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Hello, I am new here in the group. I am in need of some help concerning production numbers. I am very interested in a 1969 442 that is currently for sale here in Switzerland. The car was assembled at the GM factory in Bienne, Switzerland in 1969. I would like to know if anyone could help me find the total number of 442s assembled here in Switzerland in 1969 (I can't imagine it would be many, as the exchange rate at the time would have made them very expensive to the locals).
I did a search here on the forum for old posts similar in nature and the links that might have been useful to me are no longer working (404 Not Found). Any help would be much appreciated.
I've seen numbers for 1961 "Complete Knock Down" (CKD) OLDSMOBILE vehicles built at the NJ? plant for (final and/or re-)assembly overseas - I also would be interested in learning more about this process, car & others
Bloomfield NJ is 15 miles from Linden NJ, possible offsite location for final crating??
Last edited by hurst68olds; September 2nd, 2017 at 11:27 PM.
This information is about '67-'69 Camaro's built overseas, as well as the CKD shipped cars, but it may give helpful hints to finding additional information about Oldsmobile's built at those plants, including the Bienne, Switzerland plant.
Hi guys, thank you for the help. The GM factory in Switzerland operated from 1935 to 1975. It was called GM-Montagewerk Biel (Bienne). Import taxes on cars were so expensive in Switzerland that GM would import the cars in parts and assemble them locally. The particular 442 I am considering buying is one of those cars. I am an American and love muscle cars, and over the years I've seen quite a few "Swiss made" muscle cars here in Switzerland. I was hoping someone might have access to a list of the cars made in the Biel Bienne factory. Here is the cowl tag, as requested. Where would the build sheet be located on a 69 442? Thanks again for your help. Rich
There will be others that can provide more detail but, from what I see, it appears from the chassis number (344879131706) that this car was built in Canada for export. Here's what that number means:
3 = GM division = Oldsmobile
44 = model series = 4-4-2
87 = body type = holiday coupe (i.e., 2-door hardtop without a post)
9 = model year = 1969
1 = assembly plant = Oshawa, Canada
31706 = assembly plant sequential number
The rest of what is on that plate will have to be deciphered by others in the know!
There will be others that can provide more detail but, from what I see, it appears from the chassis number (344879131706) that this car was built in Canada for export. Here's what that number means:
3 = GM division = Oldsmobile
44 = model series = 4-4-2
87 = body type = holiday coupe (i.e., 2-door hardtop without a post)
9 = model year = 1969
1 = assembly plant = Oshawa, Canada
31706 = assembly plant sequential number
The rest of what is on that plate will have to be deciphered by others in the know!
Randy C.
Hi Randy, yes, I ran those numbers too, but wouldn't that be 11 for the plant? Thanks, Rich
Hi Randy, yes, I ran those numbers too, but wouldn't that be 11 for the plant? Thanks, Rich
No, the 1969 code for Oshawa is "1". The sequential build number for that car is 131706. The sequential built numbers were six digits in 1969, not five, but started with 100001, so this is the 31,706th car made at Oshawa that year.
No, the 1969 code for Oshawa is "1". The sequential build number for that car is 131706. The sequential built numbers were six digits in 1969, not five, but started with 100001, so this is the 31,706th car made at Oshawa that year.
Excellent. Thank you for the clarification. Then could it be the car was a Canadian SUP, not assembled at, but homologated at the GM factory in Bienne?
Excellent. Thank you for the clarification. Then could it be the car was a Canadian SUP, not assembled at, but homologated at the GM factory in Bienne?
The VIN says the car was built in Canada. I don't know what level of "knocked down" was required to skirt the European import taxes, but obviously shipping a less than complete car from Canada to Europe would have been a logistical nightmare if the car didn't run and drive. This is like the 68-69 Hurst/Olds cars - the official story was that Hurst installed the 455 to get around the GM limits on displacement, but common sense tells you that the cars needed to have the engine and trans installed when they rolled off the assembly line. We've since learned that Olds did, in fact, install the 455s on the assembly line. I suspect the same thing with these "knocked down" cars. Likely there were some minor pieces left off so the cars could be "assembled" at Bienne. I've seen 1950s Oldsmobiles with the Bienne tag like this, but not a 1960s car previously.
again, thank you all for your help. the seller was kind enough to provide me with the following image (see below). if anyone is interested in having a look at the car and sharing their thoughts i can post a link to the seller's page. i'd be interested in your feedback. if posting the link is against forum rules i would totally understand and can always pm. i was told by the seller the car is original, two owner (including the current owner) and has only received a new vinyl top and steering wheel. I would prefer the original wheel. thanks again, rich
This information is about '67-'69 Camaro's built overseas, as well as the CKD shipped cars, but it may give helpful hints to finding additional information about Oldsmobile's built at those plants, including the Bienne, Switzerland plant.
hurst68olds thank you for deciphering that for me. did you see the photos of the car in the link? it would seem then that the car is in its original configuration as the owner says. i will have to see it in the flesh to get a better idea. i am not crazy about the meadow green but maybe i could grow to love it...
For the Swiss-Cowl Tag ( called as "Plakette" in German ):
2. left Line:
34487-A
3=GM Division, Oldsmobile
44=Series, 442
87=Body Style, 2 Dr. Holiday Hardtop
A=Automatic
3. left Line:
391131709QR
3=GM Division, Oldsmobile
9=Model Year, 1969
1=Assembly Plant, Oshawa Ontario Canada
131706 VIN Sequence Number
QR=Engine Code, 400-Cui. V-8 with Automatoc Transmission THM-400 without C60&W30
4. left Line:
3448791131706
3=GM Division, Oldsmobile
44=Series, 442
87=Body Style, 2 Dr. Holiday Hardtop
9=Model Year, 1969
1=Assembly Plant, Oshawa Ontario Canada
131706=VIN Sequence number
1. right Line:
0337-10= Swiss Typical Sheet, called as "Typenschein". It's a smaller Sheet at AMA-Spec.
2. right Line:
Release-number, this is a non-Swiss CKD car, also no Number here.
3. right Line:
Color Number this is a non-Swiss CKD car, also no Number here.
4. right Line:
TRIM or Interior Code, this is a non-Swiss CKD car, also no Number here.
The "Body by Fisher" TAG:
The Code 592B10
59=Lower Paint, meadow green
2B=Second paint ( upper ) is a Vinyl Cover in Black Color ( B= for Vinyl Roof Cover and Convertible Top )
10= Paint Stripe on the Hood, Ebony Black
The Code V78= Cars produced for sale in Canada/USA must have a label saying vehicle complies to all Federal/Canadian Motor Vehicle safety standards in effect at time of manufacture. This label is to be left off the vehicle.
The Code 7278E= unknown code. Dealer Located code? I don't now.
September 2nd, 2017 | 05:53 PM
