I read in a recent magazine (Muscle Car Review) that Chevy is assembling a historical archive team to gather up all documentation from years gone by. Has anyone heard what the status of this is?
-
-
Re: Chevy Documentation
Scott,
I don't know if we're talking about the same thing, but I saw something in a recent issue of Auto Restorer Magazine about an outfit called GM Archives. They supposedly can provide copies of original build sheets for Chevrolets. They charge $50. per hour for their research time. The web site info in the article did not work, so I sent them a check along with info from 2 '62s I own. They returned my check with a short friendly letter stating they can only supply build sheets for '77 and newer Chevrolets.
Verne -
Re: Chevy Documentation
Jim Mattison, President of Automotive Services Corporation (parent of the Pontiac Historic Services operation) was contracted by Chevrolet about two years ago to try and find the 60's-70's production records so they can be made available like the Pontiac info is through PHS. Chevrolet had two internal attempts in previous years at Jim Perkins' direction to do the same thing (Art Armstrong was part of these groups). Jim's firm has reportedly made some progress, but I'd consider anything you hear as "chatter" unless and until it comes directly from Jim; when he makes an announcement, lots of folks will be listening (some with joy, some heading for the weeds)Comment
-
Re: Chevy Documentation
john did not GM have a group in called "the hobby shop" were this info could be obtained. i still have a phone # in my old listings but of course it is no longer in use.Comment
-
Re: Chevy Documentation
Scott and Verne----DON'T hold your breath!
Trust me, I know a lot more about the GM record system than Jim will ever know--I'm not bragging, I'm just trying to tell it like it is! GM DOESN'T HAVE THE BROADCAST SHEETS THAT YOU ALL ARE LOOKING FOR. If they ever surface it will be because they were "borrowed" from GM long ago and that someone is holding on to them for fear of what GM will do or say.
I wasn't just part of the team that John mentioned, I headed it up.
ArtComment
-
Re: Chevy Documentation
And Art reported his findings in the Restorer. The speculation is that the documentation is coming from the transit companies, contracted with to deliver new vehicles to dealers. Of course...as indicated this is rumor and yet to be, if ever, confirmed.
Of course maybe the transit companies will be used as a front!Tom Russo
78 SA NCRS 5 Star Bowtie78 Pace Car L82 M2100 MY/TR/ConvComment
-
Re: Chevy Documentation
Yes they did clem, but it has been gone for a number of years. But the Chevrolet Hobby Shop never offered broadcast, or as most call them, build sheets.
ArtComment
-
Re: Chevy Documentation
Tom as I said, the information will have to come from outside GM. With that said, I find it very hard to believe that the transit co's would keep records that long, but then again it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong.
Don't get me wrong---I want them too and I will be one of the first ones in line for anything on my 65---if they are found.
Art
PS. If Jim has found them, I would think the Chevrolet Marketing Group would be all over him like white on rice and make some BIG announcement that "THEY HAVE BEEN FOUND" etc. .Comment
-
Re: Chevy Documentation
Good point! And those plans would be made in a MAJOR announcement in conjunction with a big event like a 50th celebration in Nashville with tens of thousands present.Tom Russo
78 SA NCRS 5 Star Bowtie78 Pace Car L82 M2100 MY/TR/ConvComment
-
Re: Chevy Documentation
Art,
Thank you VERY much for your informed response. I've always had a hunch that those precious pieces of paper no longer existed, because there have been quite a number of writers with publisher's agreements who have gained access to various records departments, and they have never discovered those documents.
I can add a "little" to the topic below re: shipping papers. I know a (retired) cop in IL who worked in a building which housed on microfiche (according to him) practically every shipping document from every US assembly plant. It was some kind of national auto theft investigative hub. Given the VIN from my '62, he did, in fact, find a copy of the original shipper's paperwork for my car. It listed the original dealer's number, name and address where my car was shipped to, as well as the shipping company, date of shipment, and other similar information. No option information was on that sheet; nothing describing the car other than it's VIN. He said the information was complete back through '63, "most" of '62 (so, I got lucky), and very little from '61. Nothing further back.
Now, I can imagine a lot of people would like to follow up on this, but I can tell you that my friend had to "sneak" into the basement record area to do this for me, because those searches were only supposed to be made to track down stolen vehicles which had been recovered, or vehicles "suspected" of a VIN change. One of his primary duties while active was attending major auctions and examining VINs.
He told me of having the very happy task of calling a few people in the '80s who had their cars stolen in the '60s. The cars were now completely restored, and confiscated by his division. He verified who they were, that they had owned such a car and that it had been stolen. Then (pending a resolution with the original insurance company that paid the claim on the car) he'd say, "come get your car". This is all true. Sorry for the long post. Bottom line; that information DOES exist..........but it's hard to get to.
Verne.Comment
-
Re: Chevy Documentation
vern: i too had a similar experience about l988. After buying a 67 435, i asked my neighbor, a Md. State trooper to see what he could find . He too related a chicago(i believe) based outfit that has records. He was able to get the chevy dealer that ordered it in 67. He later said he couldn't do me similar favors. mikeComment
-
Re: Chevy Documentation
Mike. Thank you for substantiating my story. I know it could sound a little "tall". Yes, the building is in Chicago. It was called the National Auto Theft Bureau, (or something similar). I don't remember exactly.
Verne.Comment
-
Re: Chevy Documentation
Its the NICB, National insurance crime bureau. I was lucky enough to get 4 vins run last year. all it gives you is vin, dealer shipped to, zone and dealer number. No options, shipping weight, ect.Comment
-
Re: Chevy Documentation
dennis; What you state is all i got.mikeComment
-
Re: Chevy Documentation
Try the local GMAC branch for copies of original invoices. Build sheets are a dream, listen to what Art Armstrong has to say, he knows the most.Comment
Comment