Topic: More Assemblyline pictures released

[J_Speegle]

Ford is selling them as "art prints"

Thought most would find something of interest  (no we're not getting a kick back :0 

Enjoy

http://ford.artehouse.com/perl/collection.pl?seeAllImages=1&productTypeID=57&collectionID=1520

If you use the filter - there are a fair number of Mustang styling shots also

[CharlesTurner]

Cool, thanks for the link.  A few interesting pics.  Wonder if Mark H. has seen this one:

http://ford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=10951&productTypeID=57&ckon=imageThumb

[JKWilson]

Great link Jeff!
 Charles, I found another pic which looks like it was from the same series. Don't know if you came across this one:

http://ford.artehouse.com/perl/options.pl?imageID=11775&ckon=name

[J_Speegle]

Both of those pictures have been out there for many years - but if they are taking the new prints from the original negatives we might be able to pick up a couple of fine details missed in the earlier prints

[Skyway65]

How about this Dearborn shot...  What's in the trunk of the black one??

[J_Speegle]

How about this Deaborn shot...  What's in the trunk of the black one??

Interesting shot - cars sideways on their skids/dollys, interior in the car, no front end sheet metal, rear end  (though the rear shocks are in place.  First shot I've seen with the cars side ways on their skids at Dearborn - thanks

Don't have any idea of what is in the box - don't see another in sight. They look a different size when compared IMHO to the ones behind the car two cars to the rear but printing is similar. The box in the trunk would be about the right size for a hubcap box but believe the printing on the box is larger than I would remember/expect and I would think that it might be a little early in the build process to throw those in.

Good picture to print out and show (ask about) some of the Dearborn workers

[CharlesTurner]

Cool pic.  My guess would be a wheel cover box.

[Sunlitgold68]

Anybody have Metuchen assembly plant photos? I would really like to see some if they are out there.

[ChrisV289]

Interesting that the only colors are red, white, blue and black...thought there would be more of a variety...

[Pete Bush]

Kinda makes sense from an efficiency standpoint. Batching of the cars for paint colors likely meant less paint changeovers and the associated prep and clean-up.

[Skyway65]

Interesting too the convertible and the vinyl top car in the foreground are spaced out to allow the workers more time to work on those cars.  Anyone have an idea what the blue dot on the window of the black car is?  Something behind the car?

The place looks pretty messy too, kinda like my garage!

[CharlesTurner]

Where did you find the pic above?  I've been all through the Ford Images site and couldn't find it.

[gtamustang]

Kinda makes sense from an efficiency standpoint. Batching of the cars for paint colors likely meant less paint changeovers and the associated prep and clean-up.

Actually, there really wasn't any paint changeover or prep between cars.  Each color had it's own 55 gal drum and associated paint sprayers. If you notice in any of the Ford painting pictures that are available, the guns do not have any cups; just two hoses (1 for air and 1 for paint). All paint was pre-mixed in the 55 gal drums that were then used as pressure pots. So, based on the required color, the painters would pick up the corresponding paint guns that were hanging on the walls of the paint tunnel (not really a booth) and start spraying. There was usually 4 painters per car. Same concept went on where the hoods, fenders, and other miscellaneous parts where painted the exterior color.

Regards,
Pete Morgan

[Skyway65]

Charles, I've had that for a while.  I actually can't recall where it came from. I have a friend in Oregon who has some other assembly line photos, I think he may have dug it up somewhere.  Also, when I visited Ford World Headquarters last summer I found a file that had another 10-15 color shots from Aug of '64 in Dearborn.  Ford wanted something like $50 per photo to buy copies so I passed.  Those photos are really good too.

Here's another good one-(note the asbestos flaking off onto the guy's head!)

[Pete Bush]

Actually, there really wasn't any paint changeover or prep between cars.  Each color had it's own 55 gal drum and associated paint sprayers. If you notice in any of the Ford painting pictures that are available, the guns do not have any cups; just two hoses (1 for air and 1 for paint). All paint was pre-mixed in the 55 gal drums that were then used as pressure pots. So, based on the required color, the painters would pick up the corresponding paint guns that were hanging on the walls of the paint tunnel (not really a booth) and start spraying. There was usually 4 painters per car. Same concept went on where the hoods, fenders, and other miscellaneous parts where painted the exterior color.

Regards,
Pete Morgan

Pete,
When a 55 gallon drum was emptied what was the process for its replacement? Would there still have been some down time for a particular color whose 55 gallon drum was depleted?