Birth of a Bonneville

[aukc]

Over 100 photos from inside the assembly plant, watch as a couple of firewall stampings are the beginning of what will become a finished vehicle in less than 7 minutes.
In November 1992, after placing an order for a brand new Bonneville, journalist John Baeke was invited to visit Wentzville and follow along as his car, a black 1993 Bonneville SSEi was assembled. John still owns the Bonneville which resides in a carpeted garage.

http://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1158045034220409&l=

“Free Bird” soundtrack by Teen Collaboration Band.

[Jrs3800]

That's really cool.. Wish I could order a new 95..lol

[retroren]

Thank you for sharing this. That was pretty cool. So Wentzville, MO (?) is where my 1990 Benneville was born?

[aukc]

That's really cool.. Wish I could order a new 95..lol

I wish I could replace most of my own self, with what I had in '95

[J Wikoff]

That's really cool to see!

Now, you gonna sell me that '92 dealer window sticky thing that you framed? Do want.

[Jrs3800]

That's really cool.. Wish I could order a new 95..lol

I wish I could replace most of my own self, with what I had in '95

I completely agree.. I could use new parts on myself as well..lol

[RJolly87]

Wow, I didn't realize that the brands shared the assembly line like that. There was a Park Avenue in front of it for much of the trip!

[aukc]

Thank you for sharing this. That was pretty cool. So Wentzville, MO (?) is where my 1990 Bonneville was born?

almost certain Wentzville MO is where your 1990 was assembled, you can confirm based on 11th digit of VIN, '1' is the 'plant code' for Wentzville.
I believe with the introduction of the FWD Bonneville for model year '87 the assembly was done at Willow Run (plant code 'W') and then Bonneville production switched from Willow Run to Wentzville, probably during a model year change-over, I think it was between 88-89.
Then is switched again when production of Bonneville moved to Orion, I think that was between 93-94.

[Cat]

Awesome post. Thanks for sharing.

[aukc]

Wow, I didn't realize that the brands shared the assembly line like that. There was a Park Avenue in front of it for much of the trip!

you bet, and an Olds "Delta 88" right behind it (for at least part of the journey)

[TheJMFC]

Crazy to see that, 20+ years later. Crates full of 3800 engines... It reminds me of old pictures of WWII bombers production lines.

Thanks for posting.

[95naSTA]

That was awesome. Thanks for posting.