Demolition of historic St louis plant

[moparstuart]

It's a sad day indeed.  

Apparently, demolition begins shortly on the historical Chrysler St. Louis assembly plant where many of our beloved muscle cars were born, my 69 charger ,  1969 Road Runner  70 birdible and 70 coupe Road runner  included.

This news from moparts.com - link    http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=6112355&an=0&page=0#Post6112355

[Highbanked Hauler]

Everything and everyone becomes history at some point

[hemigeno]

My friend Rich and I were just talking about that last night.  I've been going by there four times a week since May through last week, and nothing had been happening.  Sounds like it will be gone soon though, as it made the news stations this week also.

I had heard rumors about Ford producing something from that facility, but supposedly the North plant (opened in '67 or so??) is a lot better suited for continued production than the South plant which opened in '59.  The demo is just slated for the South plant IIRC, so maybe there's a chance a part of it will survive.

I'm so glad I had the chance to attend the 2004 plant open house, and get my St. Louis-built R/T back inside the plant one last time.  Were you there Stuart?  I know a contingent of guys from KC came down including Wayne P. & the Drakes, but I don't remember if you were able to make it or not.

Sad news.  

[tan top]

remember reading & seeing pictures of the st.loius mopar gatthering !  in one of the mopar mags around that time i think ,  was a good picture of  the cars lined up like they were coming down the production line 

[moparstuart]

My friend Rich and I were just talking about that last night.  I've been going by there four times a week since May through last week, and nothing had been happening.  Sounds like it will be gone soon though, as it made the news stations this week also.

I had heard rumors about Ford producing something from that facility, but supposedly the North plant (opened in '67 or so??) is a lot better suited for continued production than the South plant which opened in '59.  The demo is just slated for the South plant IIRC, so maybe there's a chance a part of it will survive.

I'm so glad I had the chance to attend the 2004 plant open house, and get my St. Louis-built R/T back inside the plant one last time.  Were you there Stuart?  I know a contingent of guys from KC came down including Wayne P. & the Drakes, but I don't remember if you were able to make it or not.

Sad news.  

Yes mike invited a group of HPAC  cars I  was there for the open house (family day )  in  99 ? and in 04  had the 69 road runner parked on the assemble line  . It was very cool they fed us gave us tours and freebee's .  I have pictures but its before the digital camera days so I dont know were they are  .

[471_Magnum]

Sad, but in some sense, overdue. Even if Chrysler were still producing cars there, that facility would have had to been considered outdated, which was a driver of its closing.

That being said, it was the birth place of the majority of Mopars I've owned, including my first '69 Charger, my '70 Satellite, both my '71 GTXs, and my Roadrunner.

[moparstuart]

Sad, but in some sense, overdue. Even if Chrysler were still producing cars there, that facility would have had to been considered outdated, which was a driver of its closing.

That being said, it was the birth place of the majority of Mopars I've owned, including my first '69 Charger, my '70 Satellite, both my '71 GTXs, and my Roadrunner.

it had actually had lots of updates and they had just spent a bunch of money on it when it closed .  ,  The north plant did have more money spent on it so is the logical choice to keep when choosing .

   

[68X426]

My Road Runner was born March 15, 1968 at St. Louis. We'll all miss the "G" factory.

[694spdRT]

It was the birthplace of my '69 R/T as well on 7/8/1969.   

[Alaskan_TA]

That bottom photo is Hamtramck, St. Louis did not make Darts that year. 

[68X426]

That bottom photo is Hamtramck, St. Louis did not make Darts that year. 

Wow! I believe you.

[kab69440]

Anyone live near there that would care to grab a brick from the demolition and send it to me?

[41husk]

I doubt for insurance reasons any one not involved with the demo will get close.  What do you thing Geno?  I would love to have some piece of memorabilia for the mopad.

[hemigeno]

Here's how you can get all the memorabilia you want:

>  Stay out all night on a drinking binge
>  Wear your worst pair of jeans & boots, plus an obnoxious Tee with holes in it - preferably having worn them the night before (see above)
>  Bring a hard hat (drag it behind your car or truck for a few miles to get the right look), safety glasses and work gloves
>  Show up mid-morning
>  Drive up on site and tell them "the office just sent me down to the jobsite -- where's the Laborer foreman?"

As big as that place is, you'll be able to roam around for hours without problem.

[MoParJW]

That bottom photo is Hamtramck, St. Louis did not make Darts that year. 

correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe those are Satellites, the 2nd car could even be my car... 

[Alaskan_TA]

Look in the back ground & you will see cars on a second assembly line. Hamtramck was the only plant with two lines. 

[41husk]

Here's how you can get all the memorabilia you want:

>  Stay out all night on a drinking binge
>  Wear your worst pair of jeans & boots, plus an obnoxious Tee with holes in it - preferably having worn them the night before (see above)
>  Bring a hard hat (drag it behind your car or truck for a few miles to get the right look), safety glasses and work gloves
>  Show up mid-morning
>  Drive up on site and tell them "the office just sent me down to the jobsite -- where's the Laborer foreman?"

As big as that place is, you'll be able to roam around for hours without problem.

Might be a better idea to find out who has the contract, Spiritis, Uriosity, etc. Contact them and see what they can do.  Geno, when will they begin demolition?

[MoParJW]

Look in the back ground & you will see cars on a second assembly line. Hamtramck was the only plant with two lines. 

ok I'm convinced.. thanks for bursting my bubble, I was hoping that was my car in the picture 

[UFO]

Here's how you can get all the memorabilia you want:

>  Stay out all night on a drinking binge
>  Wear your worst pair of jeans & boots, plus an obnoxious Tee with holes in it - preferably having worn them the night before (see above)
>  Bring a hard hat (drag it behind your car or truck for a few miles to get the right look), safety glasses and work gloves
>  Show up mid-morning
>  Drive up on site and tell them "the office just sent me down to the jobsite -- where's the Laborer foreman?"

As big as that place is, you'll be able to roam around for hours without problem.

Might be a better idea to find out who has the contract, Spiritis, Uriosity, etc. Contact them and see what they can do.  Geno, when will they begin demolition?

Sometimes it's easier to ask forgiveness than it is for permission.
Or slip a worker a few bucks and have him toss a few over the fence.

[HOTROD]

Hay that sounds like a good Idea bricks were do you see bricks ??
That place has been gutted so many times and i helped in 1985 but i think i can walk right through the rear gate !!??