"Made in Pontiac" series
 

I was looking for something else and re-discovered the "Made in Pontiac" series, written by my friend Eric White (RIP).

It was published as a multi-part interview with a guy that worked at Pontiac Assembly back in the day, and has appeared in numerous print publications (including Smoke Signals). It is a must read for anyone interested in Pontiac assembly processes and the nuances that go along with it.

I'm posting this now as a ready reference for posterity.

This collection resides at the "Wild about Cars" forum:

http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-b...=9990286562979
http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-b...=9990286562979
http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-b...=9990286562979
http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-b...=9990286562979
http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-b...=9990286562979

Let me know if you have any questions about the assembly processes or the articles themselves.

K

Thanks Keith!

This makes me think: sometime back in the late 1970s or early 1980s my parents were visiting my brother who was an Chrysler engineer in Detroit. While they were there they toured the Pontiac plant, and they brought home a tour guide booklet that covered the assembly process. I still have that booklet around here someplace, I should dig it up and see if there's anything in there worth posting.

That would be awesome, Stuart.

When Fremont opened in 1964 they published a book to hand out during the open house. Many of the pictures (and a lot of text) have been posted on this forum.

K

Found it. I remembered incorrectly, it wasn't a tour guide but rather a pamphlet that's a brief history of Pontiac from its beginning up to 1977. It's not all that great but I suppose it's still worth documenting, I'll scan it later.

Are there any good films/videos on the web of the manufacturing process. like anything in-depth? It has been a while
since I have looked.

Thanks for posting!!! Those interviews are fascinating.

Great stuff Keith...Thanks !

I can think of a couple:

There was a film called "Pontiac Pours it On", which was broken into multiple segments on YouTube. It shows 1970 or '71 production, starting with pouring cast iron into molds and ending with a completed vehicle driving out the back door.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2413Nkhj_8&t=5s

There is also a Chevrolet version, "Up from the Clay" which starts with the styling/design aspect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACWMbeXd31s&t=5s



For more modern information -

If you can tolerate Corvettes being built there was a video of the Bowling Green process (my link is no longer valid).

National Geographic did a "Made in America" series in which one of the installments featured the design and build of the Chevy Volt.

And lastly here are Teslas being built in Fremont CA. This is the same plant that built Pontiac, Olds, Buick, Chevrolet trucks starting in 1964.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/8_lfxPI5ObM?rel=0

I think we are supposed to be astounded with the level of automation in use; in reality the number of robots shown and automated equipment is pretty typical in GM facilities today. Turn off half the lights and blow some dust around and it could be the Wentzville plant building G vans.

K

Stuart - your comment about "a brief history of Pontiac from its beginning" prompted me to revisit a thought I've had before:

By the time of his retirement in 1982 Mac MacKellar had been with Pontiac for 41 years out of the division's 56 years (nearly 3/4 of its existence: Mac started in 1941 before leaving for the Army, Pontiac started in 1926).

K

I have one of those Open House pamphlets of the Fremont Plant that’s full of Factory photos and text.

I wasn’t able to find my old thread during a search.
Possibly too old in the archives?

Anyway, here are a few from that 1964 Open House.

Chris

I just saw this posted on another board - a video of the Cadillac assembly line in 1968. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meytPysIMZI

This one gets posted and reposted a lot, it's from the Chevy assembly line in 1936. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bT6txm4RpA

That's what I was thinking of.

I can probably find the original thread, as I seem to come across it on occasion.

K

Keith, my buddy was in Kingston last month and informed me Carl Papke died back in October. I first met Carl in the late 80's buying parts from him. He had a few 64's back then. He also made a small book for swap meets with all Pontiac casting numbers I called my bible. He was a character! Last time I saw him was Norwalk 2019.

I am sorry to hear that.

None of us are getting any younger. It is hard for me to think that all the "old" guys I looked up to when I started are probably no longer around.

K

I think of this often:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh4tj3AwaRo

It resonates with me since my parents (and several aunts/uncles) moved from SE Missouri to Michigan to work in "the Shop".

When I was launching the Volt program the Detroit Hamtramck plant was building Cadillac DTS, Buick Lucerne and Volt derivatives all down the same line.

K