VCC CENTRAL HAWKES BAY THE BLEAT JAN 2023

How the Dodge Main Assembly Plant Became World Class

When you look back at the history of Dodge, you have to start with the famous Dodge brothers. John Francis Dodge (October 25th 1864 to January 14th 1920) and Horace Elgin Dodge (May 17th 1868 to December 10th 1920) both were born in Niles, Michigan. According to automotive historians, Horace developed into one of the most mechanical-minded individuals in the manufacturing industry. John was also very talented, but he was more suited to management and creative organizational skills. The Dodge brothers got started in the early days of the auto industry making engines for the Ford Motor Company and transmissions for the Olds Motor Works. This is the story of the famous “Dodge Main” factory and how it became one of our greatest sites in automotive history. Located on Joseph Campau in Hamtramck, Michigan, the plant offering 24 acres of space was built in 1910 from a design by architect Albert Kahn.

—By Robert Tate

The Dodge Main Assembly Plant 1916

John and Horace Dodge

How the Dodge Main Assembly Plant Became World Class

By Robert Tate

Dodge Main came to be a cultural symbol of financial stability where many people for their American Dream begin a family and prospered. The factory also attracted workers from many different cultures around the world seeking a new way of life and to become owners of a new Dodge. These workers felt a great sense of pride and teamwork in helping make the company successful.

On July 17th 1914, John and Horace stopped making parts for other companies and established Dodge Brothers, Inc with $5 million in common stock. After many months of evaluating their own automotive designs and creative ideas, the first Dodge model rolled out on November 14th 1914. The first automobiles manufactured at Dodge Main were all touring cars painted black. They were priced at $785 and became an overnight success

Finished cars coming off the line at Dodge Main exited the complex onto Joseph Campau, loaded on trucks for transport to waiting freighters on the nearby Detroit River for shipment to ports around the Great Lakes.

the main complex were connected by an

Conant gate and travel to the main

A view of the Dodge Main complex from the air

A.E Schweitzer, a retired facilities manager, once said: “Plant 4 and

underground tunnel running under the railroad so trucks could enter the

plant’s receiving area.

The Dodge Main pressing line 1918

How the Dodge Main Assembly Plant Became World Class—

By Robert Tate

On July 31st 1928, Walter P. Chrysler purchased Dodge Brothers Inc, for $170 million, including the Dodge Main complex. Acquiring Dodge gave Chrysler Corporation one of the most dependable models on the American road and moved the company into third place in the domestic automotive industry.

1964 Dodge models on the line

Outside Dodge Main

How the Dodge Main Assembly Plant Became World Class

By Robert Tate

By the mid-1940s, Dodge Main was one of the largest automotive factories in America. Many Dodge owners would include a visit to the complex during their summer vacation for an educational tour. The upper floors of the building were devoted to body assembly, while the stamping and heavy manufacturing took place on the lower floors.

In conclusion, Chrysler announced in 1979 that they were closing the plant, devastating news for the auto industry. The factory stood empty for a year and began to decay.

Later, General Motors signed an agreement with the cities of Detroit and Hamtramck to build a new assembly plant on the site, nicknamed “Poletown.” It should be noted that a vast majority of the property of the former GM DetroitHamtramck Assembly Plant, now known as “Factory Zero,” is located within the city of Detroit.

Today, “Dodge Main” is a part of our automotive history that will be remembered by generations to come. This story is dedicated to all of the hard-working men and women who were a part of the “Dodge Main” factory over the years.

A Dodge Charger on the assembly line

Dodge Main employees 1950

On October 7, 1913, Henry Ford’s entire Highland Park, Michigan automobile factory ran a continuously moving assembly line for the first time. A motor and rope pulled the chassis past workers and parts on the factory floor, cutting the man-hours required to complete one Ford Model T from 12 1/2 hours to six. Within a year, further assembly line improvements reduced the time required to 93 man-minutes.

The staggering increase in productivity resulting from use of the moving assembly line allowed Ford to drastically reduce the cost of the Model T, thereby accomplishing his dream of making the car affordable to ordinary consumers. Before then, the automobile industry generally marketed its vehicles to only the richest Americans, because of the high cost of producing the machines. Ford’s Model T was the first automobile designed to serve the needs of middle-class citizens: It was durable, economical, and easy to operate and maintain. Still, with a debut price of $850, the Model T was out of the reach of most Americans. Ford Motor Company understood that to lower unit cost it had to increase productivity. The method by which this was accomplished transformed industry forever.

Prototypes of the assembly line can be traced back to ancient times, but the immediate precursor of Ford’s industrial technique was 19th-century meat-packing plants in Chicago and Cincinnati, where cows and hogs were slaughtered, dressed, and packed using overhead trolleys that took the meat from worker to worker. Inspired by the meat packers, Ford innovated new assembly line techniques and in early 1913 installed its first moving assembly line at Highland Park for the manufacture of flywheel magnetos (pictured). Instead of each worker assembling his own magneto, the assembly was divided into 29 operations performed by 29 men spaced along a moving belt. Average assembly time dropped from 20 minutes to 13 minutes and soon was down to five minutes.

Ford rapidly improved its assembly lines, and by 1916 the price of the Model T had fallen to $360, and sales were more than triple their 1912 level. Eventually, the company produced one Model T every 24 seconds, and the price fell below $300. More than 15 million Model Ts were built before it was discontinued in 1927, accounting for nearly half of all automobiles sold in the world to that date. The affordable Model T changed the landscape of America, hastening the move from rural to city life, and the moving assembly line spurred a new industrial revolution in factories around the world.

Henry Ford’s entire Highland Park automobile factory —byRodMcKenzie

CHB VCC Events Calendar

2023

January

Wed 18th

Other District's Events

2nd to 4th Barbara and Jim Speers Art Deco clothing Sale in CHB

Branch Dinner and Meeting to be held at the Waipawa Bowling club. 23 to 24 National Veteran RallyBased in Franklin—AKL

Sun 22nd Annual Beach Run to Kairakau organise by Rod and Scarlett McKenzie Sun 22nd Burma Rally Whanganui

Sun 22nd Lake Front Car Show Rotorua

February

Sun 5th Gymkhana to be held at the Elsthorpe Sports Ground-organised by Iain Collan

Wed 15th Branch Dinner and Meeting-Venue TBA

Thurs 16th Sun 19th Art Deco weekend Enquiries to Paul at: hbtresurer@vcc.org.nz 10th-12th Three Rivers Rally Gisborne

Sat 25th

March Wed 15th

Hoe-down in Waipukurau Keep this date free for a fun night out. Tickets available from Janet Weaver 21st-22nd Historic GP motor racing in Taupo

Club Meeting and Dinner Bingo Night Venue TBA. Sun 12th

Wheels on Windsor 9.00am to 3.00pm Grove Road, Hastings

Sat 18th Horowhenua VCC swap meet

April

May

June

TO READ AII OTHER BRANCH MAGAZINES ONLINE go to www.vcc.org.nz then to Branch Newsletters. Also items of interest on https://www.facebook.com/vintagecarclubofnewzealand

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BLEAT. The Bleat is your branch Magazine. Should you come across anything that you think could interest your fellow members, or if you wish to contribute an article on any of your motoring projects (past or present) or your recent participation in runs and events with other branches, please do not hesitate to email your article and photographs to your Branch Editor joycecalder@gmail.com

Sunday 22nd January 2023—Annual Beach Run to—Kairakau organised by Rod and Scarlett McKenzie

The sun will be out so pack up your lunches, bikinis, sand spades, surf-boards, grand-children, sun umbrellas, gazebos and sun cream and head out to Kairakau Beach for lunch with a group of your CHB VCC friends.

You shouldn’t need instructions on how to get there, so dawdle out in your own good time but in time for lunch. Park up on the “Day Trippers” area.

On our return journey home we will have to pass the Patangata Tavern where some of our folk have suggested we should stop to check our radiators [and maybe have a meal, up to you].

Any questions, give Rod and Scarlett a call 06-858-9562

Sunday 5th February 2023—CHB Branch Gymkhana—organisedbyIainandEvaGollan

A car Gymkhana will be held at Elsthorpe Sports Ground, Kahuraniki Rd, Elsthorpe. Meeting at the usual place on Mt Herbert Rd Departing at 9.15am sharp.

Bring your own picnic lunch and chair. Plenty of nice shady trees.

Should finish mid-afternoon so anyone who wants to, can stop off on your way home at the Patangata Hotel.

For me it has been a year I would like to forget, however it’s not over yet.

2022 has been a great year for the club with plenty of activities to keep us busy, weekly trips for the Torque Heads thanks to Bruce for organising these events.

The BIG event for the year would have to be for the Cancer-Daffodil weekend rising $5000 for the CHB Cancer Society, a great effort.

My thanks to the members (and wives) that supported the Movember Challenge, 15 of our members entered the challenge, Peter McKenzie was chosen by the ladies for “The Best Effort” congratulations Peter and thank you to all for your support. They ALL were winners and were highlighted on the Christmas Party night which was held at Oruawharo St. Vincent restaurant, another great night.

The fund-raiser for Pj’s for CHB kids raised $370 on the night, Janet managed to extract donations from her clients as well, we hope to present this money to Eva at the next meeting, which will be held on Wednesday 18th January 2023 at the Waipawa bowling club.

Very pleased we didn’t have the Gymkhana at Oruawharo as the weather was not kind to us. Seton and Goolie will organise this event for another date and venue.

Christmas has been and gone and I hope Santa looked after you well.

CONGRATULATIONS to our Club Captain Laurie Malcolmson for winning 4 Gold medals at the NZ Masters Athletics Champs in December, winning Gold in the 60m, 100m and 200m run., and Gold for the Javelin throw. What an outstanding effort Laurie.

When you read this report Bruce Poole would have lead a team to the Taihape Gumboot Rally. Hope that went well Bruce.

On Monday 2nd January to the 4th January there will be Art Deco items for sale at the Memorial Hall in Waipukurau, details in the December Bleat.

Sunday 22nd January Rod and Scarlet have organised the annual beach run to Kairakau.

I understand some sort of Art Deco event is to be held in Waipukurau featuring trains planes and classic cars, this will be held on Saturday 18th February. I have no information about this event.

The “Country Hoedown” is to be held on Saturday 25th February 2023 so be quick and get your tickets from Janet janetmweaver@gmail.com or 021-0226-3365

Come dressed up in country and western, hillbilly and have a toe tapping, heel kicking, good time.

Janet and I wish you all a very Happy and Safe New Year

Gary Weaver CHB Branch Chairman

rally

Visit our HBVCC website by clicking this link http://hbvcc.org.nz/art-deco/

In 2022 the featured group was Early Ford V8s, but we were forced to cancel it because of Covid. For 2023 we are again featuring Early Ford V8s from 1932 to 1945. This is a group of fantastic cars, well worth another shot, and we’re sure we will be supported by the local Early Ford V8 Club. Bay Ford have agreed to come on board as a main sponsor again, so it’s looking good so far for a fabulous event. We are also expecting an International group of vintage Bentleys to join us, so if you have a pre-1946 Bentley please get in touch with Steve Donovan on 027-217-7730 about their visit.

THE PRELIMINARY TIMETABLE One for Early Ford V8 Group and one for everyone else

Wednesday 15th 2022. Early Ford Group A couple of shed visits and a visit to a very special and varied collection. Suitable for ladies and gents. Dinner your own care.

Thursday 16th February 2022

10.00am Early Ford Group. Display Cars in the Sound Shell as part of the Junior Gatsby Picnic. This is part of the Art Deco Trust Event. Visit a school. A car run into the country and a picnic lunch at a private picnic area.

6.00pm All entrants Dinner and entertainment at Our Club Rooms.

Friday 17th February. The HBVCCC Art Deco Rally Day for all entrants with a planned rally and lunch (bring a picnic and chairs).

Saturday 18th February. Morning tea at our club rooms for all entrants, and then those who have entered go to the Art Deco Trust Parade through Napier CBD. Early Fords will be in one group and will be displayed in the Sound Shell after the Parade.

Sunday 19th February. Join us for a Sunday Breakfast at our Club Rooms.

Don’t forget there will also be many other Art Deco Trust Events that you can enter over the weekend – details at https://artdecofestival.co.nz/

Please read this carefully and keep it available for use nearer event time.

REGISTRATION/ONLINE

ENTRY

– ENTRIES OPEN ON 1 OCTOBER 2022.

This year there will again be an easy to complete online entry form that will be available on the HBVCC website by clicking this link http://hbvcc.org.nz/art-deco/ from 1 October. In recent years Saturday Parade entries and Thursday night dinner tickets have sold out quickly so don’t delay please. Entries will close 15th January 2023. If you need assistance with anything, please email hbtreasurer@vcc.org.nz and include a contact phone number.

COLLECTION OF RALLY PACKS

As in previous years your Rally pack will be available from the offices of Fast Track Finance at 74 Munroe Street, Napier from 1pm-5.30pm Wednesday 15th February, 9am-5.30pm Thursday 16th February and Friday 17th February. On Saturday 18th February rally packs will be available from the HBVCC Clubrooms till late morning. Rally packs will also be available on Tuesday 14th February from the Fast Track Office 1.00pm to 5.30 pm for Early Ford V8 entries only as they have a full day of events on Wednesday.

ACCOMMODATION

Napier usually fills up pretty quickly for ADW. We strongly recommend you book accommodation now.

HBVCCC ORGANISERS

Steve Donovan 027-217-7730 Paul Eager 027-231-4304

HBVCCC Committee.

National Veteran Rally 23-25 February 2023

Registration is open to all Veteran Vehicles manufactured before 31 Dec.1918 VIC required.

The rally is based in the expansive grounds of LaValla Estate less than 2km from the historical small township of Tuakau. Tuakau is located in the district of Franklin. Franklin lies between State Highway 1 and the west coast and is known as the breadbasket of Auckland, growing potatoes, vegetables, and other products on its rich volcanic soils. The area offers great motoring country for veteran vehicles. To reach Tuakau and LaValla, those coming from the South can leave the Waikato Expressway (SH1) at Pokeno, just South of the Bombay Hills. Those coming from the north exit the motorway at Bombay. The registration fee covers: ‘Meet & Greet’ breakfast; light refreshments at start and finish of each day’s run; three lunches; final banquet dinner; Movie Night (in the small cinema at LaValla); Rally Pack and plaque.

Key Dates

The event runs over the last weekend of February, the weekend following the Art Deco Festival in Napier. The rally commences on Friday morning with registration from 8.30am and breakfast and rally briefing from 9.00am to 10.00am ready to depart on the first day’s run at 10.30am. The rally concludes with a celebratory dinner and awards on Sunday Evening.

Rally Headquarters

The rally is based at LaValla. Registration, the first ‘Meet & Greet’ breakfast and the final dinner are held at LaValla. Each day’s run departs and finishes at LaValla with light refreshments. There will be ample opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new friends in a beautiful, relaxing setting. LaValla has an interesting history as a former Marist college, now in private ownership. It is less than 2km out of the township of Tuakau, made up of well-maintained and expansive grounds (109 acres) overlooking rural countryside. LaValla provides a secure site where veteran vehicles, modern cars and trailers can be safely parked for the duration. There is limited accommodation at LaValla, and more accommodation is also available at the nearby boutique Tuakau Hotel. Other options are the motels in Pukekohe and Pokeno.

Rally Programme

Franklin lies between State Highway 1 and the West Coast, bounded to its South by the Waikato River. Builtup areas, busy roads and steep roads will be avoided. There are short and long routes each day.

Day 1. The route uses roads criss-crossing the Bombay Hills including the old main roads before the mo torway was opened.

Day 2. The route crosses the Waikato River on the iconic Tuakau Bridge and follows the river to its mouth at Port Waikato.

Day 3. The destination is the historical port town of Waiuku, taking in Glenbrook Vintage railway close by.

For more information contact Barry Birchall (Organiser) or Nicola North (Rally Secretary) barrybirchall@xtra.co.nz nicolahnorth@gmail.com Landline (09) 818-8755 Mobile 027-722-5225 (Nicola’s phone)

Hosted by the Auckland Branch and based in rural Franklin in Tuakau, 56km south of Metro Auckland

1949 Humber Ambulance

A number of blokes from the CHB VCC had a short working bee at the Waipukurau Fire Station giving the recently acquired 1949 Humber Ambulance a spruce up prior to the public Christmas show in Waipukurau main street. The Ambulance has been acquired for the CHB Museum in Waipawa by a local donor initiated by CHB VCC member Jerry Greer who was hospitalized that day.

"Crikey, that's a big lump of British iron under the bonnet" says Bruce, "all four and a bit litres of it".

Seen here are Bernard Murphy, Barry Smales on the ladder [he was once a fireman so got that job], Steve Collis and Bruce Poole. Not in the photograph but also helping were Neil Malcolm and Rod McKenzie.

There were 33 cars and their crews, including one from Ashburton, entered for the tour that started with a get-together at the Bay of Plenty Branch Clubrooms to renew old friendships and meet our fellow travellers. The evening finished with a dinner catered forby the B.O.P. Branch.

Day 1: We met at the clubrooms for a briefing before setting out on the first day of the tour. The route took us North through many kilometres of road works to arrive at Waihi Beach for a break before travelling on to Te Aroha for lunch at the local R.S.A. After lunch we had a visit to the Adrian Worsley Gallery where this very talented person makes sculptures etc out of all sorts of what looks like junk into very interesting items. Dinner this evening was at the Royal Albert Hotel in Cambridge where we were joined by several members of the Waikato Branch

Day 2: This morning we travelled out to Ross Brother’s museum which is set up in 2 buildings one of which contains a collection of very well presented cars, motor-bikes and memorabilia. Ross Brothers are earthmoving contractors and the second building had an array of bulldozers, loaders and trucks. One of the loaders was a Caterpillar 994 16 cylinder 78 litre 1259 Hp machine weighing 193 tonne accompanied by a Komatsu 575A-2 Super Dozer/ ripper with Komatsu 12 cylinder 1350 Hp engine and a machine weight of 175 tonnes. This visit took all morning so we returned to Cambridge for lunch followed by a short 50 mile run to Raglan for the night and dinner at the Cosmopolitan Club.

Day 3: Early start today with an 8-15am briefing and a 8-30am departure. Today is our first day on gravel as we travel South along the coast through well established native ferns and regenerating native bush with occasional very good ocean views. After approximately 80 km of mixed condition gravel we are back on sealed roads 52 km from Otorohanga and our lunch break. After lunch we headed further South and passed through Te Kuiti and what was once the large sawmilling settlement of Mangapehi which no longer exists.

A tunnel that was dug by hand from 1904 to 1907 at a cost of 315 pounds.

Kiwi Road, which is not for the faint hearted!!

2022 NORTH ISLAND CLUB CAPTAIN’S TOUR—by John Foot

This part of the journey also took us through the settlements of Waimiha and Ongarue that now are only shadows of the earlier years. Tonight we are staying in Taumarunui and dinner at the Returned Services Association.

Day 4: Another early start this morning departing at 8-30am. We proceeded North along S.H. 4 until turning into Okahukura Saddle Rd, heading for Ohura and the road quickly turns to good gravel. After travelling quite a long distance we came across a large slip that was being cleared by the road workers who were working in atrocious muddy conditions and it was also raining making it worse for them. Our next stop was at now derelict town of Ohura for a B.Y.O. morning tea in the drizzle. Ohura in its hey-day was a very busy coal mining town. From here we Travelled via Waitaanga Rd (very good gravel better than some of our main highways) to come to the Akau tunnel, the first of a few we were to travel through today. After passing through the tunnel we U turned to travel back to turn right into Kiwi Rd which is not for the faint hearted as the road is no longer maintained by the local council but we all got through without any problems. We passed through some more tunnels to come out and turn left onto S.H.3 and onto Urenui for lunch.

After lunch we were on typical Taranaki tar-sealed roads where we passed a gas condensate production facility and the occasional drilling rig. We also passed through another tunnel that was dug by hand from 1904 to 1907 at a cost of 315 pounds. In Ratapiko Rd we passed Lake Ratapiko which feeds the Motukawa power station and from here it was on to a short run to New Plymouth. Our accommodation was at the Auto Lodge. The Plymouth Hotel was the venue for the final table served dinner and presentations making it very nice final get together to be able to say goodbye to all the other entrants.

Many thanks to our North Island Club Captain and her team.

Burt Munro Challenge 8th 12th February 2023

Invercargill

WED

8th SOUTHLAND HONDA TRACK DAY

8.30am, Teretonga Park, Sandy Point.

THU 9th STAR INSURANCE NZ HILL CLIMB CHAMPS

10.00am, Flagstaff Road, Bluff.

THU 9th HARLEY-DAVIDSON TWILIGHT DRAG RACING 6.00pm, Teretonga Park, Sandy Point.

FRI 10th INDIAN MOTORCYLE BEACH RACING & NZ CHAMPS

11.30am, Oreti Beach, Otatara.

SAT 11th E HAYES & SONS TERETONGA SPRINT RACES 9.00am, Teretonga Park Sandy Point.

SAT 11th SUPER SELLER SHELLEY SPEEDWAY 3.00pm, Sievwright Oreti Park Speedway, Pit Road.

3rd—6th February 2023

8th—12th February 2023

Food for Thought

If anyone would like a very nice laptop carry bag. I have one going spare. It has compartments for the laptop, heaps of room for documents and a shoulder strap. It came with the laptop the VCC provided which no longer exists. I don’t own a laptop so it is no use to me and is just taking up space and gathering dust.

Chairman Gary Weaver weave@xtra.co.nz 06-858-9908

Secretary Brian Connor Karinya@xtra.co.nz 06-855-6447 027-488-5019

Treasurer Kaye Carswell accounts@wpkmotors.co.nz 021-124-3620

Club Captain Laurie Malcolmson supagran14@yahoo.com.au

Vice Club Captain Keith Hopping keithhopping@gmail.com

NZ

Fare

Type

Bluebridge Cook Straight Ferries

Vintage Car Club Member Exclusive Discounted Ferry Rates

VCC Member Promo Code: ANTIQUECAR

The rates above include GST

Terms and Conditions:

• Rates are valid for bookings and sailings from 1st October 2022 through until 30th September 2023 and are subject to availability.

• Peak rates will apply to sailings between 20th of December through till the 10th of January annually. Also Easter weekend including the Thursday before Good Friday and Tuesday after Easter Monday. Offpeak rates will apply through all other dates in the remainder of the year.

• These special rates are exclusively for NZ Vintage Car Club (NZVCC) members.

• Discounted passenger fares available for both walk on and vehicle travel.

• A maximum of six passengers in one booking.

• These rates are not available in conjunction with any other offer.

• NZVCC discount only eligible for bookings that include a minimum of one NZVCC member.

• Members must present their NZVCC membership ID when they check-in as proof of entitlement. If not presented, the standard fare will be charged.

• Flexi Sail fare conditions apply. You can find these fare conditions at;

• https://www.bluebridge.co.nz/payment#fare-types

• Simply use promo code ANTIQUECAR when booking at www.bluebridge.co.nz Or quote the promo code when you call 0800 844 844.

• Payment must be made when booking via the following payment methods; Poli (bank transfer), Credit card and/or After pay.