"Rare" Options
#121
Optional Rim Blower steering wheel
An unrestored 1970 Cutlass/442 rim blow steering wheel. There are no horn contacts under the center pad. There is a rubber ring on the inner circumference of the rim. It can be squeezed anywhere to operate the horn. Both hands can stay on the wheel in an emergency situation. (for sale if anyone is interested)
#122
#123
#124
I have yet to see a car come up for auction that isn't fully loaded with these "rare" options. Seems that the first thing anyone does anymore in a resto is to pile on every option in the book. Kinda defeats the whole "rarity" thing...
I'm sure I've mentioned previously that my 68 W-30 really is loaded with options, and is totally unrestored (and currently very trashed). I guess I'll have to document that before I start the resto, to lend credibility to the fact that these options were all factory installed (power seat, power windows, UHV). On the other hand, both my 70 W-30 and 69 H/O are totally devoid of options, and will stay that way. Who wants a 70 W-30 with AT, PB, and A/C - and the less radical cam?
I'm sure I've mentioned previously that my 68 W-30 really is loaded with options, and is totally unrestored (and currently very trashed). I guess I'll have to document that before I start the resto, to lend credibility to the fact that these options were all factory installed (power seat, power windows, UHV). On the other hand, both my 70 W-30 and 69 H/O are totally devoid of options, and will stay that way. Who wants a 70 W-30 with AT, PB, and A/C - and the less radical cam?
UHV High Capasitor Discharge Ignition
Rally Pac
AC
Power Drivers Bucket
Passanger Bucket Recline
Power Breaks
Power Antenna
Rear Defoger
Remote Rearview Mirror
Cruse / Tilt Steering Wheel???
#125
All of those were available options on a 1967 442, as shown on the page from the SPECS booklet that I've included at the bottom. That's an incredibly highly optioned car if those were all factory-installed. The RPO codes are as follows:
RPO K88 - UHV High Capasitor Discharge Ignition
RPO U21 - Rally Pac
RPO C60 - AC
RPO A46 - Power Drivers Bucket
RPO A70 - Passanger Bucket Recline
RPO J50 - Power Brakes (J52 with disks)
RPO U75 - Power Antenna
RPO C50 - Rear Defoger
RPO D33 - Remote Rearview Mirror
RPO N33 - Tilt Steering Wheel
RPO K30 - Cruise Control
RPO K88 - UHV High Capasitor Discharge Ignition
RPO U21 - Rally Pac
RPO C60 - AC
RPO A46 - Power Drivers Bucket
RPO A70 - Passanger Bucket Recline
RPO J50 - Power Brakes (J52 with disks)
RPO U75 - Power Antenna
RPO C50 - Rear Defoger
RPO D33 - Remote Rearview Mirror
RPO N33 - Tilt Steering Wheel
RPO K30 - Cruise Control
#127
Why do you think it was "born" with HEI? Considering that GM didn't release the large-cap HEI distributor on production cars until May 1974, I'd say the chances that the car was "born" with it are slim to none.
#130
#133
#134
I found the carcass of a 1970 98 today in a yard. It had been heavily stripped but still had the interior Hood lock option on it. I had never seen one of these in a big car before. It was the correct one piece cable unit for 1970. The hood core support was completely gone so I don't know what the latch looked like.
#135
I found the carcass of a 1970 98 today in a yard. It had been heavily stripped but still had the interior Hood lock option on it. I had never seen one of these in a big car before. It was the correct one piece cable unit for 1970. The hood core support was completely gone so I don't know what the latch looked like.
#136
Hello, I have a question concerning rare options...
Is this a genuine Oldsmobile option for 1968?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Oldsmobile-...p2047675.l2557
I would like to see some factory literature which supports this but I have found nothing.
However, the option appears in Buick brochures.
Cowl-mounted in '67,
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/bsYAA...F2/s-l1600.jpg
fender-mounted in '68.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/8lwAA...C-/s-l1600.jpg
Would the Oldsmobile unit also be fender-mounted for '68 (due to the hidden wipers, I assume)? Could someone hint at some factory literature that would prove it?
Is this a genuine Oldsmobile option for 1968?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Oldsmobile-...p2047675.l2557
I would like to see some factory literature which supports this but I have found nothing.
However, the option appears in Buick brochures.
Cowl-mounted in '67,
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/bsYAA...F2/s-l1600.jpg
fender-mounted in '68.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/8lwAA...C-/s-l1600.jpg
Would the Oldsmobile unit also be fender-mounted for '68 (due to the hidden wipers, I assume)? Could someone hint at some factory literature that would prove it?
#137
Well, the box clearly says it's Oldsmobile...
It was not a factory-available option in 67 or 68. The package in the ebay ad appears to be a dealer-installed package with all the required retrofit equipment. Unfortunately, I cannot find any reference to a dealer-installed Guide-Matic package in those years. The accessories lists I can find do not list it.
#138
I have a '66 - '67 - '68 parts and accessories catalog. Guide-Matic accessory packages are listed for all three years. I had a '68 kit when I had my '68 Delta Custom. Yes, it would have mounted on the fender. I never got around to installing it. When I bought my '67 98, I traded the '68 kit for a '67 kit. It mounted on the cowl in front of the wipers. It never worked...
#139
I have a '66 - '67 - '68 parts and accessories catalog. Guide-Matic accessory packages are listed for all three years. I had a '68 kit when I had my '68 Delta Custom. Yes, it would have mounted on the fender. I never got around to installing it. When I bought my '67 98, I traded the '68 kit for a '67 kit. It mounted on the cowl in front of the wipers. It never worked...
Thanks for the info. The only accessories info I had access to was the accessories pages in the Parts Book. The Jan 1972 version doesn't show the Guide-Matic, but it could have been dropped from the system by then.
#140
I have a '66 - '67 - '68 parts and accessories catalog. Guide-Matic accessory packages are listed for all three years. I had a '68 kit when I had my '68 Delta Custom. Yes, it would have mounted on the fender. I never got around to installing it. When I bought my '67 98, I traded the '68 kit for a '67 kit. It mounted on the cowl in front of the wipers. It never worked...
Thanks a lot. This was exactly what I wanted to know!
I have some further questions concerning this issue:
) You mention the "'66 - '67 - '68 parts and accessories catalog". I have googled for it but was unable to find it. I would like to get a copy but the usual sources for factory literature do not have it! Do you have the exact title or maybe a picture of the cover?
) Is the guidematic eye mounted directly in front of the driver's side a-pillar? Is it supposed to be painted or is it chromed? The only reference that I have found is this Electra:
http://www.oldbug.com/68yonce.htm
) Does your literature also list the Auto Level Control for 1968? The Pontiac catalog for that years lists also the Superlift Shocks plus the underhood compressor (as a dealer-only installation). The Oldsmobile optional specifications booklet that I have only mentions the Superlift Shocks. Manual, I assume...
But according to Delco ads you could get ALC in an Oldsmobile... Confusing!
http://oldcarbrochures.org/index.php...essories-28-29
https://books.google.de/books?id=jdQ...rol%22&f=false
Sorry for being so inquisitive but this really bothers me.
#141
My parts catalog looks like this...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-1967-1...ALOG.TRS0.TSS0
This is just the illustration section. I have illustration and text, which has a red cover. Mine covers '66 thru '68, and there might be some '69 stuff in there.
On a '68 it would be mounted the same place as on that Buick. On a '67 it is mounted dead center on the cowl grille. Both of the ones I had were chrome, and kind of dull. The one I had installed on my '67 I had painted. I was concerned about reflection.
There are listings for SuperLift kits, but only for '66 and '67 - One for Vista Cruisers, one for F-85 models and one for full-size cars. None for Toronados. The listings say "Shock Abs. Pkg., super lift (rear - auto).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-1967-1...ALOG.TRS0.TSS0
This is just the illustration section. I have illustration and text, which has a red cover. Mine covers '66 thru '68, and there might be some '69 stuff in there.
On a '68 it would be mounted the same place as on that Buick. On a '67 it is mounted dead center on the cowl grille. Both of the ones I had were chrome, and kind of dull. The one I had installed on my '67 I had painted. I was concerned about reflection.
There are listings for SuperLift kits, but only for '66 and '67 - One for Vista Cruisers, one for F-85 models and one for full-size cars. None for Toronados. The listings say "Shock Abs. Pkg., super lift (rear - auto).
Last edited by Oldsfan; July 16th, 2018 at 09:28 AM.
#142
I don't know about Delco ads, but the 1966 SPECS booklet shows RPO G67 Automatic Level Control available on all A, B, and C-body cars except with the 442 option. It's also shown in the Assembly Manual and in Chapter 15 of the CSM. ALC was NOT available on the Toro in 1966, however airlift shocks (RPO G66) were an available option. Note that G67 was a one-year-only option. In the 1967 model year, only G66 airlift shocks were offered on all model lines.
We've talked about the Delco kits before. The retrofit Jac Pac kits were not automatic but had an under dash control panel that let you dial the pressure provided from an on-board, vacuum-operated pump.
#143
My parts catalog looks like this...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-1967-1...ALOG.TRS0.TSS0
This is just the illustration section. I have illustration and text, which has a red cover. Mine covers '66 thru '68, and there might be some '69 stuff in there.
On a '68 it would be mounted the same place as on that Buick. On a '67 it is mounted dead center on the cowl grille. Both of the ones I had were chrome, and kind of dull. The one I had installed on my '67 I had painted. I was concerned about reflection.
There are listings for SuperLift kits, but only for '66 and '67 - One for Vista Cruisers, one for F-85 models and one for full-size cars. None for Toronados. The listings say "Shock Abs. Pkg., super lift (rear - auto).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-1967-1...ALOG.TRS0.TSS0
This is just the illustration section. I have illustration and text, which has a red cover. Mine covers '66 thru '68, and there might be some '69 stuff in there.
On a '68 it would be mounted the same place as on that Buick. On a '67 it is mounted dead center on the cowl grille. Both of the ones I had were chrome, and kind of dull. The one I had installed on my '67 I had painted. I was concerned about reflection.
There are listings for SuperLift kits, but only for '66 and '67 - One for Vista Cruisers, one for F-85 models and one for full-size cars. None for Toronados. The listings say "Shock Abs. Pkg., super lift (rear - auto).
Thanks! Do you mean this catalog?
https://www.ebay.de/itm/1968-69-1970...from=R40&rt=nc
Is the Guidematic included in your parts catalog?
I don't know about Delco ads, but the 1966 SPECS booklet shows RPO G67 Automatic Level Control available on all A, B, and C-body cars except with the 442 option. It's also shown in the Assembly Manual and in Chapter 15 of the CSM. ALC was NOT available on the Toro in 1966, however airlift shocks (RPO G66) were an available option. Note that G67 was a one-year-only option. In the 1967 model year, only G66 airlift shocks were offered on all model lines.
We've talked about the Delco kits before. The retrofit Jac Pac kits were not automatic but had an under dash control panel that let you dial the pressure provided from an on-board, vacuum-operated pump.
We've talked about the Delco kits before. The retrofit Jac Pac kits were not automatic but had an under dash control panel that let you dial the pressure provided from an on-board, vacuum-operated pump.
Thanks for the hint and the helpful information. The Jac Pac is very interesting but an Oldsmobike-authorized dealer accessory would be preferable. I search for the smoking gun that lists those items as dealer accessories. Just like the Buick fold-out. Interestingly both options are not listed in Buick's regular brochure but in the fold-out that depicts the authorized accessories. So I hoped there could be a similar brochure for '68 Oldsmobiles.
#144
There were annual dealer equipment brochures. Check with literature dealers like Faxon and Al Sandy.
Edit: Troxels has the 67 Options and Accessories brochure for sale here.
#146
That model must've taken 20 minutes to do her hair, and another 20 for those sandals.
We can't do these sorts of photos today, since we wouldn't be able to find a 110 lb model that would safely sit up there without damaging the car.
We can't do these sorts of photos today, since we wouldn't be able to find a 110 lb model that would safely sit up there without damaging the car.
#147
#148
Thanks! Do you mean this catalog?
https://www.ebay.de/itm/1968-69-1970...from=R40&rt=nc
Is the Guidematic included in your parts catalog?
https://www.ebay.de/itm/1968-69-1970...from=R40&rt=nc
Is the Guidematic included in your parts catalog?
My catalogs were printed in December 1967 and includes everything for 1966, 1967 and 1968 (up through that printing date).
Yes, the GuideMatic is included in the accessory section of the catalog.
I have one of those '67 accessory sales catalogs. Can't remember if I have a '68. There were smaller ones put in the owner's manual packets in '69 and '70.
#149
It's not even a good resource. Here's an example. The only BBO cylinder heads listed in that 1983 edition are J and K heads. The K heads are shown as superseding all performance applications (D, F, and H) and the J heads are shown for all other applications. How is this useful? Nearly all of the important parts for 1960s cars had been either superseded or dropped entirely by that printing and are not in the document.
#153
No. That catalog is a good resource, but it was printed in 1983 and includes what was still available up through 1975. There is a LOT of stuff that was discontinued before that 1983 that does NOT appear in that catalog.
My catalogs were printed in December 1967 and includes everything for 1966, 1967 and 1968 (up through that printing date).
Yes, the GuideMatic is included in the accessory section of the catalog.
I have one of those '67 accessory sales catalogs. Can't remember if I have a '68. There were smaller ones put in the owner's manual packets in '69 and '70.
My catalogs were printed in December 1967 and includes everything for 1966, 1967 and 1968 (up through that printing date).
Yes, the GuideMatic is included in the accessory section of the catalog.
I have one of those '67 accessory sales catalogs. Can't remember if I have a '68. There were smaller ones put in the owner's manual packets in '69 and '70.
Do you have a picture of the cover? I would like to scan Ebay for it but have found nothing which matches your description...
Thanks. This can be found on Ebay. I am going to order it!
#154
Still not that rare, at least not in the 1960s. RPO D99, Finish, Two Tone, available at least through the 1973 model year. Of course, nearly all of those cars have been repainted one color by now. My dad bought a brand new 1965 F-85 that was blue with a white painted top. My 68 W-30 is white with a black painted top.
#156
I'm relatively new to this site. I have recently aquired a 1967 442 that has an aluminum trim piece on the rocker panel below the chrome pieces that runs from wheel well to wheel well. I hadn't seen one in any of the pics of 442s I've seen on line and I was about to give up on it as not being original to the car but then I saw a pic in a 1967 Old brochure that has one on it. Mine on the driver side is dented and since it appears to be original and very rare, I would really like to have it but can't find part numbers for it to search and the crease looks like it will be difficult to make look well again. Any help from you guys who seem to know a lot on the subject of rare parts. First pic is from the brochure and second is my damaged piece.
#157
I'm relatively new to this site. I have recently aquired a 1967 442 that has an aluminum trim piece on the rocker panel below the chrome pieces that runs from wheel well to wheel well. I hadn't seen one in any of the pics of 442s I've seen on line and I was about to give up on it as not being original to the car but then I saw a pic in a 1967 Old brochure that has one on it. Mine on the driver side is dented and since it appears to be original and very rare, I would really like to have it but can't find part numbers for it to search and the crease looks like it will be difficult to make look well again. Any help from you guys who seem to know a lot on the subject of rare parts. First pic is from the brochure and second is my damaged piece.
#158
It looks silver or gray to me, so I thought it was this piece. You're saying it is body color, but by that do you mean it is different than the black that the rest of the body color is, or that it is not really silver/gray there?
Thanks for your insight though. I couldn't find it in any other manuals so I thought it was not original until I thought I saw it in this brochure. I assume therefore that it would be better to delete it in my rebuild/restore project.
Thanks,
Jack
Thanks for your insight though. I couldn't find it in any other manuals so I thought it was not original until I thought I saw it in this brochure. I assume therefore that it would be better to delete it in my rebuild/restore project.
Thanks,
Jack
#159