[GT182]

Originally Posted by 242177P

Some more of the same.

Would this have been the same general area, or an entirely different plant?

Most GM plants also had a Rail Heads where cars from other plants were brought in by train and dropped off. All us carhaulers could then end up with a mix of cars from that particular plant and cars off the rail. And as we often did in Framingham Mass and Jesup MD, we went in to pick up loads from Rail Heads that only had cars from other plants. Framingham was an exception on the east coast as they had the autos they built and from the Rail in separate yards.

Somtimes we even picked up Firebirds in Framingham that were built in our St. Therese plant. That p*ssed us off as we were losing our own work to the rail. The rail guys were always crying "Track It Don't Truck It!" and we shouted right back, "Truck It Don't Track It!". And a few other choice words too. LOL

There was always more damage from the rail and it took longer for vheciles to get from the plant by rail to the dealers. Carhaulers usually delivered with in 24 to 36 hours of the car being rolled off the assembly line to the dealers yard. I once saw a train load of Cadillacs sitting in Detroit bound for LA, that had been sitting there in the yard for 3 weeks. And close to 100 Firebird T/As from Norwood OH in St. Therese, back in 79 that were vandalised on the rail. That was one heck of a mess. Axes used to steal the radios, T-tops and wheels/tires gone too. All sitting on blocks in our loading yard.

[Keith Seymore]

Gary, you might appreciate this story:

My uncle Joe used to drive for Boutell Haulaway, which was the car hauler in Flint (Michigan) that would ship cars from Buick to the dealerships across the US.

He was hauling a Buick showcar one time, on the top of the car hauler, and went under an overpass. What he failed to realize was that they had repaved the road since his last time through there and it took the top clean off the car.

The Buick exec was furious and wanted him fired -but - since my uncle had loaned the money to Mr Boutell to start his company he managed to keep his job.

They ended up making the showcar into a convertible and using it after all.

[Keith Seymore]

Actually, I had two uncles that drove for Boutell: my Dad's Uncle Hal also quit farming and came to Michigan to drive a truck.

He had a regular route that he used to prefer, leaving from Flint early in the week and heading east. Part of the trip was relatively hilly terrain but, as I say, he used to make the trip regularly.

One time he was driving through there and the brakes went out on the truck. You can imagine that was not fun, but not insurmountable, since you can merely downshift a manual trans and control your speed.

Unless you break the drive shaft....which is exactly what happened next.

Now things get exciting: He was picking up speed, swerving to stay on the road while riding this "out of control" truck down the hill. He did make it to the bottom safely and coasted a short distance back up the other side but, since he still didn't have any brakes, the truck started rolling backwards down the hill. In an effort to get the truck stopped he cut the wheel to the left which of course steered the trailer to the right, sending it and the load of shiny new Buicks over the side, him jumping safely out of the cab at the last minute.

As he trudged back to the last town, dejectedly, he thought "...man, I'm gonna lose my job fer sure."

Turns out he didn't lose his job: he was given a Teamster's commendation for safe driving and a pay raise, since no one was injured in the incident...

[GT182]

Yeah, that is a good one. I had heard about it years ago while hauling out of Lansing MI one summer. Thank God he had lent Mr Boutell money.

[citydesk175]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Actually, I had two uncles that drove for Boutell: my Dad's Uncle Hal also quit farming and came to Michigan to drive a truck.

================================================== ============


"...man, I'm gonna lose my job fer sure."

Morning Keith
Two stories come to mind from your quotes
1 the michigan welder/farmer who hit the Lotto for a million way back in the 70's when it was news and big money. "What you going to do with all that money?" "Keep farming till I run through it."

2. The GM co-worker who was given a test car to drive on weekends because of his weekly commute to Traverse City from Detroit. One Friday, the engine siezed about halfway. Fearing for his job, he called the fleet guy and admitted the car's demise. The unexpected response was "Wonderful! We have been hoping for one of our cars to do that. I will have a flat bed there in a few hours with another car for you. Thanks."

Take care
Citydesk175

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by citydesk175

...the michigan welder/farmer who hit the Lotto for a million way back in the 70's when it was news and big money. "What you going to do with all that money?" "Keep farming till I run through it."

Similarly, it is possible to make a small fortune racing:


...



...

...Start with a large fortune.

[gtoric]

Originally Posted by citydesk175

There is something nice about being connected. I was asked "When was the Pontiac Final Assy plant closed down?" I called my buddy at the GM Heritage Center who recognised me even though I have been retired these many months (2 and a half) I asked my question. He did not know how to find out the answer. I suggested the GM research Library. (I am disconnected from everyone because I have no connection to the online phonebook) He called me back with the answer in a research library structured format.

Made me wonder........ Did my friend get more out of my info quest than I did?

If so, I earned this month's retirement check................ again

regards
Citydesk175

I'm curious, when was the Pontiac main assembly building torn down? Are there any photos of the ignominious event? I remember driving through Lansing a couple of years ago and viewing the carnage of the Oldsmobile main assembly plant being disassembled. Not a pretty sight. I have several relatives who worked their entire careers inside those now nonexistant Oldsmobile walls.

On another assembly plant question, when the last vehicle went down the Ponitac line, it was a Buick Grand National. I have read in several printed sources that that event was well documented by GM Photographic(?) at the time; both still and video tape recordings. I'm wondering if GM/Buick ever made some sort of in-house presentation of that last build?

Thanks for the memories (my appologies to B Hope). I love this history stuff!

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by gtoric

I'm curious, when was the Pontiac main assembly building torn down? Are there any photos of the ignominious event? I remember driving through Lansing a couple of years ago and viewing the carnage of the Oldsmobile main assembly plant being disassembled. Not a pretty sight. I have several relatives who worked their entire careers inside those now nonexistant Oldsmobile walls.

Eric - CityDesk is the one that provided the information regarding the building usage that you already have. I will continue to check with my other sources here for the demolition date (you have reminded me I need to send some emails).

Originally Posted by gtoric

On another assembly plant question, when the last vehicle went down the Pontiac line, it was a Buick Grand National. I have read in several printed sources that that event was well documented by GM Photographic(?) at the time; both still and video tape recordings. I'm wondering if GM/Buick ever made some sort of in-house presentation of that last build?

Your question is timely, since this just came up over at V8Buick.com. Here is a link to the thread, and make sure to read the referenced link. I am not aware of any internal documentation but now that you have made me aware I'll keep my eyes (and ears) open.

http://v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=170431

Built December 11, 1987:
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/tur...ver-built.html

[MikeCio1]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Stick or auto?

(lol)

Sorry - it's an "inside joke" referring to this thread:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=586995

OK I get it...

I will use my CSI connections to have the photo enhanced. I am sure between the reflections in the chrome and mirrors we will be able to get a very enhanced view of the interior and answer the question...

[Keith Seymore]

Whenever I see pictures like that I always think of the "drivers" out back (in the context of "losing" cars):

"Hey Joe, see that wagon over there? Yeah, the one way back in the corner....yeah, I need you to run it over to paint repair. Got it? Ok, then there's a Bonne over there I need you to bring back. Thanks..."



I may have mentioned this before, but the way the cars are parked is significant. A car pulled into the parking spot might mean one thing, whereas a car backed into a parking spot might mean something else. "Hood up" might mean "send this one to heavy repair". Where the "work ticket" (ie, the "repair ticket") was placed was also significant. It might be rolled up and placed in the door handle, or smashed in the vent window, stuck under the windshield wiper or closed in the door, each meaning that the car was to be sent to some other location ("light" repair, paint repair, shipping, etc).

God forbid that you pull the ticket out to look at it and then stick it back in the wrong spot...

K

[gtoric]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Finally! Photo courtesy of Shook1 (Luke).

K

An inside source at GM tells me that this car is still alive! It is now fully restored back to its original Plum Mist color and resides in the GM Historic Collection.

This brings to mind a story connected to the Plum Mist GTO. This was late in the winter of 2004. The new GTO was just beginning to show up on our shores, and I was asked to participate in an enthusiast's focus group for GM Styling. Myself and about eight other local Detroit area GTO/Pontiac enthusiasts were asked to gather at the Tech Center to give the management, marketing and design groups some of our "consumer-side" opinions on a new GTO design study. After an initial gathering at the Tech Center Design building, we traveled to a satellite facility located just blocks away from the Center. After a presentation by marketing and design, we were walked into a large studio room where we were shown a full-sized design mock-up of a potential 2007-08 GTO. Also in the room were a new Mustang GT and a very respectible Plum Mist '67 GTO hardtop. We were told the '67 was part of GM's vehicle collection fleet. I didn't realize the historical background of the Goat; it was just another restored GTO at the time. I just recently learned that this is the same beat-to-heck GTO, pictured above, that was used at the DPG for tire and wheel testing. Hard to imagine chosing this car to restore, but having spent most of its lifetme at the Mesa facility, it probably had no rust problems and very low mileage.

[Old Blue 66]

Originally Posted by gtoric

An inside source at GM tells me that this car is still alive! It is now fully restored back to its original Plum Mist color and resides in the GM Historic Collection.

This brings to mind a story connected to the Plum Mist GTO. This was late in the winter of 2004. The new GTO was just beginning to show up on our shores, and I was asked to participate in an enthusiast's focus group for GM Styling. Myself and about eight other local Detroit area GTO/Pontiac enthusiasts were asked to gather at the Tech Center to give the management, marketing and design groups some of our "consumer-side" opinions on a new GTO design study. After an initial gathering at the Tech Center Design building, we traveled to a satellite facility located just blocks away from the Center. After a presentation by marketing and design, we were walked into a large studio room where we were shown a full-sized design mock-up of a potential 2007-08 GTO. Also in the room were a new Mustang GT and a very respectible Plum Mist '67 GTO hardtop. We were told the '67 was part of GM's vehicle collection fleet. I didn't realize the historical background of the Goat; it was just another restored GTO at the time. I just recently learned that this is the same beat-to-heck GTO, pictured above, that was used at the DPG for tire and wheel testing. Hard to imagine chosing this car to restore, but having spent most of its lifetme at the Mesa facility, it probably had no rust problems and very low mileage.

Hey Ric, yet more club newsletter material if its ok with you. I put the pic of this car in the newsletter informing all of its retirement a few months back. Might be cool to publish a follow up.

[GT182]

Nice pictures Keith. I've seen some of the 4 and 5 car rigs before. But not one like that or the hat pin. At least I thinkit's a hat pin.

I've got some photos of my rig to put up but it'll be later on. Gotta find em first.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by GT182

Nice pictures Keith. I've seen some of the 4 and 5 car rigs before.

I remember Uncle Hal saying the trucks got progressively harder to drive as they added cars (and therefore weight) to the trailer over the years (four, then five, then six, etc).

How many are on there these days? Ten?

K

[mike nixon]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I remember Uncle Hal saying the trucks got progressively harder to drive as they added cars (and therefore weight) to the trailer over the years (four, then five, then six, etc).

How many are on there these days? Ten?

K

12 or that's what I think the boys counted the other day at a stoplight.

[mike nixon]

Originally Posted by gtoric

Hard to imagine chosing this car to restore, but having spent most of its lifetme at the Mesa facility, it probably had no rust problems and very low mileage.

It looksl ike the Sawzall and drills made up for the rust. I'd guess it was restored because it was never "out of house" making it very unique.

Mike

[mike nixon]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Whenever I see pictures like that I always think of the "drivers" out back (in the context of "losing" cars):

"Hey Joe, see that wagon over there? Yeah, the one way back in the corner....yeah, I need you to run it over to paint repair. Got it? Ok, then there's a Bonne over there I need you to bring back. Thanks..."



I may have mentioned this before, but the way the cars are parked is significant. A car pulled into the parking spot might mean one thing, whereas a car backed into a parking spot might mean something else. "Hood up" might mean "send this one to heavy repair". Where the "work ticket" (ie, the "repair ticket") was placed was also significant. It might be rolled up and placed in the door handle, or smashed in the vent window, stuck under the windshield wiper or closed in the door, each meaning that the car was to be sent to some other location ("light" repair, paint repair, shipping, etc).

God forbid that you pull the ticket out to look at it and then stick it back in the wrong spot...

K

Did you notice the traps on the verts in that pic?

RE the lost car issue. That happened a couple times at the dealer I worked at. The worst case was a Pariesienne wagon. Loaded car, Rosewood out and Dk Burgundy in Rally 2's no roof rack or woodgrain. Special ordered car [of course]. It was gone long enough the customer raised all sorts of hell and the boss dealer traded for a similar car 5 states away to keep them happy. The car showed up 6 MONTHS Later out of the blue. No explaination of where it was at since they couldn't find it in the first place. It sat on the lot for close to 6 months until a travelling salesman came in with a blown trannie and the lust for a wagon. While test driving he got pulled over as a courtesy to tell him the rr brake light was out. While repairing that I found out why the car had been "lost". It had a 1/4 hung over top of the damaged original one, both doors replaced and a partial rocker panel replaced.

Lost my ass, someone totalled that car while driving it to the storage area or dropped it off a truck.

I thought about buying that car as I really liked the look, It turned out I'm glad I didn't!

Mike
Mike

[gtoric]

Originally Posted by Old Blue 66

Hey Ric, yet more club newsletter material if its ok with you. I put the pic of this car in the newsletter informing all of its retirement a few months back. Might be cool to publish a follow up.

That's O.K. with me. I can't say for sure when it was restored. All I know it the first time I saw it, it was in the Pontiac styling studio in early 2004. Sometime between the shut down of DP
G and that date.

[citydesk175]

Originally Posted by citydesk175

Years ago, the question came to mind: "How could GM identify customers who might be sympathetic to buying a new GM product and give them each a coupon to buy said product at the employee discount.......... and best of all, let someone else pay the postage to send each coupon out as well as address the envelope?

Once that question is formulated the answer and suggestion is easy: the Christmas card list for each employee is a gold mine of customers. Give the coupons to the employees with the request that they enclose one with each Christmas card.

I $ent in the $ugge$tion with vi$ion$ of $ugarplum$......."But the answer came back: We do not accept marketing suggestions"

The next year, a stack of coupons arrived on each employee's work station with the request that they be enclosed in each Christmas card sent that year.

Sigh...... My protests to management went for naught and I did mot get even one sugarplum.

regards
Citydesk175

laffs bitterly

[mzbk2l]

Originally Posted by gtoric

That's O.K. with me. I can't say for sure when it was restored. All I know it the first time I saw it, it was in the Pontiac styling studio in early 2004. Sometime between the shut down of DPG and that date.

You sure it's the same car? I left the DPG in early '04, so that sure didn't leave them much time to restore it (and it was VERY hacked up; quarters and fenders cut, full roll cage, trailer hitch, fuel cell, LS-1, etc.).