"MCACN 2018 Sneak Peek*
Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals and Muscle Car Review Magazine To Present Michigan State University’s "Project W31."
What the heck is MSU Project W31? Allow us to explain...
At the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, we like to keep things fun, interesting and in many cases educational. This year we have a fine group of enthusiasts that would like to share not only their vast knowledge, but also some very interesting Muscle Car history. This is information right from the source.
In 1969, a group of Michigan State University engineering students convinced Lansing-based Oldsmobile to provide them with a vehicle for hands-on learning. Oldsmobile obliged with a former Cutlass S test vehicle which had been outfitted with the full W31 package. This consists of the 325-horsepower 350 engine with Outside Air Induction, a Muncie 4-speed transmission, and a 5.00 Anti-Spin rear differential. The students aptly named the car PROJECT W31.
A revolving door of students built and raced this Olds in sanctioned events from 1970 to 1974.The stories will blow your mind!
Three good friend of ours who are self proclaimed “W31 Geeks” have been tracking and researching the Project for some time. Diego Rosenberg (author of "Selling the American Muscle Car: Marketing Detroit Iron in the 60s and 70s”), Casey Marks (Pure Stock Drags W31 racer with family ties right back to Day One of the W31) and Ryan Weaver (1969 W31 owner) have successfully located most of the original Project W31 student engineers. After several meetings, the decision was made to have the Project W31 team share their stories in person for the very first time at MCACN 2018. This will be in conjunction with our very special Ram Rod/W31 Invitational display. You will definitely want to attend the panel discussions with the Project W31 team!
We are equally excited to announce that there will be a feature article in an upcoming edition ofMuscle Car Review magazine. Editor Drew Hardin has made special arrangements to align this feature to complement the MCACN show in November. So in addition to hosting the largest gathering ever under one roof of fully documented 1968-70 Ramrods and W31’s with our Ram Rod/W31 Invitational Sponsored by Garner Customs and Restoration, you’ll have the opportunity to hear right from the source how these cars ran and what it took to convince the powers that be to help a group of highly motivated students to have a whole lot of fun. Presentations will take place Saturday and Sunday, and are free for all spectators and participants that attend the show.
One question remains: what happened to the Cutlass? So far nobody knows. We have started a search and welcome all the support we can get to find the car or find out what happened to the car.
Thanks and here’s to seeing some great weather this week!
Bob Ashton
MCACN LLC
Managing Member"
www.mcacn.com