Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy

[tucsonjwt]

I just noticed the $10.5K invoice on that sticker. Considering that was 24 years ago, I guess new trucks are not very expensive now. You can get a similar new work truck now with more options for about $15-$17K - only about $200-$300 per year increase in cost, and that is in today's inflated dollars.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by liftlawssuck

WOW! Way Cool story. Maybe you remember my truck. Year was 1979 and it was black. Did you see one like that. LOL
Anyways very cool story.

I....I think I do remember that one; was that the one we accidently speared with a fork lift?

(lol)

[DetroitDan]

not to change the subject or hijack the thread, but, does anybody else here want to lift Keith Seymore up on their shoulders and carry him around like a game winning MVP?

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by DetroitDan

not to change the subject or hijack the thread, but, does anybody else here want to lift Keith Seymore up on their shoulders and carry him around like a game winning MVP?

Stop, Dan - yer embarrassin' me...



Hey - I just had a funny exchange with my son -

He's 25, and has had a succession of "import" sporty cars, like a Acura Integra, a VW Jetta and, as of late, some kind of Audi AWD.

You all know this week(end) is the Woodward Dream Cruise, so I just got a text from him: "Dad - heading back to work. Mind if I take your pickup truck?"

Ha! - I guess the old man's truck is pretty cool after all, eh?

K

[grs]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Stop, Dan - yer embarrassin' me...



Hey - I just had a funny exchange with my son -

He's 25, and has had a succession of "import" sporty cars, like a Acura Integra, a VW Jetta and, as of late, some kind of Audi AWD.

You all know this week(end) is the Woodward Dream Cruise, so I just got a text from him: "Dad - heading back to work. Mind if I take your pickup truck?"

Ha! - I guess the old man's truck is pretty cool after all, eh?

K

That is great Keith. My son is 23, and he loves old cars ,and trucks. He likes them air bagged.

[Keith Seymore]

Another year has passed -

Today is lil Red's birthday (observed)!

The build documents say Sept 29, but the warranty book says October 2nd so I just go with that.










25 years old today! Happy birthday, lil Red!

K

[lilpoindexter]

Time to run to Meijer and get a lil' red cake!

[2badgn]

Happy Birthday!

Buon Compleanno!

[70-Shorty]

What a great thread! Great to see the resto and the stories on the assembly line. I was lucky enough to go to the Van Nuys plant when i was i kid, shame i don't remember many details 'tho. I chuckled about the late model power mirrors...i put them on my 81 Crew Cab Dually.

i thought they really cleaned up the lines of those trucks. That truck was fun, it had a 15x15 Weld single in the rear with a M/T 31/18.5/15 fattie in the back replacing the duals. Again, thanks for your stories.
Tim

[406 Q-ship]

Hey Keith I used live in Fenton between 79-83 and remember driving by the truck plant many times on US 23 on the way to Flint. Now I know what that smell was......lol. I knew many of the parents of the kids in school worked at the truck plant. Is it true that 8 to 9 out of 10 trucks would have some sort of problem right off the line at that time? I know that alot of new vehicles (back in the carb days) would not start right off and due to time would get pulled around to the skilled trademen where they would get them running. Just wondering how true it was........got the scoop?

[R&K's71]

Welcome Keith awesome thread cant wait to pick your mind with my 79. Im from a GM family as well father in law works at the wentzville Mo plant and brother in law works at the Kansas City plant. You have a beautful truck , and happy birthday to lil red as well

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 406 Q-ship

Hey Keith I used live in Fenton between 79-83 and remember driving by the truck plant many times on US 23 on the way to Flint. Now I know what that smell was......lol. I knew many of the parents of the kids in school worked at the truck plant. Is it true that 8 to 9 out of 10 trucks would have some sort of problem right off the line at that time? I know that alot of new vehicles (back in the carb days) would not start right off and due to time would get pulled around to the skilled trademen where they would get them running. Just wondering how true it was........got the scoop?

Sort of true - but not as bad as it sounds here;

For example, my truck had (1) backup lights not working and (2) A/C charge. So we fixed the backup lights on the short repair line, and I bought off on the A/C charge (they just wanted to make sure it had a good one). That would constitute "some sort of problem" but not a big deal.

"No starts" are a big deal. I can't imagine, even in the carb days, that they would have more that one or two a day that wouldn't start or they would have burned the place down...

K

[Keith Seymore]

Got an offer yesterday -

I was buying gas and some guy in an Escalade rolled up:

Him: "...how bout you sell me that little truck you got there..."

Me: "...I'm not sure you can afford it".

Him: "why's that?"

So I told him about following it down the assembly line, driving it off the end of the line myself, etc.

Him: "350?"

Me: "V6, manual 4 speed/overdrive, 3.73 gears". We talked a little about the paint job, etc.

Him: "ok - so....how much?"

Calling upon all the insights I've learned from this site, I paused for effect and said "....$12K".

Him: "ok" - he said, as he rolled the window up and drove off.


I can only assume he was headed to the bank to get the money. Not sure how he is going to find me again, though....

[KQQL IT]

Great reply.
Posted via Mobile Device

[C-10 simplex]

Sorry, i couldn't read thru the rest of the thread (due to time constraints) which, by the way is an excellent one, from 09 which was the last time i "intruded" upon it.


So, does the 6, 4speed 3.73 really tow the open trailer and chevelle with no problems----breaking a sweat, supporting-the weigh-wise etc.? At say 65 mph?


b) what about the enclosed trailer?

i guess the 3.73 really makes a difference?

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by C-10 simplex

Sorry, i couldn't read thru the rest of the thread (due to time constraints) which, by the way is an excellent one, from 09 which was the last time i "intruded" upon it.


So, does the 6, 4speed 3.73 really tow the open trailer and chevelle with no problems----breaking a sweat, supporting-the weigh-wise etc.? At say 65 mph?


b) what about the enclosed trailer?

i guess the 3.73 really makes a difference?

Thank you; yes, the V6 3.73 combination does a fine job with the Chevelle on the open trailer. You have to be careful launching, but once you're rolling it's no problem. That was my primary race rig for many many years. Keep in mind my open trailer pulls very nicely no matter what tow vehicle - it's low and very stable.

However - the enclosed trailer - not recommended. That rig becomes a very expensive "grade detector"...

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

Great reply.
Posted via Mobile Device

I thought about saying $14k....

[Hulk Will Smash]

Originally Posted by 70-Shorty

What a great thread! Great to see the resto and the stories on the assembly line. I was lucky enough to go to the Van Nuys plant when i was i kid, shame i don't remember many details 'tho. I chuckled about the late model power mirrors...i put them on my 81 Crew Cab Dually.

i thought they really cleaned up the lines of those trucks. That truck was fun, it had a 15x15 Weld single in the rear with a M/T 31/18.5/15 fattie in the back replacing the duals. Again, thanks for your stories.
Tim

Man, that's a great looking truck!

And Keith, I think you should really have "high-rollered" the guy in the Escalade and gone $15k!

You know, that's what gets me about buying clean old cars. The same people who wouldn't think anything of spending $70k for a 5 year throw-away Escalade freak-out about spending $25k on a spotless '67 Impala... Myself, embarassingly enough, included in that nonsense until relatively recently!

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I thought about saying $14k....

You may want to reconsider that offer and start shooting higher. You couldn't replace that truck with it's emotional ties for that I wouldn't think!

[DetroitDan]

friend of mines got a low mileage restored 87 GMC crew dually 4wd on 19.5s. guy with plenty of money told him today he wants it, and told him to name his price. He said it's not for sale, even though he could use the money. Guy insisted he didn't care how much, he has to have the truck. My friend stuck to his guns and wouldnt sell or even make up a price.

[juiceman650]

Those are some great stories you've told us Keith, and an awesome job done on a one of a kind truck!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Keith Seymore]

Couple updates -

The big news around our place is that we've moved! Sold our house in town and moved back out to the country.

Everybody did their part in helping during the move, including Lil Red. Here's a pic of Red bringing home my latest acquisition, which is a Model 154 International Cub Lo Boy. This is going to be my primary grass cutting/snow pushing/trailer toting machine, and I already spent some quality time on it doing some leaf mulching over the weekend.



That's the only good moving pic I've got, since the rest of the time it was either (a) dark out, or (b) raining (lol).

The house comes with a separate outbuilding, with additional garage parking attached as part of the barn. Here are the Pontiacs safely tucked away -










The other news is that lil Red has now rolled over 196,000 miles. I'm hoping that's it for a while, as I'd like to park the truck and do some heavy maintenence over the winter (engine gaskets & rear axle work) and plan to use that as an excuse to not drive it through the winter. "Quest: 200k" will have to resume in the spring -

[SBTork]

Congrats on the new place!!

Looks like come spring time you'll be in the market for some of the "200K mile club" decals.

[JohnC]

Congrats on the move.

[87Bob]

A city lot is easy to take care of but I'd miss my 5 acers. I like having elbow room and no nosey neighbors.