Holiday69

In Switzerland, GM Suisse SA Bienne, Oldsmobile were built from 1936 to the end of 1958 from CKD.
Most of these came from the US, rarely from Oshawa Ontario CDN.

From the years 1936 - 1946 there are no data regarding models.
From 1947 so-called "type certificate" (identical to the AMA-SPEC, only simplified) exists.
The evaluation of these "type certificates" yielded the following statements:

1947 66 4 dr. Sedan US-VIN CH assembly

1948 98 4 dr. Sedan US-VIN CH assembly

1949 76 4 dr. Sedan US-VIN CH assembly

1950 98 4 dr. Sedan US-VIN import

1951 S-88 4 dr. Sedan US-VIN import

1952 No type certificates available

1953 S-88 4 dr. Sedan US-VIN import
1953 S-88 2 dr. Convertible US-VIN import

1954 Same as 1953

1955 S-88 4 dr. Sedan US-VIN import
1955 S-88 4 dr. Holiday Hardtop US-VIN Import
1955 S-88 2 Dr. Ing. Holiday Hardtop US-VIN Import
1955 S-88 2 Dr. Ing. Convertible US-VIN import (not DCR but DTX)

1956 no type certificates available

1957 S-88 4 dr. Sedan CH assembly VIN SS57-X-X (model number 87)
1957 S-88 4 dr. Holiday Sedan CH assembly VIN SS57-X-X (model number 89)
1957 S-88 2 Dr. Ing. Holiday Hardtop US-VIN Import (Model Number 85)
1957 S-88 2 Dr. Ing. Convertible US-VIN import (model number 84)

1958 S-88 4 dr. Holiday Hardtop CH-assembly VIN SS58-X-X (model number 89)


All other years, the Oldsmobile were delivered as complete finished car's in Switzerland.
This via ship and train.

The final proof of what was assembled in Biel, can NOT be clarified at this time.
For the simple reason that many data were considered "not worth preserving".

There are 4 archives which still have original documents.
GM Suisse is relatively open and grants access to an archive.
This is under wraps, from the personal founder of GM Suisse.

I'm working on being able to extract this archive ...

To get an insight into the GM-Suisse activities, here are the official data: ( attachment )

In the "CKD Assembly 1936 - 1976" the annual values of the production can be seen.
After my research is not clear from when each model came to the introduction.
The dates on the type certificates are so-called examinations on this day.
Which can not be the start of production.

It is also known from page Oldsmobile not every model year when the series start was!

Grtz Tom

Holiday69

The first picture is an Oldsmobile S-88 4 dr. Holiday Deluxe Sedan.

Make Oldsmobile
Model 89 -> Swiss model number
Body-Style 3639SD -> Super 88 4 Dr. med. Holiday hardtop
Chassis No SS 57-74-9 -> Swiss Supplier model year, construction day and how many cars on the day. *
Release No SS 57-74-9 the same as above **
Color No X 201 -> single color, probably Helios blue from Opel
Trim No X5739 -> Standard Trim 57er Model 4 Sedan


The second is my 69er Cutlass S.

Make Oldsmobile
Model 33687 - A -> A = Automatic Transmission (S = Synchromesh)
Engine 391128717QN
Chassis 3368791128717 -> the same number as VIN

Holiday69

I have more CH badges I could show.
I'll set it if you want.

To complete the plaque with the mountains.

All GM-mounted or imported GM models had an emblem in the grille.

The assembled models had the text:

GM
GENERAL MOTORS
SUISSE ASSEMBLED

the inported:

GM GENERAL MOTORS
SUISSE SA BIENNE

The designs were made in the early days of cast aluminum and very high quality.
From about 1969 these were replaced by plastic.
They broke off frequently and can not be found in good condition!

The 3 mountains show the Eiger Mönch and Jungfrau.

joe_padavano

This is very cool information. Thanks for pulling this together.

Holiday69

OK, then I'll show you more GM Suisse.

First a 442 from 1968:

For Switzerland, the 442 models of the 68 model were only delivered as standard.
So no W-30 and 442 / H.

But with a few special options like Limited Slip Diff, Power Steering, Power Brakes and Rear Window Defogger - Blower Type, Bucket Seats, Window Electric Controll and Outside rear View Mirror - LH - Remote controll.

Now to the plaque GM Suisse SA Bienne:

1st line left = MAKE OLDSMOBILE
1st line right = CH. = Type certificate (AMA-SPEC)

2. Line left = MODEL 8 4-4-2 34487 A
8 = Model Year, Series, Division / Series / Body Type
A = automatic transmission
2nd line right = REL. = Release number, not specified because no assembly in Switzerland.

3rd line left = QR = engine code V-8 400-Cui 4-bbl H.C. 325-HP with THM-400 without A / C.
3rd line right = Color, not specified because no assembly in Switzerland.

4th line left = Chassis = VIN (CDN Code 1 for Oshawa Ontario Assembly Plant)
4th line right = TRIM = Interior, not specified because no assembly in Switzerland.

For this version 45 pieces were produced for the export!
For the CDN market 1'070 pieces and for the USA 2'590 pieces (Georg Zapora, Vintage Vehicle Services).

Holiday69

For Switzerland, the 442 of the 69 model was delivered only in standard version.
So no W-30 and 442 / H.
However, from 2 different Assembly Plants, US Lansing Michigan and CDN Oshawa Ontario.
Both received different type certificates ( Holiday Hardtop and Convertible ) and had Km / h speedometer.

Since only standard models were available, they were given a few special options such as Limited Slip Diff, Power Steering, Power Brakes and Rear Window Defogger - Blower Type, Bucket Seats, Window Electric Controll and Outside Rear View Mirror - LH - Remote Control.

Now to the plaque GM Suisse SA Bienne:

1st line left = MAKE OLDSMOBILE
1st line right = CH. = Type certificate (AMA-SPEC) 0337-10

2nd line on the left, 34487-A = Division, Series, Body Type and A = Automatic Transmission
2nd line on the right, REL. = Release number, not specified because no assembly in Switzerland.

3rd line left = 391XXXXXXQR = Engine Code V-8 400-Cui 4-bbl H.C. 325-HP with THM-400 without A / C.
3rd line right = Color, not specified because no assembly in Switzerland.

4th line left = Chassis = VIN (CDN Code 1 for Oshawa Ontario Assembly Plant)
4th line right = TRIM = Interior, not specified because no assembly in Switzerland.

From model year 1969 and this 442, 71 pieces were produced in Canada for export (Georg Zapora, Vintage Vehicle Services)!

Holiday69

This 69er 442 is also from Canadian production only with a slightly different arrangement of the details in MODEL.

9 4-4-2 34487 A
9 = model year
4-4-2 = Series
34487 = Division, Series, Body Type. A = automatic transmission.

Holiday69

This 69er 442 Convertible from US production has, as previously written, its own type code, 0337-11.
The standard options are identical, as well as the engine.
There was only the standard version without W-30.
The speedometer is in Km / h.

Which reason why which were ordered from the US or CDN is not clear.
One possibility would be that a dealer had ordered one himself and then delivered it via Biel, since the cars were all checked and adjusted in Biel or Studen.

The number of these imported 442 can not be said.
Ev. would a request give more insight ...

Grtz Tom

-----------------------------------------------------
All these badges are from my circle of friends!

Holiday69

The 1969 model year also included other models that were to be ordered in Switzerland.
Among other things, the Supreme 2 Dr. Holiday hardtop.

This Supreme has no engine code (such as QR) because of this 350-Cui. V-8 4-bbl was standard on the Supreme.

All other options are identical to the 442 from the same model year.

I would like to do a Vehicle Request here, but it is not my car.

Holiday69

Hello everybody,

I collected a few more information about the Swiss Oldsmobile.
The 69er Supreme, post above, is one of 97 produced in Canada (For Export Sale in Canada).

This gives the following numbers for the 1969:
(For Overseas Export Sale in Canada)

- Cutlass S Holiday Hardtop Coupe, 123 pieces
- Cutlass Supreme Holiday Hardtop Coupe, 97 pieces
- 442 Holiday Hardtop Coupe (without W-30), 71 pieces

Not all were imported to Switzerland. But it shows that the number is very modest.
Once again a model is known, go on :-)

Grtz Tom

Holiday69

Correction:
The chassis and release number is NOT a day code!
This is the XCO number (Export Car Order).
For his SS 57-74-9:

57 = year 1957, year of installation, not model year

74 = The first sent car box with 12 same cars is the 1, the second 2, etc. The 74 is the 74 broadcast.
For the 74, it's still important to know that the brand / model is overarching.
So theoretically, the 1 can be from Chevrolet, the 2 Buick etc.

9 = The first car from the 12th mission is 1. The 9th car from this mission 74 is the car.