Vintage shots from days gone by!

[QUOTE what's the story on the mercs?

Factory fire on the assembly line.

 

At least I know I wasn't the only one

 

1946 Kaiser

 

This is very interesting. Most, if not all motor manufacturers have a teardown area. They will buy competitors cars and strip them down to the last component for technical appraisal, weight analysis and cost analysis of parts. Just to make sure they are not missing a trick.

I remember when I worked at Austin, they had a NSU torn down with the rotary Wankel engine all laid out for inspection.

The story also goes that Ford tore down a Austin Mini and worked out they were being sold at a loss. Don't know if it is true or not nut that is what I was told.

Can anyone ID the cars at the end of the benches? Are they competitors?

Edit: I did a google image search and it seems this was at AMC.

Mart.

 

Looks like from the left a chevy, ford or merc. Amc and mopar I think you are onto something.

 

The Big Four of U.S. OEM's.
General Motors Ford American Motors Chrysler
Left to right, Chevelle, Falcon, Rambler, Valiant.
Vehicle on far right not identifiable, maybe someone can tell by the parts on the table.
Question is, what mfg hosted this inquisition and what model are they comparing these cars to.