Paul Martin's Perfect 442!

[Xplantdad]

Since it is the Christmas season, I though a red car would be perfect for this weeks Members Rides...Merry Christmas everyone...and Paul has ANOTHER 442 waiting it's turn...you can catch a glimpse of it in the bottom photograph.





Having owned many 442’s and 5 of them with the w-30 option, I was aware of the rarity of a 4 speed W-30 equipped convertible. I was also aware of how well Red cars did at car shows and auctions.

In Feb 2002 an On line ad appeared for a 71 442 Convertible, believed to be a W-30 and It had a 4 speed. I contacted the seller in PA and had a discussion about the authenticity of the car. He was an Olds guy but was uncertain of the unique features of this beast. I committed to his asking price on the condition that he search for a build sheet and upon verification I would transfer the money and close the deal. Within 48 hours he found a build sheet under the carpet and confirmed it was a real W-30. One of 32 Convertibles with a 4 speed.

I wired the funds to him and arranged to have the car shipped to Cleveland where it would be stored by a friend until I could arrange transportation to Vancouver (2600 miles). My friend in Cleveland had many NOS parts he would sell and it was not advisable to have them shipped with the car. By mid May 2002 I set out for Cleveland in my truck and trailer to fetch the car and parts. The trip is another story, but I made the 5200 mile round trip in 11 days.

I commenced the rotisserie restoration in August 2002 and completed it in June 2005. No expense was spared in turning out this car which won Best in Class with 991/1000 points in its first National show. Those are NOS Uniroyal Tiger Paws you see in the photo.

The car was built in Feb 1971 making it an early production w-30 convertible as the first cars came down the assembly line in late January due to the strike in the fall of 1970. It was sold new in Michigan and appears to have links to Rochester, Michigan and Detroit.

[prototype]

Very very nice. Seasonal to boot!

I've always had a soft spot for an Olds.

[quick-bowtie]

WOW!! I LIKE, I LIKE..Incredible car

[Charley Lillard]

Wow...My hat goes off to you for bringing that car back to it's Glory. Now I want one of those...This sucks.

[Belair62]

Amazing how many cool cars and people hang around this place...

[mrtimstik]

Love it, I also have a soft spot in my heart for this body style Olds. Had a '72 and it was the first project I built-up. Looking at this sure brings back some fine memories. Thanks for sharing.

[olredalert]

Charlie,

-------A red/black 70 4-speed convert W/30 (one of 94) was just unearthed in Port Huron no more than 2 weeks ago. Original owner, almost rust free, hardly touched example. Perfect for resto, even had original plug-wires, but needed everything re-done. I missed it by about a half-day. New owner is rumored to be asking over $200,000, and he doesnt even have the car in his posession yet! They are still out there!!!........Bill S

-------This 71 is absolutely beautiful. Hope the owner can find time to post some more pics???

[musclecarjohn]

Very,very nice 442!
Gotta love the GM A-bodies from this period.

[ss427copo]

Oh man ~ that's is a sweet ride. "Not your Father's Oldsmobile", huh? Can I drive it??? LOLOL

Jeff x2

[csx289]

Wow. That is one hell of a car - and I am not saying that just because I love 71 W30's!!

Awesome. I am at a loss for words, other than, Can you restore my 71 W30 Convert for me????

Hope to see it in person sometime. I'll pay more than Charley if you ever decide to sell. LOL



Colin