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"Z Code" cars in 1970

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Old January 20th, 2014, 05:40 PM
  #121  
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Originally Posted by paulolds
While we are on the subject of Build cards, anyone ever seen a code in the V78 box, ore the AC'T or the PP, which seems to always have a 2.
Nothing in these boxes except for the 2 in the "PP" box for me.
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Old January 21st, 2014, 07:03 AM
  #122  
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I had an e-mail from Jim at the GM heritage center. Reply "We don't know, Fisher body division is gone"

So we are back on our own!

Pat
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Old January 21st, 2014, 07:21 AM
  #123  
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We need to find a guy that 1) worked at Fisher Body in Lansing during 1970 and 2) that stamped the trim tags. Any other worker wouldn't have a clue.
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Old January 21st, 2014, 07:26 AM
  #124  
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Originally Posted by 1970cs
I had an e-mail from Jim at the GM heritage center. Reply "We don't know, Fisher body division is gone"

So we are back on our own!

Pat
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*.
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Old January 21st, 2014, 07:30 AM
  #125  
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Helen Earley would've been eager to solve this one.
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Old January 21st, 2014, 07:32 AM
  #126  
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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"
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Old January 21st, 2014, 07:53 AM
  #127  
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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
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Old January 23rd, 2014, 07:35 AM
  #128  
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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.

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Old January 23rd, 2014, 11:16 AM
  #129  
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I don't think we've seen a Z on a Vista Cruiser or Cutlass wagon yet.
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Old January 23rd, 2014, 01:00 PM
  #130  
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Originally Posted by wmachine
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?
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
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Old January 23rd, 2014, 04:11 PM
  #131  
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Originally Posted by 1970cs
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
My W30 with Z code is special order Nugget Gold, would think the wagons could have been ordered with -- paint.
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Old January 23rd, 2014, 04:22 PM
  #132  
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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?
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Old January 23rd, 2014, 04:32 PM
  #133  
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Originally Posted by Paladin31
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 seats in mine have headrest on bucket seats, has Z trim.
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Old January 23rd, 2014, 06:06 PM
  #134  
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yeah I 'believe' all 69-72 buckets had headrests...but found this interesting none the less.
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Old January 23rd, 2014, 06:11 PM
  #135  
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Originally Posted by GAOldsman
We need to find a guy that 1) worked at Fisher Body in Lansing during 1970 and 2) that stamped the trim tags. Any other worker wouldn't have a clue.
I hope to find someone, I am fighting time here, as we all know it's been 40+ years, and only 1.5 years use of Z code cowl tag and fading memories!

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
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Old January 23rd, 2014, 09:11 PM
  #136  
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Originally Posted by mmurphy77
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
Both my W30 and W31 have the same seat belt tags, Hamill model 1901 dated 8 E 70 and 49 E 69 respectively. The code after the SAE is "-J-40".
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Old January 24th, 2014, 05:03 AM
  #137  
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Headrests were mandatory starting January 1969.
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Old January 24th, 2014, 08:24 AM
  #138  
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Originally Posted by Paladin31
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?
AR1 Head Restraint Delete was an option for exports, but this has already been shot down.
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Old January 27th, 2014, 02:19 PM
  #139  
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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
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Old January 27th, 2014, 02:33 PM
  #140  
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Great sleuthing 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...
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Old January 27th, 2014, 03:10 PM
  #141  
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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.



*
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.
* source: A Chronicle of Child Passenger Safety Advances in the USA, 1965-2009
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Old January 27th, 2014, 04:55 PM
  #142  
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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
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Old January 27th, 2014, 06:28 PM
  #143  
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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?
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Old January 27th, 2014, 07:15 PM
  #144  
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Al, we know of Flint, MI (Buick), Lansing, MI (Olds) and Norwood, OH (Chevy) so far. And possibly can come up with others with a little searching.
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Old January 28th, 2014, 05:27 AM
  #145  
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Originally Posted by 1970cs
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.
This may or may not end up being what the Z is all about, but this is exactly the *type* of thing that fits the bill perfectly.
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.
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Old January 28th, 2014, 10:08 AM
  #146  
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Originally Posted by wmachine
This may or may not end up being what the Z is all about, but this is exactly the *type* of thing that fits the bill perfectly.
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.
I'll check my backseat. What am I looking for, the metal tabs in between the cushions like new cars?
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Old January 28th, 2014, 10:13 AM
  #147  
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My car has the Z49 RPO and doesn't have rear seat tether anchors.
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Old January 28th, 2014, 10:58 AM
  #148  
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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
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Old November 4th, 2014, 07:08 PM
  #149  
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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

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Old November 5th, 2014, 09:27 AM
  #150  
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Originally Posted by oldsmobiledave
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.



Very cool Dave!

Sam
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Old January 15th, 2015, 10:09 PM
  #151  
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I also have a nugget gold 442 with the z930

Originally Posted by classicmuscle.442
My '70 W30 has the Z930 code, special nugget gold paint, could it be the rear defroster?
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Old January 15th, 2015, 11:00 PM
  #152  
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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...

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Old January 15th, 2015, 11:36 PM
  #153  
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Z

Viewed a 71 w30 convert today at RM auction in Phoenix. It has Z970 on cowl tag. Car was Mar 71 build with buckets,black int. Sold new in US. I still maintain its a Fisher Body trim code.
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Old January 16th, 2015, 03:44 AM
  #154  
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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....
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Old January 16th, 2015, 07:51 PM
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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.
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Old January 17th, 2015, 06:04 AM
  #156  
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Originally Posted by davebw31
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.
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
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Old January 17th, 2015, 10:23 AM
  #157  
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Has anyone bothered to see if any other GM brand experts know what the Z is? I reckon it's used for GTOs, Chevelles, and GSs?
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Old January 17th, 2015, 12:00 PM
  #158  
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Originally Posted by costpenn
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? .
I doubt it. I've seen plenty of Cutlass S and base Cutlass that have factory ordered bucket seats and no Z code.

Originally Posted by sammy
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....
CS vert came with A51 buckets standard, and A65 split bench as a no charge option, so the seat query doesn't appear to hold any water here.

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.
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Old January 17th, 2015, 04:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Diego
Has anyone bothered to see if any other GM brand experts know what the Z is? I reckon it's used for GTOs, Chevelles, and GSs?
I had posts from the tri-sheild group permalinks 85/97 and the arrow group #103 They seem to have ask the question, with hardly any real answers.

We are the only ones hitting the subject hard.

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Old January 17th, 2015, 04:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Carshinebob
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
Bob, you have had better than hundred Olds A bodies apart! Have you ever noticed anything trim our underlying interior body differences? Of course now that you are aware of it you will be paying attention more.

Pat
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