Smothers was interviewed about racing a while back he talked about getting into can am racing with sam posey but refused to discuss the NHRA or Olds he must still be pissed off.uzzled:
I love seeing the Victor George H/O! I've never seen a picture of that or that shot of the VG Ram Rod leaving the line. Now - is this really the same car: https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/Articles/2011/10/05/Independent-Agent-Rick-Mundays-1968-Olds Dave - I very curious - when things got to be "not fun" was the attitude of a guy like Bob Stempel like, "Sorry guys - we have to work on emission compliance." Or was it, "You fools! Racing is fun, but emissions is IMPORTANT!" I really wonder what some of the higher-up guys were like; I always feel that if your job isn't even a little bit fun, why do it? I do know that Howard Kehrl, who was General Manager after John Beltz died and was Chief Engineer was sort of a downer.
It was more the former Joe. He saw what was coming and was an "engineer's engineer". Marketing at that time realized they had something here and jumped in with their Doctor Oldsmobile program. Engineering wanted out of that and had brought along the original Smothers Brothers involvement (actually it was only Dick Smothers and all he did was drive..but very good at it). All the programs were run out of engineering at first, but someone made the call to let marketing get into the promo stuff and engineering back to the labs and drawing boards. Stempel loved performance, but was more interested in the emissions development and rode that wave all the way into upper GM management and ultimately CEO. At the same time, in manufacturing where I was at that time, became more of being run by GM Central Office (spell that Chevrolet) with standardization of not only designs and components, but service, parts, training, etc. Large committees became the norm and individual decision making and responsibilities were frowned upon. They formed GMAD (assembly division), GMPD (parts division), and all other "Mother General" controls. Works for some people, not for me... and quite a few others who left at that time. I think I know why Dick Smothers didn't want to talk about that as they had little involvement with the Smothers Brothers Racing teams in 1969 other than using their name. I may be wrong. There was also a bunch of stuff going on with Motion Markowitz and/or Baldwin Motion that was frowned upon. The clown wagon 1970 Rallye 350 was the first marketing driven "muscle car" that some say originally was to be the 1970 Hurst Olds. Engineering pulled out of that program and with them went Hurst. The option code was W45, same as the 68 and 69 Hurst. Marketing did not want a performance engine in it, so it became a regular 310 hp Cutlass with W31 or the 455 not available. Marketing pulled engineering back in with an evaluation of that decisions by setting up 4 prototypes for management evaluation. 2 were automatics, 2 were 4 speeds, 2 had the 310 hp Cutlass engine, and 2 had a W31 package. Whatever the results were, it was decided to not offer the performance package. Engineering did make a token input by changing the cam specs to the 442 MT cam to up the performance a little. That affected all 310 hp 350's and not just the W45 Rallye 350. Don't know who was responsible for all the monochromatic yellow on those cars, but they sure were ugly. Many dealers changed the bumpers and added trim rings to the SSII wheels to dress it up. Also heard there wer some that couldn't sell until they erpainted them a different color.
Joe Z: The pic of the VG Ram Rod leaving the line was taken in 1969. I drove the car from 1969 till 1972. Jack Marks drove the car for the 1968 season. I worked for Victor George from 1968 till 1978.
Hi Casey. I know this post is old but I wanted to respond. I worked at VG Olds from 1968 till 1978. I drove the W31 critter getter from 1969 till 1972. Jack Marks drove it during the1968 season. DU was my racing partner and the parts manager for VG. The Motor Wheel flys were never used on the 68 W31, they were used on the 1973 and 1974 Omega's.
THANKS FRED for your time on the phone ! What a great way to wrap my arms around the old 68 Victor George race car. And what a better way to understand the way that Olds drag racing worked. All of the secrets go with me to my grave !! LOL !! The cages at Lansing are a nice bonus !! Not everyone needs to know...right ???
This might be a long shot but.... A fiend of mine had a Omega that he bought off the original owner in 78 or so, he was 16 and in HS auto shop. When he drove it in, the shop teacher was amazed to see that it was a 455 Olds and in W30 trim at that! My friend said that they investigated further and the engine matched the Vin. He later sold the car and bought a very nice 69 Vette. Have any of you Olds guys heard of such a beast? If so how did that happen or what dealership did that? Thanks in advance,
The Omega wasn't produced until 1973, so there could be no way for this to happen. And I'd venture to guess that if he was anything like my auto shop teacher, he was better with trouble-shooting than with going over VINs, especially so long ago. :Comp:
The 73-74 Omega could be had with a 6 cylinder chevy, a 350 Olds V8 2bbl or 4bbl. No other optional engines. This car was the product of someone's back yard hot rod shop not something out the back door from Oldsmobile.
My friend is a very intelligent and car savvy person and after a lot of investigation, that was their opinion also that it came from a back door project or dealership. So.... I guess no one has ever heard of that happening with the Omega's. I was just curious and thought I'd ask. Thanks for the replies.
