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#751 |
I had a V-8
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 1,116
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
That is cool as hell.
It was real sad to see DPG shut down. So much of cool stuff from that place left in roll-off dumpsters. We had a contract with one of the salvage companies and we hauled bunches of trailers of shop equipment, office stuff, etc out of there. Those guys got the best stuff. Some of the "artwork" was the coolest stuff to be had out of there. All gone now. Signs at the entrance gone. High fences gone. Hell, they even cleared out the oleanders. The basic silhouette of the facility still remains as they never really finished the destruction of it. I'm glad I got to see some of it in action before it went away. It was cool pulling out of there and seeing these vehicles pulling in with one front seat and a bank of instruments where the passenger seat would normally be. Or seeing over the fence at the vehicles with the crazy paint that try to camouflage the shape of the bodies. Real cool stuff.
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1972 K20 Suburban, 5.9L Cummins, Banks Power Pack, NV4500HD, NP205, H.A.D., D60/14FF ARB Link To Build: HERE. |
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#752 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
My mother-in-law still lives in Mesa, so we get out there a couple times a year yet.
I always make a drive down Ellsworth to see how things are going. It's sad to see it all gone. We knew even back then that we would remember those days as "the good ole' days". K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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#753 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Quote:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/17/au...=top-news&_r=0 K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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#754 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Columbus ohio
Posts: 109
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
WOW!! Cool!
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#755 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Rochester, MI
Posts: 206
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
I've always had Corvettes in my blood. I've owned a handful of C 2's and 3s. I am now trucker and I think it's a better fit for me (personality wise). I actually get more thumbs up in my truck then I ever did in my vettes.
BTW, my 66G GMC was built in Pontiac. Can you tell me where exactly a 66 was built. It seems there was a plant on Woodward and Square Lake; also a plant on Opdyke and Square Lake. While Im thinking of it, I would like to get my hands on a set of small white letters that I can stick on my rear window. I would them to read "Built in Pontiac Michigan" Any leads? also wondering if you made it to the Woodward cruise this year. I saw 1958 Pontiac Bonneville. It was a black 4 door. Nothing like yours. I also saw a red and white 58 Bonneville convertible sell on Mecum 130,000. The seller was hoping to get 70k. Amazing to see the interest. |
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#756 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Quote:
There wasn't anything at Woodward and Square Lake. We did have our Validation Center (for preproduction builds) at Woodward and South Blvd; that has since been torn down and is slated to be the new "M-1 Concours". Yep - I was out on Wooward each evening (Mon - Fri) and then made a couple passes on Saturday. Mostly in the Grand Prix, but made a few loops in the pickup as I was on my way home from work. I had an idea for some "Made in Pontiac" stickers this weekend as well. I'll talk to one of my more artistic buddies and see if he can whip something up. K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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#757 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Rochester, MI
Posts: 206
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
I meant to say Wide Track ( woodward starts after W.T.) and South Boulevard; not Square lake rd. Lol. Im retired now - please overlook my error. Anyway, looks like my truck was built on Opdyke. Mine is a light duty.
I did not make a career of it though I worked assembly at both Fisher and PMD in the late 60's. I assembled heads at PMD, and hung doors at F.B. - now that was a tough job. |
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#758 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: West plains missouri
Posts: 97
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You're thread I haven't read completely but what pages and stories I've read so far have been truly inspiring sir! Thank you and God bless your family!
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You've got to see the potential in this build, at least that's what I keep telling her. Whether she'll ever see it i don't know. |
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#759 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Today is my truck's 28th birthday.
Built September 29th, 1986 (an early 1987 model year build). Interestingly enough, Sept 29 of 1986 was also a Monday (as is today). I noticed the invoice does not exactly match my memory, as the truck was build (mostly) during second shift on the 29th, but I actually drove it to the shipping building and left the plant at 1:30 am Tuesday (which would be the 30th). Must have something to do with where the "paypoint" was at the end of the final line, rather than the shipping building itself. Happy birthday, Red! K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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#760 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: lousiville Ky
Posts: 2,649
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Keith,
Looking really good for 28 years, it must have an owner who cares for it! Have lots of fun with it during the next 28 years. ![]() Les |
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#761 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Baytown TX
Posts: 2,219
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
No doubt one of the most interesting truck out there with a very unique back story. Happy Birthday Red.
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John 82 Chevy Silverado 350ci/TH350 ![]() |
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#762 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Memphis MI
Posts: 1,851
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Lot prettier than my diesel. LOL. happy birthday Red!
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1987 2 ton ![]() 1982 ![]() Dad's 1981 ![]() Plus a mess o' tractors |
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#763 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Camp Sherman, Oregon
Posts: 35
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Quote:
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benner Blacked out 1970 CST, C 20. Hardcore Work Truck with 350, Edelbrock 750, RPM High Rise, Flow-Masters, Black wheels and a Log Wood Rack. One Hot Worktruck. ![]() |
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#764 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Rochester, MI
Posts: 206
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Hey Keith. I stopped at the sign shop in Rochester last week. I inquired about making a window sticker that read "Made in Pontiac". I was given a quick estimate of $65. Wow, that seems a bit much. I asked about making multiples and they said it would be less but that's as far as I got. obviously, they can make it in any font and size.
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#765 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Well - I share the little victories here, I guess I should share the "foibles" too...
Had a little bump over the weekend. I was backing the trailer with the door open and hooked it on my buddy's car. Bent the door around backwards so that it wouldn't close. Bent the structure and I had to bend it up a bit more to get it off. Damage is contained in the door, other than a few scratches at the rear edge of the fender. Anyway - now I need a door. ![]() K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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#766 |
F’B’D guy
![]() Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Texas/Maine
Posts: 2,220
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Keith, trust me, your not alone in the truck customizing department. I've done more than a few blunders myself. It will fix.
Thanks for your stories, they are epic! |
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#767 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: El Lago, TX
Posts: 1,668
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Yikes! That's a bummer. It probably won't be too bad to fix with a replacement door.
I did something similar one time. I was backing up a trailer on a construction site in rutted dirt. The truck wasn't moving so I gave it some more gas thinking I was in a rut. It turned out it wasn't moving because I was turning into a stake that was in the ground. As soon as i gave it throttle i heard the door cave in. ![]() By the way, the technology GM has now to prevent dumb ass mistakes is amazing. I just got a 14' Cadillac CTS and it alerts me with a seat vibration every time I get close to anything. Last edited by Greenlee; 12-08-2014 at 09:56 AM. |
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#768 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 1,023
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Are they power or manual doors?
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#769 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Raymond NH
Posts: 392
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Poor ol'red
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#770 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Woodbury, Ct.
Posts: 1,680
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Self inflicted wounds are the worst..
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#771 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,188
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
I call that lucky. Doors are not very expensive, and good the rest is OK. Still a few rust free OEM doors in junkyards out here that are very nice, but shipping cost is extreme. Aftermarket aren't really cheap either, though.
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#772 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Thanks for the encouragement, guys. I managed to keep a stiff upper lip over the weekend and have started looking in earnest for doors this morning.
There seem to be quite a few here locally to choose from. Truth be told: this isn't the first time I've done this ![]() K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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#773 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Haines City FL
Posts: 461
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Quote:
Noooooooo😥. It was painful to see but at least it was not any worse... Hope little red gets well soon Thanks gor the stories Keith |
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#774 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Weare,NH
Posts: 1,592
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
Now I don't feel so bad about screwing up my straight tailgate with a trailer incident.
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#775 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: El Lago, TX
Posts: 1,668
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Re: Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy
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