Can anybody decode a protect-o-plate for me. I bought my grandfather's 67 cutlass supreme that he bought new in december of 66 and it has the protect-o-plate but i cant find how to read it. It says...

980-CC 338177M197131
W368872G OSC Z
MK079D 03100

Thanks.

 

Those are secret codes only accessible by members of a super secret high level society of Olds Geeks.

Actually, I am sure someone here will be able to help you out. We have quite a few members that have access to a lot of good research material. Welcome to CO! and we look forward to hearing more about your grandfather's Oldsmobile.

 

X2

Odds are W machine will answer you today.

 

Welcome!
I can give you a full breakdown of that, but it may not be until late tomorrow. Hang in there!

 

Welcome, what a great hand-me-down. Better then a watch. Its always great to see an Olds kept in the family

 

980 2 Dr Hardtop with Black interior and Bench Seat

CC Provincial White Exterior (Upper and Lower Body)

338 = Cutlass Supreme 17 = 2 Door Sedan 7 = 1967 model year
M = Lansing Michigan production plant
197131 = the 97131 car built at this plant.

W368872G Engine Number (should be a 330cid 4bbl - engine block may have been produced in late 66 because is has W prefix)

OSF Axle number "O" rear diff with a 3:23 locker rear with drum brakes.

Z is the Build Month - December 1966 (Ha, I was right!!)

MK079D is the transmission type and serial number(MK is Jetaway Automatic = also built in 1966)

031000 is the accessory group the car was produced with
Power steering / power brakes (option group N40/J50) and Deluxe Radio (option U63)

 

Wow, great break down Allen!
Makes me want to get mine out and decifer it!

 

thanks for the help guys. A little more about the car...It has been sitting for about 8 or 9 years. Not in overall bad shape. Gotta do a little to it to get it back running then i am sure i will have more questions. There is some rust on the bumpers and the front of the hood is rusted out. Little rust behind the front tires on the bottom of the quarter panels. It was never drove much. Papa owned a farm and only drove the car some if they got to go on vacation. It only has 41,000 miles on it. Was running when it was parked now i gotta get it back running.
Again, thanks for the quick help.

 

You're very welcome. When you get a chance, post some pics so we can see what kind of problems you may be working with. Welcome to the site and best of luck with your project. There are lots of guys who can help you find parts or give you great technical information you might need to get the car running again.

 

Here are a couple of pictures that i took before i moved it out of the barn where it sit for nearly 10 years untouched.
frontpassenger.jpgreardriver.jpg
engine.jpginteriorfront.jpg

Here it is after a decent hand washing. The rust streaks will come off with some scrubbing. You can see some of the rust on the nose of the hood.
Cleanedfront.jpgCleanedrear.jpg


I have several more pictures but i didnt see any need to post them all now.

 

Nice project car. Good luck with restoring it. Lots of guys on site who have been there and done that so you will find lots of good advice when you start asking questions. Good luck

 

I had another guy look at the protect-o-plate and said every thing yall told me except he said it had 3.08 gears, open rear end, and just am radio. I dont know how to read the thing, i just want to be sure what is in it.

 

See if this helps with a proper ID of your rear axle.

 

That "another guy" was me. Let me clarify:

1. Allen, you miscopied the code on the rear. 85CJ7 gave us "OSC", not "OSF".
SC is a 3.08 open.

2. There is only one AM radio. The plain ole AM radio was called a "Deluxe Radio". It was a marketing thing to make you feel good!

 

Wmechine
Good Catch. I didn't notice that; it was an honest mistake. Sorry for the wrong info on the axle 85cj7.

 

its no problem I just wanted to know for sure what i had before i started doing any work on it.
Thanks again for all the quick answers.