GM World
Before there was GM World . . . there was Sparks (later called Okeh), a G.M. Export Company magazine which bowed in 1919 and expired with the 1920-21 depression. In June 1922, L.H. Kurtz, then advertising manager, was tapped by J. D. Mooney to bring out a monthly magazine "for Exporters everywhere". The eight-page magazine was nameless at first, but after a company-wide contest, Mr. Mooney stepped in and chose the name, "General Motors World". Boxes of cigars were awarded to the men whose entries received honorable mention.
"The World" met with immediate success and became a letter from home for widely scattered Exporters.The magazine was a running account of the travels and changing fortunes of Exporters at a time when everyone who went overseas got a gala send-off and an even bigger welcome home.
The final issue of GM World was delivered in June 1970.
From time to time, articles appeared about Holden and the cars, and latterly, about Australia in more general terms. The Holden collection is an almost complete set covering from March 1950 to the final, June 1970 issue, plus a few other odd article copies from earlier magazines.
Below is extracted these articles relevant to Holden, as they appeared. Some of the earlier articles were only available to us as photocopies, and they are marked (PC) for reference.
Year | Issue | Subject | Link |
1927 | February | Opening of the Sydney GMA Plant at Marrickville (PC) | |
1927 | February | Opening of Perth Branch (PC) | |
1927 | February | Buick's Trails and Travels in Australia (PC) | |
1927 | February | Export action (PC) | |
1927 | February | Opening of Perth Plant (PC) | |
1927 | February | Buick, Olds and Oakland cars give creditable performance (PC) | |
1927 | February | Sydney branch opening (PC) | |
1927 | May | In many lands with GM (PC) | |
1927 | June | Pictures from Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane (PC) | |
1927 | June | GM Cars in every hold on every Ship (PC) | |
1927 | August | Pictorial Review from GM Australia (PC) | |
1927 | August | Sydney branch gives free service at Canberra (PC) | |
1927 | August | Two new publicity stunts (PC) | |
1927 | September | Home office keeps photo tabs on travellers (PC) | |
1927 | September | Oldsmobile establishes record run (PC) | |
1927 | October | Buick Caravan announced by radio on Australian Tour (PC) | |
1927 | October | International Items (PC) | |
1927 | December | GM Outdoor advertising and Melb Theatre Scoop (PC) | |
1927 | December | Home office turns tourist (PC) | |
1927 | December | Pictorial reports on GM cars (PC) | |
1928 | January | Around the globe with GM Products (PC) | |
1928 | January | New Plant at Sydney (PC) | |
1928 | February | GM Products around the world (PC) | |
1928 | February | Visits with Exporters abroard (PC) | |
1928 | April | Adelaide inaugurates Traveling Service School (PC) | |
1928 | April | GMA wins Cup for Best Poster Display (PC) | |
1928 | April | Exports abroard (PC) | |
1928 | June | Exporters at Home and Abroard (PC) | |
1928 | July | Brisbane Branch Aerial photo (PC) | |
1928 | August | GM Tackles Used Car problem (PC) | |
1928 | August | Three Vauxhalls complete run without loss of points (PC) | |
1928 | September | Perth Branch aerial photo (PC) | |
1928 | October | Close up of export areas (PC) | |
1928 | October | Illuminated model of five plants in demand (PC) | |
1928 | October | Importance of Correct Sales Forecasting (PC) | |
1928 | October | New film, The World Builds a Motor Car (PC) | |
1928 | October | News from Australia and New Zealand (PC) | |
1928 | November | Film "The World Builds a Motor Car" ready for distribution (PC) | |
1929 | March | Corp makes record Sales and Profits for 1927 (PC) | |
1929 | March | Marquette hill climb Tests establish great prestege (PC) | |
1929 | April | Oldsmobile betters two standing records (PC) | |
1929 | June | Assembly in Aust aims for high efficiency (PC) | |
1929 | July | GMA establishes inter-plant rating (PC) | |
1929 | August | Motor transport becoming universal (PC) | |
1929 | August | Perth branch uses new form of advertising (PC) | |
1929 | November | Aust is building Motor cars (PC) | |
1930 | January | Chevs operate talking picture shows in Australia (PC) | |
1930 | January | Views of GM Cars abroard (PC) | |
1930 | May | Chev economy test shows 29.4 miles per gallon (PC) | |
1930 | June | Chev sets new economy record of 43.3 Miles per Gallon (PC) | |
1930 | July | Chev blazes new trail in Australia (PC) | |
1930 | July | Interesting activities of GM Products abroard (PC) | |
1930 | July | Two Chevs tie for enomocy (PC) | |
1930 | August | GM Exporter first man to welcome Amy Johnson (PC) | |
1930 | August | Off Duty occupations of GM Managing Directors (PC) | |
1930 | October | Sydney Plant wins publicity by dramatising a new version of what constitutes news. (PC) | |
1931 | January | Australian Plants raise funds (PC) | |
1931 | February | Rear Admiral Kayser of Dutch Squadron with Cadillac in Brisbane (PC) | |
1931 | April | "General Motors & Holden" formed by merger of the two companies (PC) | |
1931 | June | GM Calling the world (PC) | |
1931 | August | Chev Quality line creates interest (PC) | |
1931 | October | What is Australia's future (PC) | |
1931 | November | Chev serves as refuge from gangstares (PC) | |
1932 | February | Gold Rush Contest (PC) | |
1932 | April | Cadillac in National Park (PC) | |
1932 | April | Harry Cavanaugh in NY (PC) | |
1933 | November | South Aust Governor leave wharf in his Vauxhall after return (PC) | |
1934 | April | Captured Chev Truck mystery (PC) | |
1934 | May | L.J. Hartnett appointed MD of GMH (PC) | |
1934 | May | Vauxhall Motors endorses policy of the Helping Hand (PC) | |
1934 | August | Organisation and Business situation in 1934 (PC) | |
1935 | January | Vauxhall in Australian limelight (PC) | |
1935 | February | Pictorial Gleanings (PC) | |
1935 | February | Pointers published by GMH (PC) | |
1935 | April | Search for Lasseter's lost Reef (PC) | |
1935 | May | The re-opening of Perth Plant (PC) | |
1935 | May | GM-H Business booms in Australia (PC) | |
1935 | July | Around the circuit with GM Products (PC) | |
1935 | July | Pats on the back for sales performance (PC) | |
1935 | October | New Plant in Melbourne for GMH (PC) | |
1935 | December | Vauxhall used in Outback (PC) | |
1936 | January | Neighbourhood stations typify new Service trend (PC) | |
1936 | January | Surprise outcome on Holden's Film (PC) | |
1936 | February | Recent events reported in special edition of Plant magazine (PC) | |
1936 | February | Sir Wallace Bruce visits Detroit (PC) | |
1936 | March | Holden's acquires Crown Land by Royal Assent (PC) | |
1936 | May | Victorian Premier Officiates at laying Corner Stone (PC) | |
1936 | October | GMH Moves into new Plant (PC) | |
1937 | January | New Australian Plant opened (PC) | |
1937 | January | Holden's New Melbourne Plant (PC) | |
1937 | February | 10,000 car off line in Brisbane Plant (PC) | |
1937 | February | More about Fishermens Bend (PC) | |
1937 | March | Holden acquires site and builds a plant at Melbourne (PC) | |
1938 | January | The Governor General visits Holden (PC) | |
1938 | June | Utility sells briskly in Australia (PC) | |
1938 | July | Holden cars at International Show in melbourne (PC) | |
1938 | August | A giant sails for Melbourne (PC) | |
1938 | November | Air travellers welcome Holden reading matter (PC) | |
1938 | November | New Plant for Sydney (PC) | |
1939 | January | The Giant Press reaches Adelaide (PC) | |
1939 | March | Prime Minister visits Woodville Plant (PC) | |
1939 | March | Harold Bettle MD of GM Argentina (Later MD of GMH after L Hartnett) | |
1939 | May | Sales in Mexico and Australia (PC) | |
1939 | June | From London to Holden's front door (PC) | |
1940 | January | A New Plant rises in Sydney (PC) | |
1940 | June | New Activities at GMH (PC) | |
1941 | April | Gypsie Moth engines in Melbourne (PC) | |
1941 | October | Tenite covering for door handles an Australian invention (PC) | |
1942 | March | Aust beats its plough shares into guns (PC) | |
1942 | May | Holdens new trailer pumps lessen Melbournes fire hazard (PC) | |
1942 | July | GM System works in Peace or War (PC) | |
1942 | September | Plant produces own training equipment (PC) | |
1942 | September | McArthur in Australia (PC) | |
1942 | November | Holden builds for the battle lines (PC) | |
1943 | April | GM Products in Action (PC) | |
1944 | March | GM Products in Action (PC) | |
1944 | June | H Cavanaugh establishes truck plant in New Ginuea (PC) | |
1944 | July | Products at War (PC) | |
1944 | November | Holden built guns recaptured from the enemy (PC) | |
1945 | January | Frigidaire at war in the pacific (PC) | |
1945 | November_December | H A Quade tells of internment (PC) | |
1946 | January_February | Vauxhall Motors 1940 (PC) | |
1946 | May_June | Food from Holden's (PC) | |
1946 | November_December | Three Engineering Test cars shipped to Melbourne (PC) | |
1947 | January_February | Royalty pays a visit to Holden (PC) | |
1947 | May_June | Chev trucks in action (PC) | |
1947 | December | Chev Maple Leaf Truck loaded (PC) | |
1948 | July | Australia Builds a Motor Car (PC) | |
1948 | August | NASCO Melb Sports Day (PC) | |
1948 | September | The Australian Car (PC) | |
1948 | October | Holden scheduled for official presentation (PC) | |
1948 | December | New Holden makes its bow (PC) | |
1949 | January | Holden presents the New Car (PC) | |
1949 | March | CKD Assembly in Australia (PC) | |
1949 | June | A diesel flies to Perth (PC) | |
1949 | June | Australian public welcomes 1949 Vauxhalls (PC) | |
1949 | June | Mountain Test for Holden car (PC) | |
1949 | September | Overseas Division's half yearly results (PC) | |
1949 | October | Testimonials for the Holden (PC) | |
1950 | March | The Holden captures Australia | |
1950 | July | H.E. Bettle discusses the Holden | |
1950 | July | History of GM New Zealand | |
1950 | August | History of General Motors-Holden | |
1950 | October | Holden production reaches 90 per day | |
1951 | March | GM-H sponsoring new radio program | |
1951 | December | Dealer Dinners mark Holden's 25th Anniversary | |
1952 | June | A Holden story of fine service: Silver model Holden presented to GM Chairman | |
1952 | September | Overseas GMI Students arrive in New York (including from GM-H) | |
1952 | December | Bedfords in Australia's Timber Country | |
1953 | January | General Motors-Holden Announces Huge Expansion program | |
1953 | April | Expanded mechanized Foundry of General Motors-Holden | |
1953 | June | Air conditioned Voyage to Australia - for Koroseal Cement | |
1954 | February | New Holden Panel Van presented in Australia | |
1954 | March | CKD Body Assembly at Pagewood | |
1954 | April | Woodville's new Press Shop | |
1954 | September | Holden's new expansion program | |
1954 | September | Woodville's new Plating Shop in operation | |
1954 | December | NZ gets first Holden cars for export | |
1955 | January | Woodville's savings achieved through Air Freight | |
1955 | February | Opel, Vauxhall and Holden set new records in 1954 | |
1955 | May | View of the site of the future Strathpine Assembly Plant near Brisbane | |
1955 | September | New Expansion program in Australia | |
1956 | January | View of 15 Avis Rent-A-Car Holdens lined up at Essendon airport | |
1956 | February | 250,000th Australian built Holden produced | |
1956 | March | Land purchased at Lang Lang for PG, and Elizabeth as" insurance against the future" | |
1956 | July | The new Holden (FE) is announced | |
1956 | September | Holdens Modernised Foundry | |
1956 | October | Centenary of Holden business activity in Australia | |
1956 | October | Holdens to be official cars during Olympic games | |
1957 | January | Holden's new Frigidaire building on Dandenong site nearing completion | |
1957 | June | The Need to know ..a story about the Proving Grounds including Lang Lang. | |
1957 | June | News from General Motors - Holden | |
1957 | August | Holden's attains projected rate | |
1957 | October | One Millionth body by Holden, with two employees who helped build the first two bodies. | |
1958 | January | More land purchased at Dandenong. | |
1958 | January | Jack Kramer's Tennis Player troop with a Holden car; Birkenhead records no lost time accidents in 13 months | |
1958 | July | A car grows in Australia | |
1958 | July | Retirement of Walter Hill, who had held a number of positions at Holden including Deputy Managing Director. | |
1959 | August | Edward Riley retirees after 19 years as General Manager (the man who sacked L Hartnett) | |
1959 | September | A.G. Gibbs appointed as Assistant Manufacturing Manager | |
1960 | January | All Off at Albury! | |
1960 | January | South Africa assembles CKD Holdens. | |
1960 | March | And now, GMH Elizabeth | |
1960 | March | Drawing Office Calisthenics - Not written at Holden, but same conditions. | |
1960 | May | GM President Mr John F Gordon visits Australia and New Zealand. | |
1960 | November | New buildings on the Overseas horizon | |
1961 | March | Mr D.L. Hegland at Port Elizabeth airport. He has been appointed Assistant to the MD at GM-Holden | |
1961 | July | Retirement of Tom Shirley, Manufacturing Manager during war years. | |
1961 | September | Not a drop to spare. Australia's water problems. | |
1961 | September | Woodville Plant Manager, J.K. Stuart show SA State Governor Sir Edric Bastyan some hardware during a tour. | |
1962 | January | Out where they are building. Status of expansion projects. | |
1962 | May | Retirement of H.A. Diment, one time Finance Manager of GMH | |
1962 | May | Forty years of running " The World" | |
1962 | September | A Premier for the Holden | |
1963 | January | Two Million by 1968! | |
1963 | May | Royalty pays a call | |
1963 | July | Living Rampart. Australia's Barrier Reef | |
1963 | July | Retirement of ES Hoglund | |
1963 | September | Introducing the EH | |
1964 | March | GM Executives visit Australia, New Zealand and Japan. | |
1964 | April | Expansion Explosion | |
1964 | September | GM-Holden's new Technical Centre | |
1965 | January | HD + X2 = A 1965 Holden | |
1965 | December | D.L Hegland to Vauxhall, Max Wilson to direct Holden | |
1965 | December | The 1,500,000th Holden built | |
1966 | February | Decimals down under | |
1966 | May | Holden introduces the HR Holden | |
1966 | May | GMH Opens Acacia Ridge Body and Vehicle Assembly Plant | |
1966 | September | Retirement of Jack Horn, GMH Public Relations Director. | |
1967 | May | GM-H opens Australia's first Nodular Iron Foundry. | |
1967 | May | The 100,000th Export Holden from NSW to Thailand | |
1967 | September | Tough enough for the Outback. A Torana test trip. | |
1967 | December | Sweden does it Right. | |
1968 | July | GM-H scores two more firsts | |
1968 | September | Earl Daum retires as General Manager after 43 years with GMOO, succeeded by Harlow Gage | |
1968 | September | Retirement of G. Wayne Brown, one of the original Senior Project Engineers on the New Aust Car program. | |
1970 | July | Gala times in the land of Great Extent. | |
1970 | July | Last Issue of "GM World", started in 1922 | |