CurtRod58

I'm trying to help out my 15 year old nephew with his new "toy". It's a '61 98 Holiday 4 door 6 window HT. Does anyone know where we can get VIN code/trim tag deciphering info?

rocketraider

Why, here, of course!

Spill it. I think I have enough references I can decode the stuff for you. Off the top I can tell you that you have a 1961 style 3829, which was the highest production Ninety Eight bodystyle for 1961-13,331 built per Standard Catalog of Oldsmobile.

CurtRod58

Thanks Rocket, I'll get my nephew to send you the info. We're also thinking about upgrading to an alternator. Did any of the later 394's have this set-up or is there another way to do it?

59-59-59

Starting in '62, 394's with Air Conditioning were equipped with an alternator. Might be tough and expensive to find one. Or you can modify a generic Chevy lower alternator bracket as I have done - and the stock upper generator arm is a perfect fit for an alternator

Burning_Rubber

Those 61 Olds are tough to find parts for. I had a 61 dynamic 88 2dr post back in the late 70s and was hard to find parts for it then. And I was in a big city, St louis lol. I think Ive seen maybe 3 on the road in the past 30 years. Kinda wish i still had mine now because they are really rare in this part of the country. Think i would do what 59-59-59 says and convert to a Chevy alternator. Id like to see pics of that 61.

Burning_Rubber

I was 13 when I got my first car,,and it was the 61 Olds lol. Played around with it till i was 19 then sold it. "Someone got a time machine,,I want it back" lol

Olds64

I would get an internally regulated aftermarket alternator. The stock Delcotron alternators used in the early 60s were use an external voltage regualtor.

citcapp

Welcome to the site. Get a one wire after market alternater available at any auto parts store and fab a lower bracket easy conversion. save the generator and regulator in case you ever want to restore to orginal. Good luck

rocketraider

There is no good reason the car can't run with its original generator; they all did back then. Just takes a little more "education" to deal with one, and there's still plenty of information about generators out there. Plus they can be upgraded for higher output if it's needed.

To keep factory appearance you'll have to use a 1962 bracket if you go that route. 63-4 394 used a different front cover and mounts.

CurtRod58

The posting rules say we can't post attachments....

59-59-59

[QUOTE=rocketraider;72853]There is no good reason the car can't run with its original generator; they all did back then. Just takes a little more "education" to deal with one, and there's still plenty of information about generators out there. QUOTE]

Thats right, but why deal with it when the swap is cheaper, more reliable and almost a direct bolt on? There will always be people who want to run the car 100% stock - then theres people who actually want to drive it. Factory appearance? Close the hood and no one knows

Olds64

I agree. Of course it is ultimately the owner's decision. Either way you car will continue running.

Oldsguy

This kind of argument constantly goes on over at the HAMB concerning what is original vs. what is desired for a hot-rod. A/C in a '38 roadster, disc brakes on that '57 sedan, 455 in that '46 Olds? What are we thinking?????

citcapp

Thats why after all of the opinions are out it is still the owners choice to do as he or her pleases. Just my opinion he he he

BAM583

BAM583

Hi Rocket- Like my uncle Curtrod58 said I just got my first car and don't even have my permit yet but I'm excited about my first car. I really appreciate your help with the tag stuff. Here's whats on the plate under the hood.
Oldsmobile Div. General Motors Corp Lansing, Michigan
09C
Style 61-3829 Body LA 128
Trim 301 Paint B-C-B
ACC 622
This car finished with Magic Mirror Acrylic Lacquer Body by Fisher

BAM583

Hi Rocket- Like my uncle Curtrod58 said I just got my first car and don't even have my permit yet but I'm excited about my first car. I really appreciate your help with the tag stuff. Here's whats on the plate under the hood.
Oldsmobile Div. General Motors Corp Lansing, Michigan
09C
Style 61-3829 Body LA 128
Trim 301 Paint B-C-B
ACC 622
This car finished with Magic Mirror Acrylic Lacquer Body by Fisher

BAM583

quote=Burning_Rubber;72800]Those 61 Olds are tough to find parts for. I had a 61 dynamic 88 2dr post back in the late 70s and was hard to find parts for it then. And I was in a big city, St louis lol. I think Ive seen maybe 3 on the road in the past 30 years. Kinda wish i still had mine now because they are really rare in this part of the country. Think i would do what 59-59-59 says and convert to a Chevy alternator. Id like to see pics of that 61.[/quote]

sorry can't figure out my URL to attach a picture but if you go to our profile at BAM583 we have a couple of pictures. She's actually mine until my son can prove he deserves her.

CurtRod58

Anyone out there have any experience updating to a newer Olds motor/tranny combo in these era Olds? The original 394 motor seems kinda tired and parts for these 394's aren't the easiest (re: cheap) to come by. It only has 75K original miles but evidently sat unused for 20+ years.

citcapp

There are a number of guys on this site that are happy with their 394's and have rebuilt and worked on them, hopfully they will chime in and give you some advice and information. I installed a 455 and torbo 400 in my 57 Oldsmobile and it wasn't that difficult and I believe your year of Olds shares similar traits. I detailed the complete engine swap in the big block thread. Take a look and maybe that will give you some idea of what you are facing if you go in that direction.

justinj

Keep your 394. They're good engines. The Slip Jim transmission might not be everyone's choice, but it will be a lot less hassle than cutting a new tunnel and dealing w/ the adapters. It's an old car, it will have it's quirks, if you want something new, get a BMW!

-Justin

Edit: x2 on the internally regulated alternator or 1-wire alternator. I bought a "universal" alternator bracket on ebay that bolted up fine on my 394.

rocketraider

Sorry to have taken so long. Gallstones got in the way...


09C- car was built 3rd week (C) of September (09) 1960, very soon after 1961 production started.

Style 61-3829- 1961 Oldsmobile (3) Ninety Eight (8) 6-window Holiday Sedan (29)

Body LA 128- Fisher Body LAnsing MI assembly. This was 3829 body #128 which fits with the September 1960 build date. In other words you have the 128th 6-window hardtop off the line. I expect that might be the earliest surviving 1961 Olds left.

Trim 301- is a gray cloth interior with white headliner

Paint B-C-B- is Twilight Mist (B) lower body, an elegant dark metallic blue, with a Provincial White (C) roof. I'm pretty sure the third code B here means the accent color for the full wheel covers.

ACC 622- can't find that exact code but it will have to do with something the Fisher Body plant had to install to accomodate an accessory. Something like power window or seat wiring, factory A/C wiring and panel knockouts.

Magic Mirror Acrylic Lacquer was GM's trademarked lacquer paint finish back in those years. GM was proud of the jewel-like gloss and depth of color their lacquer finishes had compared to Ford and Chrysler who were using enamel. They had nice colors too, but the paint just didn't "pop" like the GM lacquer colors.

This one will be a stunner when it's done. Just remember nobody ever said living with an early 60s Oldsmobile was easy. Some of their stuff seems quirky now, but was as mainstream as it got back then.

'Course all that dinosaur technology seems quirky now, don't it?

PetChemMan

Just as a matter of record, for all of you detail types, all 1962 Oldsmobiles with air conditioning did not come with an alternator. My '62 Starfire with AC did not come with an alternator, and the '62 Starfire (with AC) of a friend likewise came with a generator installed. Perhaps it was a middle of the year introduction , or an option. I do remember my friend, who bought his new, telling me that he could have gotten an alternator that year , but I don't recall the rest of the explanation.

Yellowstatue

An aquaintance bought a '62 Ch**y 283, with no air, Oshawa built, and it had an alternator, don't remember the time of year

BAM583

Thank you SO MUCH!!! You made my day. You are a GENIUS!! Do you know anything about the little metal tags that are 3/4" by 3.5" long?
It has a name on it. Would that be the original owner or the dealership?
the tag says:
J.H. Holmes 23 1309 I think it's a 9
1069 71st Ave. 10 09 60 I'm guessing this was date sold
Oakland, Cal 618M01359 This is the VIN except the pink shows 518 not 618 (typo maybe?)

I think these use to be on the dash by the window in the old days? I found it in the trunk.


09C- car was built 3rd week (C) of September (09) 1960, very soon after 1961 production started.

Style 61-3829- 1961 Oldsmobile (3) Ninety Eight (8) 6-window Holiday Sedan (29)

Body LA 128- Fisher Body LAnsing MI assembly. This was 3829 body #128 which fits with the September 1960 build date. In other words you have the 128th 6-window hardtop off the line. I expect that might be the earliest surviving 1961 Olds left.

Trim 301- is a gray cloth interior with white headliner

Paint B-C-B- is Twilight Mist (B) lower body, an elegant dark metallic blue, with a Provincial White (C) roof. I'm pretty sure the third code B here means the accent color for the full wheel covers.

ACC 622- can't find that exact code but it will have to do with something the Fisher Body plant had to install to accomodate an accessory. Something like power window or seat wiring, factory A/C wiring and panel knockouts.

Magic Mirror Acrylic Lacquer was GM's trademarked lacquer paint finish back in those years. GM was proud of the jewel-like gloss and depth of color their lacquer finishes had compared to Ford and Chrysler who were using enamel. They had nice colors too, but the paint just didn't "pop" like the GM lacquer colors.

This one will be a stunner when it's done. Just remember nobody ever said living with an early 60s Oldsmobile was easy. Some of their stuff seems quirky now, but was as mainstream as it got back then.

'Course all that dinosaur technology seems quirky now, don't it?[/quote]

rocketraider

Sounds like you've found the original warranty tag issued to the original owner. The 51 on the pink slip has to be a CABMV typo since all 1961 Olds VIN started with 61.

618M01359 decodes as 1961 Ninety Eight (8) built in Lansing Michigan. It was car # 01359 off the line, so yes you have a very early car. My 1976 Ninety Eight was #1808 off the Linden NJ assembly line and been known for years as the earliest surviving 1976 Olds still in use.

BAM583

Thanks again Rocket. You are the expert! I wonder if I should try to get the DMV to correct the VIN or am I being too picky?

So the VIN says it's the 1359th car (is that just in that plant for that year?) You said that Body LA 128 meant it was the 128th 6 window hardtop off the line. Does that sound right?

I have a picture of it on H.A.M.B but can't seem to do it here. I basically only need to replace some rear door and quarter panel trim ( I have but a little dinged up) new carpet and I have a big rip on the drivers side seat. Then just a little minor body work. I can't believe that she still has every single **** and switch from 1961 and the special Wonderbar radio with floor pedal. I think my Mom is even more excited about this car than I am, she says I have to earn the car or she's keeping it for herself!

CurtRod58

Thanks for helping out my nephew. You the man!! What makes you think this might be the oldest surviving '61? Is there a registry somewhere to confirm this? We're trying to find some actual part numbers for some of the side trim because my sister found a guy who might have some NOS but he needs to know the actual part numbers. Any ideas where we can find this info? Is thee any way we can contact you directly?

BTW, Gallstones suck!!

rocketraider

No registry that I know of, but since 1961s didn't survive well and this one is a very low VIN, very low Fisher Body job #, and very early build date, it would surprise me if there's another one built any earlier that's still operable.

I have a 1962 edition Olds body parts & accessories catalog that has all the original part #s, and one of it's working drawings is a 1961 98 3829 car. Gives group # and from there you can find the individual part # for all the body trim.

Only thing is if any of the individual part #s have been superseded, might have a little trouble ID'ing the stuff. My 1974 book has some of the early 60s stuff but a lot of it had been discontinued by then.

PM me here and we'll figure out what you need.