[Alvin]

Echoes of Norwood: GMs Auto Production during the 20th Century

http://norwoodassemblyplant.com/

Hint: click on the website image to start view of 34 photo slideshow

[Grand73Am]

Thanks! I think it was picture 28 that has a 79 TA in it . Odd that it didn't have the front spoiler and flares on it yet. Rear flares are there.

[pontiacmonstr]

they shipped them in the trunk along with the front spoiler so they wouldn't get damaged in transport.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by pontiacmonstr

they shipped them in the trunk along with the front spoiler so they wouldn't get damaged in transport.

IIRC, there's a B&W photo of them loaded on a car hauler full of new 2nd gen T/As wo front air dams in

The Faboulous Firebird
and/or
FIREBIRD! America's Premier Performance Car

[2manyT/A'S]

Enjoyed the slide show.....Looks like one of the pics is a 79 T/A on a dyno?

Guess that was the final assembly test drive?

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Grand73Am

Thanks! I think it was picture 28 that has a 79 TA in it . Odd that it didn't have the front spoiler and flares on it yet. Rear flares are there.

Originally Posted by pontiacmonstr

they shipped them in the trunk along with the front spoiler so they wouldn't get damaged in transport.

Originally Posted by 2manyT/A'S

Enjoyed the slide show.....Looks like one of the pics is a 79 T/A on a dyno?

Guess that was the final assembly test drive?

Yeah, pretty cool. My WAG is this is the drivetrain QC test prior to final out the door to the lots?
Also note no trim rings on the RA II wheels...delivered in trunk for dealer install?
Note the WS6 on the lift on the upper left of same photo.

[Keith Seymore]

Correct. That is "roll test", where vehicles are run through the gears, all of the electrical features are cycled (turn signals, lights, brake lights, washers, wipers, windows, locks, high beams, etc) before being driven out the back door. Often the front end alignment is done in this same station but sometimes there is a separate alignment station.

K

[Grand73Am]

Now that you mention it, it does look like the lights are on in that pic.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Yeah, pretty cool. My WAG is this is the drivetrain QC test prior to final out the door to the lots?
Also note no trim rings on the RA II wheels...delivered in trunk for dealer install?
Note the WS6 on the lift on the upper left of same photo.

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Correct. That is "roll test", where vehicles are run through the gears, all of the electrical features are cycled (turn signals, lights, brake lights, washers, wipers, windows, locks, high beams, etc) before being driven out the back door. Often the front end alignment is done in this same station but sometimes there is a separate alignment station.

K

Thxs K. Since I don't have a copy of the book yet, any knowledge or WAG as to why the WS6 car on lift and the one w jacked up rear seemingly off the production line flow path?

QC "corrections", "optional equipment" installation or ?

[Keith Seymore]

Yes - usually there were multiple roll test "booths" in order to keep up with production flow. So - one driver goes all the way to the far right booth, the next driver off the end of the line goes into the next available roll test booth,etc. There might be three, four or five roll test stations depending on the final line rate.

Often after roll test there is another short repair line to fix small items that can be fixed quickly (backup lights didn't work, horn inop, etc).

There are usually two stationary repair zones: "light" repair, for items that couldn't quite be done will the vehicle was going down the short repair line, and "heavy" repair for the serious stuff: engine swaps, trans swaps, axle swaps, frame swaps, etc. The vehicle on the hoist is in either light repair or heavy repair.

After all the repairs are bought off the vehicle is ready to be driven over to the shipping building.

QC would be correction of existing equipment; no new installation of option content would be done at this point.

K

[charles bledsoe]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Echoes of Norwood: GMs Auto Production during the 20th Century

http://norwoodassemblyplant.com/

Hint: click on the website image to start view of 34 photo slideshow

Went to the website and purchased the book. Got it real quick. Very good read! If anyone is interested in how the assembly line worked, this is a must have book. Thanks for posting the website!!

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by charles bledsoe

Very good read! If anyone is interested in how the assembly line worked, this is a must have book.

"Works".

Still done pretty much the same way. I don't think the overall process has changed much since the Great Depression.

Here's GM's most advanced vehicle, still built with a piece of paper taped to the front end.

K

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

"Works".

Still done pretty much the same way. I don't think the overall process has changed much since the Great Depression.

Here's GM's most advanced vehicle, still built with a piece of paper taped to the front end.

K

For future collectors and restorers: Where are they hiding the other Volt build sheets - under rear seat back, top of gas tank, under passenger footwell carpeting, or?

More like 2nd gen FBody locations?

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Alvin

For future collectors and restorers: Where are they hiding the other Volt build sheets - under rear seat back, top of gas tank, under passenger footwell carpeting, or?

More like 2nd gen FBody locations?

I think they all get cleaned out pretty well, so I doubt any remain.

For Volt there is one for the IP line, one for Chassis/Powertrain, and one for the final line. There is a big wastebasket at the end of the final line and the intent is that they all go in there.

K

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by charles bledsoe

Went to the website and purchased the book. Got it real quick. Very good read! If anyone is interested in how the assembly line worked, this is a must have book. Thanks for posting the website!!

Glad to assist and add to their book sales. Enjoy!

[charles bledsoe]

Have relations gotten any better between GM management and the line workers? I never relized that so much turmoil existed back then. I knew that there were strikes now and then, found out that my 72 Formula was one of the last cars out prior to the shutdown, but for the most part, I thought that folks really liked working there. The book states that in the early days of Norwood that was the case. The book is a very good read, it's hard to put down. Thanks again Alvin for posting!

[Alvin]

"This review is from: Echoes of Norwood General Motors Automobile Production During the Twentieth Century (Paperback)"

"This book shares facts like they really were at the Norwood Facility in Ohio. From the workers who built these cars, who would have thought a worker who ordered a car could ride it down the line and get options added with a wink of an eye, and the built sheet never reflect it? This book puts to bed all the "experts" who claim, " Chevy never built it that way" or "they always included this when you ordered that". Mr Borris shares story's, facts and photos from workers who built them. Excellent reading."

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by Alvin

"This review is from: Echoes of Norwood General Motors Automobile Production During the Twentieth Century (Paperback)"

"This book shares facts like they really were at the Norwood Facility in Ohio. From the workers who built these cars, who would have thought a worker who ordered a car could ride it down the line and get options added with a wink of an eye, and the built sheet never reflect it? This book puts to bed all the "experts" who claim, " Chevy never built it that way" or "they always included this when you ordered that". Mr Borris shares story's, facts and photos from workers who built them. Excellent reading."

Orderd my copy last week and hope to have it in my hot little hands tomorrow....................

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Alvin

From the workers who built these cars, who would have thought a worker who ordered a car could ride it down the line and get options added with a wink of an eye, and the built sheet never reflect it? This book puts to bed all the "experts" who claim, " Chevy never built it that way" or "they always included this when you ordered that".

I’d like to deflate this notion a little bit, if I may –

Keep in mind I’ve been in and out of about a dozen GM vehicle assembly plants over the last 35 years; sometimes as a resident and mostly as an “honored guest” (lol) on the new product Launch Team. I’ve followed thousands of special builds down the line, including 3 or 4 of my own personal vehicles.

It would be very difficult to clandestinely add content to a vehicle that was not called out on the build sheet - if there was any amount of coordination involved. Having done this legitimately for a living over dozens of product lifecycles the level of preparation , coordination and logistics to make changes in a production environment staggers the mind. All of the material has to be on hand, accounted for and flowing in order to keep that line moving. Shut the line down for any reason and the wrath of plant management comes done swiftly and like a hammer (…even if you are an “honored guest” …and even if it was not your fault).

The story about “the Corvette motor in Pappy’s pickup truck” couldn’t happen, because there wouldn’t be any Corvette engines shipped to a truck plant (other than St Louis assembly, I suppose).


Add a trailer hitch where it doesn’t belong, or (maybe) substitute an engine of the same size/shape/family as the broadcast item? Possibly, but all the inspectors (a dozen people) would have to be in on the deal too. Add an option with wiring, coordination across multiple areas or some other complexity? Probably not. It is nearly impossible to do even with a team of dedicated employees who are getting paid to make it happen. For a bunch of impromptu changes initiated on the fly? Even more impossible. If it can get screwed up - it will.

I’m sure you all know the story about Dimitri’s 421?

Back around ’65 or ’66 Dimitri T was getting a car built and it happened to be assigned to the Pontiac plant. He spent the previous several weeks gathering engine parts and creating a really nice modded 421 engine in the Experimental Engine build room. He took great pains to get it ready and staged for the day his car was to be built. As far as he knew all the arrangements had been made.

Imagine his horror as he watched his special hand built motor go in the station wagon six cars ahead of his. He and his team had miscounted, and some grandfather or salesman somewhere probably never understood why his wagon was such a good runner.

Those that know me and my history know I am a "never say never" kind of guy, but having done this professionally and personally - very difficult to do.

K

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I’d like to deflate this notion a little bit, if I may –

Keep in mind I’ve been in and out of about a dozen GM vehicle assembly plants over the last 35 years; sometimes as a resident and mostly as an “honored guest” (lol) on the new product Launch Team. I’ve followed thousands of special builds down the line, including 3 or 4 of my own personal vehicles.

It would be very difficult to clandestinely add content to a vehicle that was not called out on the build sheet - if there was any amount of coordination involved. Having done this legitimately for a living over dozens of product lifecycles the level of preparation , coordination and logistics to make changes in a production environment staggers the mind. All of the material has to be on hand, accounted for and flowing in order to keep that line moving. Shut the line down for any reason and the wrath of plant management comes done swiftly and like a hammer (…even if you are an “honored guest” …and even if it was not your fault).

The story about “the Corvette motor in Pappy’s pickup truck” couldn’t happen, because there wouldn’t be any Corvette engines shipped to a truck plant (other than St Louis assembly, I suppose).


Add a trailer hitch where it doesn’t belong, or (maybe) substitute an engine of the same size/shape/family as the broadcast item? Possibly, but all the inspectors (a dozen people) would have to be in on the deal too. Add an option with wiring, coordination across multiple areas or some other complexity? Probably not. It is nearly impossible to do even with a team of dedicated employees who are getting paid to make it happen. For a bunch of impromptu changes initiated on the fly? Even more impossible. If it can get screwed up - it will.

I’m sure you all know the story about Dimitri’s 421?

Back around ’65 or ’66 Dimitri T was getting a car built and it happened to be assigned to the Pontiac plant. He spent the previous several weeks gathering engine parts and creating a really nice modded 421 engine in the Experimental Engine build room. He took great pains to get it ready and staged for the day his car was to be built. As far as he knew all the arrangements had been made.

Imagine his horror as he watched his special hand built motor go in the station wagon six cars ahead of his. He and his team had miscounted, and some grandfather or salesman somewhere probably never understood why his wagon was such a good runner.

Those that know me and my history know I am a "never say never" kind of guy, but having done this professionally and personally - very difficult to do.

K

Excellent counter point Keith.

Off Topic: Today while at a traffic light a length ahead of me and to the right I noticed a '73 Stepside w Handicap tag hanging from the rear mirror. While looking closer I noted the "DV" license plate for "Disabled Veteren". Checking out the gloss black paint and panel fit/finish I noted this was a really nice, subtle, clean and good looking Stepside. It also had the aftermarket aluminum circular hole wheels that remind me of an OEM Chevy wheel from back in the day. Nice!

My only regret was due to staging, time and traffic I wasn't able to give the guy a big thumbs up before he turned right on red. From the limited view of what I could see of the driver, he looked to be around 30 to 40ish. It would have been nice to talk to him from my F150 & give him props for his truck and talk about our Pontiacs...maybe next time.

Pretty cool. Nice truck on a nice sunny day!

BTT: Echoes of Norwood