University library announces oral history of chryslers newark. Interviewed, filmed, directed, edited and produced by angie hoseth with mike oates for geovideo, geog667. Newark assembly was a chrysler daimlerchrysler from 19982007 automobile factory in newark, delaware. After the merger the money was released to build a mercedes plant in alabama. Production of the new fourdoor sedans began a month ago at chryslers newark, del. Chryslers newark, delaware, assembly plant had its roots in defense contracting. While the great depression slowed economic growth, the pace of industrial and commercial development increased dramatically during world war ii and the subsequent korean conflict. Chrysler workers clock out as fenton plant closes for now. The plant was closed in december 2008 due to falling sales of the durango aspen.
It was dodges lowpriced powerful muscle car and a rebadged version of the plymouth road runner. Richard dauch, chryslers executive vice president for manufacturing, had said one factor that made the kenosha plant a top candidate for closure was the local u. Situated on a small patch of land not far from the outskirts of the city of newark, delaware, in the densely populated county of new castle, the town had taken a hit when chryslers newark assembly plant closed in 2008, along with the nearby mopar distribution center. Army, but in 1957, it began turning out vehicles for plymouth and. Production of the new fourdoor sedans began a month ago at chrysler s newark, del. Under the urgency of a perceived inferiority of the american tank force compared to the soviets, production began even while test and evaluation were still underway.
The newark assembly plant has had the best production rates of any of the chrysler group plants. The chrysler newark assembly plant, before and after demolition. A good read on the history of the abody mopar for a bodies. On february 14, chrysler announced its decision to shut down the newark, delaware, assembly plantfiring 700 workers by the second quarter of this year and suspending operations by 2009. Another facility, chryslers detroit axle plant, is already scheduled to be replaced by a new factory near port huron, mich. May 02, 2009 another facility, chryslers detroit axle plant, is already scheduled to be replaced by a new factory near port huron, mich. Chrysler and the chrysler corporation beginning preface. Redevelopment of a chrysler plant site by the university of delaware is one of two big wins at.
The 2015 chrysler 300 isnt your average family sedan. Operated as gm plant from 1963 to 1982, then became the site of nummi, gm s joint venture with toyota and the only major auto assembly plant remaining in california. The history department at the university of delaware and the hugh m. Chrysler corporation newark assembly plant collection 1986. Dodge vehicles currently include performance cars, though for much of its existence dodge was chrysler s midpriced brand above plymouth.
Much of the material documents the working life of chrysler employees in the newark plant, human resources and emplo yee training, and the processes required to b uild automobiles at the plant. The university of delaware by kevin fleming call number. Rubenstein has tracked auto plant investment for decades and authored books on. Chrysler gets more orders for new cars by frederick. The building currently houses the newark history museum, which features. Discussing the new soa pilots and their launch, discussing preparations for the new hybrid project, the testing procedures, and the different difficulties that they have faced along the way.
Chrysler sets plant closing in wisconsin the new york times. I am very impressed with the transformation of this site. Book your trip amtrak blog gas newsletter amtrak history amtrak media center. Chrysler corporation newark assembly plant publicity office, donated after the closure of the plant in december 2008. Shutdown of chrysler plant hits newark, delaware world. Chrysler corporation newark assembly plant collection. The university of delaware has inked a deal to buy chryslers former newark assembly plant. A model named the new york special first appeared in the 1930s. The cars sales have risen significantly since the first manufacture in the 1950s. Dodge vehicles currently include performance cars, though for much of its existence dodge was chryslers midpriced brand above plymouth. For more than a half century, the newark chrysler assembly plant provided employment for generations of local residents and.
The reliant was available as a 2door coupe, 4door sedan, or as a 4door station wagon, in three different trim lines. Chryslers stamp on delaware history comes to end today delawareonline. There was a wide range of memorabilia and other items from chryslers history, including classic cars, some of which were built in newark during wolfes time as plant manager. Newarks passenger rail station, shared with southeastern pennsylvania. The plymouth reliant and dodge aries were introduced for model year 1981 as the first kcars manufactured and marketed by the chrysler corporation. The plant was converted to make plymouth and dodge cars in april 1957, and eventually made nearly 7 million cars, including the lh series intrepid and concorde, the aa bodies eeks. List of former automotive manufacturing plants project. Interviewed, filmed, directed, edited and produced by angie. Bob marleys american connection jaquo lifestyle magazine. The history of chrysler new yorker the chrysler new yorker was a premium automobile built by the chrysler corporation from 1939 to 1996, serving for several years as the brand s flagship model. This oral history collection consists of digital audio interviews with 12 former employees of the chrysler plant in newark conducted by ud students. Oral history, taught by roger horowitz, supplemental faculty in the department of history in the spring semester of 2011. History of fiat chryslers warren truck assembly plant.
Chrysler corporation newark assembly plant oral history. May 02, 2009 the best chance for automaking to continue in fenton would be with a new owner, said aaron bragman, an analyst with ihs global insight. Architecturally, the chrysler newark plant was an enormous shed. Sometimes, empty auto plants have a second life automotive news.
It is related to the chrysler 300m, chrysler concorde, chrysler lhs, chrysler new yorker, and eagle vision which were all built on chrysler s new cab forward lh platform. Beverly rae kimes as the title indicates, charles hydes history of the chrysler corporation takes the reader on a historical journey marked by exhilarating climbs, severe descents, and disorienting changes of direction. History the factory opened in 1951 as a tank plant and was converted for the production of plymouth and dodge automobiles in 1957. The plant is located just south of the universitys main campus. Chrysler may be able to sell the plants in bankruptcy, he. During my research on plymouth cars i found a few contradictory bits of information listed by various websites, people and historical documents, so the following information is as accurate as i can make it at this point. It assumed the cbody chrysler new yorker salons position as the entrylevel fullsize sedan in the chrysler brand lineup. The reason chrysler was acquired by mercedes was the fact that chrysler was the most profitable of the big three in 1998. The original dodge super bee was based on the dodge coronet twodoor coupe, and was produced from 1968 until 1970. Shutdown of chrysler plant hits newark, delaware world socialist. Campus resources history research guides at university of. It is related to the chrysler 300m, chrysler concorde, chrysler lhs, chrysler new yorker, and eagle vision which were all built on chryslers new cab forward lh platform the intrepid was sold in canada as the chrysler intrepid. As suggested by this image, the whole building could not be viewed at once from the ground. Chryslers efforts during the war earned the company a special armynavy award for reliability and prompt delivery.
The factory opened in 1951 as a tank plant and was converted for the. Former chrysler employees, newark community members. Closed april 1, 2010, partially reopening as the tesla factory, an automobile assembly plant for tesla motors. When the tank was originally conceived during the first world war by the landship committee, the concept was to have a lumbering vehicle that would be truly massive in size. The origin of the name, super bee, has its basis in the b body designation pertinent to chryslers midsized cars, including the road runner and charger. In 1969 alone, the newark plant produced 186,177 plymouth furys, dodge polaras, and cbody chryslers. In 1969 alone, the newark plant produced 186,177 plymouth furys, dodge. As time goes on and when i get new or updated information i will update this document. Army, but in 1957 it began turning out vehicles for plymouth and dodge. On february 14, chrysler announced its decision to shut down the newark, delaware, assembly plantfiring 700 workers by the second. Dec 22, 2008 chrysler s stamp on delaware history comes.
Chryslers profit surged on sales of light trucks by. Interview with johnny olsen about his years as a chrysler newark plant employee. Warren truck assembly plant builds the ram 1500 but was known for building the dodge dakota truck from 1987 to 2011. List of chrysler engines wikimili, the free encyclopedia.
Dodge is an american brand of automobile manufactured by fca us llc formerly known as fiat chrysler group llc, based in auburn hills, michigan. The factory opened in 1951 as a tank plant and was converted for the production of plymouth and dodge automobiles in 1957. Apr 22, 2012 interview with johnny olsen about his years as a chrysler newark plant employee. I read up on the history of the assembly plant and it is truly amazing the history that is behind it, i read that.
As the delaware winter turned to spring bob worked in a range of lowpaid jobs lab assistant for dupont, a parking lot attendant, and finally driving a forklift on the nightshirt at chryslers vast newark plant twelve miles to the south. Its relationship with its workers was not always smooth because of chrysler s sometimes sloppy maintenance and unsafe plants. Chrysler closed the operation in 2008, eliminating about 1,100 jobs. With exquisite scholarship and a deft pen, charles hyde tells the story of the history of chrysler. Meet americas last heavy tank chryslers mighty m103. Encyclopedia of greater philadelphia automotive manufacturing. Strong opposition at final chrysler plant voting on uaw.
This controversy began on may 14, 1975, when the dla informed chrysler that third parties had made an foia request for disclosure of the 1974 aap for chrysler s newark, del. For example, several dupont facilities opened in the 1940s and, in 1951, the chrysler corporation constructed its newark assembly plant. University of delaware buys chrysler newark plant by bill cawthon on october 24, 2009 at 6. Chrysler s newark, delaware, assembly plant had its roots in defense contracting. Chrysler planning to shutter 5 plants houston chronicle. Once a mainstay of greater philadelphias industrial might and a reflection of the socioeconomic transformations of the twentieth and early twentyfirst centuries, the manufacturing of automobiles and related components provided mobility for millions, jobs for many thousands, and lifeblood for towns and cities. The reliant was available as a 2door coupe, 4door sedan, or as a 4door station wagon, in three different trim.
Campus resources history research guides at university. A variety of chrysler, dodge, and plymouth models were produced at this facility over the years, totaling nearly 7 million cars. May 28, 2009 a group of journalism students at the university of delaware has just produced a documentary called left behind chronicling the history of chryslers plant in newark, del. Oct 24, 2009 university of delaware buys chrysler newark plant by bill cawthon on october 24, 2009 at 6. When they are no longer needed, the transition from auto plant to a second. The dodge intrepid is a full sized frontwheel drive fourdoor sedan that was produced by dodge chrysler for model years 1993 to 2004. Its relationship with its workers was not always smooth because of chryslers sometimes sloppy maintenance and unsafe plants. Jan 28, 1988 richard dauch, chrysler s executive vice president for manufacturing, had said one factor that made the kenosha plant a top candidate for closure was the local u. Jun 17, 2014 in 1969 alone, the newark plant produced 186,177 plymouth furys, dodge polaras, and cbody chryslers.
This controversy began on may 14, 1975, when the dla informed chrysler that third parties had made an foia request for disclosure of the 1974 aap for chryslers newark, del. The chrysler hemi engines, known by the trademark hemi, are a series of i6 and v8 gasoline engines built by chrysler with hemispherical combustion chambers. Morris library used a class of graduate and undergraduate students to conduct interviews of eleven former autoworkers employed at the newark assembly plant. Chrysler s efforts during the war earned the company a special armynavy award for reliability and prompt delivery. The plant was converted to make plymouth and dodge cars in april 1957, and eventually made nearly 7 million cars, including the lh series intrepid and concorde, the aa bodies eeks acclaim, spirit, lebaron, and the legendary abody valiant and dart, before starting dodge durango production. April 30, 1999 just a decade ago, if people were looking for proof that detroits proud industrial heritage was waning, they needed to look no farther than the vacant, rotting hulks that once housed the mack stamping plant. One of chryslers three original chrysler lh platform models, it used revolutionary cab forward design. The new chrysler would lease the eight plants, then shutter. Operated as gm plant from 1963 to 1982, then became the site of nummi, gms joint venture with toyota and the only major auto assembly plant remaining in california.
Bob marley, chrysler plant worker repeating islands. Chryslers profit surged on sales of light trucks wsj. The best chance for automaking to continue in fenton would be with a new owner, said aaron bragman, an analyst with ihs global insight. This oral history collection consists of digital audio interviews with 12 former employees of the chrysler plant in newark conducted by ud.
The shutdown is part of a restructuring plan that entails the destruction of 11,000 jobs in the us and a further 2,000 in canada. But, chrysler began encountering problems almost immediately after the war. A good read on the history of the abody mopar for a. Students reveal the plants heyday, its promise for the universitys future, and its legacy of accomplishment and pollution. This oral history collection consists of digital audio interviews with 12 former employees of the chrysler plant in newark conducted by ud students in hist 468667. Once a mainstay of greater philadelphias industrial might and a reflection of the socioeconomic transformations of the twentieth and early twentyfirst centuries, the manufacturing of automobiles and related components provided mobility for millions. They also published a commemorative book, including numerous photos of the. Dec 18, 2019 the chrysler hemi engines, known by the trademark hemi, are a series of i6 and v8 gasoline engines built by chrysler with hemispherical combustion chambers. Thats why you still see a lot of abody dodges and plymouths over three decades after.
Chryslers newark assembly plant, past, present and future. The plant was converted to plymouth and dodge production in april 1957, starting a run of nearly 7 million cars, including the lh series intrepid and concorde, the aa bodies eeks acclaim, spirit, lebaron, and the legendary. Oct 23, 2019 books about ud history beneath thy guiding hand. The auto industry has a long history of finding new uses for old.
The chrysler concorde is a fullsize, front wheel drive fourdoor sedan that was produced by chrysler from 1992 to 2004. University of delaware library special collections. Finding aid for chrysler corporation newark assembly plant collection. Chryslers newark plant delaware, 19512008, which made tanks, cars, and suvs. If theres one vehicle platform in all of chryslers history that combines the best examples of engineering, styling, quality, performance, and bangforthe buck, its the abody. Three different types of hemi engines have been built by chrysler for automobiles. Chrysler closing newark plant early, cutting shift in toledo.
Rubenstein has tracked auto plant investment for decades and authored books on the economic geography of the industry. Chrysler closing newark plant early, cutting shift in. Thats why you still see a lot of abody dodges and plymouths over three decades after the last one rolled off the st. Students reveal the plants heyday, its promise for the universitys future, and its.
The 38minute piece is full of interesting tidbits, like the fact that singer bob marley worked at. Beverly rae kimes as the title indicates, charles hyde s history of the chrysler corporation takes the reader on a historical journey marked by exhilarating climbs, severe descents, and disorienting changes of direction. Strong opposition at final chrysler plant voting on uaw contract by jerry white 27 october 2007 workers at chryslers belvidere, illinois assembly plant began voting on friday on the contract. In the united states, disposability extends even to the built environment, and industrial.
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