1968 Ram Rod on Ebay
March 29th, 2013, 04:57 PM
#1
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1968 Ram Rod on Ebay
These don't pop up that often. NOT MINE OOPS that should be EBAY
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-...10641765070?pt
=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4853b12ace#v4-41
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-...10641765070?pt
=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4853b12ace#v4-41
Last edited by italian ice; March 29th, 2013 at 05:01 PM.
March 29th, 2013, 06:39 PM
#5
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What makes anyone think this is a real Ram Rod except stickers on the fenders and manual brakes? You'd think if you were selling the real deal you'd post at least one pic of the Ram Rod specific parts.
March 29th, 2013, 07:10 PM
#7
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By the looks of where the washer pump suction hose is going, this car likely does not have the ram air set up on it. The hose is always routed to the pass side on ram air applications because the washer bottle was relocated on passenger fender well on RamRods.
Last edited by 66trakpak; March 29th, 2013 at 07:13 PM.
March 29th, 2013, 08:11 PM
#8
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I read somewhere that there were only around 500 Ramrod 350s made in 68. I don't know any way to validate the RR350 through VIN or cowl. Doesn't it need some paperwork?
March 30th, 2013, 04:02 AM
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You mean like the SMT and dual exhausts shown in the pics? I agree the fender clips and ram air tubes, inlets and air breather would be a nice add on to the pics.
I read somewhere that there were only around 500 Ramrod 350s made in 68. I don't know any way to validate the RR350 through VIN or cowl. Doesn't it need some paperwork?
I read somewhere that there were only around 500 Ramrod 350s made in 68. I don't know any way to validate the RR350 through VIN or cowl. Doesn't it need some paperwork?
March 30th, 2013, 06:19 AM
#11
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Interesting that the car is in Springfield, OH but has VA plates in the photo. I doubt the O.A.I. air cleaner fits on that Holley, so who knows if he still has it (or any other of the "rair" parts). I zoomed in on the photo of the front of the car and MAYBE you can just make out the outside edge of the driver's side scoop, but then again, maybe not.
March 30th, 2013, 06:28 AM
#12
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The 4 speed and decals draws you in, but as most of you have said based on the pics there's nothing convincing that its real.
Joe to answer your air cleaner question.
Posted in the Q&A:
Questions and answers about this item
Q: Nice Olds,Do you have the ram air system? Replacement moter or original? Thanks
A: NUMBERS MATCHING EVERTHING, EXCEPT HEADERS,DO NOT HAVE THE AIR CLEANER
Joe to answer your air cleaner question.
Posted in the Q&A:
Questions and answers about this item
Q: Nice Olds,Do you have the ram air system? Replacement moter or original? Thanks
A: NUMBERS MATCHING EVERTHING, EXCEPT HEADERS,DO NOT HAVE THE AIR CLEANER
March 30th, 2013, 08:29 AM
#16
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I am used to seeing the much longer arm rest bases [chromed plastic part] on 1968 models. Maybe that's an early/ late production difference? Ignition switch escutcheon looks different. W/o the documentation it's hard to justify a high price for that Cutlass.
March 30th, 2013, 09:21 AM
#17
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Yes, that's stickw31 Steve's old car. Canadian built M20 car but not a Ram Rod. I'd love to own that car.
The guy in Richmond who bought it from him let it sit outside for a couple winters based on pics from when he was trying to sell it on Ebay last year. That sure didn't help the body condition.
The guy in Richmond who bought it from him let it sit outside for a couple winters based on pics from when he was trying to sell it on Ebay last year. That sure didn't help the body condition.
March 30th, 2013, 09:36 AM
#18
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The guy in Richmond who bought it from him let it sit outside for a couple winters based on pics from when he was trying to sell it on Ebay last year. That sure didn't help the body condition.
March 30th, 2013, 12:39 PM
#19
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Ok guys . This is NOT. Ram rod . I used to own it. Has my "Cas Am performance " sticker still on the drivers quarter window. Also a Cabadian built car. Rear numbers matiching 350 4 speed car. I sure do miss it
March 30th, 2013, 12:48 PM
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Terry
March 30th, 2013, 01:05 PM
#21
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So, now that we know it's NOT a RR350 and the seller says the car is 'breaking out' (with rust is a good guess) indicating not likely 'rock solid', what is a good price?
March 31st, 2013, 07:54 AM
#23
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March 31st, 2013, 10:14 AM
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March 31st, 2013, 10:16 AM
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But it's still a W-31, no?
What do you call a '68 W-30? Ram Rod 400?
Perhaps the way Oldsmobile marketed the '68 sorted itself out by branding the W-Machines for '69, but I don't think it changes a thing. What do Chevy people call the 1967 Z/28? No badges, no nothing other than a "Z28 performance package" on the order form, but is it not a Z?
What do you call a '68 W-30? Ram Rod 400?
Perhaps the way Oldsmobile marketed the '68 sorted itself out by branding the W-Machines for '69, but I don't think it changes a thing. What do Chevy people call the 1967 Z/28? No badges, no nothing other than a "Z28 performance package" on the order form, but is it not a Z?
March 31st, 2013, 10:20 AM
#27
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But it's still a W-31, no?
What do you call a '68 W-30? Ram Rod 400?
Perhaps the way Oldsmobile marketed the '68 sorted itself out by branding the W-Machines for '69, but I don't think it changes a thing. What do Chevy people call the 1967 Z/28? No badges, no nothing other than a "Z28 performance package" on the order form, but is it not a Z?
What do you call a '68 W-30? Ram Rod 400?
Perhaps the way Oldsmobile marketed the '68 sorted itself out by branding the W-Machines for '69, but I don't think it changes a thing. What do Chevy people call the 1967 Z/28? No badges, no nothing other than a "Z28 performance package" on the order form, but is it not a Z?
A 68 W30 was called a W30 and marketed as such
Would you call a 68 non A/C H/O a W45?
March 31st, 2013, 10:53 AM
#29
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Diego,
I can’t put my hands on the marketing brochures but I know I’ve seen them. I‘ve got a book called “Oldsmobile Muscle Cars” by William Holder and Phillip Kunz that states:
“And for the first time, Olds acknowledged the W-30 in company literature, and hinted at the magic of the moniker”
I know there are lots of mistakes in that book but I don’t think that’s one of them.
Dave made a long post on V8Buick a few years ago responding to errors in the 442.com history of the W31 (Ram Rod) and this is an excerpt from it:
I can’t put my hands on the marketing brochures but I know I’ve seen them. I‘ve got a book called “Oldsmobile Muscle Cars” by William Holder and Phillip Kunz that states:
“And for the first time, Olds acknowledged the W-30 in company literature, and hinted at the magic of the moniker”
I know there are lots of mistakes in that book but I don’t think that’s one of them.
Dave made a long post on V8Buick a few years ago responding to errors in the 442.com history of the W31 (Ram Rod) and this is an excerpt from it:
From 442.com
Technically, the W-31 was onlybuilt in 1969 and 1970. While not called a W-31, the equivalent vehicle wasavailable and called the "Ram Rod 350" in 1968.
Dave’s response:
It wasn't an equivalent vehicle, the optioncode for the Ramrod was W31. It was only called that after the marketing/promoguys got into the act for the 1969 model year with the "DrOldsmobile" promo program. It was still called a Ramrod like the fenderdecals all through the 68 year including the Smothers brothers cars.Unfortunately, the marketing/promo guys got carried away and tried to cash inon the Ramrod reputation from the drag racing successes starting in theSpringnationals of 1968 and throughout that summer. They put "Ramrod"decals on the air cleaners of not only the W31 in 1969, but also the W30 and W32with a "Ramrod 400" designation. The W30's needed all the help theycould get after the word was out on the disappointing performance of the smallbore/long stroke 400 G block that came out in 1968. The 65-67 442's also used a400, but it was a smaller bore 425 with the shorter stroke and were very fast.
Technically, the W-31 was onlybuilt in 1969 and 1970. While not called a W-31, the equivalent vehicle wasavailable and called the "Ram Rod 350" in 1968.
Dave’s response:
It wasn't an equivalent vehicle, the optioncode for the Ramrod was W31. It was only called that after the marketing/promoguys got into the act for the 1969 model year with the "DrOldsmobile" promo program. It was still called a Ramrod like the fenderdecals all through the 68 year including the Smothers brothers cars.Unfortunately, the marketing/promo guys got carried away and tried to cash inon the Ramrod reputation from the drag racing successes starting in theSpringnationals of 1968 and throughout that summer. They put "Ramrod"decals on the air cleaners of not only the W31 in 1969, but also the W30 and W32with a "Ramrod 400" designation. The W30's needed all the help theycould get after the word was out on the disappointing performance of the smallbore/long stroke 400 G block that came out in 1968. The 65-67 442's also used a400, but it was a smaller bore 425 with the shorter stroke and were very fast.
March 31st, 2013, 12:54 PM
#30
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March 31st, 2013, 01:56 PM
#31
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You are correct Diego. The '68 W31 was not a precursor, it was a W31. Officially. And W31 was an option code. The name of this option code was "Force-Air Induction System" specifically spelled out in the Public Relations Release from Oldsmobile.
March 31st, 2013, 02:31 PM
#33
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The W31 option was late in 67 or early in 68. It doesn't show up in the 68 dealer literature. I'll look around to see if I can the announcement. The first fifty were built in January or February of 68 and they went mostly to race teams. They were built much differently than the later ones.
March 31st, 2013, 06:54 PM
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April 1st, 2013, 06:03 AM
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That was a time period where there was a struggle going on between engineering and marketing. It was certainly not a joint effort. Look at these 2 examples ('66 W30 and '68 W31) of some of the finest performance cars of the era. Where was marketing? Yup, with their thumbs you know where.
Unfortunately, marketing was always a shortcoming of Oldsmobile, and as far as I'm concerned, led the way for Oldsmobile's exit from GM.
