- Posted on Tuesday, January 8th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
From the Archive: 1956
By Alicia Dorset
Blog editor
This week’s find from the GM Media Archive is a photo of a 1956 Chevy Truck.
Since it’s a new year, we’re looking for new requests for things to search for in the archive. Any suggestions?
19 Comments
Jansoon
Hi Alicia,
I would like you to add more pictures of concept cars, test mules, test engines, cars/engines undergoing testing, etc. Basically, pictures of things before they were ready for production. Also, I like to see the old pre-WWII cars and pre-WWII advertisements. If you guys are interested in writing stories, please share the innovations of old. Two examples would be: 1) the story behind the invention of the electric starter and lighting, and 2) story behind the invention of the automatic transmission. If you do not want to write stories about these things, then perhaps some pictures of these and other innovative technologies in their early stages of development. Thank you.
John Belloli
Here’s my suggestion for an archive search: Anything on the 1963 through 1965 Buick Riviera (preferably 1965). This was one of my favorite cars when I was a kid, and I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to buy a 1965 Riviera. I have been the proud (and only second) owner of said vehicle for 21 years now. This was one of Bill Mitchell’s (not to mention GM’s and American cars in general) best designs, and I just don’t see enough attention being paid to it.
Thanks.
Alicia Dorset
Jansoon-
That’s a great idea for stories- thanks so much!
Alicia Dorset
John-
I’ll put that request in!
Aaron Claudy
Alicia
I agree older concept cars, WWII GM stuff,old ads,anything GM. The newest advance tech stuff that you can show us :)Things about Alfred Sloan, Harley Earl, Bill Mitchell maybe something about GM overseas ops. Hope this gives you some ideas.
Vic
How about a story about the mid-seventy Cutlass Supreme. That was probably last successful mid size car. That was also my brother’s last GM car
Nathan
Celebrate the return of the ZR1 and show some archive photos of past ZR1 Corvettes in action.
Pete
I’d like to see photos or stories about the work and contributions of Harley Earl, Maurice Olley, Zora Arkus Duntov, John Delorean, Henry ‘Smokey’ Yunick, Ed Cole, Semon ‘Bunkie’ Knudsen, Mickey Thompson etc. Larger then life talents and personalities still being admired today!
Andrew
There’s a great photo of “The Boss” in his workshop (working on an electric starter motor I think) that I think would interest people. I saw it in the archives somewhere.
Rick Blosser
Growing up near Woodward Ave in the late 60’s, I have many fond memories of the muscle car era. I have heard of stories how vehicles were developed and “tested” on Woodward against our competitors vehicles. Stories of this nature would be great to hear. I have heard thet the GTO started out in some of this “friendly competition.”
Mike Goodman
Alicia,
This site is great. Look for GM’S 50th millionth vehicle. 1954. Where is the vehicle today and the coin that was given out. This is GM history.
Jay
My father worked on a Chevrolet small car program in 1945 / 1946 that was never approved for production. He told me that they built several prototypes, but I’ve never been able to find anything on them. Can you? Thanks… Jay
Evan
I think you should really dig through and find a lot relating to the “coach” side of Truck & Coach/ Truck & Bus. There’s a rich 80-year-long history there, and in my mind, it’s not celebrated by GM enough. I just finished authoring a history of the RTS transit bus, and I think it’d be neat for those with access (you’re quite lucky, really) to the archives to dig through and find some prototype photos or pictures of buses just off the assembly line in Pontiac.
And, if you ever need help with that, let me know!
Thomas Frantz
Are there any photos of the design studio while the 1958 - 1960 Corvette was being designed. I would like to know who the Designers/ Stylists were
Jack
I’d love to see some of the very early Hydra-Matic Adverts, along with the first Oldsmobiles to have used it!
Kevin
Alicia,
I’d love to see some pictures of the Cadillac Sixteen concept vehicle that was at the Auto Show a few years ago…
Mel Francis
Hi Alicia,
I have a request for any photos you can find and post of the 1955 Motorama showcar, the ‘Biscayne’.
This car was one of GM’s first prototypes for what would later become known as the Chevelle, the new mid-size car of the ’60s. It was actually about the size of the later 1964 Mustang, and allowed passengers to sit within its perimeter frame, for a much lower roofline of 52″, compared to the ‘55 Chevy, with 59″.
Unfortunately, it was sent to be scrapped in 1959, but narrowly escaped that complete fate and remained hidden for many years.
More recently, it has entered the process of restoration and will be displayed this year at Pebble Beach, along with many of the other Motorama cars.
I have many recent photos of the car during its restoration and can forward some of them to you as attachments, which you can display on the FYI site, if you’d like.
This car truly was a ‘car of the future’, since its overall design accurately predicted what cars would still look like, more than 30 years later.
Mel francis
Bernie Vascotto
How about pictures/story on the 86/87 Buick intercooled turbo Grand National and Regals? These are still a cult classic today (and still quick by today’s standards) and Mark Reuss has some of the inside info on their development… his dad Lloyd was a pivotal influence on the final product. I bet he has some stories to share!
Pete
I’d like to see some factory pictures of 1964 Chevelle stationwagons, especially the 2 doors.
Pictures of early 60’s Suburbans and panel trucks would be nice too.
Also under hood pics of Chevy 1964/5 6’s and V-8’s.
Thanks for the site.
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