Last St.Louis Corvette

[Joseph T.]

Michael

Here it is!

[Michael H.]

Re: Last St.Louis Corvette

Wow, does THAT bring back memories! Thanks Joe. I think the thing that was most amazing to me at that moment was the almost absolute silence in that building. As production neared the end, one station after another would be through with their operation and system after system would shut down. Air operated tools and equipment were so noisy it was difficult to hold a conversation in most areas of that plant. The entire area that was so noisy just a few hours before, was now silent. It was weird.

I remember there was a 54 that was brought in to this area just after the completion of "the last car". They were parked side by side for photog.

How many people do you recognize in this pic? Is that Tony Kleiber on the far left?

Michael

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: Last St.Louis Corvette

that is not Tony Kleber, as he died in march 1977.

[Michael H.]

Re: Last St.Louis Corvette

Thanks Lyndon. I don't know why I thought he was there that day. I was pretty sure but obviously I was wrong.

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: Last St.Louis Corvette

I bet Tony was there in spirit though.

[Joseph T.]

Re: Last St.Louis Corvette

Michael

I will call a friend of mine who should remember the guy who had the hand held sign ( last corvette ) not shown in this picture and let you know. Maybe you will recognize the name.

[Michael H.]

Re: Last St.Louis Corvette

Yep, I was just going to post and say that exact same thing. I think I now remember who that elderly gentleman was. I believe it was the oldest living former employee of the Mill. It's possible that they had him drive the last car off at the end but I don't remember.

As the last car, #31611, was going down the line early in the build, is was pretty much business as usual, but as it neared "body drop", everyone's favorite vantage point, the press and most of the salaried employees gathered in hurds to watch. (this was an area that was generally open to tours) By the time the car was at the end of final, there were at least a hundred people gathered to see it. An hour later, the plant looked deserted. What a sad day!

[Michael H.]

Re: Last St.Louis Corvette

Joe,

I have a bunch of pic's of the last car from almost the exact same spot your pic was taken from. Problem is, they're all slides and I have no way to view or convert to something I can see. I'll take then to a shop and have all converted if I have time between hurricanes next week. I'm sure the man with the sign will appear in at least one as I was shooting from many different locations around the car. Thanks again for the pic.

Michael