DeSoto moved out of its digs in the summer of 1958, The plant on McGraw
Avenue was converted to glass production while the Wyoming Avenue plant
switched to export production (ie., preparation of CKD units and such).
The faciltity on Warren Avenue was used for production of Imperials in 1959,
1960 and 1961. Chrysler bought the plant from Graham-Paige in 1947, when
Joseph W. Frazer was head of G-P, and was Graham-Paige's assembly plant
before the war.
The Wyoming plant is gone, but the Warren plant apparently still stands.
Chrysler sold it years ago. Rumours persist about closing the McGraw plant.
(Or is it gone now, too?)
Bill
Vancouver, BC
> OK...so this was true back in 1959, not 2002, but hopefully my subject
line
> caught some attention. As some of you may know, Chrysler made the bold
> decision to move Imperial production to their Warren Avenue facility
> sometime in 1957, 8 or 9. With this move, they created and distributed a
> press kit. Using one of those original kits, we have created a virtual
tour
> of the plant. Many thanks to Kenyon Wills for sharing this piece of
> fascinating history with our club.
>
> This is relevant to ALL Imperial enthusiasts since it was a bold move by
> Chrysler management and an important factoid in our beloved marque's
> history. As many may know, this facility was DeSoto's home, and the move
> says volumes about Chrysler's commitment to Imperial in the late 50's and
> their unhappy realization of DeSoto's demise. Chrysler VP and Imperial
> president, Clare Briggs, had so much enthusiasm for Imperial in those
days,
> that he is quoted in the press kit with the following, "Our decision to
open
> this plant is evidence in our confidence in the future of Imperial. It
has
> won a solid position in the fine car field. We are certain it will gain
an
> even stronger position in the years ahead."
>
> Here is the address of the virtual tour and all press release information
> associated with the new Imperial Warren Avenue production facility:
> http://www.imperialclub.com/YearbyYear/1960/PressKit/Plant.html
>
> Enjoy!
>
> Chris Trettin
> 1956 Imperial Sedan, Turquoise
>
>
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