A Big Thank You Michiana SDC for Bldg. 84 Tour Today

[556063]

I had never had a chance to go inside Building 84 before today. It was really the last on my bucket list, as over the years it was and still is the most secure and off limits place. Thanks to Michiana SDC President Mike Lepay, Bob Fykes (Maintenance 1956-63) and all those who worked to put today's tour together. Special thanks to ownership for allowing it. My wife and I and about 40 others enjoyed it. I took many pictures, here are my personal favorites:

[BobPalma]

Thanks, Kevin.

It's amazing how all those Studebaker factory buildings looked so similar on the inside...and, to some extent, on the outside, I suppose. BP

[556063]

Thanks Bob, There is heavy work happening right now on Floor 1 and 2. Floor 3 was the only one that seems to have had all the work for now done. 4,5, and 6 are pretty much as they have been since the closing.

My wife and I found floor six to be the most interesting. The tour guides had production era photographs of the areas we stood in and passed them around the group as we went through. Floor six was once a sea of sewing machines, and the bodies actually passed under the elevated mezzanine where seats were staged and installed. The floor markings I photographed were under that sixth floor mezzanine. Some asked what the "K-Jobs" meant. My guess was that this was the area where Hawk interiors were staged, as they all would have been K Bodied at the end. Just a guess, I'm open and was at the time of the tour for correction.

We also saw the area where bodies entered the overhead conveyor at the west end of the sixth floor. Now sealed off with concrete blocks, you had to use your imagination.

Bob Sykes was a gem on the tour. He worked plant wide maintenance 1956-63. He talked of how Studebaker used vacuum tube and capacitor controlled systems to improve their spot welds. He spoke of being sent off to the welding manufacturer's school by Studebaker to learn how to maintain them. He also explained how, in the exact area of my first picture above, every steel bodied South Bend Studebaker was born on the "Merry Go Round", where the floor pan and inner panels were welded together. This is on the first floor of Building 84, immediately behind the Administration Building. He shared countless insights as we went through the plant. What a privilege and treasure to be with him.

The entire building is in the process of being saved. And, that is good news because the Ad Building and 84 are about all that are left. Listening to the plans, I'm just wondering if I will be around long enough to see all the plans come to be realized. The amount of work to be done is staggering. But, the work is being done, and the people involved value the Legacy and Heritage. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to see much of the building as it has been, in suspension for two generations.

[unclemiltie]

Yes, it was a great tour, thanks for putting it together

[lschuc]

Here are more photos from the Building 84 tour:

[556063]

It's amazing how my iPhone was able to capture things today I couldn't capture with my old Kodak Instamatic back in 1983 when a Security Guard escorted me through Main Assembly and Stamping. I shot two 24 shot cartridges on that day in 1983 inside Main Assembly, and only five or six photos came out. You can tell immediately today if you got the photo. I had to pay to develop that film back then as a starving college student, and my heart sank when only a few prints were in my envelope. Lew's photos are a prime example of what real equipment can get you today!

[Chris_Dresbach]

I was supposed to be one of the guides today but couldn't due to having to work at the Fire Department; Engine 22. I'm glad that those of you who went had a good time. 84 is an incredible building.

[556063]

A couple more photos from my phone. One, showing the sealed off with cement block sixth floor entrance to the overhead conveyor, and the other showing the sixth floor mezzanine where seats were staged:

[BRUCESTUDE]

WOW!! Excellent photos, thanks for posting! It's so cool to see what's left of the old plant......

[tjanowia]

Great pictures and great crowd. Hoping to do another tour for our spring meet. Thanks to all. Tim

[sweetolbob]

I've been through the building twice in the last two years on guided tours. It's still great to see more pictures of it.

The best part of the tour is the number of previous employees that love to share stories of the old manufacturing operation.

The stories of windshield installation will give one an appreciation that glass is tougher than we think. They lost a few however.

It's a real credit to the owner that he continues to allow tours and handles all of the necessary expenses to allow the public inside and also Tim and the rest of the area members that put in the time to arrange for the tours and guides.

A very nice piece of history that is being managed correctly.

Bob

[556063]

Great pictures and great crowd. Hoping to do another tour for our spring meet. Thanks to all. Tim

Tim does an excellent job leading the tour, and he has put a lot of work into gathering facts for his presentation and the photographs he uses to show what the areas looked like during production are icing on the cake. Well done Tim.

[BigBillyHawk]

As a son, grandson, nephew, cousin of Studebaker workers, I want to be there this spring if you can make it happen. I was on the sixth floor at age 16 with my family in 1962 when Studebaker under the new management wanted to build pride among employees by giving tours of the building. Hoping you can make it happen.

William Janowiak, Arlington Heights, Illinois