John Hinckley's Book

[John D.]

Before he got sick John had been working working for years on a book about the former Fisher Body division of GM and last I asked him on another forum prior to his passing he said it was close to completion. Does anyone know if it will be ever released for printing by his family ? I hoped for an autographed copy. He is sorely missed.
God's speed Mr. Hinckley.

[Tom D.]

Re: John Hinckley's Book

This is news to me. I'll ask around in MI.

[Frank D.]

Re: John Hinckley's Book

Even a partially finished tome by John would be invaluable...

[David B.]

Re: John Hinckley's Book

The Fisher Body Division is one of the better kept secrets in GM history. It was instrumental in a lot of early Corvette design work and parts. Always felt the F in the vin number for the early C1 prototypes 56-57 SR2 - SS referred to Fisher.

[Keith B.]

Re: John Hinckley's Book

The Fisher Body Division is one of the better kept secrets in GM history. It was instrumental in a lot of early Corvette design work and parts. Always felt the F in the vin number for the early C1 prototypes 56-57 SR2 - SS referred to Fisher.

I would think that F was for Flint. The Fisher plants where adjacent to the assembly plants where metal cars where built. As Fisher built the body and interior and the assembly plant did the rest.

[John D.]

Re: John Hinckley's Book

In the plants back in the day Fisher body did the body, paint and trim from the cowl back and the motor divisions did the chassis and front end sheet metal. The integration between the two plants was not always seamless and cooperation did not rule the day. Years later the folks in the GM plant I began working in the the mid 80's often referred to themselves as either Fisher Body or Chevrolet. They told me often it was so bad travel was not allowed between the two plants and there was a security check point where fully trimmed bodies transferred from Fisher to Chevrolet. Fisher Body had all their own management and engineering staff and they were fiercely independent.

John lived through all of that during his GM days and he was documenting the history of Fisher Body for his book.

[Keith B.]

Re: John Hinckley's Book

that would make for a very interesting book. I for one like to see it published. there is not too much published on the behind the scenes of other chevy cars beside Corvettes

[Duke W.]

Re: John Hinckley's Book

I don't think Fisher built the Corvette body. Corvette bodies were built by Chevrolet at the St. Louis plant or A. O. Smith.

When I was a Pontiac production engineer monitoring the '69 Firebird pilot built at Van Nuys I wasn't even allowed to set foot on the Fisher side of the plant. If there was an issue with the body I had to call my office back in Pontiac and the Production Engineer would contact Fisher and go from there. There were no body issues, so I didn't get to see how truly cumbersome the system was, but it seemed pretty dumb to me. Fisher was like a totally different company, not part of GM.

Duke

[David B.]

Re: John Hinckley's Book

I am a little surprised re: Fisher Division comments. As mentioned it is one of the lesser known/credited Divisions in GM history. Obviously they manufactured metal bodies (exceptional) for all GM Divisions but not the Corvette. However, in the initial stages of building the first '53 Corvettes the Fisher Division expressed keen interest in building the body and even went as far as starting to prepare a bid proposal to Chevrolet. The division ultimately decided against moving forward. They were however often consulted and did provide engineering and numerous parts (primarily interior) for the early C1s (53-55 seats etc.). As I noted they were also involved with the early 56-57 prototype Corvettes (again interior). All this I thought was common knowledge. The mystery F in the vin # my thought.

[Alan D.]

Re: John Hinckley's Book

No info, just to follow

[Mark F.]

Re: John Hinckley's Book

I am a little surprised re: Fisher Division comments. As mentioned it is one of the lesser known/credited Divisions in GM history...

As one who lived in Detroit and worked in the auto industry in the '76 to '81 timeframe, I was fascinated and educated by this history write-up of Fisher: http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/f/fisher/fisher.htm

It's not a 30 second read, but the breadth and depth of the Fisher Brothers' expertise was apparently widely known in the early 1900's thru the 19-"teens" - making bodies for many of the chassis manufactures at the time...including Ford Model Ts.

As testament to their success, GM was not the only one who wanted to buy them out..."After World War I, Fisher again considered total auto manufacture, but the attractions of that plan were eclipsed by another. Three established automakers contemplated acquiring Fisher Body Company as a wholly-owned subsidiary: Ford, Studebaker, and General Motors. GM's Pierre S. DuPont...struck the bargain with Louis Mendelssohn and the Fisher Brothers. GM's buyout of Fisher Body took place in two steps -- one in 1919 and the final one in 1926."

Hopefully, John's book will be finished and published - somehow - someway...

[John D.]

Re: John Hinckley's Book

Was talking about this on another forum and was wondering if Mr Hinckley's book will ever be published ?