<VV> European Delivery of GM Cars to GIs in 1970s

[Kent Sullivan]

Also see this article on my website, on which that Bob provided many
insights:

http://www.corvairkid.com/105376W124805.htm

--Kent
-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of hallgrenn at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 8:16 AM
To: ivrbr at yahoo.com; virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: Re: <VV> European Delivery of GM Cars to GIs in 1970s


Irv,

I bought a new Corvair in 1967 (a '68) in Germany while in the Army and
financed and insured new and used cars for GIs in the '70s when I worked in
Heidelberg Germany for GEICO Gmbh.  It's complicated, but in general during
that period all official sales of new American cars to DOD personnel in
Europe (active duty and civilian) were built in the U.S.A. (and for some
models Canada) and shipped over duty free--usually on DOD contracted ships.
There was no customs duty as the cars were never officially registered in a
European country--they were registered, tagged and insured under the laws
governing U.S. Forces in Europe using the Military Police for enforcement
and firms specifically licensed to insure them--GEICO, USAA and another firm
beginning with "A" that I've forgotten.  Insurance was very expensive.  I
understand Japan had a similar setup in the '50s, '60s and '70s.  If a GI
bought a new US Spec foreign car (lots of Capris, Peugeots, Mercedes,
Porsches etc.) it came fr  om a factory that built the American export
models and was delivered through the PX or BX without customs duty.

Most Americans simply shipped their used cars over to their new duty
station--gas was subsidized by the DOD and bigger PXs and BXs had auto
repair shops with good mechanics.  The US government aggressively pushed
"Buy American" programs in the late '60s and early '70s due to the "Dollar
Drain" and foreign exchange problems.  For a time there were even PX gas
stations on some autobahns between bigger US installations.  If any cars
were sold "on the economy" by a departing American then customs on the
current, lower value were paid by the buyer and the car had to be brought up
(or down) to local standards.  A lot of desirable muscle cars entered
European registration as used American cars.  Typically only the rich (or
fiscally foolish) could afford American cars as the annual road tax and
higher gas consumption meant our cars were expensive to keep compared to
local vehicles.

As you indicated the "Hergestellt" plate on the car you referenced means it
was registered at some time in a country where German was the dominant
language and indicates that the vehicle was made in the US.

Depending on the demand and costs involved many American cars were built for
the local market "in country"--many as knockdowns that were assembled
overseas to reduce the customs cost.  GIs didn't buy these cars (unless they
bought well used, fully depreciated ones) because they sold "new" for twice
as much or more as the same American car purchased through the PX--and
didn't necessarily meet American standards so they couldn't be registered in
the U.S. without modifications if shipped back.  Corvairs were sold that way
in foreign countries through GM's sales arm and others have written about
that production.  Today many "American" cars are marketed worldwide, but
built locally--Jeeps, Chrysler minivans, Chevy Cruzes etc.--with locally
produced (and frequently smaller) engines.

And of course classic American cars are still desirable--the Swedes really
love them--and are shipped overseas all the time. 

Bob Hall
Group Corvair
Corvanatics
CORSA 

I'm assuming all the Classic American Cars we see now in Europe came there
that way and the GIs sold them when they shipped back stateside?




-----Original Message-----
From: Irv Brock <ivrbr at yahoo.com>
To: virtualvairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Tue, Aug 20, 2013 8:13 am
Subject: <VV> European Delivery of GM Cars to GIs in 1970s


I am seeking any firsthand knowledge of our Military Vets who were stationed

overseas especially in Germany during the 70s and were able to purchase the 
brand new GM cars directly through the Commissary. I recently found a
classic 
70s car with a " data plate " that says " Hergestellt " GM Corp. USA. I
remember 
trips to Europe back in the 70s when I was a child visiting my Uncles/Aunts
and 
Grandparents and seeing American made cars everywhere in Germany (especially

spanking new Vettes, Trans Ams and Mustangs (Autobahn).
 
I'm assuming all the Classic American Cars we see now in Europe came there
that 
way and the GIs sold them when they shipped back stateside? I'm wondering if
the 
cars were in any way modified by the factory for European delivery? 
Interestingly, my brother was stationed in Japan and purchased a local
righthand 
drive used Honda Prelude. The Navy couldn't send it back for him as it
didn't 
meet US DOT requirements. Maybe he should've bought a Muscle car and shipped
it 
back!
 
Irv Brock
65 Corsa 
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