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Old 03-10-06, 14:04
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David_Hayward (RIP) David_Hayward (RIP) is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: The New Forest, England
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Default GMC/Olds

Mike, there is a real story around the points you raise! My head explodes when trying to work out what models were badged as such up to 1942.

The GMC Ute had a Pontiac-built engine, and I think it must be a 222.7 cu in six. I believe that I misdirected myself...I am pretty sure it's actually badged as a GMC, probably a model AC-100. In In North America there were also by then Pontiac Sedan Deliveries, plus the GMC Suburban. In Canada the model line-up varied, with Pontiac SDs, and in 1940 Sedan Chassis, which GMHolden's could have turned into Utes. I initially considered that all Pontiac-badged Utes were thus Canadian-sourced, and all GMCs US-sourced. However on reflection I query whether GM-Holden's imported US Pontiac cars and converted them to Utes as well, and there may have been Canadian GMCs as well. The Canadian sedan chassis may have been available in 1941 but I have no evidence yet. I suppose with diverted cargoes ending up in Australia, anything is possible!

Turning to Oldsmobile trucks, Pontiac, Michigan, Plant [Yellow Truck & Bus Division] started building export Oldsmobile-badged trucks from 1935 for 1936 Model Year and continued it seems to 1940. Olds trucks were imported into the UK in 1937 and 1938 only as were GMCs. They were basically a mix-and-match based on GMC chassis, using in some chassis Chevrolet axles and gearboxes, with GMC chassis and cabs, and Oldsmobile 229.7 cu in engines, which GMC also used as the "GMC 229". By 1937 Pontiac offered for export Chevrolet-badged Normal Control and Cab-over-Engine chassis with Chevrolet 216 or Hercules diesel engines, or GMC* NC or COE with Olds engines or Hercules diesels, or Oldsmobile NC or COE with Olds or Hercules engines. Apart from Chevrolet axles, Timken were also used. The main differences between these export models seems to be the grilles and that's it! I have seen a photo of a Holden-assembled Olds truck and it even had "GMC" foot pedals!


*Export 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton GMCs would have used the Pontiac 6-cylinder engine.
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