The big Chrysler historical records "fire" of the 1970's

[TelisSE440]

Wasn't Dodge Main demolished in 1981 (the most historical factory in Dodge IMHO)? I mean we know that because Lee Iacocca had secured from the Government financial guarantees and proceeded with his plan of cutting costs and the multi level Dodge Main factory didn't help with the issue,  so it was demolished. There are even videos on YouTube with interviews etc. What I found in Hamtramck-historical.com (cool site by the way) was that, it had a photo department and a history department. They paid money for men and space just for taking photos. I think that we would know something with evidence that this had happened, even very few things would have survived one way or the other.

[RCCDrew]

Wasn't Dodge Main demolished in 1981 (the most historical factory in Dodge IMHO)? I mean we know that because Lee Iacocca had secured from the Government financial guarantees and proceeded with his plan of cutting costs and the multi level Dodge Main factory didn't help with the issue,  so it was demolished. There are even videos on YouTube with interviews etc. What I found in Hamtramck-historical.com (cool site by the way) was that, it had a photo department and a history department. They paid money for men and space just for taking photos. I think that we would know something with evidence that this had happened, even very few things would have survived one way or the other.

I think that's what he was saying. The location of Dodge Main was the parking lot where he was parking.

[TelisSE440]

I mean that we have evidence of that (Dodge Main), but for a fire on the records, we don't. Not even a little. And we can't prove the contents of these records. Something would have been brought out to the public... That's my opinion anyway 

[ChallengerHK]

My point was really that it took months to find something as obvious and presumably well known as the location of a giant building. Given that, I don't find it too odd that it would be hard to locate information on something like a records fire that would be of interest to only a very few people.

[RzeroB]

I believe that the location where the Dodge Main Assembly Plant once stood is now occupied by GM facility that builds the Chevy Volt. So if you went looking for the old Dodge Main facility thinking you would see an old factory or vacant lot you could find yourself circling the Volt facility and not even realize that the GM plant you are circling is where the old Dodge plant use to be.

[TelisSE440]

I believe that the location where the Dodge Main Assembly Plant once stood is now occupied by GM facility that builds the Chevy Volt. So if you went looking for the old Dodge Main facility thinking you would see an old factory or vacant lot you could find yourself circling the Volt facility and not even realize that the GM plant you are circling is where the old Dodge plant use to be.

  A part of the of the old location is owned by GM and makes the Volt... Shame by the way 

[ChallengerHK]

Yeah, it's called the Detroit-HAmtramck plant. When I was there it was producing Bonnevilles and Centurys. Basically, they demolished the plant and put in the parking lot, then tore up the old parking lot and built the new plant.

[DMZ73]

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

[70chall440]

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

I work for a very old and large company myself and can completely understand what you are saying. To the company, records do not contribute to revenue, thus they tend to be ignored. The fact there is anything there is positive but paying a historical staff is hard to justify in tough economic times. While the enthusiasts would love to have the information and access, they represent a very small percentage of the customer base and providing access or expending resources to gain control of the records (especially at this point wherein the volume is overwhelming) doesn't make fiscal sense. Granted, they (Chrysler) could opt to allow a non-profit volunteer element to take control but that brings a whole host of legal issues and challenges. In short, from a company prospective it makes more sense to just ignore it. The only way this changes is if the CEO or someone in the C staff has a personal enough interest and has a force of will to do something which in today's world is unlikely (not impossible). Most large companies are run by professional businessmen/people who in many cases have little interest in the actual commodity being produced by the company they run. Not saying they are bad people, but it is the way of modern business. Gone are the days for the most part where those who run a large company are enthusiasts themselves and are truly interested in the products beyond the here and now. Modern day executives could work in the automotive industry today and the biochemical industry tomorrow.