The Washington times., 1929-02-06
HEVROLET SIX
FORESIGHT

first comprehensive answer yet OBJ
tanned to the question, How did
Chevrolet succeed in effecting one
of the most mammoth turnovers in
industrial history?" was revealed
here today.
The answer as it now comes to
light can be epitomized in single
word-"foresight." The foresighted
policies of General Motors and Chew.
rolet have never been known to coun.
tenance any blind gestures. The
Chevrolet Six, which is today speed
ing over the highways in thousands,
was born four years ago.
At that time General Motors began
considering, with an open mind,
whether a six-cylinder car could be
produced to sell in the price range
of the four. Shortly afterward Chew
rolet designed the first of the 100
engines which was to precede the
one which today powers the new
Chevrolet. One by one these engines
were tested, redesigned, improved,
torn down. From each experiment
the Chevrolet engineers were learn
ing.
Makes Company History
Then, one day last May after over
a million miles of test driving, and
four years Of the most intensive sort
of checking. Chevrolet engineers ex-
pressed themselves as satisfied that
they had perfected a six-cylinder en-.
gine of exceptional merit, 1t was a
momentous occasion in the history
of the company, and marked the
achievement of one of the greatest
engineering triumphs in the history
of the industry.
Meantime Fisher Body engineers.
working in close cooperation with
Chevrolet, announced that they had
a body. rugged and attractive-in
every way worthy of the sensational
new engine. And then it was that the
Chevrolet board of strategy expressed
themselves as finally satisfied.
Then began the process of making
ready 20 widely scattered Chevrolet
plants for the advent of the new six.
1t meant that an entirely new set of
machine tools, patterns and dies had
to be developed in the shops and on
the drafting boards, 1t meant that
Chevrolet's 10000 employees had to
be adapted to the change-over.
And all of this had to be done
while the company's resources were
involved, chiefly at the time, with
the production of four-cylinder gear
shift cars in numbers never before
equalled in the industry. 1t is to be
remembered that last year Chevrolet
again sustained its position as
worlds largest 5Hilde4 of automo-
biles,'' with a produ tion of 100000
cars.
Had to Train Men
Recognizing the fact that men had
to be trained to handle the new
work, and that preliminary prac ice
was necessary in the handling of
tools and fixtures. the company built
an experimental motor plant at Sagi.
nav, Mich, containing a complete
equipment of new machinery purely
for research. experiment and estab-
lishmenf of production practice.
This plant started September last
and continued in operation until No
vember Is.
Meantime the Flint Motor plant
was shut down from October until
November Is and the task went for
ward of installing new machinery.
rebuilding old machines for new
work and re-educating in precision
methods thousands of employees.
On November 10, the machinery
used in the experimental motor
plant was removed to the main pro-
duction line and the Saginaw plant
was dismantled. So well grounded
were all the plans that 10000
motors were produced between
November Is and December /, an
average OF more than 1000 a day.
During December $4,000 motors
were produced, an average of more
than 1000 a day.
The assembly plants continued
on the old models until
October 25 when the last one closed
down to prepare for the new car,
The first assemblies of the new car
started December IL.
Thousands on Road
Today thousands of the new
Chevrolet skies are moving along
the highways of America. Owners
have reported that the engine is
everything its designers knew 1t
would be. The acceleration. Is not
surpassed by that of any other on
the road. 1t has ample speed for
any emergency. 1t has an economy
better than 20 miles to the gallon.
1t is beautiful in appearance. 1t
is exceptionally easy riding.
Engineers and all those who
can, in detail, visualize what a
truly tremendous industrial achieve
ment this incredibly fast turnover
comprises, marvel at its accomplish
ment. 1t stands as a brilliant
tribute to two great organizations
Mntnre nd its CheNrnleI |