61corv

My wife's uncle was killed last year in a accident and he left a 1970 442 w-30 and a 65 or 66 Tornado both in really great or mint condition. The aunt wants to sell them, what is the best way to sell and get her a fair price? Thanks in advance.

Nowhere Man

they may be in mint condition but are they running and driving? if not that would be the first step. then go through the car and get the important numbers and see what you really have. then get it cleaned up take lots of pictures and put them up for sale. the 442 should be a fairly easy to sell if its real and has no issues. the Tornado while they are neat cars they have a small following

Frankie the Fink

That's too bad.... You don't say where the cars are located...

Tornado's appeal to a certain crowd not sure how widespread that is though....but the 442, if its a real W-30 will get snapped up quickly.

I've had good luck with some consignments selling my cars. Gateway Classic Cars has a place in the midwest you could look into.

You could, of course, do the whole eBay or large auction venue but that's a bit of a commitment if you're doing it on someone's behalf.

61corv

Both are in driving condition, the tornado is spectacular piece with original tires. The 442 is the real deal with documents, but I don't know if it is 100% original, may have been painted once. They both are in Nebraska.

I would do eBay, before an auction.

Nowhere Man

the pool of potential buyers is greater when they are running and driving. so thats a good start. and if the Tornado being that original helps a lot

rayvaflav

I know of a gentleman here on Oklahoma City that would be interested in the Toronado (most likely a '66-'67) if it's as nice as you say. PM me for more details.

Ray

cv67

Contact Jay Leno I bet he would be interested in both.

R66

I assume it was your wife's uncle.
Ok, first do not put them in a local auction. You could get lucky and get a fool that will give you more than it is worth, but the odds are better when you get thousands of bidders on either car.
Go to Hagarty or another site to determine what the cars are worth. Then advertise or find a "Classic Car" dealer or the auction guys to sell the cars. If you are in podunk anywhere, you are going to make a redneck happy and your aunt will cry.
Paying 20% of $20K is better than $5K locally.

SonnyAK

Take a LOT of great photos and place them each in an auction on Bring A Trailer (BAT)...Awesome exposure and really nice cars on there bring really good money. Take the time during the auction to correspond with bidders on their forum discussion since it really seems to boost the final purchase price too. That's what I'd personally do with any nice car to sell right now - it's a great site!
Good luck with the cars no matter what you all decide...They sound really nice!

Daren67

Having owned a 69!442 conv 4sp the advice given up top is sound. Ebay is a 92% miss in my book as you get too many tire kickers and pushie used car brokers I would take as many good photos as you can an reach out to a 442 club and send photos of car, any documentation . Take pictures of the letter of the heads (should be blue and letter F) air cleaner guage package, rear end cover, and tag on the engine bay. Good luck.

DZAUTO

Does everyone here understand the significance of the W-30?

Frankie the Fink

I do....
There are highly desirable to the knowledgeable crowd - I have seen them faked though..

To identify if the car is a REAL W-30

• Look for a build sheet first. It is found on top of the gas tank, or behind the rear seat or even under the front seat or under the carpet. If not found, then make sure the VIN starts with 344. That determines it is a 442. The build sheet for a Canadian car cannot be used to determine a W-30. Not just a Canadian car (as in built at the Ontario plant), but any US built car that was sold in Canada also.
• If there seller knows what they have, they should be able to produce at least some original paper work.
• Look for things such as the correct heads, aluminum intake that says Oldsmobile, red inner fender wells, a posi tag, disc brakes, an OW or WOG transmission, OAI hood and air cleaner and check the numbers of the distributor and carburetor. All W-30s had the Rallye Pac as standard equipment, and either a Muncie 4 speed or a specially calibrated TH-400 automatic with code "OW". Starting in 1972, the Rallye Pac was optional.
• Check the serial number on the engine, stamped on a pad below the drivers side head at the front of the engine. This will probably require a mirror and possibly some cleaning. This should be 8 characters long and match the last 8 characters of your VIN.
• What about those frame braces? Also, are the lower control arms boxed or open on the bottom? Rear (and front) sway bars were often removed to help traction for drag racing. If there are no boxed lower arms or frame braces, I would be suspicious. Also, the axle might have been changed, especially if it was flogged heavily.
• Check the block and head sections for component ids to further evaluate a W-30's genuineness. Keep in mind that it is theoretically possible for someone to have installed all of this equipment in an attempt to fake it. On the other hand, locating, purchasing, and installing all of this hardware would have been so expensive that it would have been more cost effective just to buy a real W-30 - making highly unlikely that the car is a fake.
• Watch out for heads and block that have had the id code ground away and modified, possibly built up with JB Weld. Check the casting number of the block and heads. These are smaller and harder to change.
• The four speed would be the same as in a 442. Nothing to identify it as a W-30 transmission. The TH-400 "OW" code transmission was used in automatic W-30s for the 68 W-30/H-O, and the 69-71 W-30s.
• Check and compare the rear end code. Make sure the correct rear end cover is in place.
• You can verify a factory trunk wing by unlocking the trunk. The trunk should rise on its own, without assistance. The springs (rods) were different for cars with and without the wings. Of course the trunk springs could have been replaced with lesser ones.

DansYellow66

Yes, I do. My brother owned a silver 70 W30 442 auto that I drove at the time. Just prior to his buying it I was driving a 4 speed 1970 GTO. The GTO was a good driver but the Olds was just another level above. It drove and handled like a dream and had effortless torque and response. He sold it to finance college without telling me he was doing so. I think I almost cried.

GTOguy

The Toronado was first introduced in the 1966 model year. There were no 1965 models. absolutely wicked car, in a good way. They have a following, and are excellent performance/luxury cars. The '70 442 is the most sought after year for these cars, W-30 or not. I'm a Pontiac guy, but I've worked on and have driven them all, and Oldsmobile had the highest build quality of all the GM intermediates, bar none. Get online, go to Hemmings, carsonline, etc., and see what these cars are selling for. You'll get a good idea.

Tampa Jerry

I would check to see if there are any Oldsmobile forums. You should be able to get a fair estimate of what the cars are worth. I would also check with the Hemmings classified section for selling the Tornado. I think the buyers of the cars are going to from very different markets. Back in the day, I used to drive my bosses Tornado. To say it had a huge front end would be an understatement. The car had an incredible amount of torque. Jerry

DansYellow66

From my bothers old 70 W30 442 I can believe that about build quality. You know about 15 years ago - maybe 20 - 442s could be picked up way less than GTOs, Chevelle SS, and the Buick GS 455. But then they caught fire and shot up. Should have tried to buy one back then.

61corv

Thanks guys for all the help, I have been trying to stay out of this...family thing. My father in law sent me some info but not everything I need. Crap! it looks like I am getting involved after all. All I have is the window sticker now, so a 8 round trip drive for me.

61corv

Well it looks like I am getting involved... 8 hour round trip. My father in law didn't send me much info.

Frankie the Fink

Looks like you have a strong case that it's the real deal. Can't say the color is inspiring but it's a valuable car nonetheless

rayvaflav

Any word on the Toronado ? Still have an interested possible buyer. rayvaflav@hotmail.com

Ray