72 442 W30 Convertable

[L78steve]

Why in the 72 dealer sales guide does the W30 option cost more w/o power brakes than with power brakes?

[Lee Stewart]

It wasn't only 1972. The price difference also appears for the 1971 model year:

http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Oldsmobile/1971%20Oldsmobile/1971%20Oldsmobile%20Dealer%20Specs/image8.html

Why?

I can't seem to find a definitive answer for it. I will take a wild guess though and say that the camshaft in the "without power brakes" is a little wilder then the one with power brakes. Maybe Olds outsourced the cam from a 3rd party and passed the added cost on to the buyer.

[L78steve]

Your correct the cam is hotter for manual brakes but shouldn't cost more.

[TimG]

No AC offered in '72 with the W30, either.

[Lee Stewart]

OK - how about this as a reason for the difference in the W30 option prices:

If you went with the M40 and JL2 those options cost $304 while just going with the M20 costs $190. So the additional $22 was just Olds nicking a buyer who just wanted the M20.