10 replies to this topic

[skap]

I know there is a few that keep records of VIN and identifiers for particular models. 

 

I was surprised recently to find that it is difficult to find details on build details on more modern GMH variants. 

 

Just wondering if anyone has or knows a good source for details particularly on the VN range?

 

I rang Holden and they were able to advise they have VIN details, but no other information on variant, engine numbers, any service records etc.  They suggested contacting HHS.  But they do not provide details on vehicles of that era. 

 

Any help appreciated. 

 

[yel327]

Try asking your nearest Holden service branch before they are gone. I'm not sure if their electronic records go back that far but they do have ISOVIN search available for some cars, where you gave them the ISOVIN and they could look up the required parts for you. VL was the last to have a VIN, its ISOVIN from VN onwards.

[Shiney005]

I will give Station Motors a ring when they open Skap. They are in a quiet country town and are probably still using the same computer from the 90's.  Do HHS go as far as VL?

Edited by Shiney005, Yesterday, 09:36 AM.

[yel327]

I will give Station Motors a ring when they open Skap. They are in a quiet country town and are probably still using the same computer from the 90's.  Do HHS go as far as VL?

 

No. Microfiche records finish for Holden about when GMH went to the new Oneline Warranty System mid 1978 (basically the start of VB Commodore production) - that's when HZ records finish. So the only Holden records are HQ to mid 1978. Plus LC-LX of course for Torana and Sunbird. No Commodore.

 

It took us a long time to figure out why GMH stopped printing reports out for Service and Warranty (later microfiched), but an obscure article in I think Pointers Magazine solved it, it described the new Warranty system which I think was from a 3rd party provider.

[skap]

I will give Station Motors a ring when they open Skap. They are in a quiet country town and are probably still using the same computer from the 90's.  Do HHS go as far as VL?

 

Thanks mate, 

 

I believe HHS only go as far as HZ.  Which is why i found it strange that GMH provide their details for later models. 

No. Microfiche records finish for Holden about when GMH went to the new Oneline Warranty System mid 1978 (basically the start of VB Commodore production) - that's when HZ records finish. So the only Holden records are HQ to mid 1978. Plus LC-LX of course for Torana and Sunbird. No Commodore.

 

It took us a long time to figure out why GMH stopped printing reports out for Service and Warranty (later microfiched), but an obscure article in I think Pointers Magazine solved it, it described the new Warranty system which I think was from a 3rd party provider.

 

Interesting, happen to know whom that third party provider was/is ?

[yel327]

It was called One Line. I do know the Company that ran it in Australia but to date have had no way in to find out what info they kept.

[skap]

It was called One Line. I do know the Company that ran it in Australia but to date have had no way in to find out what info they kept.

 

What company was that?  Be interesting to see what agreement GMH had in regard to retaining records. 

[yel327]

What company was that?  Be interesting to see what agreement GMH had in regard to retaining records. 

 

I've recently tried to contact them again, been waiting on a reply so I can ask them more about it. I don't think they would have had much info though, at least at the start. The system developed back then has become a global Automotive DMS and spare parts management system. It was Warranty claim system back then though, that replaced individual manual warranty claim forms. Big dealers had a computer terminal, and all warranty claim info went into 66 characters or digits. Smaller dealers had special forms that were sent in. All info was collected in Melbourne and transcribed onto tape by computer operators, and combined with the tape already created by the bigger dealers. It was all sent to GMH and twice monthly it was all sent to Detroit where the coded tape was converted into computer printouts and sent back. It would also auto generate credit statements, correction forms etc. And allow cheques to be posted once a month. This was all about streamlining the process, but more so about freeing up labour, reducing the large amount of warranty processing staff, and moving those staff in most cases to the actual dealers where most of the grunt work would be done rather than relying upon zone offices and head office.

Below is an image of a TCS Tape entry terminal at a trial dealer. Think of the 66 character "One Line" like a BETSBAC code, lots of info in not many characters.

 

 TCS terminal.jpg   184.53K   2 downloads

[skap]

I never considered it would be difficult to find details on later model vehicles!! 

 

I did have a contact several years ago that worked at holden service and was able to look up VIN details on VN models.  I am sure i got some screen shots of info he sent me, but would have to dig around to find them. it showed engine number amongst other details. 

 

Surely they still have the records somewhere... 

[yel327]

I never considered it would be difficult to find details on later model vehicles!!

I did have a contact several years ago that worked at holden service and was able to look up VIN details on VN models. I am sure i got some screen shots of info he sent me, but would have to dig around to find them. it showed engine number amongst other details.

Surely they still have the records somewhere...

They will. GMH did have HK-HG too but there was no BETSBAC decoding for the ‘fiche so they always said it was not accessible. It’ll all either have gone to Birdwood or been dumped or kept by someone. What has happened to their electronic records, who knows??

[claysummers]

frOck me, that’s John Hungry Ellers. His face was plastered all over Adelaide TV back in my youth, and some of my dad’s mates started in the used car game with him.

“John H Ellers is my name! Used car dealing is my game!”

I’ve never trusted a speedo reading after the stories they used to tell me.


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