Hi
was wondering if anyone can answer a question for me. I have a 68, 455 block with the numbers 38X169414 stamp on it. I know 3 is for Olds, 8 is for 68, and I know the letter is supposed to be the plant where it was built. The problem is that I cant find the plant that the letter X was used for. Any help would be appreciated.

 

X = Kansas City

edit:
Per Joe's post below, X = Fairfax, KS
Just to clarify for future viewers.

 

I thought K or KC was Kansas City?

 

GM had plants in Kansas City, Missouri & Kansas City, Kansas

full size RWD Oldsmobiles were built in Kansas City, Kansas - plant code "X" - about 71,481 for 1968

 

ok, thanks for the help!

 

"X" is actually Fairfax, KS, as opposed to "K" for Kansas City, but yes that plant built full size cars.

 

the reference book I looked in WARD'S 1969 AUTOMOTIVE YEARBOOK 31st EDITION listed Kansas City, KS as the plant location, by the 1972 edition - it shows Fairfax, KS

the Fairfax Industrial District is a manufacturing area within the city of Kansas City, KS (Fairfax, KS is actually ~90 miles away)

GM (Kansas City, KS) Fairfax Industrial District to GM (Kansas City, MO) Leeds Industrial Park = 12 miles

as it caused confusion today, I'm sure it caused confusion "back-in-the-day" and at some point in time GM KC KS started to be referred to as GM Fairfax for clarity

I think I got this correct ??

 

Well, I'm afraid GM wasn't even consistent about this. These are two different GM documents. The first (from GM Parts) shows "X" as Fairfax, KS, the second (from the Parts Book) as Kansas City.

 

If I'm not mistaken, Fairfax is neither a city nor a town. Fairfax is simply an industrial area contained w/in the confines of Kansas City, Kansas (since it resides on the West side of the Missouri River). Albeit, Kansas City, Kansas would be the most accurate regarding a city or a town.

EDIT: Doh, it would have helped had I read hurst68olds post first! I just happen to know that area of Kansas City, Kansas and thought I'd mention it.

 

Joe, you are finding the same info as I, the date change in referring to this:
GM as a source: 1970 = KC KS & 1973 = Fairfax
WARD's as a source: 1971 = KC KS & 1972 = Fairfax

around 1971 GM stopped the confusion between the 2 KC plants (Kansas and Missouri) & started referring to the facility in Kansas as "Fairfax"

 

just like on the '73 list:
"K" Leeds, MO is actually in Kansas City, MO
"W" Willow Run, MI is actually in Ypsilanti, MI

 

Cool. Thanks for the added info.