Funny thing... There is truth to many of the responses here.
I am know the Historical Museum Director pretty well, and I try to help him out when I can. He's a great guy and knows that the historical community gets short sheeted all the time. His staff is also very small in size, and they have a tremendous job keeping our historical vehicles in tip top shape. His workforce also has the dauntless task of keeping the archives in decent order.
I have had one of the "pinch me" moments in life--- The one where I and many of my colleagues got to peruse some of the historical documents down in the archive dept. (I work at Chrysler)
MANY historical documents exist. More than they even know; more than you could believe.
Did a fire happen? Yes. it was internal, before bankruptcy no. 1. From what I understand there was some fire damage, but more water damage than anything. At the time, those documents may not have been as important as survival. (I'm guessing here because most of the people who are in the historical records dept now were not around back in the day)
The fact is that the historical department doesn't have staff is a critical part of their understanding of what they know they have vs what they don't have, as well as what they are able to do.
Yes, they do have a ton of stuff on microfishe. It doesn't necessarily mean they know where all the records are..
They do have stuff you never dreamed of.
There are original drawings, renderings, mechanical drawings, badges, stickers, you name it..
Spare Chrysler Turbine engine parts? yep.
But one line item that is not there that you think should be there...
Many of the original muscle car drawings are long gone. Some were taken home by the designers of the day. Raided, lost or stolen.. who knows. (I asked)
Maybe someday he can get a grant to have the staff he needs to fully catalog everything...
There are still unopened boxes in the archives that no one knows what's in them.
I have seen a few original drawings that you would just die for. My closest childhood friend was John Herlitz's son. John was credited with the 65 Barracuda, (also worked on the 70) as well as the 71 GTX.
My buddy inherited John's sketches after he passed away.. The GTX sketch gives me the shivers!
If I ever have an opportunity to get back there.. I will definitely have to give you an update.
Dan