73supreme

I am trying to decipher some component's date codes. For example; Olds alternator; 7H14 and Distributor; 7M12. From what little info I can find from my books and postings, the first number would be the year (1967) the month by letter? , then the day of the month? There seems to be too many examples that I have seen that violate this format. What is the correct interpretation? Thanks

Hello Joe, I am trying to find info on frame ID's. I have a 1968 4-4-2 convertible with a rotted frame. It may be easier to replace it altogether. I gather that the A body from the four divisions from 1968 to 1972 would fit. However, I cannot find any written resource tables to help ID the frames while shopping. Mine is almost legible. Top line; 3908665 (S) 42X, Bottom line 9 26, so far. I read your text and was hoping you could elaborate and recommend a source table. Thank You, Ed

Hi, I noticed your query about the correct shifter. Your best bet is to buy "Vintage Hurst Shifters" by Pete Serio. The book is a real education. He helped me find the shifters for my oddballs. Look on ebay. From what I see, you could use the early Cutlass/4-4-2 boot and trim, Olds probably was not going to tool up for that low quantity run. Check online Fusick catalog. I hope this helps, Ed

I have been a fan of Oldsmobiles and particularly interested in manual trans cars. They are uncommon across the board, but they were made. They were almost ALWAYS oddball special orders. The 1964 4-4-2 offered a 4 door 4 speed. I saw one. My interest is the 1973 Cutlass, last year for the manual. I even saw ONE 3 on the tree '73 Cutlass Supreme. I can tell you from my observation that back then you could get a 4 speed in the big cars up to 1966 as far as I have seen. I have seen a black Starfire and a red Jetstar at OCA shows. I also know of a project red Starfire tucked away in my friend's barn. It is his dad's and will not be for sale anytime soon. I examined it closely, because I am building a 1966 Wildcat 4 speed. I am told back then all 4 divisions engineered their own linkages with no interchange. The 1973 era is much simpler as all four use the same basic parts. The Oldsmobile factory was slipshod with record keeping. To make matters worse before the massive interest in "numbers matching" they had a fire, which destroyed what they had. At one time before her passing you could write a pleasant letter to Helen Early and she would personally pen a response with whatever info she had. This makes me feel old... I would like to know how many 1973 Cutlass Supremes were made with 455 4 speeds. I will never find out for sure.