went to look at a 1968 442 today. it is a bench seat 4 speed car. seller says it is a factory 4 speed. i've tried looking up cowl tag info online but according to the decode sites... i don't see anything on the cowl tag that indicates factory installed 4 speed anywhere on it. here is a copy... all i see is (950 = black interior bench seat) (V-V almond beige exterior color) am i missing something? is it possible it could be a factory or dealer installed 4 speed without any cowl tag info? any help would be appreciated since i'm interested in making an offer on the car.

 

In 1968 they stamped the transmissions with the vin number. So if the transmission is original that would seal it. If you can crawl under it when you look at the car I can show you where to look for the vin.

John

 

Olds did not identify transmission options in 68 via cowl or vin w the exception of some Canadian built cars. Have seen m-21 on the cowl tag on Canada cars.
So yes absolutely factory, never heard of a dealer installed manual tranny but who knows?? If not factory I would be more inclined to believe it was changed over.
But as John mentioned an easy check, the tranny vin will start w 3(olds)8(year) followed by a letter m,e,z, f or digit 1 for Canada then remaining digits will match vin under windshield.

Matter of fact 72 was the only year where manual cars were specifically designated by the letter in the vin -V code and perhaps later years


Your exterior color is Juneau Gray
and late second week in December build date

 

yes, that would be very much appreciated

 

Also in '68 the transmission is listed on the Protect-O-Plate IIRC. That is "if" the seller has that. If so we can decipher it for you.

 

OK, I'm just now learning how to draw lines on photos, so I'm includes copies with and without the red lines. This is on the drivers side rear but still on the main case. This is a 1968 442 factory 4 speed car. John

P1201271_zps5185d7cd.jpg

19684speedvin1.jpg

c97f05f9-8157-4a06-ab0e-bdcc70804729.jpg

19684speedvin2.jpg




And here's the trim tag, it looks like this was a Fremont built car.
P1010031.jpg

 

no protecto plate as far as i know. thank you very much for the pictures. i'll be sure to look for that number next time i see the car.

thank you

 

On my wife's '68 442, the vin number is on the passenger side of the Muncie case.

 

V-V is Juneau Gray (nice color!), there is no Almond Beige in 68


If it isn't the original tranny you can generally tell if it's originally a floor shift standard by looking at the way the transmission hump was installed. There are no accurate repros and up until a few years ago most people didn't care. The kid I bought my car from hacked hump out along with the floors but there was a small section of original hump tack welded near the top of the tunnel. Everything else was there including pedals, steering column plate, & back up light harness.


You can see where I drilled out the spot welds. Notice how rough the original hole is. It looks like they cut them with a torch.

 

Thank you for all the helpful information. When i go back to see the car I'll check "the hump" & other stuff. There was just a hole in the carpet no shifter trim or rubber dust boot.

 

Fremont cars are arguably the most likely to have build sheets, even multiples. Top of gas tank is almost a certainty, and back seat, front seat, dash, inside doors, inside fenders, package tray under shelf, and crammed up into A pillars are other places.
Steve