1970 F85 W31
December 14th, 2009, 08:37 PM
#121
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Winnipeg, MB. Canada
Posts: 63
Monoplane- 1969 was the last year for factory 4.33 gears. In 1970 there were two gear ratios available from the factory. Standard for the W-31 was 3.91 and optional was 3.42. With both gears the M-20 and the M-21 could be had.
A general rule is if your W-31 had a four core radiator, then, it had 3.91 gears, and if it was a three core radiator, then, it would be 3.42 gear. And any thing could happen at the dealer.
Andy, gave some awsome advice contact Brian Trick for a Olds rear and suspension components.
And for your floor tunnel. It was a common modification. You can get a repro from venders or other sources
A general rule is if your W-31 had a four core radiator, then, it had 3.91 gears, and if it was a three core radiator, then, it would be 3.42 gear. And any thing could happen at the dealer.
Andy, gave some awsome advice contact Brian Trick for a Olds rear and suspension components.
And for your floor tunnel. It was a common modification. You can get a repro from venders or other sources
You are correct about the shifter hump, thanks.
December 15th, 2009, 06:52 PM
#124
Try http://s760.photobucket.com/home/tomsw31 to see some photos of my W31.
December 15th, 2009, 09:31 PM
#127
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Winnipeg, MB. Canada
Posts: 63
I was wondering about the RPO option Y68 "Custom Appearance Package". Can someone identify what one received with that option please? My W31 F85 has that option too!
Thanks,
Barry
Thanks,
Barry
December 16th, 2009, 05:05 AM
#128
Trying to remember member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 4,112
Also: Any of you with a "Z" on the data plate with the interior code?
December 16th, 2009, 09:54 PM
#130
Barry,
My car was sold new in Calgary and came to Vancouver in late 1970 where it has remained. I am the third owner and bought the car in North Vancouver in 1993.
I am not sure about the Y68 but my 1970 W30 also has this code. I am wondering if it denotes the striping?
Kurt,
The "Z" in the trim line of the cowl plate (and broadcast card) appears on all of the 1970 Cutlass /442 cars that I have found while looking at data plates on cars that were Lansing built and sold new in Canada. I have been told that the "Z" is the export code for all U.S. built cars that were slated for export anywhere outside of the U.S.. I have not found any factory documentation to back up that ascertion, so take it as heresay. I have not found the code on Freemont cars however, only Lansing built so far. None of the other Oldsmobile factories (other than Lansing and Freemont) shipped to the westcoast of Canada in 1970, so I have not seen many other factories data plates to research this. If you have it on your car, it is possible that your car was slated for export, but I did speak with a owner of a 1970 W30 convert sold new in the U.S. with the "Z". It may be worth checking with G.M. of Canada to see if your car was sold new in Canada, in which case you may be lucky and find documention.
My car was sold new in Calgary and came to Vancouver in late 1970 where it has remained. I am the third owner and bought the car in North Vancouver in 1993.
I am not sure about the Y68 but my 1970 W30 also has this code. I am wondering if it denotes the striping?
Kurt,
The "Z" in the trim line of the cowl plate (and broadcast card) appears on all of the 1970 Cutlass /442 cars that I have found while looking at data plates on cars that were Lansing built and sold new in Canada. I have been told that the "Z" is the export code for all U.S. built cars that were slated for export anywhere outside of the U.S.. I have not found any factory documentation to back up that ascertion, so take it as heresay. I have not found the code on Freemont cars however, only Lansing built so far. None of the other Oldsmobile factories (other than Lansing and Freemont) shipped to the westcoast of Canada in 1970, so I have not seen many other factories data plates to research this. If you have it on your car, it is possible that your car was slated for export, but I did speak with a owner of a 1970 W30 convert sold new in the U.S. with the "Z". It may be worth checking with G.M. of Canada to see if your car was sold new in Canada, in which case you may be lucky and find documention.
December 17th, 2009, 02:36 AM
#131
BobsW32
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 208
VERY VERY NICE car.... I am impressed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just a comment,,,,,in the pictures the passenger side view has blackwalls and the drivers side view has raised white letter tires...I hope the pictures were taken at different times
Just a comment,,,,,in the pictures the passenger side view has blackwalls and the drivers side view has raised white letter tires...I hope the pictures were taken at different times
December 17th, 2009, 06:52 AM
#132
Trying to remember member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 4,112
Barry,
My car was sold new in Calgary and came to Vancouver in late 1970 where it has remained. I am the third owner and bought the car in North Vancouver in 1993.
I am not sure about the Y68 but my 1970 W30 also has this code. I am wondering if it denotes the striping?
Kurt,
The "Z" in the trim line of the cowl plate (and broadcast card) appears on all of the 1970 Cutlass /442 cars that I have found while looking at data plates on cars that were Lansing built and sold new in Canada. I have been told that the "Z" is the export code for all U.S. built cars that were slated for export anywhere outside of the U.S.. I have not found any factory documentation to back up that ascertion, so take it as heresay. I have not found the code on Freemont cars however, only Lansing built so far. None of the other Oldsmobile factories (other than Lansing and Freemont) shipped to the westcoast of Canada in 1970, so I have not seen many other factories data plates to research this. If you have it on your car, it is possible that your car was slated for export, but I did speak with a owner of a 1970 W30 convert sold new in the U.S. with the "Z". It may be worth checking with G.M. of Canada to see if your car was sold new in Canada, in which case you may be lucky and find documention.
My car was sold new in Calgary and came to Vancouver in late 1970 where it has remained. I am the third owner and bought the car in North Vancouver in 1993.
I am not sure about the Y68 but my 1970 W30 also has this code. I am wondering if it denotes the striping?
Kurt,
The "Z" in the trim line of the cowl plate (and broadcast card) appears on all of the 1970 Cutlass /442 cars that I have found while looking at data plates on cars that were Lansing built and sold new in Canada. I have been told that the "Z" is the export code for all U.S. built cars that were slated for export anywhere outside of the U.S.. I have not found any factory documentation to back up that ascertion, so take it as heresay. I have not found the code on Freemont cars however, only Lansing built so far. None of the other Oldsmobile factories (other than Lansing and Freemont) shipped to the westcoast of Canada in 1970, so I have not seen many other factories data plates to research this. If you have it on your car, it is possible that your car was slated for export, but I did speak with a owner of a 1970 W30 convert sold new in the U.S. with the "Z". It may be worth checking with G.M. of Canada to see if your car was sold new in Canada, in which case you may be lucky and find documention.
Start with the fact that the body tag info if going to be a body (not chassis) related thing. If it does have to do with export, then the question is what is done at Fisher Body to make it an export version? And we go from there.
Theoretically, the car could have a body that slated for export, but as long as the mod that made it for export was still legal in the US, the car could end up being sold in the US. Like a Canadian dealer canceling and order?
Thus exceptions like the '70 convert you mention could exist.
Please shoot me an email at wmachine@shubes.net, and we keep in a loop on this.
Regarding the Y68, Dave Bunch reported the following:
I did find some info on Y68- it has to do with trim. I states "By pass color-Edit trim". After further review I believe it is telling Fisher to not add any trim to the side or punch holes for wheel lip mldgs or per-punch fenders/door for sid emldgs.. Such as a W optioned car no matter the series (model) because side stripes were added at the Lansing Final Assembly bldg. and not done at Fisher body plant (no fenders attached).
That does make sense to me, but I wonder if this also means that base F85s would also require this?
I have, however, seen Canadian sold 442s that don't have the W-stripe and have Y68. So is this possibly a Canadian thing too?
Last edited by wmachine; December 17th, 2009 at 07:11 AM.
December 17th, 2009, 07:37 AM
#133
Bob,
Good catch, I should have labeled the picture with the black walls as the before picture. That was how it looked prior to the frame off restoration.
Kurt,
That's great information, I knew there was a good reason to join this site!
Good catch, I should have labeled the picture with the black walls as the before picture. That was how it looked prior to the frame off restoration.
Kurt,
That's great information, I knew there was a good reason to join this site!
December 17th, 2009, 12:26 PM
#135
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Winnipeg, MB. Canada
Posts: 63
December 17th, 2009, 12:31 PM
#136
Trying to remember member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 4,112
March 12th, 2010, 06:15 AM
#138
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: s/w PA
Posts: 255
Thanks to 'tomsw31' for giving me the heads up on the rehashing of the 'Z' code confusion. I do not believe the export theory.
I spoke with the original owner of my car several times. He was a young kid who had a '70 Corvette all ordered and ready to go. The Chevy dealership proceeded to jerk him around on the price deep into the deal. He canceled the car and went to Mangiarelli Olds in New castle PA where he custom ordered my car for delivery to New Castle where he lived. My car was never slated for export as it was ordered to specs for US delivery.
I'm still holding out for the "any W car with a Z in the trim code is worth 10 times more than one without" answer.
I spoke with the original owner of my car several times. He was a young kid who had a '70 Corvette all ordered and ready to go. The Chevy dealership proceeded to jerk him around on the price deep into the deal. He canceled the car and went to Mangiarelli Olds in New castle PA where he custom ordered my car for delivery to New Castle where he lived. My car was never slated for export as it was ordered to specs for US delivery.
I'm still holding out for the "any W car with a Z in the trim code is worth 10 times more than one without" answer.
March 12th, 2010, 10:53 AM
#140
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Winnipeg, MB. Canada
Posts: 63
I have decided to sell my F85 W31 at this time. I have more pressing obligations happening and the car will have to go. I have many pictures on Photo Bucket to share if anyone is interested. There is a fresh rebuilt 30 over Olds 350 (slightly newer block) built to W31 specs that comes with the car, a Super T10 4 speed, a Hurst shifter (not original), and the car is fairly complete, but does not have the original powertrain due to it's original race history. Body is very solid, straight with some patches needed on the front leading edge of both rear quarters and a small two inch long spot at the base of the windshield towards the passenger side middle. Rest of the car is rust free and a thin fridge magnet will stick anywhere. It was disassembled, bagged and tagged, with parts being in well marked boxes. Body, doors, trunk lid and frame are all together, so it's a roller. Engine was bagged from the engine builder and is strapped on a wooden stand for moving. Paperwork will include current ownership title and GM of Canada paperwork. Hood and front fenders are real nice. Car has 70000 original miles. It is a factory tach and gauge car with the four spoke sport steering wheel, and the RPO code V01, which is the HD Radiator option and meant that the car came with either 3:91 or 4:33 gears. The original diff was blown up and the car has a 10 bolt BOP with a posi. Was an M21 car when new. Interior is in nice condition and will c/w a new repro carpet kit. Dash pad is perfect. Car is missing the factory AM radio, the windshield (was broken), the original carb and exhaust manifolds. There is no exhaust. Needs the little bit of rust repair, a few small dents that would be typical of a 40 year old car, paint and re-assembly. Contact Barry @ 204-832-2800 in Winnipeg, MB.
March 28th, 2013, 09:05 PM
#141
Sammy70 455 Supreme
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Port Perry, Ontario
Posts: 3,069
Thanks, Tom. What you're saying about the Z may indeed be correct, and can put us on the right path for a full explanation. I will persue this line of reasoning and see what we can come up with.
Start with the fact that the body tag info if going to be a body (not chassis) related thing. If it does have to do with export, then the question is what is done at Fisher Body to make it an export version? And we go from there.
Theoretically, the car could have a body that slated for export, but as long as the mod that made it for export was still legal in the US, the car could end up being sold in the US. Like a Canadian dealer canceling and order?
Thus exceptions like the '70 convert you mention could exist.
Please shoot me an email at wmachine@shubes.net, and we keep in a loop on this.
Regarding the Y68, Dave Bunch reported the following:
I did find some info on Y68- it has to do with trim. I states "By pass color-Edit trim". After further review I believe it is telling Fisher to not add any trim to the side or punch holes for wheel lip mldgs or per-punch fenders/door for sid emldgs.. Such as a W optioned car no matter the series (model) because side stripes were added at the Lansing Final Assembly bldg. and not done at Fisher body plant (no fenders attached).
That does make sense to me, but I wonder if this also means that base F85s would also require this?
I have, however, seen Canadian sold 442s that don't have the W-stripe and have Y68. So is this possibly a Canadian thing too?
Start with the fact that the body tag info if going to be a body (not chassis) related thing. If it does have to do with export, then the question is what is done at Fisher Body to make it an export version? And we go from there.
Theoretically, the car could have a body that slated for export, but as long as the mod that made it for export was still legal in the US, the car could end up being sold in the US. Like a Canadian dealer canceling and order?
Thus exceptions like the '70 convert you mention could exist.
Please shoot me an email at wmachine@shubes.net, and we keep in a loop on this.
Regarding the Y68, Dave Bunch reported the following:
I did find some info on Y68- it has to do with trim. I states "By pass color-Edit trim". After further review I believe it is telling Fisher to not add any trim to the side or punch holes for wheel lip mldgs or per-punch fenders/door for sid emldgs.. Such as a W optioned car no matter the series (model) because side stripes were added at the Lansing Final Assembly bldg. and not done at Fisher body plant (no fenders attached).
That does make sense to me, but I wonder if this also means that base F85s would also require this?
I have, however, seen Canadian sold 442s that don't have the W-stripe and have Y68. So is this possibly a Canadian thing too?
Thanks to GAOldsman (Scot) for the link to this thread....you rock!
So my 1970 Cutlass Supreme, was ordered trim delete.
Ted
Did this car ever sell?
Last edited by sammy; March 28th, 2013 at 10:09 PM. Reason: addition
August 26th, 2021, 08:59 PM
#146
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Muskegon, Mi.
Posts: 8,610
i guess my questions are,the build sheet shows 2.56 gears whats up with that?is that canadien only??
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