Turnpike Cruising Package (later SX) history:

1967 was the first year the The turnpike cruising package option (L-66) was available.  The TPCruiser option was an option that not to many people know about today.  It was an effort from Olds to make a car containing things to come...  it had the same base L 78, more known as the 442 option (same suspension, engine etc.).  It was different from the 442 only in the following area:

• 2 barrel carb (instead of 4 barrel)

• 2.56 to 1 rear #axle ratio

• Different camshaft (lowering the max torque rpm from 3600 to 2600)

• No outside identification (no emblems, no 442 hood)

• It included the new Climatic Combustion Control

• Was only available if you ordered Turbo Hydramatic Transmission (M 40)

The heart of the TPCruiser was the engine and gear ratio, this made the car earning its name, a car made for Turnpike cruising.  The Olds engineers was thrilled by the car and said this was the car they would buy. The price of the option was 142.18 $, but because you had to order the M 40 automatic who cost    236.97 $ it actually became a 379.15 $ option.  To further give the price some perspective: the 442 (L78) package cost 184.31 $, and to this you could get the W 30 air induction package to 263.30 $.  This last package was something that really made you stand out from the crowd.  The comparison is somewhat unfair.  The TPCruiser was meant for a different group, and an interesting thing her is how well Olds managed to produce this two so different, and at the same time so likely, based cars.

 In 1968 the 442 became it's own serie and the TPCcruiser (now option L 65) became an 442 option.  It was a no cost option (since it was in the 442 serie, you already had paid the 442 price) available for those who ordered a 442 with M 40 automatic.  The TPCruiser  in 68 also contained the 2 barrel carb (442 with 2 barrel) and the engine got different camshaft and 9 to 1 compression ratio. (in 67 it got 10.5 to 1) making it desiring only regular fuel.

In 1969 here was no alternative for the people desiring a car like this...

In 1970 the option came back. This time it was called SX (option Y 79) was based on the Cutlass Supreme, had a 2 barrel 455 (option L 33) and 1 to 2.56 axle ratio.  Later in the model year it became available with a 4 barrel 455 (option L 32). You could even order it with the W 32 (442 engine), W 27 aluminum rear axle  and W 25 Force air induction. It had the rear "cut out" bumper (same as 442). This was the "real" performance year.

In 1971 the SX option came with 4 barrel (option L 32) (the 2 barrel 455 was option L 30).  The package was no longer available with all the performance options as in 1970. This was the last   turnpike/ SX. The SX name was later used by Olds but that was mainly an appearance package.

*1967 TPcruiser was advertised with 2.41:1 axle ratio, but came with 2.56:1. You could order all Turnpike cruiser /SX with 2.78:1 or 3.08:1.  In 71 the 2.78 was changed to 2.73, and in 1970 you could get other ratios if you ordered W 32 engine.