I took this pic on Sunday after the show. I found it quite odd that there was no mention of any one curious as to where the plant was. I am even more suprised that the MFC did not take us on a cruise by there as a publicized event. The plant is only about 15 minutes from the hotel. As a matter of fact, the route we took to Waterford Raceway took us on the street that run parallel to Baldwin three blocks to the west. I am sure that there were some people interested. For a number of years I have been told that GM just leveled the plant after dismantling it in 1993. So, I had expectations of driving over to Baldwin Avenue and reminisce over the great big hole in the ground. Well when my little Formula popped over the hill and I spotted the offices still there, I got goose bumps. There the plant was. The front looks essentially the same except the walk way over the street is gone. Fresh brick fills the hole that was once the employee walk bridge form the parking lot across the street. After about five or six laps around the plant, I figure that about sixty percent of the plant is gone now. Around the south east side of the grounds where the main assembly area was is a big vacant lot.
I hung out at the original receiving gate for about a half an hour hoping that a some security personnel would wonder what the hell I was doing, but no one seemed to care I was out there. I was hoping to get someone's attention to see if there was any chance that there was any trace of something Fiero still there. This yard was full of neat Fiero stuff back when production was going on. Now it looks like a junkyard for Buick and GMC Truck. It was nice to sit and remember the day back in 87 when I drove my new 86 GT through that gate and got to tour the place with FOA. I posted this because it seemed like a forgotten topic amongst all the Fiero excitement we all experienced last weekend.
------------------ Fred Bartemeyer Chairman Heartland Fieros http://www.heartlandfieros.com 86 GT 4spd 26k miles 87 GT 5spd. Blue 37k miles 88 Silver T-Top Formula 273,000 miles 87 GT 5 spd Annette's Sunshine Driver 88 GT 5 spd Annette's Daily Driver
Glad you posted this. Today I was talkin with guys at work and we got wondering if they took the "scrap" to a local yard when they we're cleaning up. maybe just maybe a junkyard near potiac holds some gold.
I had thought about going there and even mentioned to someone at the 20th that we oughta have had a cruise over there and a photo shoot with all of the fieros.
Next time I am in Pontiac, I will take a gander.
Thanks for sharing that!
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01:56 AM
The Fieromaster Member
Posts: 4124 From: Painesville, Ohio USA Registered: Jun 2001
I would have liked to seen that myself... although the lack of the bridge with the Fiero logo and the fact that most of there mulit million dollar investment into the Fiero is leveled would most likely have brought tears to my eyes... The thought of the end of our car, the end of the jobs of the people who proudly assembled our cars... Depressing!
------------------ "Raced That, Wrecked Better"~In Memory Of Jesse Cesek~ 1980-2000
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02:02 AM
css9450 Member
Posts: 5489 From: Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA Registered: Nov 2002
Thanks, Fred...I had wondered if anyone had considered going over to the plant, and seeing what was left. I kind of thought that it might be an activity at the 20th, so I'm kind of surprised that you were the only one that did it.
I took this pic on Sunday after the show. I found it quite odd that there was no mention of any one curious as to where the plant was. I am even more suprised that the MFC did not take us on a cruise by there as a publicized event.
I personally asked Bob Holtz (from MFC) about the plant less than a week before the show when I talked to him on the phone. He told me point blank that *nothing* was left of the plant. I asked "Nothing?" and he said it was all torn down. What a putz. I would have LOVED to have gone and seen the plant, or any part of it for that matter. Once again someone gets screwed, and once again Holtz's name is all over it.
------------------ Boomtastic
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11:22 PM
Jul 26th, 2003
Toddster Member
Posts: 20871 From: Roswell, Georgia Registered: May 2001
I spoke to an employee of the truck plant across the street from the hotel about the fiero plant. I ran into him at the ice cream place next to the hotel. He said that the plant is used for storage now...mostly truck parts (Silverado).
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12:04 AM
sastian Member
Posts: 555 From: Elgin, Illinois, USA Registered: Mar 2001
Originally posted by Boomtastic: Once again someone gets screwed, and once again Holtz's name is all over it.
Lighten up on Bob! he damn near bled for this event. theres only so much one man could do. and he was probably basing his knowledge on the same info we have all passed around wich was probably based on the facts stated above
quote
After about five or six laps around the plant, I figure that about sixty percent of the plant is gone now. Around the south east side of the grounds where the main assembly area was is a big vacant lot
I wish i were a member earlier so i could have contributed more. there were an awful lot of people who were just enjoying the show or relaxing while that man was rushing around trying to get things done (all without sleep!) SO QUITE BASHING BOB! He did a marvelous job! (for a human.)
Now I know whay we were going to look for until that damn tie rod of mine broke.. I shoudld have stayed one more day, I love the pics of the formula coming out of the door.
Lighten up on Bob! he damn near bled for this event. theres only so much one man could do. and he was probably basing his knowledge on the same info we have all passed around wich was probably based on the facts stated above
quote
I wish i were a member earlier so i could have contributed more. there were an awful lot of people who were just enjoying the show or relaxing while that man was rushing around trying to get things done (all without sleep!) SO QUITE BASHING BOB! He did a marvelous job! (for a human.)
First of all, this is the first time I have publicly said ANYTHING about what Bob has done or not done. If you'd like me to strengthen my case, I can quickly and easily do so without much hassle, and we can do it all through email if you'd like to keep quilty parties out of the limelight. Now as for working on the 20th, I did. I probably have as much blood, sweat and tears into this event as he did. I will give him credit where credit is due, but I will also point faults if necessary. If he had too much on his plate, he could have - and SHOULD HAVE - asked for help. He had a network of people to work with. But I digress. PM me if you'd like to continue this discussion ..
[This message has been edited by Boomtastic (edited 07-26-2003).]
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11:11 PM
Jul 27th, 2003
Bradbitz11 Member
Posts: 1826 From: Kawkawlin, MI Registered: Dec 2002
Actually I was asking around to see if anyone knew where the plant was. But no one knew so i never got to go. I kinda wish i knew who you were so I could go with you.
------------------ Fierokid's baby: R.I.P.V-6 Swap 1987 Blue Fiero sport coupe White 1988 Fiero Formula AIM: Fierokid87 Rate Me Please 2.9L V-6: 2030 Compucam, Darrel Morse Fuel Presure Regulator, 9.5:1 comp, zeroed out ballanced crank, contecting rods matched, MSD 6A ignition box and Blaster GM style coil, Darrel Morse Bored out TB and intake, 19# Mustang Injectors, Removed TB coolant lines, Darrel Morse Dogbone strut, and more to come
Actually I was asking around to see if anyone knew where the plant was. But no one knew so i never got to go. I kinda wish i knew who you were so I could go with you.
Yea, me too. Well, I know it will be on my itinerary come the 25th Anniversary. BTW, great find RAREW66.
------------------ 87 Silver GT automatic w/ 45k and PontiacSounds custom made center subwoofer console
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05:05 PM
PFF
System Bot
PURPLE REIGN Member
Posts: 4080 From: Minnesnowta ------------------ Land of White Gold Registered: Sep 2002
Lighten up on Bob! he damn near bled for this event. theres only so much one man could do. and he was probably basing his knowledge on the same info we have all passed around wich was probably based on the facts stated above [QUOTE] After about five or six laps around the plant, I figure that about sixty percent of the plant is gone now. Around the south east side of the grounds where the main assembly area was is a big vacant lot
Like Boomtastic said...............credit will be given where it is due................I would suggest doing your research & getting FACTS before posting idiocy. I learned a lot about this PITA and his crybaby attitude from the people who stood right alongside him while (supposedly) working. IT AINT PRETTY.........unless you know more than MFC officals or CFOGI officials
[This message has been edited by PURPLE REIGN (edited 07-27-2003).]
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08:58 PM
Fiero5 Member
Posts: 8882 From: Arecibo, PR Registered: Jun 2000
Wow, that would have been a really cool thing to go do. To get pics of our Fieros like RAREW66 did at the plant would have been the icing on the cake. I find it very interesting that the president of the MICHIGAN Fiero club doesn't have correct info on a Fiero icon like the GM plant that is in his own state AND only minutes from where his club help set up one of the largest Fiero shows ever. How silly does that seem??
That is sad to find out about it now. Great find RAREW66.
Steve
------------------ Now over 400 pics of our 18 Fieros: http://www.cardomain.com/id/fiero5
I was wanting to go also. I asked the guy who owned the last Fiero what he knew about it and he said it was still there but used mostly as storage. He also said that they replaced the sign which labled it as the Fiero plant several years ago so that was why I ended up not going.
