longtooth

GM's Fisher Body Plant in Trenton, NJ became part of Eastern Aircraft during World War II. There they built the Grumman TBM Avenger. (torpedo bomber) President George H W Bush flew one during his Naval Service. Easy enough to Google should anyone be interested in finding out more about this. I met many people, when I first started working there in 1976, that worked on GM's airplanes during WWII. Additionally, hung about the offices throughout the plant were photographs of that era showing the planes in various stages of their assembly. I think that President Truman visited the plant in his capacity as then-Vice President sometime in '44. (before my time of course) Salt-of-the-earth types that did their part to insure victory during that struggle. My Committee-Woman when I first was hired was, as I believe, the first woman laborer hired by GM in one of their Eastern hardware plants. The plant being built in 1938.

Tried that too, beyond the benefit of the exercise component, it seems to conspicuously cause the vehicle to stand out. But isn't that what some are seeking? Enjoy the conundrum and get a horse I suppose.

Cletus, I think that you have really nailed it. Those trucks were game-changers. Sure, GM has made some nice stuff since but those trucks were, and still are, something.

I used to work out on the job. While picking parts in the warehouse. I think that this was equivalent to conditioning but it left me, after 7 years and some, in what I considered the best shape of my life at the age of 47. My 'secret': Leaf spring assemblies and graduating to axle housings. I could routinely sling-around the entire side of an 8 foot-long GMC or Chevy pickup truck bed (in a heavy cardboard box) that could weigh over 100 lbs. They were bulky. Within reason, I could do this for 8, 9 or 10 hours per day. We had some female pickers at one time but the strain of the job eventually weeded them out. Another good workout was gathering quantities of truck drum brake housings and larger disc brake rotors. Like a rock...

Fine Camino'. The jewelry manager at the discount store where I worked in 74- '75 had the car I described. We'd go out after work to Decatur Road in North Philadelphia and she'd clean-up in the local street racing league. (informal gathering of racers) Her Dad was a gear-head and she grew up around hot rods. She was smooth on the stick. Last time I saw her and the car was in 1980.

'74 SD Trans Am.

An example as to how deep-seated prejudices can span a lifetime: Since I was able to comprehend such things, the phrase "Jaguar Reliabilty" was considered by my inner-circle (very small group of lifelong chums) to be an oxymoron. Chevy 350 c.i. engine swaps were common amongst the guys I knew in my growing up since repeated attempts to maintain that legendary 'jag reliability' came to naught. One friend, my senior by 5 years and a Viet Nam vet, had a '71 XKE packing a V-12 that he converted to a Chevy V-8 powered street terror. 'Buddy X'. Also was fond of tinkering with MGs before and after 'Nam. He was so 'go fast' crazy that he hooked-up a rather large-displacement West Bend 2-cycle chainsaw engine to a lightweight go-kart chassis. The phrase, "if it had wings it would fly" was not very far from the truth. 'Buddy' returned from 'Nam fundamentally changed. Slightly out of phase and given to suddenly shifting to that 'thousand yard stare' mode. But flashes of the old Buddy would shine through occasionally. Three houses down the street, another elder mentor/friend, Renfrew 'Rennie' Beaumont was killed in the Viet Nam conflict in 1968. His speciality, which fascinated the sh*t out of my 11 year-old psyche, was building catapults/slingshots with tractor trailer tire inner tubes building rudimentary hot-air balloons out of glued-together strips of tissue paper and baling wire. Rennie's Mom, Pat drove a Jag (which saw the inside of the local foreign car shop often) and his Dad, Warren, drove a split-window Sting Ray. Buddy an Rennie. Good folks.

I've a nephew that joined the Marines in '08. College grad and focused. I can personally vouch for his readiness, subjectively of course. And yes, it became convenient to forget that 'Red' China is still a communist regime. For the sake of profits our 'principles' were pragmatically swept aside. In the '60s and '70s we did fight to stem the tide of communism and upwards of 57,000 of our citizens died. Yet Viet Nam was a muddle of sorts with no precise objective ever declared. The price of peace is vigilance. I did not serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Draft ended within two months after my signing-up waaaay back in 1974. I hope we have it in our make-up to be prepared for what must be done.

Tom Clancy has covered stuff like this going back at least 22 years. We're vulnerable here in North America as China has been hoarding all sorts of commodities for the past year or so. Should the North American economy show any sign of a recovery we'll be hijacked once more by OPEC and the like. So a move toward renewable energy behooves us. We're so cosmopolitan a society now that if someone were to attack us there'd be anti-war protests in front of The White House while citizens were picking shrapnel out of their asses or decomposing in the streets. We're in for it unless we can coalesce around a central theme and learn how to back each other up. The 'Melting Pot'. ha

Antares still seems contemporary. Best looking flush-glass I can recall seeing.

Trust me. As a UAW member myself, they/we/I know. There's some posturing ongoing within the ranks of the hourly on both sides of the border. Everyone realizes all that's at stake. It's systemic, the issues and so forth. Likely that evolving protectionist sentiments push Canada and a humbler U.S. into a stronger union to stave-off what 'Chindia' has waiting for us.

I enjoyed discussing these cars with you fellas. Thanks.

It's gotta be a 'guy' thing transcending age. I feel exactly that way about the '90s Sevilles and the 'Harsh Times' Crown Vics. wtf? I've driven the STS and a high school friend of mine has access to all the Crown Vics I'd ever need to know as a policeman. Neato. [edit] Yes. "Heat" is a great film. I place it in my top ten of all time. I can watch it monthly and not tire of it. What gets me is seeing DeNiro age. And resenting it!

Very nice. I like the "hovercraft" remark too. The thing about cars and their making me feel like I came to play spawned that question re: Legitimizing. It goes back to my first 'badass'-mobile. A '94 Z28. I felt that gratification was finally mine for the taking. The car made me feel an extra measure of confidence especially after I saw Robert DeNiro tooling around in one in the movie "Heat". Still looking for that gratification, I think, even as I like cars less and less. I'm glad you like your G8.

Does the name Fred Schmidt ring any bells? He is a Trenton, NJ engineer that went to Wilmington on contract. He was my bi-laminate exterior product guru and nothing short of a genius in my estimation. As my tenure at Wilmington was relatively short I didn't attend any of the 'mixers' nor did I socialize all that much. Wilmington's on a wing n' a prayer right now but they've got Vice President Biden in their corner. Although a lot of good that did Chrysler's Newark plant.

Hey. How many folks would remember you PCS? Did you leave on good terms?

A preemptive move into design would position you well in any nascent renaissance. Were I looking to gain a foothold in the Industry or in the craft of styling automobiles I'd immerse myself in it and shop whatever skills I possessed with as much passion I could muster. Hell, you could be in the vanguard of the correction.

GM lost the initiative, relative to the mid-'80s Taurus and ultimately Accord and Camry, by not seeking to improve the Celebrity. Celebrity was GM's sales champion through the mid-1980s. Still see a few of 'em running around.

What is it about the G8 that does it for you? Is there any sense that the car in some way 'legitimizes' you? Please do not take offense at that last question. Asking it says more about me than I really seek to learn about you caddy'.

'Stakeholders' getting their grilling. The UAW's coming-to-bat soon.

Seems a fair, no-bull$h! assessment K.C. A burgeoning "Idiocracy" with an 'Upgrayedd'.

Whitney Huston. Literally 'bumped' into her as she was exiting a Dunwoody, GA Starbucks on the Friday after Thanksgiving 2005. She had her hands full with items she had purchased in the store. Carried her cappuccino for her to her vehicle and assisted in getting her situated. I recognized her right off the bat. She asked my name and repeated it several times during the course of our brief encounter. Her voice was soft and low with an elegant timbre which caused the sound to float on the cool air of this Southern night. It sounded, and resounds in my memory, as angel's song. A brush with greatness. I realize that Ms. Huston has had an eventful career as the media sees it and I offer no judgement of my own re: Her personal life. I've always admired her considerable vocal talents and will likely continue to do so. Additionally, I am related to "Kung Fu Panda" co-Director Mark Osborne and his equally talented brother Kent Osborne, writer.

Seeing this was as ripping the scar tissue right from a long-forgotten wound. Thank you for assembling this zeitgeist. Very nice work.

I've had plenty of toys in my lifetime. So after my new Camaro it would be a restorable '02 Firehawk. Must be a few of those being held-back with owners waiting for what they feel is the right time to sell. The younger readers haven't lived through anything like what we're experiencing at the moment. It has already exceeded my expectations for as bad as I believed it would get. My Father said it appears grim and his business has dropped off substantially. He's had to lay off 1 mason and the fellow that does stucco, parging and pointing. Dad was a child of the last depression. I believe him when he says it's bad out there. For what he'd normally have booked going into Spring business is down approximately 1/3 over the peak of 2005-2006. Good luck to all.

A Burt Reynolds 'Banditized' model would woo a few nostalgia buffs. Then I'd like to see SLP do a number on it.