The 4-4-2 carried the efficiency banner for Oldsmobile within the Nineteen Sixties, however Oldsmobile was one of many few corporations to supply what’s generally often known as a “Junior Supercar.” Our Decide of the Day is a kind of area of interest efficiency vehicles, a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass S with the W31 bundle. It’s listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Indiana, Pennsylvania. (Click on the hyperlink to view the itemizing)

When Oldsmobile redesigned its A-body platform in 1968, the 4-4-2 obtained a brand new 400cid V8 that additionally included additional improvement on the novel W30 Drive-Air Induction System. Why radical? Commonplace 4.33 gears and 328/328-duration camshaft with 108 levels of overlap. The W30 was joined by an engine generally called the “Ram-Rod” 350, although it’s mostly known as the W31. Rated at 325 horsepower, the Ram-Rod additionally featured a radical cam like its W30 cousin, on this case 308/308 with 82 levels overlap. The engine was obtainable in two-door F-85, Cutlass S, and Cutlass Supreme fashions. Apart from small Ram-Rod 350 decals on the entrance fenders and the air induction scoops beneath the entrance bumper, it seemed like some other pedestrian Olds A-body.

For 1969, Oldsmobile formally marketed the Ram-Rod 350 as its order code, because the W31 was a part of Dr. Oldsmobile’s W-Machines. It was joined by a W32 4-4-2, nevertheless it appears the star within the buff books was the W31, with Automotive and Driver specifically saying, “The Cutlass, with the W31 bundle, has excellent dealing with — the perfect compromise between journey and dealing with we’ve ever present in a sedan,” proclaiming that “W31 stands for soul, a commodity exhausting sufficient to search out in individuals not to mention vehicles, and makes all of the totally different between transportation and a visit.”

With a horny restyle for 1970, the W31 bundle for the F-85 and Cutlass S was probably the most boisterous but. A brand new, striped fiberglass hood with matching longitudinal stripes made certain you knew this was a supercar (junior or in any other case). In reality, apart of the grille, rear bumper, and badging, it seemed an identical to a 4-4-2 W30. And contemplating sporty and efficiency automotive reputation was falling, 1970 was the W31’s hottest yr with 1,352 constructed. If something, the W31 was the precise automotive for the second when insurance coverage premiums had been killing big-inch efficiency vehicles, however the authorities’s mandate on unleaded gasoline and emissions ruined any alternative for the W31 to make inroads available in the market. As Basic Motors lowered compression in 1971, a yr earlier than the mandate, Oldsmobile determined to kill the W31.

This 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass S is a Vacation Coupe with the W31 bundle, one in all 1,029 constructed. Although presently painted Ebony Black, this W-Machine was initially painted Burnished Gold metallic, a coloration that completely invokes 1970. “The particular increased shift level automated transmission shifts easily and handles nicely happening the freeway,” says the vendor. “Beneath, you’ll discover a 12-bolt, 3.90 gear ratio Posi rear finish, in addition to heavy-duty entrance sway bars and rear sway bar.” Different options embrace guide entrance disc brakes (energy not obtainable because of the camshaft), energy steering, Tremendous Inventory II wheels, and rear spoiler. “The hood does present some stress cracking,” provides the vendor. And the rear bumper is the notched one from a 4-4-2, which is as tremendous a modification one might want for.

Inside, you’ll discover black bucket seat inside with middle console, Hurst Twin-Gate shifter, Rally Pac, and AM radio. The advert on ClassicCars.com says “Contact Vendor” for value, however the dealership’s web site lists it for $79,900.

To view this itemizing on ClassicCars.com, see Decide of the Day.