Speaking from the Rose Garden, President Barack Obama announces new, stricter standards for automobile exhaust emissions and fuel efficiency. The changes aim to reduce dependency of the United States on foreign oil, reduce pollution, and help ease automobile manufacturing into a new era of "greener" technology.
Antique automobile restoration expert Dan Shafarman talks about his interest in REO motor cars and his difficult search for parts to fix a REO Royale. Shafarman also talks about his life before coming to the Lansing, MI area in 1969, mass production techniques in the auto industry, bad working conditions in the early car factories, Henry Ford’s hiring and pay practices, corporate paternalism, and the "novel" idea of paying workers enough to afford to buy the products they built. Recorded as part of the commemoration of REO Motor Car Company’s 100th Anniversary.
Mickey talks about his life prior to being hired at Fisher Body in June 1976. He describes his first day on the job in Body Shop welding the wheelhouse, hanging 80 lbs. Toronado doors, quality inspections, and eventually becoming a city driver with a CDL license.
The Precision Castings Company is featured in this installment of "Western Michigan at work" hosted by Dr. Willis Dunbar. Dunbar explores the history of the company and the process it uses to buff, polish, and plate various automotive pieces. Dunbar interviews Lester Heath, manager of the company's baseball team and former Boston Red Sox pitcher and Joe Houston, a company employee, who describes his pigeon racing hobby.
Monte tells of being hired in December 1984 into the Paint Shop spraying clear coat. He describes the jobs in paint and working 13 hours a day in paint repair. Monte talks about relations with supervisors, race relations, substance abuse, his catering business and business in the plant.
President Barack Obama holds a press briefing on jobs, energy independence, and climate change. Obama introduces several executive orders made to reverse the dependency on foreign oil while creating jobs. The President discusses the American Recovery Plan, which will put 460,000 Americans to work in clean energy investments. Obama goes on to discuss the needed production of fuel efficient cars in the United States.
On reverse: "The Olds "60" is 1940's greatest low-priced automobile value. It gives you such fine-car features as Super-Hydraulic Brakes, Dual Center-Control Steering, big, luxurious Body by Fisher, 95 h.p. Econo-Master engine and Oldsmobile's famous Rhythmic Ride. The 4-Door Touring Sedan delivers here for only... $953.00 ...available with Hydra-Matic Drive at only $57.00 additional. A drive in this great car will open your eyes to worlds of extra value. Come in and try it... today."
Date Created:
1940-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:
Capital Area District Library (Lansing, MI). Forest Parke Library and Archives
