Cadillac & LaSalle Club Discussion Forum

Cadillac & LaSalle Club Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rich S on November 28, 2021, 12:37:40 AM

Title: An article on history of "Fleetwood" coach builders . . .
Post by: Rich S on November 28, 2021, 12:37:40 AM
I came across this recent article about the Fleetwood coach building company and its storied history as part of the Cadillac division of General Motors, and I thought many of you may enjoy reading it, too, as I did. Here is the link:

https://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2021/11/the-rearview-mirror-a-revered-name-retires-at-cadillac/

Title: Re: An article on history of "Fleetwood" coach builders . . .
Post by: Big Fins on November 28, 2021, 04:28:02 AM
An interesting read.  :)  Thanks for posting that.
Title: Re: An article on history of "Fleetwood" coach builders . . .
Post by: Carfreak on November 28, 2021, 07:49:57 AM
I heard the Town of Fleetwood still holds a grudge from the company moving to Detroit.
Title: Re: An article on history of "Fleetwood" coach builders . . .
Post by: tmdeturck on November 30, 2021, 08:21:28 PM
I don't know I'd call it a "grudge" per se....

The problems with the Fleetwood body Co moving out of Fleetwood revolved around the fact that the timing was bad- it was right after that the depression hit.   

Here you have craftsmen with a great sense of pride and workmanship, who treated this work with a passion.  Built it up to the worldwide notoriety it garnered in the day, and brought lots of revenue to the local economy.  But remember, they also have strong ties to their families in the area.

So not only did they lose the source of the pride, 10% of the population of Fleetwood lost their means to make a living.  Nearly all the employees did not not want to move to another state.  Then the depression hit, to add injury to insult so to speak.

I grew up in Fleetwood and remember seeing the plant for many many years.  The original Fleetwood Auto Bodies sign was on the building through the 80s and 90s, and I think it got restored in the early 2000s.

Here's another interesting article about Fleetwood bodies, one that includes a number of local references like the Reading Eagle (local newspaper):
http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/f/fleetwood/fleetwood.htm (http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/f/fleetwood/fleetwood.htm)
Title: Re: An article on history of "Fleetwood" coach builders . . .
Post by: Vince Taliano #13852 on December 01, 2021, 02:13:34 PM
In 2010, the CLC Potomac Region's theme-based car show was Fabulous Fleetwoods.  As part of the show, we created a commemorative program book with the history of Fleetwood Metal Body plus each Fleetwood pre-registered for the show.  View at http://www.clcpotomacregion.org/forms/2010.CLCPR.FallCarShow.FabulousFleetwoodsProgram.FINAL.pdf (http://www.clcpotomacregion.org/forms/2010.CLCPR.FallCarShow.FabulousFleetwoodsProgram.FINAL.pdf). 

To see pictures from the event, visit http://www.clcpotomacregion.org/2010fallcarshow.htm (http://www.clcpotomacregion.org/2010fallcarshow.htm).

Thanks.
Title: Re: An article on history of "Fleetwood" coach builders . . .
Post by: cadillacmike68 on December 01, 2021, 11:55:24 PM
My two favorite Cadillac body styles are Fleetwoods (particularly Broughams) and convertibles.