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Appraising a '55 Super 88 4 dr. sedan. Data tag says General Motors of Canada. Numbers don't match American numbers. Is there any source for this info? Thanks in advance,
damouser
Source for decoding? This is GM of Canada. '55 Olds Super 88.
The "Trim" code 381 for US cars was "Dark Gray Pattern 'Bolster' Light Gray Pattern Cloth" if that's of any help.
The "Model" number looks somewhat similar to the US body "Style No.", but without the two digit year prefix and with a dash added. For example, 553669D was used for a 1955 Super 88 Deluxe Four Door Sedan.
I'm probably still preaching to the choir, but the 1955 US car serial number began with 55xy where x would be 7 for an 88, 8 for a Super 88, 9 for a 98, and the Y was a letter corresponding to the assembly plant: A-Atlanta, B-Framingham MA, M-Lansing, L-Linden NJ, C-California, K-Kansas City, W-Wilmington, T-Arlington TX. So the serial looks totally different, and odd that it begins with a 53.
As you also probably already know, the paint code looks entirely different from the two digit US codes. Is it a two-tone car? I've seen examples where DuPont used a three digit number to indicate color combos back then.
Interesting the Trim code number of 381 for the interior is indeed the gray color / pattern you describe. All redone and appearing very correct. The "53" prefix makes no sense to me though, that's why I inquired here.
The car is single color, turquoise, but has been repainted so it's not known whether this was two-tone originally. There is a deep scratch on the roof that shows some off-white color beneath, so it's possible this was white over turquoise. Again, that's why I was hoping to de-code the Data Plate.
Still have not found good source for decoding. Thank you, again.
The 53 is not 53. It is 5-36-69-807086. Same as the model number 36-69D...I don't think George's info goes back that far (GM Canada). The starting serial number for that car is 800001
Last edited by Yellowstatue; Dec 7, 2017 at 01:45 PM.
Reason: More stuff.
Well. Yellowstatue, that is interesting. I would not have interpreted the number the way you did, but it makes sense. Sort of. Thank you, and all who have commented.
W
George from Vintage Vehicle Services here up in Canada. Some confusion out there so as an FYI we have records going back to 1945 on Canadian built or Canadian sold GM vehicles. We built many Oldsmobiles in Canada for US sale as well. If we do a search on the microfilm and do not find your vehicle because we do not have the records a minimum fee of $16.95 CDN applies for the time spent. Hope this helps everyone.
George from Vintage Vehicle Services here up in Canada. Some confusion out there so as an FYI we have records going back to 1945 on Canadian built or Canadian sold GM vehicles. We built many Oldsmobiles in Canada for US sale as well. If we do a search on the microfilm and do not find your vehicle because we do not have the records a minimum fee of $16.95 CDN applies for the time spent. Hope this helps everyone.
George,
Welcome to CO. This may be an older thread, but thanks for chiming in. It's always nice to have a connection with someone who might have better info. Many members here have taken advantage of VVS info for their cars.
i would also like to welcome you George, you decoded my 4 speed 65 many years ago and your name has been brought up many times here. i would like to hear your side of the existence of canadian 65 442 s. maybe thats for another thread.
Yup, George did my '69 4-4-2 convertible (Lansing car originally sold in Calgary) and my '68 Camaro SS before that (Norwood, sold in Vancouver). An invaluable service.
GM of Canada VIN's etc. etc.
