with the modern cam bank angle block. Would have just built a 425 block based motor if not for the 45 degree bank angle. No parts. Especially cam choices.

 

[Canon_Mutant]

Just when they convince me it is a real ‘71 442 at least and we start jawing on price, I asked for some more detail of the under body to frankly just look for structural problems . . . Zoom in on the diff cover.

A 7.5 in a true 455 car? I don’t think so. Shame, this car is damn purdy! Could still be a 442 I guess but had to be a small block 442 from the factory and they claimed it was numbers match.

 

[Canon_Mutant]

View attachment 79213 Just when they convince me it is a real ‘71 442 at least and we start jawing on price, I asked for some more detail of the under body to frankly just look for structural problems . . . Zoom in on the diff cover.

A 7.5 in a true 455 car? I don’t think so. Shame, this car is damn purdy!

 

[lilbowtie]

It's not a 7.5 rear, with that cover I'm going to say it's an 8.2

 

[fleming442]

Well, the control arms are reinforced...... but, Flowmasters

 

[lilbowtie]

These people are in my back yard and $50,000.00 is pretty steep. The funny thing is no where in their add do they claim it's a W-30. If you have a numbers correct car why would you have headers and as Fleming says flowmasters. Wheels are aftermarket and I don't see red inner fender wells???

 

[fleming442]

That car is worth half what they're trying to get- period.