Gene Wray's (1 0f 54) 1966 442 W30!

**Xplantdad** · #1 01-29-2007, 05:32 AM

Bruce,

I am a friend of Paul Martin, and also live in British Columbia on Vancouver Island. I, like Paul, am a Olds guy, but appreciate all makes. My son does Paul's restoration work on all his cars.

This is a 1966 442 W-30. The first year of a soon to be well known designation. For all intents, a factory race car. All the factory cars were bult in a narrow time frame.

Even in the Oldsmobile community, they are somewhat of a mystery. Being a factory hot rod enthusiast, I was bit the first time one of these crossed my path. Although I am by no means an expert on the cars, the W-30's of 1966 are SO different in so many ways than the non W cars, it is amazing.

I know nothing is impossible these days, but cloning one of these would be a large task, that could prove very embarassing in the end. The car here is unrestored, but was repainted in 93.

Just a note to say, this is a first class site, with a real good feel about it.

Bruce
I would be happy to share a little about the car. I have sent some more pictures, as you requested.

I have been a car guy since as far back as I can remember. The biggest influence was my father. An although he has been gone for many years, the seed was planted.
( I still have my father's 1950 Oldsmobile 88.)

I bought my first Olds in 1974. It was a 67 442, which I paid 1500.00 for, and still own today. At that time it was more just transportation, than anything special. With more than 200,000 miles on it, and more memories than I am able to recall, it was treated to a complete restoration, and semi retirement in 93.

It was not many years before that I even knew Oldmobile built a W-30 in 1966. After learning that only 54 were built, I just put it out of my head that I would EVER own one. But there was always a plan, and I knew it would take time, and sacrifice to make a dream a reality. I had only ever seen one factory car before I bought the one you see here. With only 16 known to be left today, there are not many to chose from. so when I was ready, I put a call out to a well known 66 expert ( he would not like me refer to him as that), to let him know I was in the market. His exact words to me were " I will turn over some rocks". With him helping me, there was very little chance of being put onto a "fake", which is what I did not want. The phone rang in about 2 days, with the voice on the other end saying " I hear you are looking for a 66 W-30".
EVERYBODY here will understand the emotions, all the things that go through you mind in those few seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So once I was able to catch my breath from the call, buying the car went very smooth. As far as negotiating , it went like this. " I will take $$$$$$$$ this for the car". I had 2 chioces, and thank goodnes I made the right choice. The car was located in Spartanburg SC, but lived most of it's life right near where it was sold new in Wilton JCT, Iowa, at Mauer Oldsmobile, and Machine. Thanks to a good friend I obtained copies of all the titles from day one, and have been in contact with most previous owners. The mileage is 30000, which is not hard to believe with the amount it sat for many years.

The car was repainted in 93, but has not been restored. The interior is completely original, and overall quite good. It carries all it's origianl sheet metal, rubber flooring, glass, Outside Air Induction System, and most important the Shroud ( Air Cleaner).

I almost neglected to mention, it is SOME fun to drive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For the most part it is very civil, but once all the carbs are open, it is anything but civilized.

Gene

**Salvatore** · #2 01-29-2007, 05:41 AM

What a great car! I LOVE red interiors.

**Xplantdad** · #3 01-29-2007, 05:45 AM

I agree...I fell in love with these cars at the Street Machine Nationals West at Devonshire Downs (circa 1981?) They had a cruise on the Friday night in Northridge. There was a silver one there...had the ram air scoops in the bumper, too!

Thanks Gene for sharing your awesome ride with all of us!