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The GM Heritage Center


Flybrian

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The GM Heritage Center
A photographic tour of GM's most historic collection
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By Brian Dreggors


Most people know about this place; if not, its the Holy Land to GM enthusiasts. While Ford and Chrysler proudly display their historic cars and trucks in huge, brightly-lit museums open daily for all to enjoy, GM keeps its most prized treasures in a rectangular building hidden away on the ground of the GM Technical Center, off-limits to the general public. Why? Who knows. But it sure adds allure and makes visitors seem like honored guests, which in a way, we were. Not only did we get to enjoy the grace and beauty of 100+ years of American motorcar, but we had a wonderful catered dinner there as well.

Rather than give us a guided tour (citing that most people just wander off within a few seconds anyway), the directors simply opened the doors and let us in. In that spirit, I will do the same. A few quick notes, though: approximately 145 cars were on display this evening, representing about 1/4 or 1/5 of GM's total collection. All but two of these cars are owned by GM. I believe all still run in some capacity, at least the famous concepts do; they even have the keys dangling from their ignitions (define: temptation). If they ever were auctioned, the 1951 LeSabre is valued at $10-15 million while the 1938 Y-Job commands $15-20 million. Don't worry, though; they aren't going anywhere...

that is, unless I can get my hands on those keys again...

Enjoy.

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*eyes pop open wide*

Fly ... SIMPLY AWESOME! Thank you for sharing those pics.............

*sighs*

I can only DREAM of one day being able to visit the GM Heritage Center...............

Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker

PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

my radio show:CD SHOWCASE.7:30p central.Friday/April 27 = www.wrmn1410.com

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This had to be a very fulfilling trip, yet, I wouldn't want to leave, I'd be wanting to study every inch of every vehicle, afraid to miss the slightest detail. Thanks for posting, Mr. Fly.
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Flybrian: I hate you.

If I had been let in there, either 1 of 2 scenarios would've happened: I'd still be there now, hiding and caressing. Or I'd have been thrown out in 5 minutes for licking.

Any chance I could get a link to the imageshack album? 4th time trying and most of these 500 pics are not making it over my 56K hookup.

Edited by balthazar
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It is an amazing place to go to! There food is sweet too.

But Correction the Heritage Center is not on Tech Center Property. Its about a mile away on an industrial drive.

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>>"Wow...I didn't know that a B-body El Camino existed outside of my imagination. Sweet."<<

It doesn't; that's a LeMans-based 'El Camino' which was updated with a 1980 Grand Am nose. I am pretty certain the LeMans/Grand Am is a G-Body.

I always thought that the LeMans was considered an A-body, and the Grand Prix was a G-body. At any rate, I was talking abou this B-body Impala SS-based El Camino:

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Ah; sorry, I thought you were referring to the Grand Am 'Camino pictured earlier.

As far as the body designation goes, apparently the '82 & up Bonneville was on a stretched version of the GP A-Special chassis... I had misremembered it was the same and thought the LeMans had changed to a 'G' also. LeMans would still be an 'A' in this era.

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>>"Wow...I didn't know that a B-body El Camino existed outside of my imagination. Sweet."<<

It doesn't; that's a LeMans-based 'El Camino' which was updated with a 1980 Grand Am nose. I am pretty certain the LeMans/Grand Am is a G-Body.

Yeah, those were the A/Gs... (didn't they call them A-bodies from '78-81, until that designation moved to a FWD platform in '82)?

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Very nice photo spread. I must say I enjoyed this. I noticed several things:

1. That Lucerne concept is where Lucerne got its name from. That concept also was the basis for the 1995-1999 Riviera, but something got lost in the translation. You can see the similar lines too. That concept looks a bit better than the Riviera did...

2. That Voyage and Solitaire were the basis for the 1992-1999 Eldorado and the 1992-1997 Seville. That front end showed up on many early 1990's Cadillacs.

3. I liked the Toronado I saw.

4. GM takes its collection and cars very seriously. I also thought that Impala based El Camino had potential.

Thank you for sharing...

Edited by NINETY EIGHT REGENCY
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If the "lemansamino" is an '82 or newer, it is a G body, older and it's an A. I love both Camino concepts shown in these pics. I never got the story on the Pontiac version, but The Impala-based SS damn near went to production.

I want them both. :AH-HA_wink:

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Yeah the whole fine line between the A & G bodys always perplexed me. :unsure:

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1,000,000th 1977 Oldsmobile. :P

That's exactly 1,000,000 more than they made in 2006. <_<:angry:

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1,000,000th 1977 Oldsmobile. :P

That's exactly 1,000,000 more than they made in 2006. <_<:angry:

*chuckles*

Leave it to you to point out that striking, sad realization ... heh.

Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker

PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"I knew she was a jewel in disguise" ... Kathy Mattea ... '455 Rocket'

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I'm not sure which one you mean..Maybe a sprint? I don't remember ever seeing a Chevette there

I just looked again and I'm pretty sure its a 2 door Chevette, behind the red concept car ( I think that was a cerv III) and to the left of a yellow car. I hope I'm on your list this summer during the dream cruise if you can bring in visitors again like you did last year.
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  • 9 months later...
Damn, how did I miss this thread?

And how the hell do you get access to that place?!

GM is having an open house for employees Feb 21 5pm-8pm

I am going, and can take a few people with me.

So I guess it's an open invite for a few guys who really want in....

It's a really fun place.

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Edited by mightymouse
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OMG. What's the price and where's the location? I'm in. Thank you so much!

price: $0.00 :pbjtime: My favorite price! You just have to go in same time as me.

PM your cell- I lost it... I would like to be there between 5-5:30pm let me know if thats too early for you

The GM Heritage Center is located at 6400 Center Dr., Sterling Heights, Michigan, 48312

It's north of 15mile -east of Mound

Schuby87 can't make it. Bring NEW batteries for your camera....twice now, mine pooped out

while I was there.

Any body else ?

http://www.gm.com/corporate/about/heritage/home/index.jsp

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Any body else ?

Ohhhh...hot dang I wish I could say I was able to go this time around.

I, too, would absolutely LOVE a trip through that Heritage Center.

*sighs*

Maybe someday.....

NOS ... have a blast of fun for us, would ya, please?

Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker

WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"After so many dreams have fallen through, it's time that 1 came true" ... Earl Thomas Conley ... 'Nobody Falls Like A Fool'

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Oh, and Brett is a freakin' bum.

Thats it! Get the Cobalt, we are settling this on the highway! :firebird:

I have been there a few times now, and really enjoyed myself. It is definitely an impressive collection of cars!

Unfortunately, I am leaving to go up to CMU for my bday right after work on the 21st. :pbjtime:

Have fun guys!

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Thanks, Cort! I'll definitely take a bunch of pictures and have a good time for you all! :)

GOOD!

Now ... don't fail your assignment ;).

Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker

WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"I'll always be around" ... Willie Nelson ... 'Highwayman'

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Thats it! Get the Cobalt, we are settling this on the highway! :firebird:

I have been there a few times now, and really enjoyed myself. It is definitely an impressive collection of cars!

Unfortunately, I am leaving to go up to CMU for my bday right after work on the 21st. :pbjtime:

Have fun guys!

Don't get me wrong, I do want to take ya out on the highway in the spring... Just to see what would happen. :AH-HA_wink:

But that's fair enough, at least you've been there a few times. Have a good birthday!

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