GM Canada Show Car Acct

[Zedder]

Hi George,

We've been discussing the 1967 Canadian Festival cars on another site and wondered what you know about these cars? Do you have any idea what races they were taken to by GM in the summer of 1967 other than the Canadian Grand Prix?

Thanks in advance

[Keith Tedford]

George, Larry Davidson introduced us to each other 2-3 years ago at the Bonfire, Lindsay Cruise night. There is a members' ride section here where you can show your Z/28. George is one of the very few GM people who live their work. I'm retiring after working 40 years in Oshawa as a tool and die maker. Need any help?

[vintagegz]

Please note that I may not answer questions here all the time as we just don't have the time to surf all the sights, but you can email me directly if you have a specific request . Because we are a pay for service to maintain the archives I will always advise what I can and cannot do.I remember the Camaros being at the first Canadian GP F1 race ( I was there, it rained!), but do not know what other events they may have been sent to. If I find out more I will let you know here. Remember I am no guru, I have access to info that I research on a per VIN basis, and take pride in trying to be correct. If you ever think I have made a mistake on a package that I have sent out please let me know, I will always look at it again, as we all get older the eyes get tired when looking at the old microfilm, but bottom line is that you guys have to be happy with what I send you. I have been updating our printouts a bit in the last 2 months to give descriptions of z28, z22 , z25, z27 etc at the bottom of the printout so you know what was part of that package. Thanks for the kind welcome to this sight by everyone, George

[Zedder]

Thanks George! For the record, I think you and your group do an excellent job for us all and we appreciate it. I have noticed that as the years go by, the info gets more consistent with respect to dealer names etc. on the documents you provide and I am sure that is all part of the learning experience. Personally, you have helped me out a number of times, so no complaints here. I'll send you an email

[Pacecarjeff]

[ QUOTE ]
Kurt, just an update from Vintage Vehicle Services. 80055 is not a Zone Office account, there was no zone office in Oshawa, Ontario, this was head office. Zone offices were out in the field such as Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver, etc. 80055 is a Show Car account used by the Sales Department for company show cars that were sent to new car shows to display our products. These cars were usually heavily optioned so that customers could see a wide variety of features on the vehicles, but not always. I am just a newbie here but thought I should clear up a few misconceptions.

[/ QUOTE ]

Glad we finally cleared that all up.

George nice to hear from you!!!

[Zedder]

From GM Canada Vintage Services in 1990...

[Zedder]

Page 2..."code 80055 GM of Canada Chevrolet Sales Promotion".

[Pacecarjeff]

Sales Promotion, Show Car Account, VIP, Special Prepared.
Those terms really all mean exactly the same thing.
My guess, is that the 80055 Account was the special request account that GM of Canada used to order "Special cars". They were possibly inspected for better quality, and likely had a better fit and finish about them. The paint may have been polished to a better shine. The engines were likely detailed for display.

These were the cars GM was going to use to put their best foot forward.
Used at races, auto shows, celebrity, and sporting events, ect....

The 80055 cars were specialy prepared AS show cars.
Everything about these cars was maybe to a higher standard.

[Zedder]

I followed up with George concerning this letter and here is his response, "Mark, a show car account is like Larry described, basically a catch all for special or excess inventory. Different people may have various ways of describing it, but official technical name is the show car account. This was looked after by the sales dept. Just because it says show car does not in effect mean it was an actual show car, it was just relegated to that account till sales could figure out what they wanted to do with it, in effect a holding account. Sorry to raise some peoples hopes or dash others, but it was just the name given to that particular account, we use those accounts even today. Regards, George"

[Pacecarjeff]

That seems reasonable enough.
I would like to hear more...

Some cars were ordered throught that account as inventory.
Others were prepped show cars. You would have to see the final delivery useage, to really see what each one is intended as. EXACTLY like Central Office Production Orders (COPO).

Some of the COPO's were Supercars with HiPO Engine and racing destinations, Most were just special requests - Trucks, Taxis, Police cars, even farm equipment.

So Just because a car is ordered through the COPO program, Or 80055, doesn't make it a COPO or a Show car. Have to look and see what makes it special. Or what it was intended to be used for.