Video of St. Louis assembly procedure ?

[Mark R.]

Is anyone aware of the availability of a video presentation of the assembly procedure employed at the St. Louis plant ? I would be particularly interested in seeing the building of the early shark cars.

Thanks,
Mark

[John H.]

Re: Video of St. Louis assembly procedure ?

Mark -

I've never seen any video (or original film footage) of the St. Louis assembly procedure, and most of the original GM Photographic still images are gone too. I deal regularly with the GM Media Archives as part of my magazine job, and when GM Photographic was dissolved years ago and their services were outsourced, then the operation was brought back in-house later as GM Media Archives, hundreds of thousands of original negatives were lost in the transitions, including almost EVERYTHING from St. Louis-Corvette.

I wrote a series of six photo-illustrated feature articles on the St. Louis midyear assembly process including A.O. Smith body build and the St. Louis Body Shop, Paint Shop, Trim Shop, Chassis Line, and Final Assembly between the June '06 and January '07 issues of "Corvette Enthusiast" magazine. Another good reference is Peter LiCastro's "Birthplace of Legends" book, available from the NCRS on-line store at the top of the page.

[Mark R.]

Re: Video of St. Louis assembly procedure ?

John:

Thanks for the response to my inquiry.

I've read your articles in Corvette Enthusiast and found them to be very helpful. In fact, I cut them out and have them saved for future reference. I also have Peter Licastro's book, which I will now sit down to read.

I greatly appreciate your contribution to the history of the Corvette.

Please keep the information coming.

Best wishes,
Mark

[Alan S.]

Re: Video of St. Louis assembly procedure ?

Hi Mark,
How are you?
I posted a question a few days ago about an article in the Oct/Nov, 1970 issue of CORVETTE NEWS. That's an article about building the 71 model with it's special ingredient "QUALITY". There are 25 factory pictures, some very interesting and some just 'sorta' interesting. For instance one shows a worker doing paint touch up with a pin stripe brush.
The frame in one picture has a date that looks like 6-24-70. Nice big block, 4-speed, and that foam 'collar' sitting on the bell housing. Terry M. mentioned he felt some of the pictures pre-dated the start of 71 build.
One of the pictures shows that the "New vapor reflow gun makes imperfections vanish". They must have forgotten to use it on my 71, or maybe it couldn't make almost no paint reflow?
If you're interested I'll send you a copy.
Regards,
Alan

[Jean C.]

Re: Video of St. Louis assembly procedure ?

Peter is scheduled to present a seminar on the Corvette at St. Louis at the National in St. Charles. I am certain it will be an interesting and informative session; however, it will only be presented one time and those of us with a Flight Judging or another schedule conflict that day will miss it
Best regards,

[Kevin M.]

Re: Video of St. Louis assembly procedure ?

Have you seen these? I saved them from another poster.

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrow...der_id=2014047

Kevin

[Mark R.]

Re: Video of St. Louis assembly procedure ?

Kevin:

Thanks for the link to these wonderful photos. This is exactly the type of visuals for which I have been looking. They really help me gain a better understanding of the construction of the Corvette.

This discussion board and the members who contribute to it are the absolute best !

With sincere appreciation,

Mark

[John H.]

Re: Video of St. Louis assembly procedure ?

Peter is scheduled to present a seminar on the Corvette at St. Louis at the National in St. Charles. I am certain it will be an interesting and informative session; however, it will only be presented one time and those of us with a Flight Judging or another schedule conflict that day will miss it
Best regards,

Charlie, welcome to the club . I'm judging '67BB Chassis on Wednesday, and really wanted to see that presentation. Gotta find out if there's a handout and get someone to grab one for me, or get ahold of Peter and see if he has one.

[Steven B.]

Re: Video of St. Louis assembly procedure ?

'Any chance of video recording the St. Louis factory preso.? It would be great to have all of the the presos available for future reference and those who can't make the sessions.

[Oliver B.]

Re: Video of St. Louis assembly procedure ?

You are not the only one, who would like to see something like that.....