C4 PADS - Will we ever get our hands on them?

[Floyd B.]

Some of you may recall that I took on the mission of attempting to have the '84 through '96 Plant Assembly Documents (PAD) released to the NCRS community. I have received a few inquires via private messages so I suppose it's time to provide an update.

Unfortunately it would appear that GM will not be releasing these "Internal Use Only" documents for public access.

I was working with some really nice folks at the NCM and GM Quality Assurance department at Bowling Green. Progress looked quite promising at first and the NCM was hoping to add the PADS to their historical library. However, the conclusion of the GM legal review resulted in this final communication from the NCM's Library and Archives Coordinator:

___________________________________________

RE: C4 Plant Assembly Documents
From:Betty Hardison (Betty@corvettemuseum.org)
Sent:Thu 9/17/09 4:12 PM
To: Floyd Berus (fberus@msn.com)
Cc: dana.wallace@gm.com; Wendell Strode (Strode@corvettemuseum.org)

Floyd,

We want to take this opportunity to thank you for bringing this to our attention so we would have the opportunity to check on the availability of the C4 Plant Assembly Documents to the museum.

After extensive review by GM Legal, the request to have production assembly documents at the museum was not granted. The documents are intended for internal use only.

We appreciate your interest in trying to expand our Library & Archives but in this case it just did not work out.

Thank you for your continued support of the National Corvette Museum.
Betty Hardison
Library and Archives Coordinator
National Corvette Museum

[Tyler T.]

Re: C4 PADS - Will we ever get our hands on them?

I have one for the 87-89 ZR-1 items if anyone needs the info. Again it only shows the progression of the ZR-1 specific items through about Aug 87. The last prototype 88 ZR-1 was built in Aug of 87.

Tyler

[John D.]

Re: C4 PADS - Will we ever get our hands on them?

I can only assume they're afraid of having plaintiff attorneys poring over them for use in court proceedings........

[Floyd B.]

Re: C4 PADS - Will we ever get our hands on them?

I can only assume they're afraid of having plaintiff attorneys poring over them for use in court proceedings........

John,
This exactly what I would guess also. It basically provides a target rich hunting ground for trail lawyers searching for the proverbial "smoking gun." I can understand their position but it doesn't help us any does it?

Bummer.

[Loren L.]

Re: C4 PADS - Will we ever get our hands on them?

John,
This exactly what I would guess also. It basically provides a target rich hunting ground for trail lawyers searching for the proverbial "smoking gun." I can understand their position but it doesn't help us any does it?

Bummer.

Has to be more than that - having now admitted in this forum that they exist, trial attorneys now have to simply ask the judge for access and copies.

[John D.]

Re: C4 PADS - Will we ever get our hands on them?

Without seeing the PAD's how would a lawyer know or be able to argue they are releveant ? Maybe there is a time limit on lawsuits that has to expire ? Any lawyers out there ?

[Floyd B.]

Re: C4 PADS - Will we ever get our hands on them?

Has to be more than that - having now admitted in this forum that they exist, trial attorneys now have to simply ask the judge for access and copies.

This is a pretty well tested area of case law. Attorneys can't just go on "fishing" expeditions. A document subpoena has to be fairly specific to be granted.

[Art A.]

Re: C4 PADS - Will we ever get our hands on them?