1966 Oldsmobile 442 Zone Car

[Guy]

Can anyone tell me what they know about a "Zone Car"?

I am looking at a '66 442 that the owner says his father purchased as a Zone Car. The father was a GM employee at the time. Supposedly, they are a unique animal setup more for the track. They were not available to the public and had unusual VIN numbers. They were assembled per a build sheet and shipped without testing. This car didn't even run and the headlights were not working when it arrived. The car hasn't been registered in a while due to the hassle with the VIN number and lack of smog equipment, etc.

In any case, does this "Zone Car" description ring a bell with anyone?

[Oldsmaniac]

The only bell it rings with me is one rung with steamy BS.....I believe thats what this guy is spreading.....although not an insider with GM back in 66, after 30 plus years of being an enthusiastic Oldsmobile buff, I stand by my conclusions.....In 66 the beast was the W-30 with ram air and tri-power. If its one of those 54 factory cars that would be a find and a mega dollar car.

[texasred]

Zone Cars were sometimes early production vehicles.

Lack of smog equipment? I think somebody's smogging you. 66 didn't have any smog equipment beyond a PCV valve and no place I've ever heard of requires retrofit.

Hassle with the VIN? Only if it's stolen, my friend. If it was ever registered, it can be reregistered (even with a lost title).

NOT TESTED AND NO HEADLIGHTS? No.

Sounds fishy. Unless somebody has something really off-the-wall to suggest, I think I'd ask for a better story or (better yet) just walk away.

C.J.

[2blu442]

Just for grins, get a photo of the vin number and have him explain what's unusual about it. What part of the country are you in? I know there were cars built in 1967 with California emissions setups, that included a smog pump. Can you also get a photo of the trim tag... again ask him to explain if there's anything special there. If you have the time it might be interesting to see what he has to back up his story. John

[oldsnut]

A Zone car is nothing I have ever heard of and I have been around 66 and 67 442s since they came out. Employees of GM were able to buy special cars and even certain Regional reps were able to get things that the normal customer couldn't. GM did identify and call their areas as ZONES, but I have never heard of a car called a zone car. I have seen special cars built for GM executives that weren't available for anyone else, but this normally would never include a car that came without headlights or a VIN that was out of the ordinary. Motor Stampings could be different at times and even certain cars could get a 425 stuck in to a car in place of a 400. If his father was an employee you will find that he should have a history of it and paperwork should be attainable to document his story. Without proof it sounds like a million other BS stories I have heard over the years.

[Oldsguy]

Guy, first of welcome to our site. This is ringing alarm bells with quite a few people here so be careful of it. These people are good guys and we look our for each other. Ask some additional questions and get good answers. Let us know what happens.

[texasred]

I'll stand corrected on the California smog equipment. I spoke from ignorance.
Not to 'jack the thread, but could somebody PM me the year Cali started requiring smog pumps?

C.J.

[Guy]

I appreciate the response everyone. I realize that the story sounds suspicious, and I would feel exactly the same, except that I have personal history with the car. I was 14 when my best friend's dad bought the car as a GM employee. I have many great memories in that car from drooling over it as we watched his dad work on it, to our first outings alone when we were finally licensed. I still remember him feeling the temperature on the rear tires when we would pull back into the garage :-)

I am in the classic car restoration business and actually sought this car out. It's sitting on 4 flat tires and covered in primer with weeds growing up around it. It's sad to see it look like that, but it is unmolested and complete.

My friend's dad is still alive, but not in the best shape, so I have strayed away from talking to him directly. I do personally remember that the purchase of the car was unusual and that it was definitely not available to the general public.

The youngest son has inherited the car and supposedly has all the paperwork that goes with it (including the 442 jacket that came in the trunk). All former registration is ligit, and I know my friend drove it through college.

In any case, I do appreciate the feedback, and I will continue to document what I can, and keep you all posted.

[sixtyfour]

Originally Posted by Guy

Can anyone tell me what they know about a "Zone Car"?

I am looking at a '66 442 that the owner says his father purchased as a Zone Car. The father was a GM employee at the time. Supposedly, they are a unique animal setup more for the track. They were not available to the public and had unusual VIN numbers. They were assembled per a build sheet and shipped without testing. This car didn't even run and the headlights were not working when it arrived. The car hasn't been registered in a while due to the hassle with the VIN number and lack of smog equipment, etc.

In any case, does this "Zone Car" description ring a bell with anyone?

Years ago I had a friend that was a district manager for Olsmobile, He had "Zone" cars that refered to what they call Program cars now, or those cars the factory used as employee cars or vehicles used for some purpose then sold through dealers with some kind of discount. Not sure if this applies to your question or not.

Sixtyfour