"Z Code" cars in 1970
#1
"Z Code" cars in 1970
This was started on costpenn's W-30 thread and didn't want to hijack his thread.
I understand that there is no factory documentation to what this Z is for but just wanted to see if a couple people could post the interior and exterior color of there Z code cars. My dad and I were talking to a guy that was working for Oldsmobile. This was in the late 80's. We ask him what that Z was for. He had told us that it should be found on cars that had an interior color that was special ordered that would not typically go with the exterior color. The reason we asked him is because we had a car with the Z. When he told us that we assumed it was true because our car with the Z was sebring yellow with light blue stripes and blue interior. I talked to my dad today to see if we could remember who it was that told us that. I thought it was a Don Yeager but he didn't think that was the guy and can't remember.
For several years i thought this was true because of how this all took place but now I don't tend to believe much till it can be proven for sure. Just to see, it may be interesting if some of you with a Z could post your color combos.
I understand that there is no factory documentation to what this Z is for but just wanted to see if a couple people could post the interior and exterior color of there Z code cars. My dad and I were talking to a guy that was working for Oldsmobile. This was in the late 80's. We ask him what that Z was for. He had told us that it should be found on cars that had an interior color that was special ordered that would not typically go with the exterior color. The reason we asked him is because we had a car with the Z. When he told us that we assumed it was true because our car with the Z was sebring yellow with light blue stripes and blue interior. I talked to my dad today to see if we could remember who it was that told us that. I thought it was a Don Yeager but he didn't think that was the guy and can't remember.
For several years i thought this was true because of how this all took place but now I don't tend to believe much till it can be proven for sure. Just to see, it may be interesting if some of you with a Z could post your color combos.
#5
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Interior trim blue code colors for the 70 442s were:
903 (3277 model)
943 (3677/3687 A52 equipped)
933 (3677/3687 A51 equipped)
EDIT: Image and question removed. Kurt - thanks I wasn't sure what that Z was being referred to. Do you know what thread that discussion was on?
903 (3277 model)
943 (3677/3687 A52 equipped)
933 (3677/3687 A51 equipped)
EDIT: Image and question removed. Kurt - thanks I wasn't sure what that Z was being referred to. Do you know what thread that discussion was on?
Last edited by Allan R; January 1st, 2014 at 07:34 PM. Reason: add "blue code'
#7
Okay thanks for the reference pics.
The first one is a Sherwood Green Cutlass with green interior so that matches the factory recommended combo
The second one is a Matador Red 442 with black interior and that matches the factory recommended combo
And the third one is a Copper Cutlass with a brown vinyl top and gold interior that is not a factory recommended combo
Things that make you go hmmmmm
The first one is a Sherwood Green Cutlass with green interior so that matches the factory recommended combo
The second one is a Matador Red 442 with black interior and that matches the factory recommended combo
And the third one is a Copper Cutlass with a brown vinyl top and gold interior that is not a factory recommended combo
Things that make you go hmmmmm
#8
Okay looking at the old thread from 2009, 344870M posted his broadcast card and it has the Z in the SPCL box for the trim.
Which should be special order or something different than the norm.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...code-help.html
Which should be special order or something different than the norm.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...code-help.html
#9
Just moved my post over here from that thread too........
Very interesting about the "Z" on the cowl tag so I checked my W cars........
Oct 69 built W30 - has the "Z"
Jan 70 built W31 - has the "Z"
Jun 70 built W30 - NO "Z"
The "Z" cars above were both delivered in Canada and both cars are column shift. Nothing else is the same between the two cars.
Out of the "Z" cars I have, both do not have deluxe belts and 1 has interior lighting (Y60option) and the other doesn't.
The Z cars I have....the W30 is Burnished Gold with White buckets and the W31 is Twilight Blue with a Blue bench (both column shift). I have the Canadian docs for these cars.
The car that does NOT have the Z is Azure Blue with Blue buckets and was NOT delivered to Canada.
Z maybe means.....delete something???
Happy Holidays!
Sam
Very interesting about the "Z" on the cowl tag so I checked my W cars........
Oct 69 built W30 - has the "Z"
Jan 70 built W31 - has the "Z"
Jun 70 built W30 - NO "Z"
The "Z" cars above were both delivered in Canada and both cars are column shift. Nothing else is the same between the two cars.
Out of the "Z" cars I have, both do not have deluxe belts and 1 has interior lighting (Y60option) and the other doesn't.
The Z cars I have....the W30 is Burnished Gold with White buckets and the W31 is Twilight Blue with a Blue bench (both column shift). I have the Canadian docs for these cars.
The car that does NOT have the Z is Azure Blue with Blue buckets and was NOT delivered to Canada.
Z maybe means.....delete something???
Happy Holidays!
Sam
Last edited by 72xw30; January 2nd, 2014 at 09:20 AM.
#11
No Headrests?
See: http://www.camaros.org/numbers.shtml#CowlTag
Field e - interior trim code
The first three digits of the trim ("TR") code are a unique (for each year) interior color and type code that indicate the color and standard or custom interior.
1967 tags also have a hyphenated suffix that indicate seat and headrest type:
Z - standard A50 Strato Bucket seats (no headrest)
Some sort of trim molding?
See: http://chevellestuff.net/tech/articl...gs/tt_1968.htm
On at least all 13227, 13427, and 13480 series trim tags to date, a 1-character ("Z") or 2-character ("XZ") code follows the trim number. The apparently has something to do with some sort exterior trim moldings but just what isn't known at this time.
My 70 W30 does not have a "Z", I'll check the other '70's I have when it stops raining.
Steve
See: http://www.camaros.org/numbers.shtml#CowlTag
Field e - interior trim code
The first three digits of the trim ("TR") code are a unique (for each year) interior color and type code that indicate the color and standard or custom interior.
1967 tags also have a hyphenated suffix that indicate seat and headrest type:
Z - standard A50 Strato Bucket seats (no headrest)
Some sort of trim molding?
See: http://chevellestuff.net/tech/articl...gs/tt_1968.htm
On at least all 13227, 13427, and 13480 series trim tags to date, a 1-character ("Z") or 2-character ("XZ") code follows the trim number. The apparently has something to do with some sort exterior trim moldings but just what isn't known at this time.
My 70 W30 does not have a "Z", I'll check the other '70's I have when it stops raining.
Steve
#12
No Headrests?
See: http://www.camaros.org/numbers.shtml#CowlTag
Field e - interior trim code
The first three digits of the trim ("TR") code are a unique (for each year) interior color and type code that indicate the color and standard or custom interior.
1967 tags also have a hyphenated suffix that indicate seat and headrest type:
Z - standard A50 Strato Bucket seats (no headrest)
Some sort of trim molding?
See: http://chevellestuff.net/tech/articl...gs/tt_1968.htm
On at least all 13227, 13427, and 13480 series trim tags to date, a 1-character ("Z") or 2-character ("XZ") code follows the trim number. The apparently has something to do with some sort exterior trim moldings but just what isn't known at this time.
My 70 W30 does not have a "Z", I'll check the other '70's I have when it stops raining.
Steve
See: http://www.camaros.org/numbers.shtml#CowlTag
Field e - interior trim code
The first three digits of the trim ("TR") code are a unique (for each year) interior color and type code that indicate the color and standard or custom interior.
1967 tags also have a hyphenated suffix that indicate seat and headrest type:
Z - standard A50 Strato Bucket seats (no headrest)
Some sort of trim molding?
See: http://chevellestuff.net/tech/articl...gs/tt_1968.htm
On at least all 13227, 13427, and 13480 series trim tags to date, a 1-character ("Z") or 2-character ("XZ") code follows the trim number. The apparently has something to do with some sort exterior trim moldings but just what isn't known at this time.
My 70 W30 does not have a "Z", I'll check the other '70's I have when it stops raining.
Steve
Cheers,
Sam
#13
No Headrests?
See: http://www.camaros.org/numbers.shtml#CowlTag
Field e - interior trim code
The first three digits of the trim ("TR") code are a unique (for each year) interior color and type code that indicate the color and standard or custom interior.
1967 tags also have a hyphenated suffix that indicate seat and headrest type:
Z - standard A50 Strato Bucket seats (no headrest)
Some sort of trim molding?
See: http://chevellestuff.net/tech/articl...gs/tt_1968.htm
On at least all 13227, 13427, and 13480 series trim tags to date, a 1-character ("Z") or 2-character ("XZ") code follows the trim number. The apparently has something to do with some sort exterior trim moldings but just what isn't known at this time.
Steve
See: http://www.camaros.org/numbers.shtml#CowlTag
Field e - interior trim code
The first three digits of the trim ("TR") code are a unique (for each year) interior color and type code that indicate the color and standard or custom interior.
1967 tags also have a hyphenated suffix that indicate seat and headrest type:
Z - standard A50 Strato Bucket seats (no headrest)
Some sort of trim molding?
See: http://chevellestuff.net/tech/articl...gs/tt_1968.htm
On at least all 13227, 13427, and 13480 series trim tags to date, a 1-character ("Z") or 2-character ("XZ") code follows the trim number. The apparently has something to do with some sort exterior trim moldings but just what isn't known at this time.
Steve
And note the all of the "additional" letters were to the right of the trim number, not to the left like the Z always is. Olds also used additional codes for the seat types in earlier years.
Keep the ideas coming!
#14
I am just glad to see what I was told has a definite answer. It has been stuck in my head for years. Does anyone know who this Don Yeager is? That is a name that has been stuck in my head for years also. I know he had something to do with Oldsmobile.
#15
His explanation doesn't even make sense. The interior and exterior color codes are on the tag. You need a third one to tell you they don't go together?
But let's run his answer up the flagpole while we're at it. Maybe the answer is close to what he was saying. The stripe color is not on the tag, so does it somehow have to do with the stripes?
#16
In relation to the stripes on my "Z" cars.....
The 70W30 with the "Z" has black stripes with Burnished Gold exterior and Pearl bucket interior.
The 70W31 with the "Z" has blue stripes with Twilight Blue exterior and Blue bench interior.(post car)
Sam
The 70W30 with the "Z" has black stripes with Burnished Gold exterior and Pearl bucket interior.
The 70W31 with the "Z" has blue stripes with Twilight Blue exterior and Blue bench interior.(post car)
Sam
Just moved my post over here from that thread too........
Very interesting about the "Z" on the cowl tag so I checked my W cars........
Oct 69 built W30 - has the "Z"
Jan 70 built W31 - has the "Z"
Jun 70 built W30 - NO "Z"
The "Z" cars above were both delivered in Canada and both cars are column shift. Nothing else is the same between the two cars.
Out of the "Z" cars I have, both do not have deluxe belts and 1 has interior lighting (Y60option) and the other doesn't.
The Z cars I have....the W30 is Burnished Gold with White buckets and the W31 is Twilight Blue with a Blue bench (both column shift). I have the Canadian docs for these cars.
The car that does NOT have the Z is Azure Blue with Blue buckets and was NOT delivered to Canada.
Z maybe means.....delete something???
Happy Holidays!
Sam
Very interesting about the "Z" on the cowl tag so I checked my W cars........
Oct 69 built W30 - has the "Z"
Jan 70 built W31 - has the "Z"
Jun 70 built W30 - NO "Z"
The "Z" cars above were both delivered in Canada and both cars are column shift. Nothing else is the same between the two cars.
Out of the "Z" cars I have, both do not have deluxe belts and 1 has interior lighting (Y60option) and the other doesn't.
The Z cars I have....the W30 is Burnished Gold with White buckets and the W31 is Twilight Blue with a Blue bench (both column shift). I have the Canadian docs for these cars.
The car that does NOT have the Z is Azure Blue with Blue buckets and was NOT delivered to Canada.
Z maybe means.....delete something???
Happy Holidays!
Sam
#17
Might be cool if we could get everyone who has a Z code to uniformly answer the following questions, for each car that they have, so as to look for a pattern. Besides the standard basic info, these are things I think that might cause some kind of interior trim equipment difference:
1) Year & Build Date
2) Assy Plant
3) Body Style (Hardtop/Post/ Conv)
4) Exterior Upper Color - (code)
5) Exterior Lower Color - (code)
6) Interior Color - (code)
7) Bench or Bucket?
8) Tinted Windows?
9) Seat Belt Standard Or Deluxe?
10) Transmission
11) Radio - AM or FM or Delete
12) Rear Speaker?
13) A/C, Heater or Delete?
14) Carpeting, or Base Mat?
15) Floor Mats?
16) Console?
17) Package Tray Material?
18) B85 Molding?
I'll put all the answers on a spreadsheet to help with the analysis if anyone wants to go to this trouble.
1) Year & Build Date
2) Assy Plant
3) Body Style (Hardtop/Post/ Conv)
4) Exterior Upper Color - (code)
5) Exterior Lower Color - (code)
6) Interior Color - (code)
7) Bench or Bucket?
8) Tinted Windows?
9) Seat Belt Standard Or Deluxe?
10) Transmission
11) Radio - AM or FM or Delete
12) Rear Speaker?
13) A/C, Heater or Delete?
14) Carpeting, or Base Mat?
15) Floor Mats?
16) Console?
17) Package Tray Material?
18) B85 Molding?
I'll put all the answers on a spreadsheet to help with the analysis if anyone wants to go to this trouble.
Last edited by costpenn; January 2nd, 2014 at 12:55 PM.
#18
So you want to find him and tell him that it took you a while, but you finally figured out he was fibbing to you?
His explanation doesn't even make sense. The interior and exterior color codes are on the tag. You need a third one to tell you they don't go together?
But let's run his answer up the flagpole while we're at it. Maybe the answer is close to what he was saying. The stripe color is not on the tag, so does it somehow have to do with the stripes?
His explanation doesn't even make sense. The interior and exterior color codes are on the tag. You need a third one to tell you they don't go together?
But let's run his answer up the flagpole while we're at it. Maybe the answer is close to what he was saying. The stripe color is not on the tag, so does it somehow have to do with the stripes?
#20
Out of the 4 Canadian W documented cars I have only the 72 has the Z49 (mandatory Canadian base equip.modifications) option listed on the paperwork.
However, all 4 cars do have the Y68 (convenience group) listed on the documents.
Have a great night.
Cheers,
Sam
However, all 4 cars do have the Y68 (convenience group) listed on the documents.
Have a great night.
Cheers,
Sam
Last edited by 72xw30; January 3rd, 2014 at 09:53 AM.
#21
#22
The cars that have the "Z" on the cowl tag do NOT have the Z49 listed on the Canadian documents. All 4 cars have the MPH speedo.
Sam
#23
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Pat, IIRC Canada didn't implement the km/hr speedo until around 1976 so it's not that. The info in the glove box (owners manual, warranty card, protecto plate etc was part of the Z49 Mandatory Canadian Base Equipment Modifications). Even my 72 Cutlass S came with the Z49 package, but doesn't have Z trim codes. My Dad bought a 76 Malibu Classic that year and it was the first time we'd seen the 'dual' range speedos. BTW up here the km/hr is the larger of the numbers whereas in the US it's the smaller (blue) ones.
#24
#27
Apparently a 1971 Lansing Cutlass Convertible with the Z.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...tml#post635916
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...tml#post635916
#28
Summarizing, we now have this code showing up in non-W cars and also a '71.
#29
Z Code
My 70 W30 Canadian imported car has the TR Z930 identification(ie: black buckets, etc).
In my 40+ years of having/restoring Olds A bodies, I have seen cars with/without the Z but never thought much about it.
After speaking with Sam(72XW30) & thinking about the "Z" and that it precludes the interior trim number, I think it could possibly be the ID for
the plastic chrome bead that surrounds the dashpad. I have seen cars with/without this bead.
Anyone have a car without the Z and no dashpad bead?
Just my 2 cents.
Derek(Dick)
In my 40+ years of having/restoring Olds A bodies, I have seen cars with/without the Z but never thought much about it.
After speaking with Sam(72XW30) & thinking about the "Z" and that it precludes the interior trim number, I think it could possibly be the ID for
the plastic chrome bead that surrounds the dashpad. I have seen cars with/without this bead.
Anyone have a car without the Z and no dashpad bead?
Just my 2 cents.
Derek(Dick)
#30
Does anyone know if there is a "default" interior color for every exterior color? In other words, there are recommended interior colors based on exterior color, but is one always the standard unless another recommended color is chosen? Might the Z indicate another recommended color?
#31
Hi I have a z code 71 cutlass convertible. 1. 71 second week of may
2. Lansing
3. Conv
4 pnt code is 68 e
6. Tr z989
7.bench w armrest
8. No tinted windows
9.standard seat belts
10. 350 th
11. Dont know what radio it came with
12. N/a. Because its a conv.
13. Has a heater
14. Brown carpet
15. ?
16. No
17. No
18. No
I bought the car Last year in buffalo new york which is very close to the Canadian border. The only options it has is power steering and power drum brakes.
2. Lansing
3. Conv
4 pnt code is 68 e
6. Tr z989
7.bench w armrest
8. No tinted windows
9.standard seat belts
10. 350 th
11. Dont know what radio it came with
12. N/a. Because its a conv.
13. Has a heater
14. Brown carpet
15. ?
16. No
17. No
18. No
I bought the car Last year in buffalo new york which is very close to the Canadian border. The only options it has is power steering and power drum brakes.
#35
Z code is actually a vibrating driver side seat
#36
Z Code
I don't know the percentages & think we will never know how many the factory did.
We need to know about non Z code cars with no bead.
Also, believe there were two types of beads. Old type was glued in & newer type had plastic pins. As the original beads are 40+ years old, most have yellowed, broke, shrunk & a lot have fallen off. There maybe Z codes out there with no bead, but if there is glue residue or pin holes this indicates that there originally was a bead.
For info, these beads are repoped with pins.
We need to know about non Z code cars with no bead.
Also, believe there were two types of beads. Old type was glued in & newer type had plastic pins. As the original beads are 40+ years old, most have yellowed, broke, shrunk & a lot have fallen off. There maybe Z codes out there with no bead, but if there is glue residue or pin holes this indicates that there originally was a bead.
For info, these beads are repoped with pins.
#38
My Canadian documented 1970 W30 and W31 cars both have the the Z code. Focusing on the interior:the W31 does not have the chrome dash bead, has standard seat belts, black bucket and 4 speed console interior (common on -- Ralley Red cars), no sound insulation, standard AM radio, no rear defogger, no ralley pac, deluxe steering wheel. The W30 has the chrome dash bead, standard bucket seats auto console (gold interior common on bamboo cars) AM/Fm 8 track, rear defogger, no ralley pac, deluxe steering wheel, Heater , no AC same as all W31's. So what is common to both, deluxe wheel, no ralley pac, buckets and console, heater no AC. We know that buckets and console, heater no AC, were common on many Z coded and non Z coded cars. I know of serveral Ralley 350 Z coded cars, with Rally steering wheels and U21 gauges.
I have to come back to the observation that so many of these Lansing built Z coded cars were sold new in Canada. On the west coast of Canada in 1970, most non W Cutlass/ 442 sold new here were Freemont cars ( the other Z code .
I have to come back to the observation that so many of these Lansing built Z coded cars were sold new in Canada. On the west coast of Canada in 1970, most non W Cutlass/ 442 sold new here were Freemont cars ( the other Z code .