Does anyone know why Oldsmobile decided to drop the light weight frame from the W-30 & W-31 packages?

Did not know that Oldsmobile was planning to install light weight frames in the W-30 & W-31 cars until after reading the Oldsmobile Bulletins on the fantastic Wild About Cars and Auto History Preservation Society websites.

Is there any information available on these frames, and how Oldsmobile was to make the light weight frames?

 

can you link to that info I have not seen that before . I find all kinds of cool stuff on that site not always what im looking for but cool stuf non the less.

 

I've wondered about that too. I can only guess that they figured the weight savings was not worth compromising the strength of the frame.

 

Or maybe they realized that the frames weren't as strong as they thought,without lightening them. I personally like the idea of putting the boxed convertible frames,under hardtops,like Pontiac offered with the GTO & such.
I have either boxed my frames,or installed a boxed frame under a majority of my hardtop cars.I can cut the weight somewhere else,if needed. I also weld in some helpful,but unnoticable gussets here & there,to help stiffen things up.

 

i know yo have photos of this! :d

 

I saw a 68 convertible cutlass with factory looking swiss cheese type holes , could this be one of those light weight frames.

 

Sure,I have photos. Posting them is the hard part. Something always locks up or quits on me.
I'll be doing a few more frames for myself,and I will photo those as well.

 

Dave H had a post on the old ROP about some light frames going down the line being baby sat all the way down. If I remember right no body was set on them and they were taken away on a trailer he never saw them again. I will question him on this subject at MCACN.

 

In all my factory Lit. I found that it was code F35 HD Frame and was available in:

1965 F35 HEAVY-DUTY FRAME (FOR TRAILER HAULING - NOT AVAILABLE ON V6 MODELS)

1966 F35 HEAVY-DUTY FRAME (FOR TRAILER TOWING-AVAILABLE ON V8 MODELS ONLY) -P29 OR P29 WITH P26(15 inch wheels) MANDATORY UNLESS C60(A/C) P27 P28(15in wheel) T15(7.75X14 Whitewall Tires-HEAVY SERVICE(NOT AVAILABLE WITH 442 OPTION) or "442" OPTION IS ORDERED)

1967 F35 HEAVY-DUTY FRAME (for trailer towing-Std. equip. on 3867(convertible) - not avail. on 3839(holiday sedan-4dr)

There is nothing said from 1968 and up.
This frame I believe was part of the HD Trailer Towing Package 1968 and up. ??

Mike

 

Dated 7/9/69

 

Does anyone know what the weight difference was for the frame alone?

 

So you could get the 1969 H/O rims in 1970!

A lot of people told me they had them on their cars But now here it is black and white.

Oh it's number 17.

Cool!

Mike

 

No that was pulled on 8/27/69.

 

Which series of docs is this from over there?

 

I think I have another bulletin that says the 15" wheels and tires won't be available after all. I'll have to look and confirm.

Found it. Oldsmobile Bulletin N/C 69-12 dated 8/27/69

Option P37, 15" Super Stock III Wheels...
is no longer available. This option was originally announced in our Revision Bulletin of July, 9, 1969.

Does anyone know if they actually pushed some out the door before withdrawing the option?

I think this bulletin was downloaded from WAC as well as the one quoted by the OP.

 

I have my own collection of bulletins for a few years.

 

Does anyone know why the 15" rims were cancelled, along with the G60 tires? Strange how Oldsmobile (H/O) had the 15" Super Stock rims in 1969, and then decided to cancel them in late August for the 1970 model year, and did not have them again until the 1974 model year. Especially when the other GM divisions had 15" rims for their muscle cars, including the better gripping G60 tires.

 

At Wild About Cars, we have an extensive collection of these Dealer/Service/Marketing bulletins. Little is posted yet, we're still cataloging and scanning. Eventually, we expect to be able to post virtually all of the bulletins that were issued.

Just a reminder to all that WAC is a collaborative effort and can use help building the library!