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Washington, 1924. "Buick Motor Co." A demonstration of "Buick standard- ization." (More here.) National Photo Company glass negative. View full size.
My father worked at the Buick foundry from 1924 to 1929. He had to take a medical for his lung problems that were a result of working at the foundry twelve hours a day seven days a week for five years with one day off. I don't know many people to day that could have worked in that environment that he and others worked in and did the job they did. I would like to write a book based on his experience and mine as a future generation GM hourly and salaried employee. GM never had to get in the position that it is in today but not for upper management accepting everything the UAW asked for. My father was a good worker and didn't need the UAW.
Larry Ray
Washington Post, June 15, 1924
Approximately 35 of the leading cities of the United States, Washington included, are to witness one of the most novel demonstrations ever conducted by an automobile factory through the enterprise of the Buick Motor Company, Flint, Mich., according to L. M. Landrick, local branch manager.
A General Motors truck, especially built body for the job in hand and fitted at each side with hinged platform, which when let down, furnish an adequate stage for exhibitions on a coast-to-coast tour of approximately 9,000 miles, Mr. Landrick said. A Buick car is to be built openly before the public on the platform fitted to the truck entirely from the stock of the local Buick branch or distributing house.
...
At each of the points where a demonstration is arranged, a compete chassis will be built and driven away on its own power. This is literally carrying the Buick factor to the consumer and is certain, it is thought, to attract a great attention everywhere.
Washington Post, July 3, 1924; Display Ad
Right before your eyes Buick mechanics will build a Buick. And when the car is finished it will be driven down the platform runway under its own power.
But there is something even more interesting and significant in this performance than just the building of the car itself. This car will be built exclusively from the stock of the local Buick organization.
Nor is this all. The same truck and crew will visit every other city in the United States where this is a Buick branch or distributor and in each city will also build a Buick from units taken from their stocks.
All car owners will recognize instantly the great significance of this most unusual demonstration.
It demonstrates as nothing else can the complete standardization of Buick parts and service. For standardization alone makes this possible.
It demonstrates how complete are the stocks of parts carried by Buick branches and distributors everywhere - and the advantages of using Genuine Buick parts.
It demonstrates most dramatically that wherever a Buick owner may live or wherever he may drive, he is always assured the continuous use of his car.
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