Serial # Question

[Brian Gough]

David Pope, thanks for asking a very interesting question. David Hayward, could you expand some more on your answer about model years changing, at least as it applies to GM, Oshawa - built vehicles.

Is it known when each model year began for GM, Oshawa - built vehicles?

As changes were made on an ongoing basis throughout production, what is the real significance, if any, of a model year change?


From my observation certainly the model year did not change with the calendar year and there is no consistency as to when it did change each year. I think the 1943 model year started in April, 1943, definitely after Mar 22/43, the build date of HUP serial #2844533784 (mine), almost a month after David Pope's.

For the 1944 model year, the data plate on the nice C15A radio van owned by the Oshawa Museum is very interesting:

C-15A
13
4844400001
PR3973928
CDLV 2571
June 19-44

From this example do we conclude the 1944 model year commenced on June 19, 1944?

I agree with David H. there may not have been a 1945 model year at all. I have never seen a GM Oshawa CMP serial number that commenced with a "5", although CMP production there continued at least until Aug 31, 1945 with ser #4844521386, a HUP now in the Canadian War Museum.

Last point, David H., on C8A serial #2844500006, the main dataplate (new style) shows only "Pilot Model" in the order no. line. Do you know where the reference to Contract LV59 came from?

Brian