Assembly plant logistics

[hull 433]

How were Ford cars assembled at various assembly plants around the country - was it in sub-assemblies shipped from Detroit, or were they assembled from the ground up, bolt by bolt?

In other words, did assembly plants receive trainloads of finished engines, axles and bodies to put together, or did they build everything from completely unassembled parts? Or did they receive some assembled parts, like bodies or engines, and build up the rest?

[Scott_Conger]

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/33 ... 1383792686

[hull 433]

So rear axles, engines and other chassis elements were shipped assembled, while bodies and other parts were not. Interesting so much of the production was branch produced, and that the main factory's output was so much engineered towards supplying the branches with these subassemblies and parts.

[Scott_Conger]

the entire car was shipped...just in pieces...primarily chassis and body

these threads will provide some illumination for you:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/25 ... 1336430666
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29 ... 1169084074
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/33 ... 1382625381
https://forums.aaca.org/topic/302326-ho ... o-dealers/

My '13 was an assembled car done by Irwin Greer Automotive in Chicago, IL

[hull 433]

One article described a new plant opening in Denver and the car loads of tools and equipment arriving to furnish it. This included two drying ovens and a carload of horsehair for upholstery. Total carloads had enough parts to build 2100 Fords -- 2100 motors, 2100 pairs of front and rear axles, tubes and tires, etc.

Ford motors built in Long Island would be shipped by sea via the Panama Canal to the new assembly plant in Los Angeles, on account of economy.

[Scott_Conger]

Slim

I have the bill of sale and original title for the car as issued around 1920 or so in Indiana when they first required titles. You went in and swore you were the owner of the car, told the recorder what the year was and if you were a citizen "in good standing and of good character" your title was recorded and that was that. The farmer/owner left the car to his son in his will. Son restored it and died soon after. My friend bought it from the widow after about 15 years of it just sitting. Friend eventually fell ill and I bought from him. Finally, upon getting it running, I brought pix of it to show at work and discovered that the "son" in this story was a retired maintenance man from my large company and I had actually met him when I was a new hire. Several workers gave me pix of the car from many years prior when "the son" brought it to a company car show. Lots of coincidences with this thing. As an assembled car in Chicago, it bears its own Erwin Greer serial number and Agent Badge...it's pretty neat.

[hull 433]

Very cool, especially the long history

[Scott_Conger]

fun stuff!

[SteveBoothroyd]

I purchased my 1922 T Touring from Washington State.
Are there any pictures of a Ford assembly plant in Seattle or other city in Washington available?

Regards,
Steve Boothroyd
Sidney, B.C.
Canada

[hull 433]

The Ford assembly plant in Seattle opened in 1914 at the corner of Valley and Fairview, backing up onto the Northern Pacific Railroad branch track. It's on the right in the overhead view, with the William O. McKay Ford dealership to the left on Westlake and Roy. Fords delivered from the plant to McKay were apparently just driven over.

[Steve Jelf]

I believe engines were produced at Detroit, Windsor, Long Island, and Manchester. The USA and British engines were in the same numerical sequence ("200 numbers sent to L.I.", or "400 numbers sent to Manchester"), while Canadian engines had their own serial numbers. I wonder about foreign assembly plants in places like Brazil and Argentina. Did they produce their own engines? I suspect not, or they would be listed in the Encyclopedia.

[RajoRacer]

My Grampa's 1924 TT C-Cab Covered Express was assembled (12/23 block number) at that plant and purchased from Wm. O' McKay in early '24 ! It's out in the shop.

[SteveBoothroyd]

Thanks for the information and pictures, Slim.

Regards,
Steve Boothroyd
Sidney, B.C.
Canada

[SteveBoothroyd]

Thanks for everyone's input.

Regards,

Steve Boothroyd
Sidney, B,C,
Canada

[hull 433]

Ford engines built at Long Island were shipped via the Panama Canal to the LA assembling plant due to cost effectiveness. Not sure if they continued up to Seattle or not.

[SteveBoothroyd]

Thanks again Slim.
Very interesting and informative; now I know exactly where my baby was born!
She will be 100 years old on Thursday May 26th!

Regards,

Steve Boothroyd
Sidney, B.C.
Canada

[Steve Jelf]

...somewhere I found an article describing Ford engines built at Long Island being shipped via the Panama Canal to the LA assembling plant due to cost effectiveness.

Yes, transport by water has always been less costly than by land. Think Erie Canal, Ohio/Mississippi flatboats, Saint Lawrence Seaway, etc.