Posted April 25, 200718 yr The GM Heritage CenterA photographic tour of GM's most historic collectionBy Brian Dreggors Most people know about this place; if not, its the Holy Land to GM enthusiasts. While Ford and Chrysler proudly display their historic cars and trucks in huge, brightly-lit museums open daily for all to enjoy, GM keeps its most prized treasures in a rectangular building hidden away on the ground of the GM Technical Center, off-limits to the general public. Why? Who knows. But it sure adds allure and makes visitors seem like honored guests, which in a way, we were. Not only did we get to enjoy the grace and beauty of 100+ years of American motorcar, but we had a wonderful catered dinner there as well.Rather than give us a guided tour (citing that most people just wander off within a few seconds anyway), the directors simply opened the doors and let us in. In that spirit, I will do the same. A few quick notes, though: approximately 145 cars were on display this evening, representing about 1/4 or 1/5 of GM's total collection. All but two of these cars are owned by GM. I believe all still run in some capacity, at least the famous concepts do; they even have the keys dangling from their ignitions (define: temptation). If they ever were auctioned, the 1951 LeSabre is valued at $10-15 million while the 1938 Y-Job commands $15-20 million. Don't worry, though; they aren't going anywhere...that is, unless I can get my hands on those keys again...Enjoy.
April 26, 200718 yr hmmmm looks like they have some new additions since I got to go. Isn't it cool how such an unassuming building can house one of the coolest collection of cars ever?
April 26, 200718 yr *eyes pop open wide* Fly ... SIMPLY AWESOME! Thank you for sharing those pics............. *sighs* I can only DREAM of one day being able to visit the GM Heritage Center............... Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort my radio show:CD SHOWCASE.7:30p central.Friday/April 27 = www.wrmn1410.com
April 26, 200718 yr This had to be a very fulfilling trip, yet, I wouldn't want to leave, I'd be wanting to study every inch of every vehicle, afraid to miss the slightest detail. Thanks for posting, Mr. Fly.
April 26, 200718 yr Flybrian: I hate you. If I had been let in there, either 1 of 2 scenarios would've happened: I'd still be there now, hiding and caressing. Or I'd have been thrown out in 5 minutes for licking. Any chance I could get a link to the imageshack album? 4th time trying and most of these 500 pics are not making it over my 56K hookup. Edited April 26, 200718 yr by balthazar
April 26, 200718 yr Thanks for getting a pic of the "Lemansamino", Fly! I didn't even know that it still existed! Very cool.
April 26, 200718 yr It is an amazing place to go to! There food is sweet too. But Correction the Heritage Center is not on Tech Center Property. Its about a mile away on an industrial drive.
April 28, 200718 yr : I'd still be there now, hiding and caressing They counted us about 3 times before we left. Because several of us were considering just that. Brian - great write ups on the event.
April 28, 200718 yr Wow...I didn't know that a B-body El Camino existed outside of my imagination. Sweet. The blue '59 Buick's a feast for the eyes as well.
April 28, 200718 yr what is this one? sure looks like the EV1, but with different tails... tried looking up info on the Impact, and all the pics I got looked the same as the EV1 (though maybe they were just EV1s...)
April 28, 200718 yr The Impact was the concept car that preceded the EV1. Very similar in shape, but lacked a LOT of refinement compared to the final product.
April 29, 200718 yr >>"Wow...I didn't know that a B-body El Camino existed outside of my imagination. Sweet."<< It doesn't; that's a LeMans-based 'El Camino' which was updated with a 1980 Grand Am nose. I am pretty certain the LeMans/Grand Am is a G-Body.
April 29, 200718 yr Simply awesome. I would love to go there. They should open it to the public once in a while. Was that a red Chevette in there?
April 29, 200718 yr Simply awesome. I would love to go there. They should open it to the public once in a while. Was that a red Chevette in there?I'm not sure which one you mean..Maybe a sprint? I don't remember ever seeing a Chevette there neat stuff Nice coverage Fly
April 29, 200718 yr I would take the Cadillac Voyage and Solitare off their hands, and the 69 Orange GTO wouldn't be too bad either... Hmm I would love a GNX too!
April 29, 200718 yr >>"Wow...I didn't know that a B-body El Camino existed outside of my imagination. Sweet."<< It doesn't; that's a LeMans-based 'El Camino' which was updated with a 1980 Grand Am nose. I am pretty certain the LeMans/Grand Am is a G-Body. I always thought that the LeMans was considered an A-body, and the Grand Prix was a G-body. At any rate, I was talking abou this B-body Impala SS-based El Camino:
April 29, 200718 yr Ah; sorry, I thought you were referring to the Grand Am 'Camino pictured earlier. As far as the body designation goes, apparently the '82 & up Bonneville was on a stretched version of the GP A-Special chassis... I had misremembered it was the same and thought the LeMans had changed to a 'G' also. LeMans would still be an 'A' in this era.
April 29, 200718 yr >>"Wow...I didn't know that a B-body El Camino existed outside of my imagination. Sweet."<< It doesn't; that's a LeMans-based 'El Camino' which was updated with a 1980 Grand Am nose. I am pretty certain the LeMans/Grand Am is a G-Body. Yeah, those were the A/Gs... (didn't they call them A-bodies from '78-81, until that designation moved to a FWD platform in '82)?
April 29, 200718 yr Very nice photo spread. I must say I enjoyed this. I noticed several things: 1. That Lucerne concept is where Lucerne got its name from. That concept also was the basis for the 1995-1999 Riviera, but something got lost in the translation. You can see the similar lines too. That concept looks a bit better than the Riviera did... 2. That Voyage and Solitaire were the basis for the 1992-1999 Eldorado and the 1992-1997 Seville. That front end showed up on many early 1990's Cadillacs. 3. I liked the Toronado I saw. 4. GM takes its collection and cars very seriously. I also thought that Impala based El Camino had potential. Thank you for sharing... Edited April 29, 200718 yr by NINETY EIGHT REGENCY
April 29, 200718 yr If the "lemansamino" is an '82 or newer, it is a G body, older and it's an A. I love both Camino concepts shown in these pics. I never got the story on the Pontiac version, but The Impala-based SS damn near went to production. I want them both. :AH-HA_wink:
April 30, 200718 yr I think the last real LeMans was made in '81, with a sloped, quad headlamp nose. It became the "Bonneville Model G" in '82, after the last of the US Parisiennes, I believe.
April 30, 200718 yr 1,000,000th 1977 Oldsmobile. That's exactly 1,000,000 more than they made in 2006.
April 30, 200718 yr 1,000,000th 1977 Oldsmobile. That's exactly 1,000,000 more than they made in 2006. *chuckles* Leave it to you to point out that striking, sad realization ... heh. Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "I knew she was a jewel in disguise" ... Kathy Mattea ... '455 Rocket'
April 30, 200718 yr Fly, great job. Something caught my eye - seems as if there was a Futurliner there or a drawing of it. Can you provide some more details please?
May 1, 200718 yr I'm not sure which one you mean..Maybe a sprint? I don't remember ever seeing a Chevette thereI just looked again and I'm pretty sure its a 2 door Chevette, behind the red concept car ( I think that was a cerv III) and to the left of a yellow car. I hope I'm on your list this summer during the dream cruise if you can bring in visitors again like you did last year.
May 1, 200718 yr 1,000,000th 1977 Oldsmobile. That's exactly 1,000,000 more than they made in 2006. I've seen that actual car in a lot of pics over the years with the 1,000,000 on the windsheild. I saw it in person in 1997 at the Olds museum in Lansing.
February 8, 200817 yr stumbled across the thread from google searching for info about the Heritage Center, and found this great site! anyway, i am a newly-joined member and was curious how on earth you got access to this gold mine?
February 11, 200817 yr Damn, how did I miss this thread? And how the hell do you get access to that place?!
February 12, 200817 yr Damn, how did I miss this thread? And how the hell do you get access to that place?! GM is having an open house for employees Feb 21 5pm-8pm I am going, and can take a few people with me. So I guess it's an open invite for a few guys who really want in.... It's a really fun place. Edited February 12, 200817 yr by mightymouse
February 13, 200817 yr OMG. What's the price and where's the location? I'm in. Thank you so much! price: $0.00 My favorite price! You just have to go in same time as me. PM your cell- I lost it... I would like to be there between 5-5:30pm let me know if thats too early for you The GM Heritage Center is located at 6400 Center Dr., Sterling Heights, Michigan, 48312 It's north of 15mile -east of Mound Schuby87 can't make it. Bring NEW batteries for your camera....twice now, mine pooped out while I was there. Any body else ? http://www.gm.com/corporate/about/heritage/home/index.jsp
February 14, 200817 yr The time is perfect.. I typically work 8-5 and I work about 4-5 miles away from the location.
February 14, 200817 yr Any body else ? Ohhhh...hot dang I wish I could say I was able to go this time around. I, too, would absolutely LOVE a trip through that Heritage Center. *sighs* Maybe someday..... NOS ... have a blast of fun for us, would ya, please? Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "After so many dreams have fallen through, it's time that 1 came true" ... Earl Thomas Conley ... 'Nobody Falls Like A Fool'
February 14, 200817 yr Nobody else can make it?! C'mon guys from the area! Thanks, Cort! I'll definitely take a bunch of pictures and have a good time for you all! Oh, and Brett is a freakin' bum.
February 15, 200817 yr Oh, and Brett is a freakin' bum. Thats it! Get the Cobalt, we are settling this on the highway! I have been there a few times now, and really enjoyed myself. It is definitely an impressive collection of cars! Unfortunately, I am leaving to go up to CMU for my bday right after work on the 21st. Have fun guys!
February 15, 200817 yr Thanks, Cort! I'll definitely take a bunch of pictures and have a good time for you all! GOOD! Now ... don't fail your assignment . Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "I'll always be around" ... Willie Nelson ... 'Highwayman'
February 15, 200817 yr Thats it! Get the Cobalt, we are settling this on the highway! I have been there a few times now, and really enjoyed myself. It is definitely an impressive collection of cars! Unfortunately, I am leaving to go up to CMU for my bday right after work on the 21st. Have fun guys! Don't get me wrong, I do want to take ya out on the highway in the spring... Just to see what would happen. :AH-HA_wink: But that's fair enough, at least you've been there a few times. Have a good birthday!
February 22, 200817 yr Whew, so I was there for 2.5 hours and wasted probably pretty close to 1.5 gigs of pics... I'll post as soon as I can.
