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It may really be the end

Printed From: TheAMCForum.com
Category: American Motors Corp., its history and more.
Forum Name: The Final Chapter
Forum Description: The demise of AMC - the Chrysler agreement, who, what, when, where, documents, facts and figures.
URL: https://theamcforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=81612
Printed Date: Mar/28/2024 at 5:52pm
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Topic: It may really be the end
Posted By: DC327
Subject: It may really be the end
Date Posted: Aug/05/2016 at 10:42am
Check out this article from Detroit Free Press:

Old AMC HQ in Detroit could face wrecking ball

http://on.freep.com/2aHPcB9



Replies:
Posted By: 1analguy
Date Posted: Aug/06/2016 at 9:40am
Yes, I saw that too. Just heart rending. It was bad enough that both plant sites in Kenosha are long gone (Main Plant is now only an empty field...right in the middle of town!), but now this...it's just too much for me. To think of all the history that is already forgotten, all of the lost capability, potential, opportunity...all the great, bright people who worked there, pulling together to accomplish something that was really special...it just seems such a needless waste. I can't even drive by that empty space in Kenosha any more. It's too upsetting...


Posted By: 6768rogues
Date Posted: Aug/06/2016 at 11:18am
As much as I like AMC cars, the company is gone. The former headquarters is described as derelict and run down with all valuable contents removed. There was an auction of the property, one bidder showed interest and then later backed out. The city of Detroit does not want it. It would likely continue to deteriorate and plague the neighborhood as a large abandoned building where all sorts of unsavory activities happen. I would rather see it demolished and removed, making room for something desirable, than see it suffer a slow deterioration while dragging the neighborhood downhill.
The building obviously does not meet the needs of anyone looking for a building today. I have no direct knowledge, but having involvement with many buildings of the same era it is reasonably expected that it probably has plenty of asbestos, PCBs, lead paint and all the other nasty things that are present in old buildings. I say demolish it, clean up the site, and then try to find a use for it.
 

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Content intended for mature audiences. If you experience nausea or diarrhea, stop reading and seek medical attention.

Located usually near Rochester, NY and sometimes central FL.


Posted By: DaemonForce
Date Posted: Aug/06/2016 at 2:47pm
I like the center piece of the building and how it resembles a university but when you go anywhere else in the world, you see buildings of significantly greater age that have been around for centuries. For whatever reason, we always seem to get architecture and structural integrity wrong here in the states until recent years. It may be time to tear it down and clean it up, especially with the vandalism and dumping going on. Nobody respects it or wants it so it's clear something else must be desired.


Posted By: 6PakBee
Date Posted: Aug/10/2016 at 7:29am
Originally posted by 1analguy 1analguy wrote:

.....It was bad enough that both plant sites in Kenosha are long gone ...


I thought the engine plant was still there, or at least the building.


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Roger Gazur
1969 'B' Scheme SC/Rambler
1970 RWB 4-spd Machine
1970 Sonic Silver auto AMX

All project cars.

Forum Cockroach


Posted By: bcsideshow
Date Posted: Aug/10/2016 at 8:13am
The engine plant was torn down in the last few years.  A warehouse is all that is still here.  Not sure what all was in Detroit.  Quick pic from google:

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1969 SCRambler "B"
1970 AMX 390 Auto
1968 AMX 390 Auto
1970 Rebel Machine Project
1969 AMX 390 4SPD Project
1969 AMX 390 Auto Project
1969 Javelin 390 project
1997 Cherokee lifted
1998 TJ Lifted


Posted By: 304-dude
Date Posted: Aug/10/2016 at 8:49am
Originally posted by DaemonForce DaemonForce wrote:

I like the center piece of the building and how it resembles a university but when you go anywhere else in the world, you see buildings of significantly greater age that have been around for centuries. For whatever reason, we always seem to get architecture and structural integrity wrong here in the states until recent years. It may be time to tear it down and clean it up, especially with the vandalism and dumping going on. Nobody respects it or wants it so it's clear something else must be desired.


Yeah, most US buildings are not for longevity. Most Euro and UK places don't have the ease of rebuilding, let alone know it will always cost more to replace. Though for the most part they make do with what they got as space is limited. Once you rebuild after a great war or two, you get tired of doing such again.

My uncle was a big contractor back in the 60s to 80s. He would always get POed at how buildings were being made, even when big money was being laid down. I once commissioned his team to build a hous for his mom. Nothing spectacular but still fairly big and modern. I was furious about the entry way, and redid the whole thing himself. Probably the best built house in the county. Yet was not flashy or a property area upgrade.

While others made money at skimping on materials and short cuts, he made money doing quality work and worked hard for it.

No matter which state you go to here in the US, building codes change but the way contractors are just shows how throw away our society is. We don't reuse we rebuild.

To show how shoddy work can be done, I worked at in a large fairly new buisness complex. It had a large reinforcing beam installed near the back loading area. It was a wood 6x9. It split like a tooth pick when the rain feel too fast to drain from the roof. it was the only section on the building that failed. So, I wonder a knotted pine beam was installed? My uncle would inspect and toss any supporting structure if it had a knot.

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71 Javelin SST body
390 69 crank, 70 block & heads
NASCAR SB2 rods & pistons
78 Jeep TH400 w/ 2.76 Low
50/50 Ford-AMC Suspension
79 F150 rear & 8.8 axles
Ford Racing 3.25 gears & 9" /w Detroit locker


Posted By: jeepman1
Date Posted: Sep/18/2016 at 6:35pm
Gun violence!, Gun violence! Funny I own 10 and in 30+ years of owning them none have ever jumped up and done anything violent! Whats this got to do with this subject? Everything guys!
C"mon man, it AINT the building thats becoming a sore spot, it's the scum bags who go in there and trash the place. It's the lazy, sorry, useless city gov'ment thats letting this happen, it's the "new America" in general that has failed to create any interest in our history! ( As a matter of fact, they want to wipe it out completely)
We need to collectively grow a set and save this AMC building.. may I say Harley-Davidson?
In Europe there are buildings from the 1400's, 1500's, 1600's, 1700's, 1800's and even bombed out relics from WWI and WWII that meant something to a person or group that are still there. they weren't free or easy to keep , but what good is?


Posted By: PlazinJavelin
Date Posted: Oct/10/2016 at 8:32pm
I always really liked the look of the main building. The rest of the lot can get leveled, but I wish the main building could be saved. "If I won the lottery tomorrow"


Posted By: amcglass
Date Posted: Dec/04/2016 at 2:54pm
hard telling what will happen.   if it is torn down it would be nice to get pieces like they did with the assembly plant bricks.   

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Javmanpres

BBG Mark Donohue 401

74 Jav/AMX
71 Matador 2dr sedan delivery wagon
1902 Rambler Runabout   
70 T/A Javelin


Posted By: Ruby loye
Date Posted: Mar/18/2017 at 5:02am
and Chicago stadium bricks. I want to buy the old Olympia brewery with my lotto winnings....


Posted By: SC397
Date Posted: Apr/26/2017 at 10:01pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK1Fhsz7Z_A


Posted By: BMXRacer
Date Posted: Nov/11/2017 at 9:19pm
Its a crime so many Americans (I'm American born, the son of immigrants)
Don't want to save history. The building looks beautiful and I can think of several uses.
- Community College
- Auto Design School
- AMC Museum
- All of the above and some office space developed by someone like Regus.
- All the above and ground floor retail space
- All of the above and areas not redeveloped torn down and unused parking or lots, turned into a city park

But just dont throw it away like trash. The building facade looks classic.
Maybe redevolpement will increase the area micro economy.
Perhaps include it in a larger redevelopment project so the entire neighboorhood is uplifted.
Otherwise it will just be torn down and a non descript Wal-Mart or something maybe another Home Depot.





Posted By: kalve
Date Posted: Nov/12/2017 at 12:05am
To bad it could not be saved & somebody use it to restore old AMC's & have a few shops in there selling AMC stuff.

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1964 T bird Landau

2000 Mercedes Benz CLK 430 convertible

1970 AMC Rebel SST Wagon


Posted By: BMXRacer
Date Posted: Nov/12/2017 at 4:11pm
Some more thoughts, maybe a Michigan AMC fan in this forum can put together a presentation in wiriting and contact the state, county and city historical agencies and redevolpment angencies about saving this Landmark. Use ideas in this thread and further develop them and incude contact information for potential partners.

I would contact firms about office space like Regus, who could rent a floor or other similar office rental companies
I would contact famous Michigan comapnies about contributing and putting in a ground floor store. Brands like Dominos, Little Ceaser, Meijers Supermarket, Biggby Coffee Shop, ad some popular other stores that could work, Starbucks if Biggby isnt down.
A donut chain, I would start with Tim Hortons or Dunkin Donuts. Maybe a Cinema Plex since the first floor ceilings are so tall.
Maybe a clothing store or outlet. The entire first floor could be a retail paradise with some stores facing the street and the street itself new sidewalks, street lamps with a classic look, landscaping, new street signs etc.

Save one area or perhaps a large floor area as a AMC, Nash, Hudson Museum shoppers in the mall like setting could look at the cars, that are not just in the Museum but thru out the ground floor public areas.
Chrysler I'm sure would help with the Museum aspects. The entire second floor could be dedicated to preserving the heritage of AMC and its brands likes Kelvinator etc. Maybe an Auto Design School on that floor. Large items like cars on the Ground floor, smaller displays on the second floor as well as restoration, preservation and office areas. Perhaps a museum movie viewing area.

3rd floor and above for Office space and or perhaps some loft style condiminums.
Some Ideas for names could be
- Heritage Tower Center
- Southfield Centre

Additionally investment in the plaza can be rewarded by dropping the back taxes and making it a tax free zone for say 10 years. Developers and potential end users would love not to have to pay tax, to help launch the facility.

So the only investment for the city would be sprucing up the city land ajoining the complex and creating a city or county park with unused area. The would loose revenue for a few year in taxes, but they are not collecting taxes on that now anyway. Long term it could lead to solid revenue. In the meantime the city would be collecting payroll tax and sales taxes as soon as people and stores begin occupying. Funds they are not getting now.

I think people would love to live and work in such a re-imagined and re-purposed use of the space.
The building could have a beautiful plaque identifying this as the former World Headquarters of AMC and statue of say Dick Teague at an entry plaza.

Get some beautiful renderings done to go with the concept and I think everyone would jump onboard





Posted By: Ohio AMX
Date Posted: Nov/12/2017 at 5:23pm
The problem is the surrounding neighborhood. The building was in great condition when it was used by Chrysler just a few years ago. But the area is so run down and crime filled that nobody will invest a dime in a building that will only be robbed or vandalized the first night. It's just in the wrong place.

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1940 Hupmobile Skylark
1968 Javelin future Pro Street
1969 AMX 290/auto (first car)
1997 Dodge SS/T 5.9L
AMO# 983


Posted By: BMXRacer
Date Posted: Nov/13/2017 at 12:11am
I have faith in people. They will have more job opportunities. Be proud of their neighborhood again.
Again in the neighborhood their could a second redevelopment zone. New sidewalks, street lights, more police presence. Maybe a police substation in the new AMC World Headquarters Building.

There looks like enough land for a baseball/softball field as well as a walking park, playground.
Lift up the teens, give them hope, scholarships for local residents to the Auto Design School. On top of the job opportunities.

Finally a easy access site wow just off the Interstate!

14300 Plymouth Rd, Detroit, Michigan

They could extend funds to make sure the path from the interstate to the site is also redeveloped, it is very very close. I looked it up on Google maps and streetview, stunning presence .



Posted By: Mr_AMC
Date Posted: Nov/29/2018 at 2:43pm
I WISH that people in the United States would not just TEAR EVERYTHING DOWN.  In Europe, there are buildings HUNDREDS of years old, that get re-purposed and continue their life..  MOST new buildings are cheap corrugated steel ones..
WE should SAVE the old buildings and do a sort of Resto-mod to them..


Posted By: 66sevets
Date Posted: Apr/13/2019 at 9:27am
I worked at that building in the 80's. I worked for AM General for 11 years, 77-89, we were in the back where you see a gravel parking lot. The Hummer was developed there. I used to walk all 3 floors and got a real education in design, engineering, and testing all in 1 building. I even got down in the basement of the main building and looked at the collection of cars. I took the cover off and looked at the first AMX. It was black. Studebakers that looked like stage coaches with motors. There was a AMC mechanic that put a 401 4sp in a Spirit back in 82, fast car. I was there when the French came in and ruined it. I think it was a Kelvinator plant before AMC.

Steve


Posted By: SC397
Date Posted: Apr/30/2019 at 8:25am
I was lucky enough to drive that black AMX around the parking lot before Cryco moved it out of there.  The car was originally on the roof of the Kenosha plant and was white.  That was the car that AMC restored in the plant in the 80's.  I have some pictures somewhere. 


Posted By: javelinman74
Date Posted: Apr/30/2019 at 10:06am
Here's another good video...     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHWIV_3mUbQ" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHWIV_3mUbQ
Blessings
Richard


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www.a70sthingautomobilia.com
It Used To Be an AMC Thing...
     No One Understands!
1982 Eagle SX/4
Daily Drivers since 1995!


Posted By: dneprdude1
Date Posted: Jan/15/2021 at 6:06pm
A 12/2020 architectural article
 
https://architecturalafterlife.com/2020/12/21/american-motors-corporation/ - https://architecturalafterlife.com/2020/12/21/american-motors-corporation/


Posted By: amcenthusiast
Date Posted: Aug/12/2021 at 1:52am
'No sense in crying over spilled milk' (why pout)

For good and bad, US building codes rapidly condemned/outlawed all our older factories/ buildings etc.

AMC's doom was partnering with Renault. -when Renault obtained more than 48% corporate stock...

Which forced the sale of AM General (because no foreign company can own a US military supplier)

Maybe globalism ain't so cool in retrospect



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443 XRV8 Gremlin YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=2DmFOKRuzUc
XRV8 Race Parts website: http://amcramblermarlin.1colony.com/


Posted By: SC397
Date Posted: Dec/30/2021 at 4:01pm
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/enthusiasts/amc-s-hq-will-be-demolished-to-erase-ruin-porn-from-detroit-says-mayor/ar-AASfnnT%20" rel="nofollow - https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/enthusiasts/amc-s-hq-will-be-demolished-to-erase-ruin-porn-from-detroit-says-mayor/ar-AASfnnT


Posted By: bikerfox
Date Posted: Dec/31/2021 at 12:37am
try this link:   https://www.thedrive.com/news/43674/amcs-hq-will-be-demolished-to-erase-ruin-porn-from-detroit-says-mayor" rel="nofollow - https://www.thedrive.com/news/43674/amcs-hq-will-be-demolished-to-erase-ruin-porn-from-detroit-says-mayor

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1969 Rebel SST (1970-1987)
1968 AMX (2005-2011)
1969 SC/Rambler (2011-2019)
1970 Javelin (2019 to ?)"Jane"


Posted By: davec1957
Date Posted: Dec/31/2021 at 4:55pm
SC397, I'd love to see some photos of the white/black AMX.

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1970 AMX Bayshore Blue 390 4-spd GoPac
1970 AMX Commodore Blue 390 4-spd GoPac


Posted By: mramc
Date Posted: Jan/03/2022 at 5:33pm
davec1957 Do you mean the roof top Black AMX made from the AMX the factory used as alignment buck in like 1980s or so ?? LRDaum


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LRDaum


Posted By: SC397
Date Posted: Jan/03/2022 at 7:00pm
Yes Larry, it is the one from the roof top.  I will try to dig them out in the next couple of days.






Posted By: mramc
Date Posted: Jan/04/2022 at 1:41pm
I have a set of photos of that car right after it was finished at the Kenosha factory. Plus I took a couple photos of the car back in the day when it was at the Chrysler Museum in Detroit. AMC had a number of old cars they kept over the years that were added to the Chrysler collection when they Bought AMC. That car was one that they added. The museum has sadly been closed but then collection still exists in storage. LRDaum


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LRDaum



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