The GM Heritage Center

[Flybrian]

The GM Heritage Center
A photographic tour of GM's most historic collection

By Brian Dreggors

Most people know about this place; if not, its the Holy Land to GM enthusiasts. While Ford and Chrysler proudly display their historic cars and trucks in huge, brightly-lit museums open daily for all to enjoy, GM keeps its most prized treasures in a rectangular building hidden away on the ground of the GM Technical Center, off-limits to the general public. Why? Who knows. But it sure adds allure and makes visitors seem like honored guests, which in a way, we were. Not only did we get to enjoy the grace and beauty of 100+ years of American motorcar, but we had a wonderful catered dinner there as well.

Rather than give us a guided tour (citing that most people just wander off within a few seconds anyway), the directors simply opened the doors and let us in. In that spirit, I will do the same. A few quick notes, though: approximately 145 cars were on display this evening, representing about 1/4 or 1/5 of GM's total collection. All but two of these cars are owned by GM. I believe all still run in some capacity, at least the famous concepts do; they even have the keys dangling from their ignitions (define: temptation). If they ever were auctioned, the 1951 LeSabre is valued at $10-15 million while the 1938 Y-Job commands $15-20 million. Don't worry, though; they aren't going anywhere...

that is, unless I can get my hands on those keys again...

Enjoy.

[Oracle of Delphi]

I like the color of that Suburban.

[2chevs]

Fly, is that the G6 hardtop next to the green GTO?

[Flybrian]

[Flybrian]

[Flybrian]

Firebird III & Me

[Flybrian]

[Flybrian]

[Flybrian]

[schuby87]

hmmmm looks like they have some new additions since I got to go. Isn't it cool how such an unassuming building can house one of the coolest collection of cars ever?

[knightfan26917]

*eyes pop open wide*

Fly ... SIMPLY AWESOME! Thank you for sharing those pics.............

*sighs*

I can only DREAM of one day being able to visit the GM Heritage Center...............

Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker

PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

my radio show:CD SHOWCASE.7:30p central.Friday/April 27 = www.wrmn1410.com

[ocnblu]

This had to be a very fulfilling trip, yet, I wouldn't want to leave, I'd be wanting to study every inch of every vehicle, afraid to miss the slightest detail. Thanks for posting, Mr. Fly.

[balthazar]

Flybrian: I hate you.

If I had been let in there, either 1 of 2 scenarios would've happened: I'd still be there now, hiding and caressing. Or I'd have been thrown out in 5 minutes for licking.

Any chance I could get a link to the imageshack album? 4th time trying and most of these 500 pics are not making it over my 56K hookup.

Edited April 26, 2007 by balthazar

[Camino LS6]

Thanks for getting a pic of the "Lemansamino", Fly! I didn't even know that it still existed!

Very cool.

[capriceman]

It is an amazing place to go to! There food is sweet too.

But Correction the Heritage Center is not on Tech Center Property. Its about a mile away on an industrial drive.

[Kevin]

: I'd still be there now, hiding and caressing

They counted us about 3 times before we left. Because several of us were considering just that.

Brian - great write ups on the event.

[DetroitNut90]

Wow...I didn't know that a B-body El Camino existed outside of my imagination. Sweet.

The blue '59 Buick's a feast for the eyes as well.

[PurdueGuy]

what is this one?

sure looks like the EV1, but with different tails... tried looking up info on the Impact, and all the pics I got looked the same as the EV1 (though maybe they were just EV1s...)

[bobo]

Yes, it's the Impact. Front view:

[ocnblu]

Wasn't the Impact a longer version of the EV1? I forget now.

[PurdueGuy]

The Impact was the concept car that preceded the EV1. Very similar in shape, but lacked a LOT of refinement compared to the final product.

[balthazar]

>>"Wow...I didn't know that a B-body El Camino existed outside of my imagination. Sweet."<<

It doesn't; that's a LeMans-based 'El Camino' which was updated with a 1980 Grand Am nose. I am pretty certain the LeMans/Grand Am is a G-Body.

[I hope GMRULES again]

Simply awesome. I would love to go there. They should open it to the public once in a while. Was that a red Chevette in there?

[mightymouse]

Simply awesome. I would love to go there. They should open it to the public once in a while. Was that a red Chevette in there?

I'm not sure which one you mean..Maybe a sprint? I don't remember ever seeing a Chevette there

neat stuff

Nice coverage Fly

[gm4life]

I would take the Cadillac Voyage and Solitare off their hands, and the 69 Orange GTO wouldn't be too bad either... Hmm I would love a GNX too!

[DetroitNut90]

>>"Wow...I didn't know that a B-body El Camino existed outside of my imagination. Sweet."<<

It doesn't; that's a LeMans-based 'El Camino' which was updated with a 1980 Grand Am nose. I am pretty certain the LeMans/Grand Am is a G-Body.

I always thought that the LeMans was considered an A-body, and the Grand Prix was a G-body. At any rate, I was talking abou this B-body Impala SS-based El Camino:

[balthazar]

Ah; sorry, I thought you were referring to the Grand Am 'Camino pictured earlier.

As far as the body designation goes, apparently the '82 & up Bonneville was on a stretched version of the GP A-Special chassis... I had misremembered it was the same and thought the LeMans had changed to a 'G' also. LeMans would still be an 'A' in this era.

[Robert Hall]

>>"Wow...I didn't know that a B-body El Camino existed outside of my imagination. Sweet."<<

It doesn't; that's a LeMans-based 'El Camino' which was updated with a 1980 Grand Am nose. I am pretty certain the LeMans/Grand Am is a G-Body.

Yeah, those were the A/Gs... (didn't they call them A-bodies from '78-81, until that designation moved to a FWD platform in '82)?

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

Very nice photo spread. I must say I enjoyed this. I noticed several things:

1. That Lucerne concept is where Lucerne got its name from. That concept also was the basis for the 1995-1999 Riviera, but something got lost in the translation. You can see the similar lines too. That concept looks a bit better than the Riviera did...

2. That Voyage and Solitaire were the basis for the 1992-1999 Eldorado and the 1992-1997 Seville. That front end showed up on many early 1990's Cadillacs.

3. I liked the Toronado I saw.

4. GM takes its collection and cars very seriously. I also thought that Impala based El Camino had potential.

Thank you for sharing...

Edited April 29, 2007 by NINETY EIGHT REGENCY

[Camino LS6]

If the "lemansamino" is an '82 or newer, it is a G body, older and it's an A. I love both Camino concepts shown in these pics. I never got the story on the Pontiac version, but The Impala-based SS damn near went to production.

I want them both. :AH-HA_wink:

[ocnblu]

I think the last real LeMans was made in '81, with a sloped, quad headlamp nose. It became the "Bonneville Model G" in '82, after the last of the US Parisiennes, I believe.

[Sixty8panther]

Yeah the whole fine line between the A & G bodys always perplexed me.

[Sixty8panther]

1,000,000th 1977 Oldsmobile.

That's exactly 1,000,000 more than they made in 2006.

[knightfan26917]

1,000,000th 1977 Oldsmobile.

That's exactly 1,000,000 more than they made in 2006.

*chuckles*

Leave it to you to point out that striking, sad realization ... heh.

Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker

PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"I knew she was a jewel in disguise" ... Kathy Mattea ... '455 Rocket'

[GMTruckGuy74]

Fly, great job. Something caught my eye - seems as if there was a Futurliner there or a drawing of it. Can you provide some more details please?

[I hope GMRULES again]

I'm not sure which one you mean..Maybe a sprint? I don't remember ever seeing a Chevette there

I just looked again and I'm pretty sure its a 2 door Chevette, behind the red concept car ( I think that was a cerv III) and to the left of a yellow car. I hope I'm on your list this summer during the dream cruise if you can bring in visitors again like you did last year.

[I hope GMRULES again]

1,000,000th 1977 Oldsmobile.

That's exactly 1,000,000 more than they made in 2006.

I've seen that actual car in a lot of pics over the years with the 1,000,000 on the windsheild. I saw it in person in 1997 at the Olds museum in Lansing.

[dtb305]

stumbled across the thread from google searching for info about the Heritage Center, and found this great site! anyway, i am a newly-joined member and was curious how on earth you got access to this gold mine?

[NOS2006]

Damn, how did I miss this thread?

And how the hell do you get access to that place?!

[mightymouse]

Damn, how did I miss this thread?

And how the hell do you get access to that place?!

GM is having an open house for employees Feb 21 5pm-8pm

I am going, and can take a few people with me.

So I guess it's an open invite for a few guys who really want in....

It's a really fun place.

Edited February 12, 2008 by mightymouse

[Camino LS6]

If I could only get there.

*sigh*

[NOS2006]

OMG. What's the price and where's the location? I'm in. Thank you so much!

[mightymouse]

OMG. What's the price and where's the location? I'm in. Thank you so much!

price: $0.00 My favorite price! You just have to go in same time as me.

PM your cell- I lost it... I would like to be there between 5-5:30pm let me know if thats too early for you

The GM Heritage Center is located at 6400 Center Dr., Sterling Heights, Michigan, 48312

It's north of 15mile -east of Mound

Schuby87 can't make it. Bring NEW batteries for your camera....twice now, mine pooped out

while I was there.

Any body else ?

http://www.gm.com/corporate/about/heritage/home/index.jsp

[NOS2006]

The time is perfect.. I typically work 8-5 and I work about 4-5 miles away from the location.

[knightfan26917]

Any body else ?

Ohhhh...hot dang I wish I could say I was able to go this time around.

I, too, would absolutely LOVE a trip through that Heritage Center.

*sighs*

Maybe someday.....

NOS ... have a blast of fun for us, would ya, please?

Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker

WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"After so many dreams have fallen through, it's time that 1 came true" ... Earl Thomas Conley ... 'Nobody Falls Like A Fool'

[NOS2006]

Nobody else can make it?! C'mon guys from the area!

Thanks, Cort! I'll definitely take a bunch of pictures and have a good time for you all!

Oh, and Brett is a freakin' bum.

[schuby87]

Oh, and Brett is a freakin' bum.

Thats it! Get the Cobalt, we are settling this on the highway!

I have been there a few times now, and really enjoyed myself. It is definitely an impressive collection of cars!

Unfortunately, I am leaving to go up to CMU for my bday right after work on the 21st.

Have fun guys!

[knightfan26917]

Thanks, Cort! I'll definitely take a bunch of pictures and have a good time for you all!

GOOD!

Now ... don't fail your assignment .

Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker

WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"I'll always be around" ... Willie Nelson ... 'Highwayman'

[NOS2006]

Thats it! Get the Cobalt, we are settling this on the highway!

I have been there a few times now, and really enjoyed myself. It is definitely an impressive collection of cars!

Unfortunately, I am leaving to go up to CMU for my bday right after work on the 21st.

Have fun guys!

Don't get me wrong, I do want to take ya out on the highway in the spring... Just to see what would happen. :AH-HA_wink:

But that's fair enough, at least you've been there a few times. Have a good birthday!

[NOS2006]

Whew, so I was there for 2.5 hours and wasted probably pretty close to 1.5 gigs of pics... I'll post as soon as I can.