[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

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by 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

Thxs Keith! Your input was my WAG.

Interesting to see the lone Camaro next to the TA on the roller, seemingly in a sea of Firebirds. I know same line for both Chevy and Pontiac...still cool.

Your point of the multiple roll booths reminds me of the sheer volume of FBodies rolling out of production in 1979. With 117,000+ '79 Trans Ams, add in the other Firebirds and Camaros that year and those workers were hopping!

I wonder what the overall numbers were for Norwood and Van Nuys FBody production for 1978 and 1979?

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Thxs Keith! Your input was my WAG.

Interesting to see the lone Camaro next to the TA on the roller, seemingly in a sea of Firebirds. I know same line for both Chevy and Pontiac...still cool.

Your point of the multiple roll booths reminds me of the sheer volume of FBodies rolling out of production in 1979. With 117,000+ '79 Trans Ams, add in the other Firebirds and Camaros that year and those workers were hopping!

I wonder what the overall numbers were for Norwood and Van Nuys FBody production for 1978 and 1979?

Total Firebird Production*
1978: 187,284
1979: 211,453

*Source - Illustrated Firebird Buyers Guide