1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30 Convertible Four-Speed

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

It’s fitting that the fictional mad scientist Dr. Oldsmobile and this 1970 4-4-2 debuted around the same time. A groovy creation of the Olds marketing department, Dr. Oldsmobile breathed life into the brand’s 4-4-2 muscle cars. The 4-4-2 started as a performance option in 1964 on midsized, V8-powered F-85s. A 400-inch mill was introduced in 1965, and the W-30 package featuring sealed cold air induction was released in 1967. And when Oldsmobile’s A-bodies received a curvy redesign in 1968, the 4-4-2 became its own model.

But the 4-4-2 truly became a monster in 1970. Available in two-door post Sports Coupe, two-door hardtop Holiday Coupe, and Convertible, 4-4-2 wore a heavy-duty suspension, 14-inch wheels, Wide Oval tires, a unique grille and badging, and dual-exhaust tips. Its massive 455 cu-in V8 was available in two flavors: a 365-hp base version, and a W-30 version featuring the cold-air induction system and a bigger camshaft. Underrated at 370 horses and 500 pound-feet of torque, W-30-equipped 4-4-2s were greatly feared on America’s boulevards.

This clean W-Machine is one of just 264 W-30 Convertibles built in 1970. It’s finished in Twilight Blue paint, features a white interior, and still wears the correct W-30 parts, including its original red front fender liners.

Highlights 

• Rare, powerful, and beautiful 1970 4-4-2 W-30 Convertible 

• 455 cu-in Oldsmobile V8 rated at 370 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque 

• Four-speed manual transmission with 3.42-ratio Anti-Spin axle 

• Finished in (28) Twilight Blue with (977) Ivory interior 

• Consignor believes that the 86,224 miles shown are original   

• The chassis number (344670M314869) decodes as: 

  • 3 – Oldsmobile 

  • 44 – 4-4-2 

  • 67 – Two-door convertible 

  • 0 – 1970 

  • M – Lansing, Michigan assembly plant 

  • 314869 – Sequential production number 

• The trim tag decodes as: 

  • 70 – 1970  

  • 34467 – Oldsmobile 4-4-2 two-door convertible   

  • LAN – Lansing, Michigan assembly plant  

  • 415874 – Fisher Body sequence number 

  • 977 – Ivory bucket seats 

  • 28 – Twilight Blue paint 

  • A – White convertible top 

  • 04B – Built during the second week of April 1970    

Features 

• W-30 package includes: 

  • High-output 455 V8 

  • F-series high-flow cylinder heads 

  • Camshaft with 328º advertised duration, .475-inch lift with manual transmission 

  • Aluminum intake manifold 

  • Special recurved distributor 

  • Front disc brakes 

  • Fiberglass striped hood with cold-air induction 

  • Red fender wells 

  • Wide body stripes 

  • Special badging 

Known Imperfections 

• Minor chip on driver side door (has been touched up) 

• Minor chip on passenger side door (has been touched up) 

Included 

• Keys 

• Spare wheel and tire with jack 

Ownership History

The consignor states, “This 1970 4-4-2 W-30 four-speed convertible was acquired from the previous owner after 41 years of ownership. It was restored approximately 30 years ago, and is still in immaculate condition. It's 1 of 96 built with a four-speed, and still has the correct W-30 parts including the #7040256 carburetor, #1111977 distributor, #1100880 alternator, and TM-code 3.42 rear axle.”