"Z Code" cars in 1970
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 573
From: Ontario, Canada
Trying to remember member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,112
From: Ohio
What kind of an answer is that? I understand the first part, but not the second. What does Fisher Body being gone have to do with anything here? Of course they don't "know". One doesn't need to "know" anything there. They are supposed to be resource center with some idea of where to look for the answer, *at least*.
Trying to remember member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,112
From: Ohio
This was asked about earlier, and nobody has responded.
Talking '70 and '71 here. Check seat belts of Z, non-Z Canadian (with Z49), and non-Canadian. Are the labels all the same? Are the belts, locations and anchors all the same?
Also still no confirmed definition of "Mandatory Canadian Base Equipment Modifications"
Talking '70 and '71 here. Check seat belts of Z, non-Z Canadian (with Z49), and non-Canadian. Are the labels all the same? Are the belts, locations and anchors all the same?
Also still no confirmed definition of "Mandatory Canadian Base Equipment Modifications"
Lansing built
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,330
From: Grand Ledge, MI
That was free information so we got what we paid for! Yes half assed no doubt.
FYI I just had a Lansing Fisherbody man standing in my showroom, start date of employment 1977. He is trying to conjur up someone who may know the burning question! He said his uncle worked the trim line at Fisher, but he has passed away.
Also to, I will hit up Ryan's dad (hurstlightining 84) His start date was either 73 or 74 to see if he can conjur up someone who may know!
Pat
FYI I just had a Lansing Fisherbody man standing in my showroom, start date of employment 1977. He is trying to conjur up someone who may know the burning question! He said his uncle worked the trim line at Fisher, but he has passed away.
Also to, I will hit up Ryan's dad (hurstlightining 84) His start date was either 73 or 74 to see if he can conjur up someone who may know!
Pat
Lansing built
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,330
From: Grand Ledge, MI
Just spotted this one on Hemmings. Another W-30 with a Z cowl and matching broadcast barely see the Z code on (spcl) trim.
Only thing out the norm is the Ralley red special paint and looks to be a real W-27 rear end. No real history on it.
Pat
Only thing out the norm is the Ralley red special paint and looks to be a real W-27 rear end. No real history on it.
Pat
Registered User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,079
From: Raleigh, NC
GM
"this belt conforms to SAE [illegible] and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards"
HAMILL
MODEL# 1901
17 E 71
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,413
From: Water Wonderland MI.
My W30 with Z code is special order Nugget Gold, would think the wagons could have been ordered with -- paint.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,305
From: Battle Creek, Michigan
Z A50 yes STRATO BUCKETS (without headrests)
(The A50 Strato-bucket without headrest was the
default seat and was not specifically noted on an order.)I like to play with Gasoline...Whatcha y'all think of this?
(The A50 Strato-bucket without headrest was the
default seat and was not specifically noted on an order.)I like to play with Gasoline...Whatcha y'all think of this?
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,413
From: Water Wonderland MI.
The seats in mine have headrest on bucket seats, has Z trim.
Lansing built
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,330
From: Grand Ledge, MI
As we all know another source left us in the last year and that would have been Jim Walkinshaw.
I will be in contact with a Olds nut and former Fisher man this weekend, I will keep you guys posted!
Pat
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 223
From: Langley B.C.
OK here's my seat belt tag from my 1971 442 with Standard belts. 05/71 Lansing-built, sold new in Canada WITHOUT a 'Z' on the cowl tag, but with 'Z49' on the GM of Canada documentation:
GM
"this belt conforms to SAE [illegible] and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards"
HAMILL
MODEL# 1901
17 E 71
GM
"this belt conforms to SAE [illegible] and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards"
HAMILL
MODEL# 1901
17 E 71
"Car"mudgeon
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,191
From: Perry, GA
AR1 Head Restraint Delete was an option for exports, but this has already been shot down.
Lansing built
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,330
From: Grand Ledge, MI
Here is an update! Just talked to two Fisher people in the last 24hrs.
Hurstlightining84 dad he recalls in 73 which is beyond were we want to be but in the rear seat area (B) car line that extra anchors for child restraint for Canadian export cars. He cannot recall what the call out was on the IBM card.
Second gent was there in 71-75, he worked in supplying seats for the line, basically sorting into color codes and styles. He did not have access to the broadcast cards just IBM cards. He has several family members that worked during the proper time, again he will try to get some names or information!
Pat
Hurstlightining84 dad he recalls in 73 which is beyond were we want to be but in the rear seat area (B) car line that extra anchors for child restraint for Canadian export cars. He cannot recall what the call out was on the IBM card.
Second gent was there in 71-75, he worked in supplying seats for the line, basically sorting into color codes and styles. He did not have access to the broadcast cards just IBM cards. He has several family members that worked during the proper time, again he will try to get some names or information!
Pat
Keep up the good work 
Also to those that may know someone that worked for the Norwood, Ohio Body Plant at the time could be of assistance or know of someone that may...
Just an Olds Guy
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 24,528
From: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Seems to me that this kind of legislation has been around for a long time. If it was important enough to be added to LAN cars being shipped to Canada, why wouldn't it be important to add to Freemont? We got a fair number of our Canadian inventory from both of those plants. So if this is the case, theoretically ALL those cars should have a Z code, right? Also noteworthy, typically Canada typically follows US legislation for automobiles fairly closely.
*
* source: A Chronicle of Child Passenger Safety Advances in the USA, 1965-2009
*
1968: First child restraints designed for crash protection developed by Ford (Tot-Guard) and
General Motors (Love Seat for toddlers). Followed soon thereafter by the GM Infant
Love Seat (first rear-facing only restraint) and the Bobby Mac convertible seat (used
both rear-facing and forward facing).
1971: Action for Child Transportation Safety founded for parent-citizen advocates to promote
child passenger safety (CPS) education and stricter standards for children's car seats
(also called "safety seats" or, most correctly, "child restraint systems" or CRS). (Closed
1982)
1971: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) adopts first federal standard
for child seating systems, FMVSS 213; requirements do not include dynamic (crash)
tests, but did require use of a safety belt to hold the car seat into the vehicle, and a
harness to hold the child in the car seat. Did not cover rear-facing infant restraints or car
beds.
General Motors (Love Seat for toddlers). Followed soon thereafter by the GM Infant
Love Seat (first rear-facing only restraint) and the Bobby Mac convertible seat (used
both rear-facing and forward facing).
1971: Action for Child Transportation Safety founded for parent-citizen advocates to promote
child passenger safety (CPS) education and stricter standards for children's car seats
(also called "safety seats" or, most correctly, "child restraint systems" or CRS). (Closed
1982)
1971: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) adopts first federal standard
for child seating systems, FMVSS 213; requirements do not include dynamic (crash)
tests, but did require use of a safety belt to hold the car seat into the vehicle, and a
harness to hold the child in the car seat. Did not cover rear-facing infant restraints or car
beds.
"Car"mudgeon
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,191
From: Perry, GA
A bit further reading on that here from this excerpt of a book called Autonomous State: The Epic Struggle for a Canadian Car Industry from OPEC to ...
By Dimitry Anastakis
http://books.google.com/books?id=nt-...201969&f=false
By Dimitry Anastakis
http://books.google.com/books?id=nt-...201969&f=false
Just an Olds Guy
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 24,528
From: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Yes sir. Legislation is usually dry reading. My point was that the Z code being applied to some form of trim specific to the Canadian market should also be present on other factory cars designated for the Canadian market, that's all. So far it seems the Z code is a Lansing only issue and I tend to personally disqualify that it's something to do with trim that would be available to ALL A body production. Has anyone ever seen the Z code in a Delta 88, Ninety Eight, Custom Cruiser or Toronado?
Trying to remember member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,112
From: Ohio
I would start pursuing this by checking existing cars. If this is it, I would expect Z code *and* Z49 cars to have them, and others not.
Registered User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,079
From: Raleigh, NC
I'll check my backseat. What am I looking for, the metal tabs in between the cushions like new cars?
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 251
Tethers did not come in until years later. Does any of the cars with the Z have rear seat shoulder belts. Fisher body would have to put in additional anchor points for these. Rear shoulder belts were both factory and dealer installed options. In 1971 you could order front shoulder belts on a Convertible,but not in 1970 or 1972.
My 1971 W30 convert has factory installed front shoulder belts. If the owners of Z code 1970 cars check the parcel shelf underside for seat belt anchor locations.
Paul
My 1971 W30 convert has factory installed front shoulder belts. If the owners of Z code 1970 cars check the parcel shelf underside for seat belt anchor locations.
Paul
Registered User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,688
From: Delta BC Canada
Another Z
I found the broadcast card for my 1970 W-31 car today; it was attached to a spring on the underside of the back seat base. Add me to the list of those with a Z in the SPECIAL column.
IMG_20141104_164822_zps86c41c76.jpg
IMG_20141104_164822_zps86c41c76.jpg
Last edited by oldsmobiledave; Nov 4, 2014 at 08:04 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 573
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,866
From: Carrolllton Texas
My head hurts reading this thread
Maybe this has been discussed before, but since it is a Fisher thing, and there is a difference in the body shell between bucket and bench cars because of how the front seats mount to the floor, could it be that if the seat type for a given body style was different than the standard one it normally had it would get a Z? In other words, if a F-85 post car's standard equipment was a bench and it was ordered with buckets might it get a Z? Same for a 4400 442 - if it was standard equipped with buckets and a bench was selected - is it Z time? Just a shot in the dark...
Maybe this has been discussed before, but since it is a Fisher thing, and there is a difference in the body shell between bucket and bench cars because of how the front seats mount to the floor, could it be that if the seat type for a given body style was different than the standard one it normally had it would get a Z? In other words, if a F-85 post car's standard equipment was a bench and it was ordered with buckets might it get a Z? Same for a 4400 442 - if it was standard equipped with buckets and a bench was selected - is it Z time? Just a shot in the dark...
Last edited by costpenn; Jan 15, 2015 at 11:24 PM.
Sammy70 455 Supreme
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,069
From: Port Perry, Ontario
Another Z
Cowl tag ...1970 LAN built Cutlass convertible...Z977...power windows, buckets/console car, nothing else I can see that is special. How about the z refers to a specific style of door panel?...the S, Supreme, convertibles all had different styles for their interior trim:..just an idea....
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 857
From: crawfordville, florida
To ALL of My Fellow Olds Nuts: about 8 years ago I did some research about the Z "connected" to the interior trim code. Just like the example built date 02B all the numbers and letter is all connected with spaces front and rear. So the Z "connected" to the trim code indicates something "special" done to the interior that was special ordered. What that is I have not been able to find out with the info I have, which is a lot! This would have to be approved by the Zone Sales Rep. or Zone Mgr. So Z indicates something special with the interior, color, etc.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 303
From: Jackson, Michigan
To ALL of My Fellow Olds Nuts: about 8 years ago I did some research about the Z "connected" to the interior trim code. Just like the example built date 02B all the numbers and letter is all connected with spaces front and rear. So the Z "connected" to the trim code indicates something "special" done to the interior that was special ordered. What that is I have not been able to find out with the info I have, which is a lot! This would have to be approved by the Zone Sales Rep. or Zone Mgr. So Z indicates something special with the interior, color, etc.
Just an Olds Guy
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 24,528
From: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Maybe this has been discussed before, but since it is a Fisher thing, and there is a difference in the body shell between bucket and bench cars because of how the front seats mount to the floor, could it be that if the seat type for a given body style was different than the standard one it normally had it would get a Z? .
Cowl tag ...1970 LAN built Cutlass convertible...Z977...power windows, buckets/console car, nothing else I can see that is special. How about the z refers to a specific style of door panel?...the S, Supreme, convertibles all had different styles for their interior trim:..just an idea....
Door panels? I don't think so. The trim pattern is determined by the model, and the color palettes are also included in the Assembly Manual literature.
Lansing built
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,330
From: Grand Ledge, MI
We are the only ones hitting the subject hard.
Pat
Lansing built
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,330
From: Grand Ledge, MI
To add to what Dave said, The "Z" is a Fisher Body code and is used on other brands and bodies made by Fisher Body. Because it is found on the cowl tag (generated by Fisher Body) and the broadcast card (Generated by Fisher Body). I could take some guesses on what it could be, how ever I got nothing. ~BOB
Pat
