Re: Original Corvette Documentation Coming

[Verne Frantz]

Re: Original Corvette Documentation Coming

Art,
Hope this works. The thread started back in Nov '02. It has 120 posts. Some are from Jim.
Verne

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=25145&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[Verne Frantz]

Re: Original Corvette Documentation Coming

Art,
Hope this works. The thread started back in Nov '02. It has 120 posts. Some are from Jim.
Verne

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=25145&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[Tom R.]

Re: Original Corvette Documentation Coming

Those readers unfamiliar with Art's search for same records are encouraged to browse both the archives here as well as the Restorer's index for his efforts to find Corvette build records. It was published in recent years.

Art started this thread for those waiting for his view on this topic...which intimated a certain optimism in contrast to previous posts on same topic.

Third, the records are reported to have been shipper's copies rather than plant copies. So I would find it hard to believe someone is traversing the country looking for GM manifests...that's what Art did!

I believe plant copies found would not have VINs typed or key codes typed because that work was done on the plant floor while the office copy was pulled and filed. Just my take from what I've read, heard and studied. Shipper's copies would have the VIN on the copy and since (what was that shipper's name that delivered all Corvettes?) a single shipper did all Corvettes...it would be the equivalent to finding the motherload if indeed any of this story has a basis in reality rather than the fictional nature that cloaks the story.

[Tom R.]

Re: Original Corvette Documentation Coming

Those readers unfamiliar with Art's search for same records are encouraged to browse both the archives here as well as the Restorer's index for his efforts to find Corvette build records. It was published in recent years.

Art started this thread for those waiting for his view on this topic...which intimated a certain optimism in contrast to previous posts on same topic.

Third, the records are reported to have been shipper's copies rather than plant copies. So I would find it hard to believe someone is traversing the country looking for GM manifests...that's what Art did!

I believe plant copies found would not have VINs typed or key codes typed because that work was done on the plant floor while the office copy was pulled and filed. Just my take from what I've read, heard and studied. Shipper's copies would have the VIN on the copy and since (what was that shipper's name that delivered all Corvettes?) a single shipper did all Corvettes...it would be the equivalent to finding the motherload if indeed any of this story has a basis in reality rather than the fictional nature that cloaks the story.

[Art A.]

Re: Original Corvette Documentation Coming

One, Only ONE is from Jim and that was over a year ago. At least that's all I could see and it didn't say much.

BTW I see where some are of the opinion that the Fisher Body and Corvette records can and will help each other out in documenting vehicles from both divisions. This can't be further from the truth, Chevrolet and FB actually hated each other so to speak. FB, especially, did not like or want anything to do with the Corvette. And their methods and procedures of record keeping were very different and were not compatible with each other and cannot be crossindexed.

Art

[Art A.]

Re: Original Corvette Documentation Coming

One, Only ONE is from Jim and that was over a year ago. At least that's all I could see and it didn't say much.

BTW I see where some are of the opinion that the Fisher Body and Corvette records can and will help each other out in documenting vehicles from both divisions. This can't be further from the truth, Chevrolet and FB actually hated each other so to speak. FB, especially, did not like or want anything to do with the Corvette. And their methods and procedures of record keeping were very different and were not compatible with each other and cannot be crossindexed.

Art

[Joe L.]

Re: Original Corvette Documentation Coming

Art-----

This is a subject that I haven't followed too closely. For me, personally, the issue is moot. I've owned both of my Corvettes since new, so "documentation" is really no big deal as far as I'm concerned. Nevertheless, for the good of the hobby, I'd like to see such records become available if they can be wherever obtained. If Jim Mattison or anyone else can come up with them, that's great. In my mind, if he or anyone else does it's no reflection, at all, on your past efforts. Jim's "sphere of research" may be greater than what you had available to you. I've said for years that I doubt that anyone would ever come up with any records but I'd just love to be wrong about that.

As far as any announcements or update from Jim, I can completely understand why he might be reluctant to provide any. If he is working for GM on this project, whatever he finds is completely up to them to release, not him. Whenever outside consultants or researchers do paid work for any "entity", their work product is entirely the property of the entity. They're not free to release any information except as they may be authorized to do by the contracting "entity".

[Joe L.]

Re: Original Corvette Documentation Coming

Art-----

This is a subject that I haven't followed too closely. For me, personally, the issue is moot. I've owned both of my Corvettes since new, so "documentation" is really no big deal as far as I'm concerned. Nevertheless, for the good of the hobby, I'd like to see such records become available if they can be wherever obtained. If Jim Mattison or anyone else can come up with them, that's great. In my mind, if he or anyone else does it's no reflection, at all, on your past efforts. Jim's "sphere of research" may be greater than what you had available to you. I've said for years that I doubt that anyone would ever come up with any records but I'd just love to be wrong about that.

As far as any announcements or update from Jim, I can completely understand why he might be reluctant to provide any. If he is working for GM on this project, whatever he finds is completely up to them to release, not him. Whenever outside consultants or researchers do paid work for any "entity", their work product is entirely the property of the entity. They're not free to release any information except as they may be authorized to do by the contracting "entity".

[Verne Frantz]

Re: Original Corvette Documentation Coming

Art,
I apologize if I led you on a wild goose chase. I thought I recalled more than one post from Jim. Perhaps I remembered the several posts from his close friend which seemed to forward some more information about his efforts. I was trying to help.

And, I certainly would not know Fisher Body's relationship with Chevrolet regarding the Corvette back then. ....For my own research however, I have found the cross-referencing of Fisher's info with Chevrolet's info to be quite helpful in some ways.

I too wish there would be more updates from Jim himself. I've never had any direct contact with (or from) him.

best regards,
Verne.

[Verne Frantz]

Re: Original Corvette Documentation Coming

Art,
I apologize if I led you on a wild goose chase. I thought I recalled more than one post from Jim. Perhaps I remembered the several posts from his close friend which seemed to forward some more information about his efforts. I was trying to help.

And, I certainly would not know Fisher Body's relationship with Chevrolet regarding the Corvette back then. ....For my own research however, I have found the cross-referencing of Fisher's info with Chevrolet's info to be quite helpful in some ways.

I too wish there would be more updates from Jim himself. I've never had any direct contact with (or from) him.

best regards,
Verne.

[Dick W.]

Re: Original Corvette Documentation Coming

Joe, I doubt very seriously that Jim or anyone else outside of GM has ever had the available resources that Art did when he was employed by GM! I will not go into detail, but Art had any and all resources available to him at the time he did his search.

[Dick W.]

Re: Original Corvette Documentation Coming

Joe, I doubt very seriously that Jim or anyone else outside of GM has ever had the available resources that Art did when he was employed by GM! I will not go into detail, but Art had any and all resources available to him at the time he did his search.

[George C.]

Re: Original Corvette Documentation Coming

Please tell me why GM Canada has all the records on GM cars sold in Canada, Corvettes included. Save the Wave.>George

[George C.]

Re: Original Corvette Documentation Coming

Please tell me why GM Canada has all the records on GM cars sold in Canada, Corvettes included. Save the Wave.>George

[John H.]

Re: Original Corvette Documentation Coming

The folks at GM of Canada have told me in the past that it was done (since the 30's) in order to maintain auditable records for Revenue Canada (their equivalent of our IRS) related to import duties, excise taxes, offset credits, and the rest of the maze of Canadian tax issues that related to importation of U.S.-built/Canadian-sold new vehicles. GM of Canada Ltd. is legally a separate company from GM (U.S.), and technically bought U.S.-built cars from GM, imported them, and sold them through their own dealer network.