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fire in GM plant in 50's

9 messages,  Last post on Aug 13, 2008 at 8:59 AM

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#1 of 9 fire in GM plant in 50's by sron48

Jun 13, 2008 (7:17 pm)

I had heard that backj in the mid 50's there was a fire in a GM plant. Afterwards the plant had to work extra shifts in order to get things back on track. Does anyone out there know anything about this? Is it true and which plant was involved and when? Would appreciate any input on this subject.

#2 of 9 I vaguely recall... by bumpy

Jun 13, 2008 (7:32 pm)

reading somewhere that a Pontiac engine plant burned up in 1957 or so, and they had to source Buick and Oldsmobile V8s for a while until it was rebuilt.

#3 of 9 Re: fire in GM plant in 50's [sron48] by omarman

Jun 13, 2008 (8:58 pm)

Replying to: sron48 (Jun 13, 2008 7:17 pm)
Google search for: The Great Hydra-Matic Fire
 
Brings up a link to a brief article with a few pics regarding the 1953 fire at the Hydra-Matic plant in Livonia, Michigan.

#4 of 9 Re: fire in GM plant in 50's [omarman] by andre1969

Jun 14, 2008 (4:32 am)

Replying to: omarman (Jun 13, 2008 8:58 pm)
Google search for: The Great Hydra-Matic Fire
 
Yeah, that was the one I seemed to remember. Well, not personally since I wasn't born yet and my mother was only 4 years old! But I remember it being mentioned in one of my automotive history books

#5 of 9 Hydramatic Plant Fire by isellhondas

Jun 14, 2008 (4:00 pm)

It just about destroyed the entire factory.
 
As a result, some Powerglides ended up in some Pontiacs and some Cadillacs had dynaflows installed. I can't remember what they put in Oldsmobiles.
 
I heard this when I was in high school from a guy who had witnessed the fire. I guess it was pretty bad.

#6 of 9 LINK AND PICS by otto8

Jun 14, 2008 (7:04 pm)

">http://www.autotran.us/TheGreatHydraMaticFire.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydramatic

#7 of 9 Re: LINK AND PICS [otto8] by isellhondas

Jun 14, 2008 (7:54 pm)

Replying to: otto8 (Jun 14, 2008 7:04 pm)
Interesting link.
 
Now I know, Oldsmobile installed some Dynaflows. They must have really had to scramble to keep things going.

#8 of 9 Dynaflow Olds by hpmctorque

Aug 13, 2008 (5:55 am)

Assuming there's even one remaining, how would the value of a Dynaflow equipped '50s Olds compare with one with Hydramatic?

#9 of 9 Re: Dynaflow Olds [hpmctorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 13, 2008 (8:59 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Aug 13, 2008 5:55 am)
I'd imagine the Hydra would be worth more as it is so much better for driving around. The Dynaflow just eats HP.

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