Long revered for its winning combination of pavement-melting performance, outstanding handling and remarkable sophistication, Oldsmobile’s 442, particularly in its ultimate W-30 specification, has been aptly described by magazine editors as “…the thinking man’s GTO.” Scheduled for Russo and Steele’s upcoming Newport Beach auction, June 20 – 22, one of the finest examples anywhere in the world in the form of an extremely rare, W-30/W-27/M-21 four-speed 1970 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible will be offered at auction.
Now offered from 35 years of single-owner stewardship, this 442 is one of just 96 four-speed Oldsmobile 442 Convertibles originally equipped with the legendary W-30 high-performance option. While the original owner specified a stripe delete, the car arrived at the selling dealer with black stripes on its flanks nonetheless, rendering the 442 an incredibly rare tri-color example. Even more compelling, this very special 442 Convertible is possibly the sole example factory-equipped with the extremely rare W-27 aluminum rear-axle housing and cover, a highly coveted one-year-only option for 1970.
A California car from new, the 442 was restored to multiple award-winning standards by Gary Riley’s Level One Restorations of Arvada, Colorado, using rare and valuable New Old Stock (NOS) parts carefully accumulated by the current owner over a 30-year period. A well-known example with many enthusiastic followers, the 442 was shown during 2011 at the famous SEMA show and the Detroit Autorama, as well as the Oldsmobile Nationals and the Muscle Car Nationals, garnering Best in Class and Best Oldsmobile honors respectively. Matching numbers and complete with impressive original documentation and dated photographs from new, this mighty 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 Convertible is simply superb. Highly equipped when new and truly rare, it capably marks the pinnacle of the original American supercar.
For further supporting documentation, high-resolution images or more information on this outstanding “1 of 96” 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30/W-27/M-21 four-speed Convertible, please contact Stephanie Quinn at [email protected].
About Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auctions
Russo and Steele Collector Automobiles is one of the nation’s premier collector car auctions; specializing in the world’s finest European sports cars, American muscle cars, hot rods and customs. Its auctions each year attract clients all over the globe not only because of its reputation for stellar collector automobiles, but also for unique auction experiences unattainable at any other collector car auction in the world. Its auction events take place with its signature auction in Scottsdale, Arizona every January, Newport Beach, California in June, Monterey, California in August and Las Vegas, Nevada in September. For additional information please visit www.russoandsteele.com or call 602.252.2697.
