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Seeking Whereabouts of this Sterling Silver 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 4-speed HT
I am posting this to see if any forum members might know the whereabouts of this car to satisfy my curiosity.
1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 hardtop. Sterling Silver with white W-30 stripes, black vinyl top, black bucket seat interior. Optioned with 4-speed manual transmission (M20), heavy duty clutch (W37), 3.42:1 rear axle with posi-traction (G80), full tinted glass, Super Stock I (SSI) wheels (P05), gauges, Custom-Sport steering wheel (N34), console (D55), 8-track player. No air conditioning, manual steering and brakes. Unfortunately, I do not have the VIN.
This car was purchased new by Cleveland Thurber III of Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Cleveland owned the car for approximately 6 months before selling it for $3150 to William “Bill” Gilbert of Allen Park, Michigan (my father) in January 1972. Bill & Jeri Gilbert (my parents) used it a year-round daily driver from 1972 until 1976, when they traded this car plus $3000 cash to John Drew of Allen Park, Michigan in October 1976 for a 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham coupe. My mother saw it around 1980 in Allen Park and spoke with its owner. Our family moved away from that area in 1983 and never saw it I again.
I am curious if this W-30 survived and what condition it is in now. It has a unique color combination and options which I hope “jogs the memory” of our members. Any leads are appreciated!
Last edited by Kaline; September 20th, 2021 at 01:54 AM.
Reason: Correction
If you still have the vin try Googling it as if it's ever listed the ad may come up. Not sure if Michigan has a way to search out a car or to see if it might be registered, but can't hurt to ask the secretary of state.
After making my post, I decided to try to find John Drew (3rd owner) as my next step to find this car. I was able to find his contact information online. He was pleasantly surprised by me contacting him: he remembered the car well. He although he kept it less than two years, the car never left his circle of friends. He put me in touch with the current (5th) owner, who took the car off the road in the early 1980s to restore the body and detail the engine compartment as year-round driving on salty Michigan roads had taken its toll. The car has been off the road ever since. I met the current owner and visited the car this weekend: it is worthy project. I “planted the seed” that I am interested in purchasing it. I will update this post again if I become its 6th owner!
@otto72 I did take pictures but am not posting them to respect the privacy of the current owner. I'll certainly post pictures if I acquire the vehicle!
August 25th, 2021, 04:54 AM
