It would be interesting if we could get a few comments / stories / pictures from people who worked on the production line of Valiant cars in 60 to 62 (and yes I know they would be getting on in age).

Also I am interested in the numbering system for Valiant and other marques in the Chrysler / Plymouth / Dodge lines. for example part 8-31-10 also had the part number 2291 852, and when we look for parts with a supplier we quote the number 2291 852.

Were cars built on the production line in order of the part numbers, if not, what was the order, if any, when building the car on the production line?

I am currently restoring a 1962 Signet and it was originally painted white - 99% sure. When I removed the rear parcel shelf which I believe has never been removed before I discovered the rear internal panel where the 3 speaker holes are was painted beige. Any ideas why this is the case.

Thanks, Peter

8-31-10 is not a part number. It is a parts catalogue category. These categories usually contain numerous part numbers for different models, body styles, colours, production dates, and vehicle configurations.
I'm not sure what this question means.
Perhaps the car wasn't originally white. What does the fender tag say?

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Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

The Signet was definately painted white as confirmed by code on tag. Interestingly the rear parcel shelf is a different color and I assume that on the production line it was perhaps taken from another car and built into the car I have now.

Painting was the last step after the body was already put together; a painted parcel shelf would not have been taken from another car (…?!) and installed in yours. Perhaps what you are seeing is primer or somesuch.

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Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Were cars built on the production line in order of the part numbers


I'm not sure what this question means.


He's thinking that the part numbers are sequential to the assembly of the vehicle. Which it is not...nor is the sequence in the manual followed either...Section 8 maybe in the car before section 9...but they all wait until section 23 has been assembled first...

-D.Idiot

Yes, I was asking if the car was built in the order of the body numbering.

Does anyone know what sequence building a car took or was it random?

Er-ruh…random…?

Um…you don't really think the car factories were crazed mob scenes with workers falling over each other to throw random parts together and in the end, magically a car resulted…do you? Because no, that's not how it's ever been done.

Here, go read this.

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Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

A great read; I would still like to know the sequence of building a car on the production line in the 60's - no computers, lots of cheap labour, no environmental issues, etc.

Thanks

The process was pretty much the same as it is now, except no robots and dimmer lighting and more dangerous working conditions in the factory.

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Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I once did a project in a GM heavy/medium truck plant. The pace of the work was not hurried. 5,000 employees worked on the 3 shifts. The equipment was probably about like it was in the '50s. At that time the management installed a robotic painting system because of EPA health regulations rather than efficiency. Four different types of truck cabs were built on the same production line, including the brown UPS trucks. Many of the trucks were custom ordered with unique equipment per fleet sales, some requirements were for unique paint schemes, fuel tanks, chrome and a hundred other variances.

I think the original question was more aimed at the steps taken in what order.

The big picture would be:

Base Chassis, undercarriage, electrical, power train, interior, Glass, Bolt on sheet metal, trim.

Or something like that. I don't know the exact relationship of the steps, so perhaps someone with more knowledge of the subject can chime in.

CJ

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Beige paint?White with a nicotine coating?

I would bet that Dan has it right, primer of some sorts... They would only put the finish color in places that would be readily see-able, including places thats just overspray that you can see, but was not actually painted... IE: Underside of vehicle, wheel wells under hood etc...

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