Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 10 1 2 3 9 10
South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED #1127216
12/04/11 02:14 PM
12/04/11 02:14 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 709
St Louis, MO 63026
convx4 Offline OP
super stock
convx4  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 709
St Louis, MO 63026
Some of you followed my original post,well it was lost forever.

So with YOUR help we can re-visit it, and save it to the archives.

Lets try to do this in chronological order.

A little history of the Chrysler South Assembly Plant form Allpar.

https://www.allpar.com/corporate/factories/st-louis.html

Chrysler once operated two plants out of Fenton, Missouri, called the St. Louis plants. St. Louis South, opened in 1959, made cars and minivans; the St. Louis North, opened in 1966, made trucks; and both closed within a similar span of time. with the St. Louis South plant shutting down on October 31, 2008, and the North plant closing on July 10, 2009.

The St. Louis plant was closed on October 31, 2008, leaving Windsor the sole minivan plant (as it had been in 1984). The failure of the Chrysler Pacifica to gain traction, coupled with customers’ rejection of the 2008 minivans, sealed St. Louis’ fate. The property was sold and the plant torn down.

Chrysler announced an investment of $1 billion in the St. Louis North and St. Louis South Assembly Plants in 2005, to modernize and re-tool the facilities.

The Fenton truck plant (St. Louis North) made B-series vans and wagons until 1980; it built the Dodge Ram (over a million of them) until all production was shifted to existing plants in Saltillo, Mexico and Warren, Michigan. The plant had recently won quality awards, and was originally the exclusive producer of RamBox equipped pickups. It had made the Ram 1500, Ram V10, and Ram diesels.

The car/minivan plant had opened in 1959, making the mainstream Plymouth and Dodge cars. It gained Valiant and Dart in 1960, making it one of the original small-car plants. in 1969, St. Louis South built 216,215 Belvederes, Coronets, Chargers, and Darts, easily dwarfing Newark, and edging out Belvidere (which, in fairness, only made Fury and Polara).

St. Louis made a wide variety of cars through the 1960s and 1970s. Rear wheel drive’s last year at the plant was 1981, with the LeBaron and Diplomat; from then on, the plant built the highly popular K-cars and numerous K-derivatives until 1991, when they made their last LeBaron coupe and convertible. In 1996, St. Louis was dedicated to making minivans, and continued to be minivan-only for its final 12 years.

St. Louis South
Plymouth, Dodge 1959-1964
Valiant 1960-1965, 1973-1976
Lancer or Dart 1960-1965, 1973-1976
Belvedere / Monaco / Coronet 1964-1976
Barracuda 1964-1965
Charger 1968-1970
Volare /Aspen 1976-1977, 1980
LeBaron, Diplomat coupes 1977-1981
Caravelle coupe 1977*-1981
LeBaron/400/600 1982-86
Aries and Reliant coupes 1981-86
Limousine, Executive 1983-86
Laser Daytona 1984-86
LeBaron Coupe and Convertible 1987-91
Plant Closed 1991-96
Minivans 1996-2008**
* Model year 1978 ** Model year 2009

The City of Fenton has several streets named after Chrysler cars, a tribute from the days when Chrysler paid immense amounts in property tax and employed thousands of local people.

Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: convx4] #1127217
12/04/11 02:17 PM
12/04/11 02:17 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
idrivevintage Offline
Chrysler Plant
idrivevintage  Offline
Chrysler Plant

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum


O.K. I'm in

I'll start with this... a pic of an ad from Laclede Steel promoting the innovative new technology used in the construction of the South Plants floor!

With everyones help this should be a great post worthy of the archives!

Chrysler's Fenton South Plant, gone but not forgotten

Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: convx4] #1127218
12/04/11 02:41 PM
12/04/11 02:41 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
idrivevintage Offline
Chrysler Plant
idrivevintage  Offline
Chrysler Plant

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
Quote:

The City of Fenton has several streets named after Chrysler cars, a tribute from the days when Chrysler paid immense amounts in property tax and employed thousands of local people.






Here are some pictures of them...

6950266-003.JPG (569 downloads)
Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: idrivevintage] #1127219
12/04/11 02:45 PM
12/04/11 02:45 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
idrivevintage Offline
Chrysler Plant
idrivevintage  Offline
Chrysler Plant

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum


The neighborhood is just southeast of the plant across Interstate 44...

6950278-006.JPG (710 downloads)
Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: idrivevintage] #1127220
12/04/11 02:47 PM
12/04/11 02:47 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
idrivevintage Offline
Chrysler Plant
idrivevintage  Offline
Chrysler Plant

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum

6950286-002.JPG (627 downloads)
Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: idrivevintage] #1127221
12/04/11 02:50 PM
12/04/11 02:50 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
idrivevintage Offline
Chrysler Plant
idrivevintage  Offline
Chrysler Plant

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum

6950291-004.JPG (660 downloads)
Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: idrivevintage] #1127222
12/04/11 03:06 PM
12/04/11 03:06 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
idrivevintage Offline
Chrysler Plant
idrivevintage  Offline
Chrysler Plant

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum


Here is a view from across Interstate 44 that is missed.

Pic found on-line...

6950320-DSC01192.jpg (565 downloads)
Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: convx4] #1127223
12/04/11 03:08 PM
12/04/11 03:08 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 709
St Louis, MO 63026
convx4 Offline OP
super stock
convx4  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 709
St Louis, MO 63026
This is a great 1962 picture from Allpar of the the south plant with the water tower.

6950325-st-louis1962.jpg (2072 downloads)
Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: convx4] #1127224
12/04/11 03:41 PM
12/04/11 03:41 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,515
Turku, Finland
Forwardlook Offline
master
Forwardlook  Offline
master

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,515
Turku, Finland
Great stuff guys! Let's keep this going even if most folks on Moparts seem to be more fascinated about japanese generators, tiny german diesel cars and celebrities than Chrysler history. Sorry to hear the original thread is gone, it was awesome!

Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: Forwardlook] #1127225
12/04/11 04:03 PM
12/04/11 04:03 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,948
Harlan, Iowa
69CoronetRT Offline
master
69CoronetRT  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,948
Harlan, Iowa
Quote:

in 1969, St. Louis South built 216,215 Belvederes, Coronets, Chargers, and Darts,




Great information and pictures but I question this statement....STL didn't build A body Darts until later.

Last edited by 69CoronetRT; 12/04/11 04:04 PM.

Seeking:

1969 St. Louis plant VINs, SPD, and VONs.
Over 2,000 thanks to you!
Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: Forwardlook] #1127226
12/04/11 04:15 PM
12/04/11 04:15 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
idrivevintage Offline
Chrysler Plant
idrivevintage  Offline
Chrysler Plant

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
Thanks Forwardlook

Here are more found from the same set as the pic posted above...all taken while in operation!

Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: idrivevintage] #1127227
12/04/11 04:22 PM
12/04/11 04:22 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
idrivevintage Offline
Chrysler Plant
idrivevintage  Offline
Chrysler Plant

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum

6950444-2eastend.jpg (1910 downloads)
Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: idrivevintage] #1127228
12/04/11 04:25 PM
12/04/11 04:25 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
idrivevintage Offline
Chrysler Plant
idrivevintage  Offline
Chrysler Plant

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum

6950448-eastend.jpg (671 downloads)
Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: idrivevintage] #1127229
12/04/11 05:30 PM
12/04/11 05:30 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
idrivevintage Offline
Chrysler Plant
idrivevintage  Offline
Chrysler Plant

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
More...

Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: idrivevintage] #1127230
12/04/11 05:35 PM
12/04/11 05:35 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
idrivevintage Offline
Chrysler Plant
idrivevintage  Offline
Chrysler Plant

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum


6950564-DSC01174.jpg (380 downloads)
Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: idrivevintage] #1127231
12/04/11 05:36 PM
12/04/11 05:36 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
idrivevintage Offline
Chrysler Plant
idrivevintage  Offline
Chrysler Plant

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum




6950566-DSC01176.jpg (722 downloads)
Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: idrivevintage] #1127232
12/04/11 05:39 PM
12/04/11 05:39 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
idrivevintage Offline
Chrysler Plant
idrivevintage  Offline
Chrysler Plant

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum


6950569-DSC01175.jpg (358 downloads)
Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: idrivevintage] #1127233
12/04/11 05:42 PM
12/04/11 05:42 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
idrivevintage Offline
Chrysler Plant
idrivevintage  Offline
Chrysler Plant

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
Close up of loading docks...

6950573-DSC01181.jpg (669 downloads)
Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: idrivevintage] #1127234
12/04/11 05:48 PM
12/04/11 05:48 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
idrivevintage Offline
Chrysler Plant
idrivevintage  Offline
Chrysler Plant

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum


Water tower in the background...

6950577-DSC01179.jpg (420 downloads)
Re: South Assembly Plant Fenton St Louis Mo RE-VISITED [Re: idrivevintage] #1127235
12/04/11 06:16 PM
12/04/11 06:16 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
idrivevintage Offline
Chrysler Plant
idrivevintage  Offline
Chrysler Plant

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,589
My Garage / Museum
Lots and lots of dock doors...

6950608-DSC01178.jpg (396 downloads)
Page 1 of 10 1 2 3 9 10






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1