sbasinger@hotmail.com

I know that oldsmobile did not build a 1967 W30 convertible, but did anyone ever see a 1967 442 convertible track pac? Is it possible?

Koda

If done to factory specs, it is not possible, as the relocated battery sits in the convertible top well in the trunk.

Oldsmaniac

It is possible but not from the factory as Koda said.

joe_padavano

I've seen a 1966 442 convertible with the O.A.I. parts added. They did not show a photo of the battery location in the trunk, however. Obviously the battery could not be located in the factory position over the right rear wheel, as this would prevent the top from being lowered.

Note that the real reason why the factory didn't build W-30 convertibles in 1966-67 is, if you were trying to build a race car that would win NHRA races, why would you start with the heaviest, most flexible version of the 442? To quote a line from American Graffiti, "What a waste of machinery."

The battery wanted to be over the right rear wheel to maximize traction. You could certainly mount it elsewhere to clear the convertible top, but that negates part of the benefit. Additionally, engine torque that goes into twisting the flexible convertible body is not engine torque that is accelerating the car. Deflections in the body and frame negate traction at the tires. All in all, convertibles make crappy drag cars for stock classes. Obviously, if rules allow, a properly designed roll cage will overcome these stiffness issues, but that was not an option in NHRA Stock classes in the 1960s.

Run to Rund

Curt Anderson made a platform to mount the battery at the front of the trunk well, just to the rear of the intended factory position, for convertibles. The only other change is routing the positive battery cable, which should go into the rail somewhere; I drill a hole at the beginning of the straight section in front of the transmission crossmember, and route the cable into the frame rail there. I also tape a sleeve made of rubber or tygon tubing to the cable where it goes over the reinforcing tab inside the rail in front of the rear wheel (where the hardtop version of the frame goes from C to boxed section).