The Oldsmobile Connection

DarkFox · Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 58

Hey everyone, I'm new here!

I'm an avid cutlass fan, and I recently aquired my Calais from a collector, he sold it to me as what he described a "Cutlass Calais with a hurst front end" for $1900. It has 70,000 miles on it, new tires, no rust, excellent frame etc.

Anyway, I've done some research, and found there is an Olds/Hurst W-30 package, with the same grille as mine, but not the same paintjob, or transmission / engine.

Here's a picture of an Hurst/Oldsmobile '79 W-30 car

Here's a picture of my car

Anyway, I would like to know once and for all, is my car a W-30, or just another Calais Coupe? My car has a three speed auto tranny, a 4.3litre V8, and I know the W-30's were equipped with other hardware, but they look so similair, I'm extremely confused.

Thanks for your help guys!

88 Coupe · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:50 am Post subject: Re: My '79 Calais Coupe

Hi DarkFox, everyone,

Welcome to TOC

Quote: ........ what he described a "Cutlass Calais with a Hurst front end" ........
Don't know what that means, but since he is a "Collector", he would know what it is, and that would be what you have. If he had sold it as an H/O, you could be concerned that it was counterfeit, but the opposite is more than unlikely.

Quote: ........ there is an Olds/Hurst W-30 package, with the same grille as mine ........
All '79 "G" body Olds had the same front clip, and the same grill.

Quote: ........ but not the same paint, or transmission / engine ........
The black, or white, paint schemes were part of the H/O Package, along with the 350.

Quote: ........ is my car a W-30, or just another Calais Coupe? ........
We have not yet seen any reason (including the price you paid) to believe it is anything but a Cutlass Calais.

Quote: ........ 4.3litre V8 ........
Not a 350.

Quote: ........ they look so similar, I'm extremely confused ........
No reason to be confused. H/O is a Calais with a 350 inch engine, and a paint/accessory package, that was added by the factory.

Here are some places to continue your research:

GM Heritage Center
Oldsmobile Archives
6400 Center Dr.
Sterling Heights, MI 48312
586-276-0691

http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/ofhos.htm#HO%201979

http://www.hurstolds.com

Regards, Norm

DarkFox · Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 58

Ok, cool!

To be honest, I was hoping it wasn't an W-30. I'm still very new to driving, and it has plenty of power to begin with.

I have some other questions, though.

Most important, to me at least;
I cannot for the life of me, find where the radio antenna is. It doesnt have a traditional antenna anywhere on the body, and I can't find a wire on the interior. I really would like to find out where it is, so I can better place an FM transmitter.

Why I need/use an FM transmitter, I don't have the money for an new radio, or even an old used one with a cassette deck, so I use an FM transmitter to get my music to the car.. But whatever works, I guess.

Second, though not entirely high on the priority list, I was thinking about purchasing one of these FlowMaster DELTAFLOW 40 series mufflers on it. Are there any drawbacks, or gains to be had, other than a nicer sounding car?
I've poked around, if this is somewhat like what they sound like, I definitely want one.

Again, thanks alot for your patience and help!

73Delta88 · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:12 pm Post subject: Re: My '79 Calais Coupe

your antenna may be in the windshield.... look closely for two thin wires inside the glass. My antenna wires start at the base of the windshield near the center then go towards the top, then out to each side, like a T shape. if you're still in doubt, follow the antenna wire from the radio and see where it goes

88 Coupe · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:31 pm Post subject: Re: My '79 Calais Coupe

DarkFox wrote: ........ so I use an FM transmitter to get my music to the car ........
I'm guessing that would be a receiver, not a transmitter. Was the original AM-FM radio removed?

Quote: ........ Are there any drawbacks, or gains to be had ........
Pros are, possible increases in fuel mileage and power, but don't bet on any actual improvements.

Only con is the extra cost.

Quote: ........ if this is somewhat like what they sound like, I definitely want one.
Having heard many Flowmasters in person, I think even "somewhat" is a bit of a stretch.

Don't know if it is in the quality of the recording, or the exhaust itself, but it sure sounds like either a clogged, or leaking exhaust.

There are many, who like it, many who do not. If you attend any local Car Shows or "Cruise nights", you should find several cars with Flowmasters, so you can hear the actual sound for yourself.

Regards, Norm

DarkFox · Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 58

88 Coupe wrote: DarkFox wrote: ........ so I use an FM transmitter to get my music to the car ........
I'm guessing that would be a receiver, not a transmitter. Was the original AM-FM radio removed?

No no, the whole problem is because of the stock radio, with only AM/FM.
We have no stations with music relevant to my interests (I'm 17, not surprised :p ), and I wanted to be able to listen to my own music over the cars stereo system.

The first thing I was going to try to do this was with one of these mp3 to cassette adapters, but being the radio is just AM/FM only, I had to go with one of these FM transmitter things for my playstation portable to get my music in the car. Basically, I plug it into my Mp3 player, pick a radio station on it, then tune my cars radio to it. Whatever I play on my Mp3 player comes out through my car. (And anyone else with the same station on, within a 40 foot radius, hahaha!)

It works really nicely, if I hold it in the center of the car, but if I put it on the seat, quality suffers. I'll probably make some kind of mount so I can keep it on the dash, without it sliding around and such.

andrewk · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 1234 Location: Ames, IA

DarkFox wrote: 88 Coupe wrote: DarkFox wrote: ........ so I use an FM transmitter to get my music to the car ........
I'm guessing that would be a receiver, not a transmitter. Was the original AM-FM radio removed?

No no, the whole problem is because of the stock radio, with only AM/FM.
We have no stations with music relevant to my interests (I'm 17, not surprised :p ), and I wanted to be able to listen to my own music over the cars stereo system.

The first thing I was going to try to do this was with one of these mp3 to cassette adapters, but being the radio is just AM/FM only, I had to go with one of these FM transmitter things for my playstation portable to get my music in the car. Basically, I plug it into my Mp3 player, pick a radio station on it, then tune my cars radio to it. Whatever I play on my Mp3 player comes out through my car. (And anyone else with the same station on, within a 40 foot radius, hahaha!)

It works really nicely, if I hold it in the center of the car, but if I put it on the seat, quality suffers. I'll probably make some kind of mount so I can keep it on the dash, without it sliding around and such.

Yup. Used one of those in my Mom's car the last long trip we took in it. Plugs into the headphone jack, tune it in, and away you go! Very handy little guys.

Andrew