I bet that led to a lot of parts store confusion back then. "I need a water pump for my Olds 350" "OK" Gets home... WTF this doesn't fit... not even close:af: "Darn parts guys, I know it's an Olds motor says "Rocket" right on it." Man that would suck!
Started a lot of things I think that little faux pas also started the popular myth that Oldsmobile engines are "Gutlass Cutlasses", too. Not only because of the Chev 305 in there, but the performance engine option was a Chevy, not an Olds. If you wanted an Olds engine you get to take your choice of a ho hum 307, a smelly, finicky diesel, or the neck snapping "Rocket" 260. (Barf, puke).
69 The black and gold 69 W-31 is a fully documented car that belonged to Craig Couris from Atlanta. Flynbuick and I looked at the car a few years back. Should have bought the car. Craig has been trying to buy the car back and I thought he had cut a deal to repurchase. Dave is it for sale? John
Re: Disc brakes on a Ramrod? Actually, I have GM paperwork stating when the W options (30&31) for 69 were available (Oct 68?). And somewhere I have some notes stating late in the model year discs were available on the W-30. No mention of the W-31 though. But that doesn't mean it couldn't be optioned that way. I still don't know, definitively. And probably never will. But I will never say never. Hmm, I wonder. The 69 W-32 could be had with discs, correct? albeit, power (IIRC), but it was a W-car. And they were introduced very late in the model year. I wonder if it was around this time frame, manual discs were allowed on the W-30 and W-31? just thinking out loud. I would agree about discs on the Ram Rod. But figured you have more knowledge about it than I so thats why I asked. The car Phil (I'd have to look up his last name again) bought brand new and said he ordered discs was a 68 Ram Rod. The car he just restored for a customer and brought to the Feb Olds Club of AZ show was a 69 Cutlass S W-31. OK, here's the guys info. Phil LaChapelle Automobile Classics & Muscle Cars Complete or Partial Show Quality Restorations and Repairs. Specializing in 68-72 W-30, W-31, W-32 68-75 Hurst/Olds 68-72 442s 1485 Callens Rd. Ventura, CA 93003 (805) 477-0666
Chris: Your paperwork is OK. We started building 69's in August of 1968, so no problem there. Most of the "build out" cars were frozen in May to June back then (dealer orders April to May, no matter what story they spun), but by Labor Day, we were out of the previous model and into the new one. Some years (like the 1971 model year) were rapidly advanced to full production speed to get as many cars out as possible, no magtter how good they were. That was the year of the 56 day GM strike and dealers were going bankrupt with nothing to sell once the strike was called. Fortunately for Cutlasses, that was a minor face-lift year (now called a front and rear six) but the B/C cars were a major redesign and the changes to the plant were enormous to accommodate. That affected the process on everything that was built, including the essentially carryover Cutlasses. That strike, by the way, delayed the launch of the new A/G body cars a full year and what came out as a 73 Cutlass, Lemans, etc. was originally planned for 1972. The 1972 model launch was essentially a totally carryover car (tiallights and grille inserts for Olds), so they ended up some of the best cars GM ever built. Made a lot of money that year. JEA, Jr: I don't think John Ebbs has the black and gold car for sale, but I know he's been buying more than he's selling these days. You know the game. That thing almost took my breath away.
Re: Started a lot of things My father ordered a new 1977 Delta 88 2 door. The dealer was upfront with him and told him if he ordered a 350, it was very possible he'd get a Chevy. Well that didn't fly, so dad opted for the 403... With the 2.41 gears, weight and smog stuff it wasn't a drag car, but it did have a nice passing gear :Brow: IMO that was the beginning of the end for Olds. Brand loyalty starts with the powertrain, and that was lost.
That's about it Wow, an honest dealer! That is rare. I hadn't heard that before on a B car. I think the 260 was available with a 5 speed in 76 and would you believe, we almost opted for it. Good thing my wife insisted on no more hot rods (for her) and we bought a new Supreme with a 350. It was a tossup between a 76 Cutlass Supreme (wire wheels and all) and a 76 Cordoba (with the "Corinthian leather"). Actually a 403 is a lot of fun, and can be setup to run almost as well as a 455 in a stock class car (4.375 bore, 3.375 stroke). Unfortunately, though, it really wants to rev and that was one thing you definitely couldn't do with them. Just got back from the Homecoming meet in Lansing. Wow! Ran into Darrell Detweiler (Smileyolds), Dan Jensen (with his borther's 70 Cutlass, and Donny Brass. Met Chris Smetana from Illinois (Junior Supercar). Best Olds swap meet I've been to in a very long time. Unfortunately, they no longer have the Preservation Class for unrestored cars, so I had to park the lumpy Ramrod in the middle of the show cars. It was painful. Bring 'em on next week at Stanton!
I saw Dave's car at Homecoming, but the old goat was nowhere to be found. :Brow: Actually, Dave, I walked right by your car saying, "Hey, there's a '68 just like Dave's. Sure looks nice. I wonder why Dave didn't make it today." I think all the restored cars are jealous of your Ram Rod. They all had to resort to cosmetic surgery to look good; yours is simply aging gracefully.
Aging gracefully....I like that Spent a lot of time in the swap meet as usual. Great show wasn't it? Dan was there with his brother's Cutlass S. Beautiful car. Be anxious to see what that one runs with the QB engine. "A.C." Rubrich called and his plans changed and he will be at Stanton. Since we got the original engine back working again, he's embarassed that it's only tickling the 13's. :Brow: :Brow:
