How do you decode a Canadian car cowl tag?
#1
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Creekside, PA (near Indiana, PA)
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How do you decode a Canadian car cowl tag?
Does anyone know how to do this? I know of 2 Canadian cars that the owners would like to know what the original colors were. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jon
Thanks,
Jon
#2
Luckily they are Canadian cars and with a fee, "GM of Canada has kept detailed records of cars built in Canada. If your car was built in Oshawa, ON Canada, you can phone GM Canada and request this restoration packet. This is not a genuine build sheet but it is the next best thing."
Toll Free: 888-467-6853 Outside Canada: 905-440-7636 or 905-440-7618 Fax: 905-440-7644 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST Address: 1189 Colonel Sam Drive, Oshawa ON, Canada, L1H 8W8
Or if you have that info that is on the cowl tag just post it or a pic and we could decode it for them.
Scot
Toll Free: 888-467-6853 Outside Canada: 905-440-7636 or 905-440-7618 Fax: 905-440-7644 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST Address: 1189 Colonel Sam Drive, Oshawa ON, Canada, L1H 8W8
Or if you have that info that is on the cowl tag just post it or a pic and we could decode it for them.
Scot
#3
Luckily they are Canadian cars and with a fee, "GM of Canada has kept detailed records of cars built in Canada. If your car was built in Oshawa, ON Canada, you can phone GM Canada and request this restoration packet. This is not a genuine build sheet but it is the next best thing."
Toll Free: 888-467-6853 Outside Canada: 905-440-7636 or 905-440-7618 Fax: 905-440-7644 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST Address: 1189 Colonel Sam Drive, Oshawa ON, Canada, L1H 8W8
Or if you have that info that is on the cowl tag just post it or a pic and we could decode it for them.
Scot
Toll Free: 888-467-6853 Outside Canada: 905-440-7636 or 905-440-7618 Fax: 905-440-7644 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST Address: 1189 Colonel Sam Drive, Oshawa ON, Canada, L1H 8W8
Or if you have that info that is on the cowl tag just post it or a pic and we could decode it for them.
Scot
More than likely you'll speak with George Zapora. If the car was built in Canada or sold to Canada, they'll have a record. My car was built in Lansing, however GM Canada had all the details since it was sold here, including how many were made, how many were imported, what dealer sold it, what the original colour was/is etc. It's worth the money ($75 I think). Plus they sent me the complete spec's of the car, spring ratings etc.etc.
Last edited by 442much; June 10th, 2011 at 11:37 AM.
#5
I originally bought the package about 25 years ago and in that package I got the the Factory Order Number, for my VIN but it showed the cars built just before mine and just after. The last three numbers in my VIN is 514. I saw all the options the the cars 510, 511, 512, 513, 515 516, 517 etc. It was pretty cool. Also gave me the key codes. It also included all the available options for the car (ordered or not) along with pricing. When I ordered again 20 years later I received more information on the initial info sheet but not the same items as before. I did however receive the spec's book and every nut and bolt, spring ratings for the different engines, how much weight each option added to the cars weights etc.
They also sent me business cards of private Olds vendors in Canada and the US. It's a good package. I now know that 199 Cutlass S cars were imported with the 455. Of the 9576 442's made that year (143 with the 455), 1316 were bound for Canada. Of those 1316 W29 cars an estimated 6 had the 455. Good info.
Last edited by 442much; June 10th, 2011 at 11:53 AM.
#6
Again that is SUPER neat. You are fortunate to have a rare car with documentation to boot.
I was very fortunate to have the documentation that I do have. The original dealer car shipping order with options and prices, P-O-P, letters from Oldsmobile regarding the car, title, tag receipts, installation instructions from the compass bought at the dealer, but no clue on how many came with this many options. My Grandfather ordered it new and all of my life I've been told how rare it was and that it was a one of a kind. But it seems the more I learn about it the less "rare" it becomes. I mean it's probably the only one with my paint job and one of a very few that was that highly optioned but how many, I'll never know for sure.
I just don't understand how they could not keep up with these valuable records, like GM Canada, Chevrolet, Poncho and so on did. I'd pay $500.00 to be able to get the info on my car, GM Heritage Center couldn't help me.
Scot
I was very fortunate to have the documentation that I do have. The original dealer car shipping order with options and prices, P-O-P, letters from Oldsmobile regarding the car, title, tag receipts, installation instructions from the compass bought at the dealer, but no clue on how many came with this many options. My Grandfather ordered it new and all of my life I've been told how rare it was and that it was a one of a kind. But it seems the more I learn about it the less "rare" it becomes. I mean it's probably the only one with my paint job and one of a very few that was that highly optioned but how many, I'll never know for sure.
I just don't understand how they could not keep up with these valuable records, like GM Canada, Chevrolet, Poncho and so on did. I'd pay $500.00 to be able to get the info on my car, GM Heritage Center couldn't help me.
Scot
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