QuestionQUESTION: Hello, I am a 15 year old living in New York and I am coming up on the time when I will be getting my Drivers License, and me and my father are starting to think about a car for me to use. I searched the internet for a while and the car I have decided is my favorite is the 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass S. It is my absolute favorite and I really have my heart set on it. However, I am having alot of trouble convincing my father that it is the right one for me. What I am planning to do is spend a summer restoring one and then using it the following school year. I will be driving it every Monday to Friday at least 40 miles a day, so it will get some pretty good use, just as much as a normal car. I am a very slow driver, so I wont be street racing and such so there is no potential for abuse, if that is at all relevant. Also: My father and I have no mechanic experience, but we have a close family friend that lives with us and has built trucks and has done a whole lot with mechanics and such in the Philippines, where he is from. Anyways, my questions are:
Is the 1970 Cutlass S (with W-30 and possibly the W-31 Options) a difficult car to restore. (Thinking about the availability of parts, complexity of the car, etc)
Can you explain the W-30 and the W-31 options in detail and complete words, I am having a lot of difficulty finding information about these two options in language that I can understand. What I have gathered is that the W-30 is an air intake system and has an intake near the headlights and on the hood, and that the W-31 option has to do with the Engine "heads" or something along those lines.
Is the 1970 Cutlass S a "safe" car, that is if I do get into a crash will I be 100% dead meat?
Would a restored 1970 Cutlass S be an acceptable every day driving car? Would it pass the modern inspection and is it suitable for a 16 year old?
Thank you very much,
Charlie
ANSWER: Are you SURE you're just 15?
I get questions from people much older than you that are a lot less coherent or intelligent. I'm impressed (probably because you remind me of myself at your age...). Guess what: my Aunt Esther had a '70 Cutlass while she lived with my family, and I LOVED that car. One of my favorites, too. GTOs, Torino GTs, Road Runners and Chevelle SS454s were just crude, but the Cutlass had class and style. You have impeccable taste, kid... :)
Lots of questions here, where do I start. Right off: forget about the W30/W31 options- they were extremely rare in 1970, so anyone with a Cutlass with that equipment knows what they have and will be asking a price that, most likely, you just won't be able to afford. I'll bet at least 90% of the W options (there were a lot more than just W30/W31, BTW) went into 4-4-2 models, so a Cutlass S with a W is almost impossible to find, and maybe even more valuable than a 4-4-2 similarly equipped. For a complete description of what these "W" options are, you need to scour the Internet for a brochure called "Dr. Oldsmobile's W Machines," or something like that. Try this link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-1970-Oldsmobile-442-W-Super-Tune-Blueprintin
You have the basic understanding of what the W options are; my understanding of "blueprinting" is that the engine is checked to make sure it's within all the original tolerances, that it's been checked against the original "blueprint." But, as I said, they're probably all beyond your financial reach. And if you CAN afford them, then you know this is a car you won't be driving back and forth to school!
The 1970 Cutlass S is a great car, easy to work on and relatively easy to get parts for. Is it safe? Well, it's BIG, but not as safe as many modern cars with 3-point seat belts, air bags, ABS, etc... Have you driven one of these cars? Hooked up ALL the seat belts? Yes, there's more than one in any 1970 car. You REALLY have to be committed to safety to wear the shoulder belt in a 1970 Olds. Go to a car show, find ANY 1969-1972 American car and ask the owner if you can get in and hook up all the belts. If it's the first time, you're in for quite a shock.
Bottom line, here's my best advice: find the BEST, original condition 1970 Cutlass S you can, and restore it with the help of your friend, with the understanding that it's a car you'll only drive on special occasions. Then, get a good, reliable modern car as your everyday driver (1997-2000 Escort immediately comes to mind). The Cutlass should be a good investment, assuming you buy one in decent shape to begin with. Register it in your father's name, and he'll be able to get "classic-car" insurance, which is incredibly cheap (maybe $100/ year).
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to respond. I'm sure you'll have more, and that's what I'm here for! In fact, everyone here at allexperts.com is here to help. And, if you don't mind me asking, where in New York do you live? I'm just outside Rochester, FWIW.
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QUESTION: I live in westchester, right outside of the city. I drive across the county every morning and afternoon to and from school. I think you're right in the fact that this would not be the most perfect every day car. Another car I like are the mid 1980's mercedes mid sized coupes, they have airbags and the new type of seatbelt, and you can get them beat up enough to restore in almost the same way, plus I wont get a weird look driving something like that down the street. My dad suggested that car so I know he will be on board with that idea. here is a link to the car:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FLORIDA-DIESEL-RARE-FIND-1-FLORIDA-OWNER-X-NICE_W
Something that looks LIKE that, not exactly of course and not Diesel but something along those lines.
What do you think?
Thanks,
Charlie
AnswerCertainly a solid and safe car, but be prepared to have the Mercedes in the shop for many reasons. The engine/ transmission will last forever, but everything else (A/C, power/ hydraulic systems, ANYTHING electrical, emission controls, etc...) are chronic problem areas, not to mention the cost of repairs.
Okay, Westchester County- a little bit different from Western New York! I hope you weren't insulted by the Ford Escort suggestion, but I can't help but feel that anyone your age should be just a bit more practical than a European import. Let's compromise- have you considered a good used Acura or Infiniti? I always thought the original Q45 and J35 had a real sense of style, of "class." Certainly a huge step up from the Escort, but oh, SOOOOOOOOO much more reliable than the M-B. Lot less expensive to fix, too.
Just a suggestion.
