THE RARE V.I.N.YARD MISCELLANY

By David Hayward

gmhistorian@btinternet.com

I have collected rare VIN numbers and engine numbers for many years, especially the right-hand drive cars. For the first time I am putting together a series of numbers from my collection, and hope that you find them of historical interest.

1959 MODELS

1. Australian-assembled Bel Air 4-door Sedans with 235 6-cylinder and Powerglide: VIN # 915067A for Adelaide Plant, though Melbourne used the full Model Number and an "M" suffix whereas Sydney, Brisbane and Perth used abbreviations as per the Adelaide VIN such as known car 91519067M.

2. South African-assembled Impala 4-door Sedan: SA M 52528 with rhd 283 V-8 Engine # T505D52528, built in Tonawanda, NY engine plant, May 5^th 1959, with Powerglide and 2-bbl carb. Note engine # used as the "sequential".

3. British import car registration 6 CVO, with 235 6-cylinder, Powerglide and power brakes: GM OF CANADA, STYLE 1739 EXP RD. Body No 139088, PAINT 1209 Bronze/Gold..same as US # 920 Gothic Gold? TRIM 865 medium copper as per US, B.S.O. 357. This car was assembled in Oshawa, Ontario of course, a 4-door Vista Hardtop.

4. Australian import GM OF CANADA, STYLE 1519 EXP RD; BODY 103814; TRIM 822; PAINT 1005; B.S.O. 357; VIN # 9151908790.

5. Australian import Tarrytown, NY assembled: STYLE 59-1619; BODY TA9619 [Tarrytown assembly]; TRIM 822; PAINT 990F; ACC RHD; VIN # D59T152512, V-8 283.

6. Australian import Diplomatic sales order: GM OF CANADA, STYLE 1739 DOM RD; VIN # 9173955700.

1960 MODELS

1. Australian import GM OF CANADA; STYLE 1739 EX RD; VIN 0173938378 with 235 6-cylinder engine.

2. Australian import, Tarrytown Plant assembly: STYLE 60-1839; BODY TA5598; TRIM 825; PAINT 905; ACC RHD; VIN # 01839T140969

3. Prototype rhd Pontiac Laurentian from Oshawa Plant: 4-door Sedan with 283 V-8 and Powerglide, sent to Australia SUP: STYLE 60-274-152; TRIM 507-874; PAINT 585-9900.

1961 MODELS

1. Australian import Parkwood Wagon: VIN # 11645T172260, Tarrytown assembly; STYLE 61-1645; BODY EP2198 for Euclid, Ohio, assembly; ACC1. Possibly converted to rhd by the assembly Plant.

1962 MODELS

1. Australian import Pontiac Parisienne 4-door Hardtop: VIN # 2783957502; STYLE 7839 EXPRD.

2. Australian import Chevy 11 Nova Wagon: GM OF CANADA # 243511823; GM OF CANADA MODEL 435 EXPRD; BODY 187573, sold by GM-Holdens.

1963 MODELS

1. Australian import 4-door Hardtop VIN # 31839T149193, Tarrytown assembly, STYLE 63-1839; BODY TA10592; TRIM 866; PAINT 970; ACC-E-RHD. 6-cylinder engine.

2. Import into Burma: 4-door Sedan STYLE 63-1869; BODY TA5764; TRIM 866; PAINT 900; ACC-E-RHD. 6-cylinder.

1964 MODEL

1. Australian import 4-door Hardtop VIN # 41839T143543; STYLE 64-1839; BODY TA7594; TRIM 842; PAINT 936; ACC E5VR. Car was evidently converted to rhd by importers.

2. Australian import Pontiac Parisienne 4-door HT VIN # 47839049154; GM OF CANADA STYLE 7839 XRD 1-2-19

Both of these had the 1961 LHD Pontiac Dash, and 283 V-8.

1967 MODEL

Australian-assembled GENERAL MOTORS HOLDENS PTY LTD. Body 67-16469-82; TRIM 1203-F25; PAINT 587-1702; INSERT...; TOP 585-9562; VIN# B091680, Brisbane assembly. 4-door Impala sedan V-8 327.

1969 MODELS

1. Australian import VIN # 1633992001059, GM of Canada, St Therese, Quebec, assembly Impala 4-door HT 6-cylinder.

2. British import Impala 4-door HT # 1643992044739, same but 350 V-8. Engine # 792044739, TO [Tonwanda assembly] 926IB. STYLE 69-16439; BODY ST [St Therese Plant] 143750 with TRIM 821 [Dark Blue]; PAINT 51 [Dark Blue Metallic] built January 13 1969 with options: A31 electric windows; A82 Head restraints; B93 Door edge guards; C43 RECIRCULATING HEATER [r.h.d. dont forget!]; F40 Heavy Duty suspension; J50 Vacuum Power Brakes; L48 350 V-8, but rhd version; M40 TH400 Transmission; N40 Hydraulic steering; P01 wheel trime cover; P79 8.25 X 14-4 tyres; T60 HD Battery; U35 Electric Clock; W81 Bumper face bar taping; X14 Export preparation coating; X17 underbody oil spray; ZKQ Tyre pressure sticker; Z49 Manadatory Canadian base equipment modifications.

3. Ultra-rare British import Pontiac Parisienne Convertible, with Chevy 350 V-8, but LEFT HAND DRIVE [only 4-door HT available with rhd] VIN # 764679110358, assembled in Oshawa Plant with lhd Pontiac dash in Chevy bodyshell and with Chevy wagon running gear.

1934 MODEL

This is a very rare SUP import into New Zealand, possibly by a Dealer.

DA Master 5-window Coupe, Tarrytown, NY, assembly, STYLE 34-567; BODY T1372; TRIM 39; PAINT 164; ENGINE # now fitted R4519277, built in Flint Motor Plant, June 1934.

1958 MODELS

1. This is a 1958 Model Del Ray imported into Australia from South Africa:

STYLE 58-1149, VIN # SAK 30128 Engine # F401AHK30128. Note "K" was 1958, "M" 1959, "N" 1960.

The Build Plate says "Built in the Union of South Africa", a 6-cylinder 4-door Sedan, assembled from a Tarrytown CKD kit.

2. 4-door Club Sedan assembled by GM International, Copenhagen, lhd: STYLE 1549; BODY 1649; TRIM 8030; PAINT 414; ACC [blank];VIN # C58 1549IC1898

3. Ex-Embassy car imported into Australia: query French Embassy?; assembled Tarrytown, NY; STYLE 58-1749; BODY TA6286; TRIM 814; PAINT 975D; ACC E-RHD; VIN # E58T150353. Note "ACCessory Right hand Drive".

4. Car imported into Australia in 1960: VIN # E58T234045; also right-hand drive.

1959 MODEL

Import into Australia, ex-Embassy? VIN # D59T152512; "ACC RHD" on Plate [Tarrytown Assembly]

1960 MODEL

1. Impala 4-door Hardtop, 6-cylinder engine. Imported new into the Philippines, GM OF CANADA; STYLE 1739 EXP RD, BODY 155037, TRIM 825; PAINT KC; VIN # 0173955161.
   

    

2. Impala 4-door Hardtop V-8 283 engine. Imported new into Australia: VIN # 01839T120653. Build Plate says "ACC 1-RHD-0". This time it was a Tarrytown-assembled car.
   

1962 MODEL

Impala Model 1569, imported into Australia: STYLE 1569 EXP RD; BODY 124237; PAINT F; TRIM 839; VIN # 2156923591; Engine # R602904, Right-hand drive 235 Six.

1962 MODEL CHEVY 11

Chevy 11 SUP import into Australia, Oshawa assembly:

GM OF CANADA; STYLE 469 EXPORT RD; VIN # 246903455.

1963 MODEL

These are all Dealer imports into Australia [Impala 283 V-8 Hardtops] Tarrytown, NY assembly:

1. STYLE 63-1839;BODY TA 13916; PAINT 918; TRIM 853; ACC E-RHD; 31839T165086
   

    

2. STYLE 63-1839;BODY TA 10033; PAINT 940; TRIM 874; ACC E-RHD; 31839T148319
   

    

3. STYLE 63-1839;BODY TA 10242; PAINT 954 LAUREL GREEN; TRIM 825; ACC E-RHD; 31839T149159
   

    

4. STYLE 63-1839;BODY TA 12537; PAINT 954; TRIM 826; ACC E-RHD; 31839T161879
   

Pontiac Parisienne equivalent, Oshawa assembly:

5. STYLE 7839 EXP RD; BODY 728192; PAINT D; TRIM 918; B.S.O. B70; VIN # 783933032

1964 MODEL

Oshawa-assembled Impala 4-door HT imported new into UK: GM OF CANADA; STYLE 1839 EXRD; BODY 106620; PAINT W; TRIM 842; B70; VIN # 41839007828

1966 MODEL

Pontiac Laurentian assembled by GM New Zealand: GM CANADA D.D. 756696NZ5505, where 5505 is the sequential .

GENERAL MOTORS-HOLDENS [AUSTRALIA] MODEL NUMBERS

The following Model Numbers were applied to GM-Holdens-assembled Chevrolets and Pontiacs [all sourced from Oshawa Plant]: 1959 Models had the 235 Chevrolet Six & Powerglide

1959 BEL AIR 59/104; PONTIAC LAURENTIAN 59/254

1960 BEL AIR 60/114; LAURENTIAN 61/274 283 V-8/PG

1961 BEL AIR 61/114; LAURENTIAN 61/274

1962 BEL AIR 62/114; LAURENTIAN 62/274

1963 BEL AIR 63/114; LAURENTIAN 63/274

1964 BEL AIR 64/114; PARISIENNE 64/274

1965 BEL AIR 65/114 AND IMPALA 65/128; PARISIENNE

65/274 AND 4-DOOR HT 65/278

1966 IMPALA 4-DOOR SEDAN 66/114; 4-DOOR HT 66/128; PARISIENNE 4-DOOR HT66/278

1967 IMPALA 4-DOOR SEDAN 67/114; 4-DOOR HT 67/128; PARISIENNE 4-DOOR HT 67/278

1968 IMPALA 4-DOOR SEDAN 68/16469 AND 4-DOOR HT 68/16439; PARISIENNE 4-DOOR HARDTOP 68/76439

1969: NOT IMPORTED BUT 1968 Model were assembled well into 1969! Replaced by big Holdens or Dealer imports.

A 1964 British magazine stated that the only rhd cars available in 1964 Model Year were the Canadian-assembled Impala 4-door Hardtop and Wagon and Convertible. 6-cylinder and 328/327 V-8s were available in rhd versions as appropriate until 1969 Model Year. However, 4-door pillared sedans were also available it seems to special order.

General Motors Continental S.A. had, and still has, an assembly Plant in Antwerpen/Anvers or in English, Antwerp, in Belgium, and a sales office in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The company assembled Tarrytown and Oshawa CKD kits until 1968. These cars and trucks were exported all over Europe. Here are some examples:

1954 MODEL

This is a car assembled by GM Continental, Antwerp:MODEL 2403-1069 WD; TRIM 339; COLOUR 558; "Made in Antwerp", VIN # C54TC48385, note the "C" for Continental, and "T" for Tarrytown that exported the CKD kit.

1955 MODEL

1. Two-Ten 4-door Sedan, 6-cylinder with standard transmission: VIN # CA B 7028; PAINT 101; TRIM T215.
   

Same: VIN # CA B 55 1943; RELEASE 513 0 312; PAINT 217; TRIM T215.

1956 MODELS

1. Bel Air Sport Sedan, V-8 and Powerglide; PAINT 101; TRIM 579; VIN # CAVC567484: note "CA" was the new Plant Code for "Continental, Antwerp"
   

    

2. Bel Air 4-door Sedan, 6-cylinder and Powerglide: GENERAL MOTORS CONTINENTAL ANTWERP; MAKE: CHEV; MODEL 2403; ENGINE 0017854T56Y [for Tonwanda, NY Plant]; CHASSIS CA: C56 1815; RELEASE 6 17 46 5; GVW..; PVA..; PAINT 101; TRIM T123.
   

1963 MODEL

Pontiac Parisienne 4-door Hardtop with Chevrolet 6-cylinder engine: VIN # CA377395495.

1966 MODEL

Impala 4-door Hardtop: GENERAL MOTORS CONTINENTAL ANTWERP; MAKE CHEVROLET; MODEL IMPALA; ENGINE K [for McKinnon Industries Ltd, St Catherines, Ontario]08250586 ; 16339[6-cylinder]; CHASSIS NO. 16339CX100744 [note "C" Plant Code and then "X" for eXport]; RELEASE 7-2597-7; PAINT 200; TRIM 842;GVW; PVA

MORE ODDITIES

1956 MODEL

This was a Tarrytown, NY export to Spain, a One-Fifty 4-door Sedan: STYLE: 56-1219; BODY T 2222; TRIM 560; PAINT SPEC; TOP A-2225-A; ACC. VIN Plate: "CX 5637" then "A56T082309". VIN # 082309-SA14076. This car was imported by GM Peninsular, Barcelona.

1959 MODEL

South African-assembled rhd Biscayne:

VIN # SA M 51603. Engine # 51603GM3? "M" for 59 M.Y.

1966 MODEL

This was a 4-door HT exported new to the UK: VIN # 6164939000921;STYLE 16439 EXRD; BODY 100025 [very early!] PAINT N; TRIM 866; C30

Here is a photo of the Dash..i.e. the 65 lhd Dash transposed:

1968 MODEL

1. To correct: the rhd V-8s were the 283; 307 and 327 and not as stated. This is a 307-equipped Impala Convertible: VIN # 1646781101702, in Ocean Teal. An Oshawa-assembled car new in the UK.
   

    

2. Another British import 4-door HT: STYLE 68 16469 EXRD; BODY OS129077; PAINT 9AA; TRIM 853; C43; M35 for Recirculating Heater and 2-speed Powerglide. Vin # 164698128212. Again, Oshawa assembly.
   

    

3. Compare that with: VIN # 1646982157029, with "2" for St. Therese, Quebec Plant, Model 16469 DOMR for DiplOmatic Right-hand drive. This car was assembled May 21 1968; TRIM 853-medium green; PAINT H-Grecian green metallic; STYLE 68 16469 5C; BODY OS ST 556085, which means that the body was built at Oshawa, and then railed to St Therese for erection; the rhd Instrument Cluster [the 65 lhd Chevrolet dash transposed] was Code K2 and Steering column TP; other options were: A82 HEAD RESTRAINT; F40 HEVAY DUTY FRONT/REAR SUSPENSION; J50 VACUUM POWER BRAKES; M35 POWERGLIDE; N40 HYDRAULIC STEERING; P75 8.25-14-4 PR Tyres; U63 PUSHBUTTON RADIO; X0R SCHEDULING OPTION; Z49 MANDATORY CANADIAN BASE EQUIPMENT MODIFICATIONS. The car was sold to GM Diplomatic Sales, Oshawa, and then shipped to the German Embassy in London
   

seventy2plus2 wrote:

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I wonder why it doesn't show any Acadians for 1970 and up.

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DonSSDD wrote:

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Photobucket issues here too, what were the missing photos?

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 Old, outdated Photobucket attachments.