Decide of the Day: 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass S W31

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The 4-4-2 carried the efficiency banner for Oldsmobile within the Sixties, however Oldsmobile was one of many few firms to supply what’s generally often known as a “Junior Supercar.” Our Decide of the Day is a type of area of interest efficiency automobiles, a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass S with the W31 bundle. It’s listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Indiana, Pennsylvania. (Click on the hyperlink to view the itemizing)

When Oldsmobile redesigned its A-body platform in 1968, the 4-4-2 obtained a brand new 400cid V8 that additionally included additional improvement on the novel W30 Power-Air Induction System. Why radical? Normal 4.33 gears and 328/328-duration camshaft with 108 levels of overlap. The W30 was joined by an engine commonly known as the “Ram-Rod” 350, although it’s mostly known as the W31. Rated at 325 horsepower, the Ram-Rod additionally featured a radical cam like its W30 cousin, on this case 308/308 with 82 levels overlap. The engine was out there in two-door F-85, Cutlass S, and Cutlass Supreme fashions. Aside from small Ram-Rod 350 decals on the entrance fenders and the air induction scoops beneath the entrance bumper, it seemed like another pedestrian Olds A-body.

For 1969, Oldsmobile formally marketed the Ram-Rod 350 as its order code, because the W31 was a part of Dr. Oldsmobile’s W-Machines. It was joined by a W32 4-4-2, but it surely appears the star within the buff books was the W31, with Automobile and Driver specifically saying, “The Cutlass, with the W31 bundle, has very good dealing with — the perfect compromise between trip and dealing with we’ve ever present in a sedan,” proclaiming that “W31 stands for soul, a commodity arduous sufficient to search out in folks not to mention automobiles, and makes all of the completely different between transportation and a visit.”

With a sexy restyle for 1970, the W31 bundle for the F-85 and Cutlass S was probably the most boisterous but. A brand new, striped fiberglass hood with matching longitudinal stripes made positive you knew this was a supercar (junior or in any other case). The truth is, apart of the grille, rear bumper, and badging, it seemed equivalent to a 4-4-2 W30. And contemplating sporty and efficiency automobile recognition was falling, 1970 was the W31’s hottest 12 months with 1,352 constructed. If something, the W31 was the correct automobile for the second when insurance coverage premiums have been killing big-inch efficiency automobiles, however the authorities’s mandate on unleaded gasoline and emissions ruined any alternative for the W31 to make inroads available in the market. As Common Motors lowered compression in 1971, a 12 months earlier than the mandate, Oldsmobile determined to kill the W31.

This 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass S is a Vacation Coupe with the W31 bundle, considered one of 1,029 constructed. Although at present painted Ebony Black, this W-Machine was initially painted Burnished Gold metallic, a shade that absolutely invokes 1970. “The particular larger shift level automated transmission shifts easily and handles effectively taking place the freeway,” says the vendor. “Beneath, you’ll discover a 12-bolt, 3.90 gear ratio Posi rear finish, in addition to heavy-duty entrance sway bars and rear sway bar.” Different options embody handbook entrance disc brakes (energy not out there as a result of camshaft), energy steering, Tremendous Inventory II wheels, and rear spoiler. “The hood does present some stress cracking,” provides the vendor. And the rear bumper is the notched one from a 4-4-2, which is as tremendous a modification one may want for.

Inside, you’ll discover black bucket seat inside with middle console, Hurst Twin-Gate shifter, Rally Pac, and AM radio. The advert on ClassicCars.com says “Contact Vendor” for value, however the dealership’s web site lists it for $79,900.

To view this itemizing on ClassicCars.com, see Decide of the Day.

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