The General Motors Media Archive (GMMA) manages GM’s global repository of historical photography, motion picture film, video, digital media, and of course, vehicle documentation.
Their collections include over eight million photographic images, 250,000 video masters and motion picture films, a million and a half digital media files, and more than one million pieces of microfilm. They document the development, manufacturing, and promotion of General Motors products as well as its events, facilities, and leadership. It’s really pretty amazing.
GMMA manages General Motors’ collection of historical build documentation for its U.S. brands. These documents detail how a specific vehicle was equipped when it left the factory. Dealer invoices and/or build records are not available for all models and all years. The documentation for most brands dates back only to 1977. Please see the Vehicle Invoices and Build Records sections below for a complete list of availability by make and year. To request vehicle documentation from GMMA, see Ordering Instructions below.
The vehicle invoice collection is the documentation of the vehicle cost broken out by model and factory options. It contains the original ship to dealer information, MSRP, and invoice number that General Motors used to bill the dealer. The collection is archived on microfilm, microfiche, CD and is organized by VIN number.
The collection covers almost all cars & trucks produced in the United States starting in the mid-1970s. Vehicle Invoices are printed from microfilm or microfiche then scanned and emailed as an Adobe PDF for $50 USD.
You can download a free copy of the Vehicle Information Kit for many GM vehicles ranging from model years 1902 through 2007.
Most requests for copies of dealer vehicle invoices are reproduced from microfilm and microfiche, and copies of these records may vary in quality, depending on the condition of the archived record. They will give you the highest reproduction quality possible from these media sources and will notify you if the invoices are not legible or unavailable.
Vehicle invoices are available for the following years: *
* Excludes Fleet and Exported vehicles
The format of Vehicle Build Sheets and Invoices vary by division and year.
The build record is a document that followed the vehicle down the assembly line as the car was being built. Assembly line workers used the option codes on the build record to determine which part they were to install.
The build record option codes were specific to different vehicle lines and require decoding to understand individual options.
Cadillac is the only General Motors division that was able to preserve the majority of their factory build records all the way back to 1903. These build records have taken on many forms over the years. Early build records were handwritten in oversized leather-bound journals. While more recent records are computer-generated.
Build records are available for Cadillac only. There are no Cadillac build records available for 1968, 1974-1979, and some 1973 models. Cadillac build records are printed from microfilm or microfiche.
This package will include information pertaining to the option code and be mailed USPS for $50 USD.
The format of Vehicle Build Sheets and Invoices vary by division and year.
The GM Heritage Center can provide model-specific Vintage Vehicle Information Packages. For a fee of $50, the GM Heritage Center will decode the vehicle identification number (VIN), the body plate/trim tag codes and provide photocopies of product literature including (when available):
Vintage Vehicle Information Packages are available for all GM makes but the amount of information varies from model to model and year to year. Information relevant to a specific model if available will be mailed USPS.
You can download a free copy of the Vehicle Information Kit for many GM vehicles ranging from model years 1902 through 2007.
1) Paying by credit card:
2) Paying by check or money order:
Allied Vaughn
11923 Brookfield
Livonia, MI. 48150
Attention: GM Vehicle Invoice
Check or money order payments may cause a delay in fulfillment, as it must clear before your order is shipped. All prices are per vehicle.
General Motors can not authenticate any vehicle, merely provide whatever documentation of information is available based on vehicle information provided.
If you have any questions, please contact General Motors Media Archive:
Question: Where are the Key Codes listed?
Answer: Due to potential security issues, effective September 20, 2006, the GM Media Archive will no longer be supplying Dealer Invoices or Build Sheets with Key Code information. This information can be obtained by contacting your dealer.
Question: Do you provide window stickers?
Answer: No, You can use the information we provide to have a window sticker re-created. One of the largest suppliers is Triple A Enterprises who makes Factory Correct Reproduction Window Stickers for Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac popular model years (as well as Dodge and Plymouth).
Question: Do you have records of past owners including the original owner?
Answer: No, vehicle invoices will show what dealer purchased the vehicle from General Motors, but there is no vehicle history information available.
Question: Why did GM not retain any original documentation for every vehicle built?
Answer: Each division and plant was responsible for maintaining production information but there were no retention guidelines for this information and plants did not have the necessary space to store it all. Most records were destroyed after 10 years.
Question: Where can I find the records that you do not have?
Answer: For Buick records prior to 1982, contact the Alfred P. Sloan Museum. For Pontiac records prior to 1987, contact PHS. While we continue to search for original build records and dealer invoices for Chevrolet, GMC, and Oldsmobile vehicles built prior to the 1977 model year, there is currently no resource available from which to obtain this information.
Question: Does GM provide letters of authenticity on GM letterhead stating that my car is authentic?
Answer: No, GM can not authenticate vehicles or options.
Question: Do you provide recall clearance letters?
Answer: No, call 888-467-6853 for more information.
Question: Where can I get current model information?
Answer: Call 800-222-1020 for more information.
GMMA has trained visual media researchers available to assist with your research, whether the endeavor is of an enthusiast, academic or commercial nature. The GMMA staff prides itself on its ability to meet customer deadlines.
The email should include how you intend to use the visual media you are requesting and what the intended audience and/or distribution will be. This will assure that we release assets that have the full rights for your desired use, and also that our researchers will be able to more fully understand your needs.
Requests should be sent via email to support@gmmediaarchive.com. For commercial endeavors, fees may apply.
