Thanks for helping to build my 1979 Trans Am, Don. It’s a black on black car with t-tops and silver and gold honeycomb rims. There’s a piece of metal under the hood stamped February 14, 1979. I’m sure that you remember it! 😁 You did a great job building it. 👏🏻🇺🇸🥇
Don shared some great stories about how many black and gold TAs came down the line in the late 70s due to the popularity of Smokey and the Bandit. Make sure to keep checking back to see more stories with Don in the future!
or call me sceptical but corporation/unions-busting ( known the feelings of upper management as iv worked in more than one industrial facility, mostly food/non-automakers but wouldn't mind working in the maintenance department's ) plant?? or CIA or foreign-spy ect find it strange that video mentioning details that in the 1950-90's for average people/coworker's would have made me on my toes/on-gard, more so for the first meeting experience and 1st impressions some placement's my first day on the job i/everyone was expected to get on welfare/defrauded ( yes the positions required a college education and mentor-ship aka easy for the tax/IRS ect to see fraud if they started looking, but also i guess some people/places don't care and hire illegals ect as i knowledge 1st handed as my line-working-coworkers told me they weren't USA 🇺🇸 and didn't have papers ect and or boss was paying less than 8 usd/minimum-wage, wow corporation corruption ) the government USA 🇺🇸 instead of paying workers reasonable benefits ect, so yes any mention of living wage or where is the closest apartment building ect with reasonable rent can bring the boss's heat for not looking loyal ( late millennial generation fwi ) enough sadly in the 2008 and up era's, started off hating unions at 18yo now in my 30's im starting to wonder about the consequences of the boomer's and unions/labour movement busting ect
Great story. Love hearing old plant stuff. My Dad was a proud GM employee at Windsor Trim. Oh my the funny stories he would tell about that place. Keep bringing it on. Thanks.
Great video. My ex-daughter-in-law's grandfather worked at Lordstown, Ohio building Vegas. I still own the 1973 Vega GT I bought new after I graduated HS, and he told me a lot of stories.
Wow that’s amazing you still own the Vega GT after 50 years. I was born that same year LoL! My sister bought a brand new 1974 Vega but it only lasted her a few years. I remember it started falling apart from the inside out.
And I was 17 when I bought it. I did learn a lot about them from a machinist who worked with Reynolds Metal during the development stage of the block. I drag raced it several times, and autocrossed it relentlessly from 1975 until 2002. Planning to put it back together this year. @@johnduran769
I heard Norwood and I thought, maybe Don welded my Firebird? From 1978 (Rockford style) and still runs. I did have to remove the vinyl roof. The code sticker that was on it transferred the numbers to the roof in reverse. My stepdad had a 1972 GMC Sierra. Inside the drivers door panel was a disposable coffee cup printed with: "Hats off to GM employees with perfect attendance records!" * and possibly part of a petrified doughnut?
Great video of post 85 firebirds on the line. Thanks Don for making my 1987 Pontiac Firebird. My Norwood built Firebird always felt more solid than my 99 Camaro. No squeaks, leaks or rattles.
Something similar happened to me working on a motor line at Newark Chrysler assembly plant. A black guy worked opposite to me. He attended prayer meetings during lunch break.The meeting celebrated the Christian faith, whereas he observed Islam. On one occasion he started making derogatory remarks toward me. I asked him what his problem was. His answer was to punch me in the jaw. I summoned a shop Stewart who discouraged me from calling police, and instead transferred me to another shift . I guess the union did'nt want thier reputation sullied, and kept the incident under raps.
call me sceptical but corporation/unions-busting ( known the feelings of upper management as iv worked in more than one industrial facility, mostly food/non-automakers but wouldn't mind working in the maintenance department's ) plant?? or CIA or foreign-spy ect find it strange that you're mentioning details that in the 1950-90's for average people/coworker's would have made me on my toes/on-gard by the way if you're part of the team that sent engines and or transmission to st. mo and for the 1968-72 b-body car's thank you my family had 2 charger's ( my uncle's is a 71 440 SE ect ) and i still own my g-gen/69 383+727, unfortunately the power-train got robbed in 2018-2020~ 😡 so hemi-2-g and tr6060 swap time ect
I got to tour that plant twice before it closed along with the Fischer body plant up the road. Could have spent days watching those guys making it all look so easy.
I really wish I could have toured Norwood. My Dads 1969 Camaro was built there and my old Trans Am was built there too. Would have been a real treat to see it in action!
I thought that maybe you and that guy became friends afterwards, guess not I started in the supermarket business at 15 year old kid in the 70,s I got screamed at cursed at but after a week I was accepted and we all became work friends
I had an ‘89 Van from the Lordstown assembly plant that was only 10 minutes from my house. What a shame, no more GM Lordstown plant. As a youngster I tour of the plant with my Dad, the Vega was being made there at the time.
Sounds like something that would happen on the line at GM, although I'd sure love to hear the other fella's side. Been working at GM for 27 years, last 20 of those years I've been in the body shop. Don's right, you either love it or hate it. To me, the body shop is where you can make the most money with overtime. Don, take care and God bless!
When I was a young kid. A lot of my friends parents worked there . They were good to me it was sad when the plant closed because the coolest cars in the world are were built in Norwood !
It seems alot of guys didn't realize how good they had it. People would kill for these jobs today. All replaced by Walmart and Taco Bell at 1/3 the pay, no benefits and less than 0 dignity.
I posted a comment but it went to the next video. I was saying, I worked Union construction and it's vicious. Ugly stare downs were common from steel workers or electricians. They apparently hated themselves and jobs. I met one guy said he had a snub nose 38 always loaded in his lunch pale.
Sure, just play it back at half speed! Haha. Don sometimes takes his time to get to the point, but we think he’s a pretty great storyteller! We could listen to his stories for hours!
Hey @bustersmith5569, that's my Dad. Yes, he's a little bit long-winded sometimes, but he's a good honest man. Thanks for watching him. He's worked hard to provide for his 5 kids and I'm proud of him.
It seems alot of guys didn't realize how good they had it. People would kill for these jobs today. All replaced by Walmart and Taco Bell at 1/3 the pay, no benefits and less than 0 dignity.
Thanks for helping to build my 1979 Trans Am, Don. It’s a black on black car with t-tops and silver and gold honeycomb rims. There’s a piece of metal under the hood stamped February 14, 1979. I’m sure that you remember it! 😁 You did a great job building it. 👏🏻🇺🇸🥇
Don shared some great stories about how many black and gold TAs came down the line in the late 70s due to the popularity of Smokey and the Bandit. Make sure to keep checking back to see more stories with Don in the future!
The Sammy Hagar year.
People like that in almost every work place, they won't know you and start stuff
Yeah, It's a shame, but it happens
or call me sceptical but corporation/unions-busting ( known the feelings of upper management as iv worked in more than one industrial facility, mostly food/non-automakers but wouldn't mind working in the maintenance department's ) plant?? or CIA or foreign-spy ect find it strange that video mentioning details that in the 1950-90's for average people/coworker's would have made me on my toes/on-gard, more so for the first meeting experience and 1st impressions
some placement's my first day on the job i/everyone was expected to get on welfare/defrauded ( yes the positions required a college education and mentor-ship aka easy for the tax/IRS ect to see fraud if they started looking, but also i guess some people/places don't care and hire illegals ect as i knowledge 1st handed as my line-working-coworkers told me they weren't USA 🇺🇸 and didn't have papers ect and or boss was paying less than 8 usd/minimum-wage, wow corporation corruption ) the government USA 🇺🇸 instead of paying workers reasonable benefits ect, so yes any mention of living wage or where is the closest apartment building ect with reasonable rent can bring the boss's heat for not looking loyal ( late millennial generation fwi ) enough sadly in the 2008 and up era's, started off hating unions at 18yo now in my 30's im starting to wonder about the consequences of the boomer's and unions/labour movement busting ect
Excellent, I could listen to these stories about the assembly line all day long
Totally agreed. We love recording them as much as you enjoy hearing them! Thanks for the comment!
Yes we could listen to Don tell stories for a loooooong time. It took 7 minutes to tell a 2 minute story.
That is Don for you! (I should know I am married to him). But I never get tired of hearing his stories!!
Great story. Love hearing old plant stuff. My Dad was a proud GM employee at Windsor Trim. Oh my the funny stories he would tell about that place. Keep bringing it on. Thanks.
Awesome story many thanks❤
Thanks so much! Please feel free to share with others you think might like it too!
Then he went on to star in miami vice. What a career he had.
Hahaha. I know, right?!
Great video. My ex-daughter-in-law's grandfather worked at Lordstown, Ohio building Vegas. I still own the 1973 Vega GT I bought new after I graduated HS, and he told me a lot of stories.
Wow that’s amazing you still own the Vega GT after 50 years. I was born that same year LoL! My sister bought a brand new 1974 Vega but it only lasted her a few years. I remember it started falling apart from the inside out.
And I was 17 when I bought it. I did learn a lot about them from a machinist who worked with Reynolds Metal during the development stage of the block. I drag raced it several times, and autocrossed it relentlessly from 1975 until 2002. Planning to put it back together this year. @@johnduran769
I heard Norwood and I thought, maybe Don welded my Firebird? From 1978 (Rockford style) and still runs. I did have to remove the vinyl roof. The code sticker that was on it transferred the numbers to the roof in reverse. My stepdad had a 1972 GMC Sierra. Inside the drivers door panel was a disposable coffee cup printed with: "Hats off to GM employees with perfect attendance records!"
* and possibly part of a petrified doughnut?
Great video of post 85 firebirds on the line. Thanks Don for making my 1987 Pontiac Firebird. My Norwood built Firebird always felt more solid than my 99 Camaro. No squeaks, leaks or rattles.
Awesome work you're doing Drew! Keep up the good work! Loved the video!
Thanks so much, Jody. Really appreciate the comment. Full doc released later this year. We’re excited to finally get it out to the masses!
@@OriginalMotorCar That's good news Drew!
Something similar happened to me working on a motor line at Newark Chrysler assembly plant. A black guy worked opposite to me. He attended prayer meetings during lunch break.The meeting celebrated the Christian faith, whereas he observed Islam. On one occasion he started making derogatory remarks toward me. I asked him what his problem was. His answer was to punch me in the jaw. I summoned a shop Stewart who discouraged me from calling police, and instead transferred me to another shift . I guess the union did'nt want thier reputation sullied, and kept the incident under raps.
call me sceptical but corporation/unions-busting ( known the feelings of upper management as iv worked in more than one industrial facility, mostly food/non-automakers but wouldn't mind working in the maintenance department's ) plant?? or CIA or foreign-spy ect find it strange that you're mentioning details that in the 1950-90's for average people/coworker's would have made me on my toes/on-gard
by the way if you're part of the team that sent engines and or transmission to st. mo and for the 1968-72 b-body car's thank you my family had 2 charger's ( my uncle's is a 71 440 SE ect ) and i still own my g-gen/69 383+727, unfortunately the power-train got robbed in 2018-2020~ 😡 so hemi-2-g and tr6060 swap time ect
I got to tour that plant twice before it closed along with the Fischer body plant up the road. Could have spent days watching those guys making it all look so easy.
I really wish I could have toured Norwood. My Dads 1969 Camaro was built there and my old Trans Am was built there too. Would have been a real treat to see it in action!
who would have thought racist people would accuse other people of being racist
Hell yeah!👍
I thought that maybe you and that guy became friends afterwards, guess not
I started in the supermarket business at 15 year old kid in the 70,s
I got screamed at cursed at but after a week I was accepted and we all became work friends
Haha..great story! If I know Don, he probably became friends with that guy in the end. Don is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet!
Awesome story teller!
Guys running spot welders calling themselves welders😂
Haha. Yeah, that’s definitely not the same as stacking dimes!
My ‘80 Z28 came out of that plant, still looking like new great car
I had an ‘89 Van from the Lordstown assembly plant that was only 10 minutes from my house. What a shame, no more GM Lordstown plant. As a youngster I tour of the plant with my Dad, the Vega was being made there at the time.
Sounds like something that would happen on the line at GM, although I'd sure love to hear the other fella's side. Been working at GM for 27 years, last 20 of those years I've been in the body shop. Don's right, you either love it or hate it. To me, the body shop is where you can make the most money with overtime.
Don, take care and God bless!
Great work 🎉 , we need more story like this
I literally laughed 😂😂 "lil hitler" is there any chance to get "lil hitler " in your video?
Haha. I think he's probably passed on at this point unfortunately, but that would make for good video!
What church was it in Knoxville?
When I was a young kid. A lot of my friends parents worked there . They were good to me it was sad when the plant closed because the coolest cars in the world are were built in Norwood !
That’s great and we agree! It was sad that the plant closed. Would be pretty incredible to still have that plant operating in Norwood!
Any stories from Kansas in the mid 60s? 👍
We'd love to record some! Do you have any contacts that you could put us in touch with that worked there?
Thank you ! Original motor story ❤
I have received my gift ! That too in my birthday! , what a coincidence !
It seems alot of guys didn't realize how good they had it. People would kill for these jobs today. All replaced by Walmart and Taco Bell at 1/3 the pay, no benefits and less than 0 dignity.
Agreed
I posted a comment but it went to the next video.
I was saying, I worked Union construction and it's vicious. Ugly stare downs were common from steel workers or electricians. They apparently hated themselves and jobs. I met one guy said he had a snub nose 38 always loaded in his lunch pale.
Gung ho! Great movie!
Haha. Yeah, it’s one of our favorites! Michael Keaton is the man!
@@OriginalMotorCar Is it just me....Or do hate the way it feels when your underwear gets wet!! Iconic phrase!
Can you drag this out any longer ?????💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩
Sure, just play it back at half speed! Haha. Don sometimes takes his time to get to the point, but we think he’s a pretty great storyteller! We could listen to his stories for hours!
Hey @bustersmith5569, that's my Dad. Yes, he's a little bit long-winded sometimes, but he's a good honest man. Thanks for watching him. He's worked hard to provide for his 5 kids and I'm proud of him.
Whats wrong wit da blatts!!?
There all falling of the trees!
Typical union crap !
It seems alot of guys didn't realize how good they had it. People would kill for these jobs today. All replaced by Walmart and Taco Bell at 1/3 the pay, no benefits and less than 0 dignity.
Yep, sometimes you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone.