Archive of 90 original photographs of a General Motors assembly line producing the S-10 Blazer and S-15 Jimmy in 1983, the first compact sport utility vehicles

N.p. N.p., 1983. Archive of 90 vintage satin-finish photographs documenting the production of the first compact sport utility vehicles (SUV), the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer and the GMC S-15 Jimmy, on a General Motors (GM) assembly line, 1983. 55 of the photographs have numbered typed labels affixed to the extremities of the rectos, noting in exacting detail the assembly line process, and 26 photographs have marker annotations on the rectos' margins noting the same.

Note: 15 of the 90 photographs in this archive are shown here. Should you wish to see more images, please let us know. Serious purchase inquires only please.

A large and comprehensive collection of internally produced photographs capturing the internal workings of a GM plant during the production of the first compact SUV. Although the date is not noted on the labels or annotations, in the first photograph of the archive, labeled "1. Dispatch Rm.," a desk calendar reading September 1983 is visible. Similarly, the location of the assembly line is not noted on the labels or annotations, although it was most likely the Pontiac West Assembly (also known as "GMC Truck and Coach"), known for producing the Chevrolet S-10, with buildings 2, 3, 25, and 37 seen on materials in the photographs or noted on the labels and annotations, suggesting the sprawling Pontiac, Michigan, facility.

The Chevrolet (S-10) Blazer, and its badge engineered GMC (S-15) Jimmy, both based on the Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck and the GMC S-15/Sonoma (introduced in 1982), were introduced by GM in 1983 and were the introduction of the first compact SUV, followed the following year by Ford and Jeep.

A comprehensive documentation of the GM automotive assembly line process producing the very first of the then-emergent compact SUVs in 1983. Photographs include the computer-driven process control systems, automated welding and assembly systems, relay panels, sheet metal finishing, conveyors and fork lifters, engine conveyors, brake testing, painting, computer systems and displays, and electronics blueprint schematics.

8x 10 inches. All with a three hole punch to the top horizontal margins. Near Fine overall.

[Book #167857]