What's the Value of Heritage?

[vandornjim]

It’s no secret that things are tight at GM and most other corporations right now. The big secret is how they got this way. Just last summer GM was crushing brand new stainless steel benches with forklifts. The employees pleaded with GM to allow them to be purchased, put to good use. The answer was that GM needed the "tax write off." Now, just a few months later, GM threatens to close its doors and put a strangle hold on the US economy. Could no one see outside their office windows in downtown Detroit?
So I guess it should come as no secret that now in hard times, GM has decided to get rid of a huge portion of their old project cars from the past. At this year’s Barrett Jackson auction there will be a vast collection from GM’s inner chambers offered for public sale. They call it the "GM Heritage Collection".
You know, I remember just a few years ago…OK, maybe 20 or so when GM was a completely different company. I remember when GM had creative people who dreamed, invented and made automotive history, all the while creating excitement and fame for GM. I remember those days and wonder if GM will be remembered for those contributions to automotive history, or as a company whose vision was obscured through the delaminated windshields of years gone by….
A long time ago, I went for a visit to my Dad’s work. In their main lobby were displays of years gone by, important icons which developed that company, gave it an identity, made its workforce proud to be a part of its history. It was the company’s heritage right there under glass and behind partitions. It was the weirdest looking aircraft I ever saw, and one that should never have been able to fly. But it did. It was called the Flying Wing and it was built by the Northrop Corporation way back in the 1940’s.
Jack Northrop was very much like many of those creative people at GM. He dreamed and tried new things and was years ahead of his time. He inspired his workers through his personal actions and beliefs. Jack’s first priority was to protect his workers and he had one of the most protected and fully funded retirement programs in the industry. He also didn’t ask the government for bailouts or loans. In fact, despite his advisor's wishes, Jack wouldn’t even take development money but rather, would absorb the huge costs of developing new technology rather than allow ignorant government officials to be involved and hinder progress. Because of this, Northrop was overlooked repeatedly by the Air Force and others were chosen who played the government game. Jack Northrop’s "Flying Wing" was determined to be too drastic from conventional design and ignored for future consideration.
Jack was on his death bed in the early 80’s when his executives arranged clearance for a special event. His sight, nearly gone, and laying on a hospital bed when the Northrop/Air Force team came into the room with a small covered tray. They put his hand under the cover and allowed him to feel the ever so secret contents. Rumor has it that a tear ran down Jack’s cheek and he faded off to sleep. Some 50 years after its original concept, Northrop Corporation was awarded one of the largest defense contracts in history. Based on the Flying Wing concept plane of some 50 years earlier, the B-2 "Spirit" bomber remains the most advanced bomber in the world today and has revolutionized even the most recent aircraft designs. I stood in that lobby and took it all in. What heritage!!
The Corvette has long been the icon for development within GM. I wonder when GM sells off its "heritage" how long it will take before all of those who made it great will be forgotten. Duntov and Cole, Earl and Mitchell. Perkins, McClellan, and all of those groups who invented and revolutionized. Those world records and the racing heritage. All the individuals who came together to bring the most exciting launch of a vehicle in the history of the automobile. The ZR-1 Corvette.
So GM is now cleaning out the garages of the past and rather than place these vehicles on display at various organizations representing the heritage which kept them as the leader for some 100 years, GM will sell them at public sale, to be lost forever. I looked over the list of treasures which included many Corvettes. Funny thing. I didn’t see any Allantes, Azteks, Equinox’s or Torrents on the list.
Last time I went to Detroit I took a day to visit the Henry Ford Museum, an experience I highly recommend to anyone. I was amazed at the wealth of exhibits and information of a car company so rich in American history. They’ve done a good job explaining and displaying the great heritage of the Ford. Made me proud. And when I began to make the next day’s agenda, I looked at the phone book but somehow I couldn’t find the General Motors Museum…
Jim