Hi folks,

I've owned Plain Jane for about 20 years...1970 442 Sport Coupe (Post), bench seat, manual trans. No options, black car with white interior. Rare car, came to me with bucket seats and an automatic.

I've always "assumed" that it was a 4-speed car, but since she's a stripper I've toyed with the idea that she was one of the even more rare 3-speed cars.

Being a Linden car, I gather there's more chance of finding some paperwork in the car than Lansing. I have a Fremont GS Stage 1 car with a readable build sheet from the gas tank...but Jane's original tank is gone. Where have people found Linden paper?

Also, any mechanical clues that might have survived as to whether she was a 3-speed or a 4-speed?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Regards, Steve

 

Under the carpet, in the back of the bucket seat, bench seat-in springs, in headliner, in the door panel.... good luck.

 

I don't know if this applies to 1970s, but with the '65-'67s, the hole in the floor is not exactly the same for a 3-spd as it is for a 4-spd. If the hole in your floor is for the most part unaltered, you can compare that to other 3 and 4 spd holes.
Any clues on your cowl tag?

 

Thanks, Vader and Kurt. Cowl tag is a good idea, I'll get another look at that. Do you have any reference pics for floor holes 3 vs. 4 speed?

Steve

 

No, unfortunately, I do not.

 

My Linden built '70 SX had two 8.5 x 11 sheets - your odds are good of finding something. One was under the passenger side bucket and one was under the back seat bottom cushion.
Terry

 

Thanks, Terry -- that's encouraging. I'll dig around under the rear seat. Unfortunately, the factory bench is long gone in front.

 

Steve,

My Linden , NJ, 3 speed 1969 442 convertible had two build sheets in the same locations Terry mentioned.

Mine still has the original FoMoCo 3 speed toploader in it though. Not as desirable as a 4 speed, but I am keeping it that way .

Tom

 

The holes for MT are the same 3 or 4 speed 70-72. A local Olds Club member with a 3 speed factory floor shift Supreme swapped the 3 speed for a 4 speed, neat car.

 

This may not be relevant but the Linden-built '73 Delta 88 Town Sedan I just bought had an intact build sheet between the carpet & sound deadener on the driver's side just in front of the leading edge of the bench seat.

I can see remnants of another one that was stuffed in the front center area of the front bench seat itself. I've not dug much further since I just got the car but I would not be surprised if there were more stuffed elsewhere. I'm a documentation hound & love stuff like this. Hope you find yours.