[Keith Seymore]

From the GM news site:

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/chevy...ry?id=54284456

"In January 2018, Chevrolet celebrated 100 years of truck production, having built more than 85 million trucks in the past century. For that we thank the thousands of employees who have helped build the most dependable, longest-lasting full-size trucks on the road.

To further celebrate Chevy Trucks’ centennial and the employees who helped us achieve this momentous occasion, we sent Eric Stanczak, chief engineer of Full-Size Trucks, to Savannah, Georgia, to meet with a very special man named Paul Hitch.

Paul was a Chevrolet engineer from 1935 to 1977, and, most notably, was chief engineer of Chevy Trucks from 1966 to 1972. In March 2018, he celebrated his 101st birthday!"

K

[Keith Seymore]

Are you guys able to access this video?

https://gm.mc.wg1.kontiki.com/global...7-905fc0891f25

I think it is a better version, about 4 minutes long.

Mr Hitch comments that his favorite product that he worked on was the '73 Chevy/GMC pickup, and talks briefly about coming up with the original Chevy Blazer.

K

[prostreet64]

Really cool story and very special man.

[77 Canamman]

As a current owner of a 1970 CST Blazer, and 1972 Cheyenne Super, I found this video very informative.

To me, the 1967-72 was a great product, and insanely popular. I still see them on the road up here year round.

Mr. Hitch has been blessed with success and a long life. At 101, he still has a great memory and seems to get around well.

[mgarblik]

Nice interview and Mr. Hitch seems to be pretty sharp. One of my first jobs was plowing snow and salting with a K5 Blazer from that vintage. The place I worked for had 5 or 6 of them. I don't recall ever having any issues with any of them. Real workhorses.

[Stuart]

Thanks for posting the video. Working there from 1935 to 1977 he sure saw a lot of changes.

As mentioned in the video the late 1960s/early 1970s Chevy trucks are getting real popular with the restomod people. Roadkill's Hot Rod Muscle Truck (although it's pretty ratty) is a prime example. I'd like to have something like that, except all cleaned up and pretty.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Stuart

Thanks for posting the video. Working there from 1935 to 1977 he sure saw a lot of changes.

As mentioned in the video the late 1960s/early 1970s Chevy trucks are getting real popular with the restomod people. Roadkill's Hot Rod Muscle Truck (although it's pretty ratty) is a prime example. I'd like to have something like that, except all cleaned up and pretty.

Thanks for commenting, guys.

Stuart - I bought one of those new, in 1980. Ordered it the way I wanted it and then followed it down the assembly line as it was built.



That was my daily driver until I got the company owned vehicle in 1986.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Same with this one (when I lost the company owned vehicle).

I'm the original and third owner of this one. Drove it off the end of the line and over to the shipping building myself.



It was a daily driver for 30 years and 250,000 miles. Currently sitting in my brother in laws garage, retired from active duty and awaiting the next run to the ice cream stand.

K

[bird72]

Cool story and visit. My second vehicle, circa 1975. 1968 truck, actual US Navy surplus. Loved that truck and wished I had it still.

[72projectbird]

I love GM trucks. I've owned 6 of them in my life so far, ranging from 1973 all the way to 2003, with the rest of my family owning new/newer ones currently. They're great trucks, with great power plants, and built pretty well.

That said, I don't think I'll be buying a 2019.

[ws6speedpaul]

Great vid indeed!
Interesting to see how greatly the times have changed relative to employers/employees relationships from when my dad was born (1928), to somewhat present times.
My dad worked for the railroad alongside his brothers and my grandfather as their 1st and only employer, who they admired and spoke greatly of.
I understand that this was not uncommon back then. My dad retired with 48 years on the railroad.

Heck, I have worked for the past 35 years with approximately 11 companies with the majority of them being fortune 500.
At least half of the job changes were due to restructuring/acquisitions where many employees were impacted.
Just don't see the same type of loyalty from both employers and employees anymore.

Anyone care to comment?

[nas t eh]

It’s rare to be at one place for a long time anymore, I work for a large international chemical company that has been around for a while. I’m one of a handful of employees with more than 35 years there, but I’ve seen a lot of change and loyalty has been a causality.

I’m a pretty big fan of GM trucks, I’ve had two daily driven Diesel Suburbans, a 86 and a 94. Daily drive a 08 Duramax now.

[Will]

Miss my '72 K5 Blazer.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by ws6speedpaul

Great vid indeed!
Interesting to see how greatly the times have changed relative to employers/employees relationships from when my dad was born (1928), to somewhat present times.
My dad worked for the railroad alongside his brothers and my grandfather as their 1st and only employer, who they admired and spoke greatly of.
I understand that this was not uncommon back then. My dad retired with 48 years on the railroad.

Heck, I have worked for the past 35 years with approximately 11 companies with the majority of them being fortune 500.
At least half of the job changes were due to restructuring/acquisitions where many employees were impacted.
Just don't see the same type of loyalty from both employers and employees anymore.

Anyone care to comment?

It'll be 39 years this summer for me, with GM Truck (vehicle assembly and product engineering). I think I am one of the "last of the Mohicans" in that regard.

K

[Stuart]

Just noticed in the company newsletter that I reached 24 years this month...I bounced around a little early in my career, but have been happy to be in one place this long.

[dhcarguy]

I've owned Quite a bit of trucks over the last 45 years. My first new truck was a 1979 Chevy 1/2 ton 8' bed, and is still my favorite. I put over 150K on that trouble free truck.

[rohrt]

Very cool video. Would have loved to hear what they were saying looking at the trucks outside.

[77 Canamman]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

I love GM trucks. I've owned 6 of them in my life so far, ranging from 1973 all the way to 2003, with the rest of my family owning new/newer ones currently. They're great trucks, with great power plants, and built pretty well.

That said, I don't think I'll be buying a 2019.

The '19's are not doing it for me either..



Love my '17 GMC, as so I did my '13 GMC. It's quick, great on fuel, comfortable.

[locomotivebreath]

I had a really cool 69 c 10 long bed that I wish I could’ve kept , just had to get back on the gto . I’m also a railroad worker - 18 years . My job is cool but my life style sucks and is hard to comprehend for most people . I’ve worked on call with no schedule and lived on the road for almost 20 years . I’m gone almost all holidays and weekends . Being awake for 24 + hours at a time is a normal occurrence , but some how , railroading just gets in your blood .