Dearborn Plant Tour, Ford 100th Anniversary Celebration, June 14th 2003, Dearborn, MI.

    For the first time since 1980, the public was allowed to see inside the Mustang plant in Dearborn. It didn't disappoint...I feel lucky I was able to view this after owning so many Mustangs and prior to the tour, seeing only random photos of where these cars were made. It's easy to see why Ford wants to move production, everything looks old inside, but there's plenty of high tech machinery and history here. This palce is amazing, it still pulls raw ore in one end and produces a finished product on the other!

    Thanks to the MCA for organizing the tour, which was free, limited to 1000 people, and included a free BBQ and shuttles to the plant from the 100th show. Everyone seemed to be quite impressed by the event, and if you're a Mustang fan this was something you didn't want to miss! I hope the photos tell a little bit of what it's like to a Mustang to be 'born'...

Inside the main door, there's no doubt this plant is about Mustangs!

This display would have looked right at home in my basement! In all honesty, it seemed a bit understated given the plant's history. Check out the background photos..the Powerplant to the left is being torn down after an explosion killed serveral workers, and the aerial shot on the right conveys just how huge the overall complex is.

Inside the entrance, a nice display from MCA, with some of the leading Mustang vendors.

Flowchart mapping quality processes..

The plant has 2 levels; upstairs handles paint, major chassis/engine assembly. Here a room full of plowerplants had everyone drooling.

Another shot of engines to the right of the assembly line.

Near the start of the downstairs line..The cars are dropped down and the finish assembly begins..

Looking across the line, bumper covers and trim pieces, already painted, await use.

No doubt Torch Red is a popular Mustang color..check out the one on the line and the room behind!

Here a nice Zinc Yellow Mach 1 gets some fluids added..Note the cool molded fender cover, used for good reason. Fender trim has not been added yet.

Cars still missing some trim and wheels at this point. note production sign above.

Several stations do multiple tasks..this one handles brake fluid, notice assembly instructions and heater hoses behind.

Here come the wheels, in sets of 4 full, 1 spare, 4 full, 1 spare, etc..

Wheels get right up next to the car for mounting..Check out rollers under car to move it.

All the wheel hardware you would need! Talk about temptation.

Special Cobra wheels had their own storage spot, tagged for easy ID.

Main wheel storage area, notice JA sign for Cobra wheel on wall, spares.

Nice Torch Red Mach 1 sits over next to the wheels..I think this was there for our benefit.

Closeup look at the Mach 1..notice how well everything's taped and the various inspection stickers.

New Gatorback with wheel markings.

Look down the line near the wheel area.

Rack of extra tires; stock size on top left, 245/40-17 with red stripe one over..nice rubber!

Dipsticks ready to be added after fluid fill and wheels.

Here trunk mats and spare tire covers are added.

Getting close to done! Seats get added next.

Batteries were on the other side of the aisle, away from the line itself.

Pole mounted sign with small UAW logo and Ford logo leaves no doubt as to what this plant builds! It did seem a bit odd though to be stuck up there.

Here the seats come down, similar to the wheel process. Looking down the aisle, the end is where the group is standing.

Nice blue GT now has seats, waiting for trim. Molded fender covers have been removed.

Here's some side trim, pre-painted and ready to apply.

More side trim behind the cars, I guess 'boom boxes' are allowed on the line, surprising.

Almost done, build sheets still taped to cars on fender.

Safety sign looks like it was put up when my '72 Mach 1 was built!

End of the line!

Bruce Howard and his '92 Michigan SSP were chosen by lottery to have photos taken at the plant..Once in a lifetime or what?

Outside the end of the line, several large areas for testing and inspection.

The dyno can handle 2 vehicles, located to the right of the line.

This is one of several water test areas, to the right also. All the folks at the left were enjoying the BBQ!

People up close and personal with some new rides!

This Mach 1 was sent to the squeak and rattle area for further testing.

Final phase, the exterior inspection for cars passing all other tests.

Zinc Yellow base model under the bright lights..these show every flaw!

A little better look.

Workstation with broadcast codes, paint charts.

Man that's a lotta Mustangs! Again surrounded by lights to see any flaws. The Redfire Metallic convertible in front was one of the less common colors I saw.

Note the signs up above..talk about a nice collectors item!

This convertible gets the '100' treatment and it sure looked good!

Kathy refused to leave until she could take this GT home. Plant security had to be called.

The sheer age of this plant had many things like sign above this as a reminder how old it is...sadly, the sign will probably apply to the whole place soon!

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