Still image from video below.
Possibly possessing the longest subtitle ever—The People From Fisher Body Who Help Bring A Modern Automobile Body “Up From Clay” – The Bodybuilders is a GM Photographic production presented by The Fisher Body Division of GM. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at how GM’s bodies and interiors were conceived, designed, engineered and assembled.
Just about every frame in this 25:18-minute film has something interesting in it for a GM fan, and though the presentation and music rivals that of the educational films that we used to watch in school, there is a lot to be learned.
Aside from the fact that a few of the Fisher employees seem to be dressed quite formally for the tasks that they’re performing, another notable aspect is how much advanced automation was in place in some areas by 1970.
Additional interesting details and highlights can also be noted:
- There are many views of the new-for-’70 Monte Carlo bodies being painted and assembled throughout.
- 2:34—Check out the air bags concepts.
- 6:11—There’s a ’70 ½ Firebird in clay with the Trans Am front wheel spoiler and the Formula hood scoops.
- 11:24—The 400 emblem on the Firebird deck lid wasn’t used on the production ’70 ½ Firebird.
- 1:59—A Firebird Formula is driving through the “bathtub” at the Proving Grounds.
- 12:19—A Cadillac negotiates the Belgian Block Loop.
- 12:22—A Buick LeSabre is being tested.
- 12:25—It appears to be an RS/SS 396 Camaro (tough to see, but it looks like it has a split-bumper, and note the black tail panel) on the banking of the test track.
A sign of the times, you will also notice that most of the designers and engineers depicted in this film are men and mostly women sew and make the interior parts.
This YouTube video is named Pontiac GM Fisher Body 1970 Part 1, but that’s because another more Pontiac-specific film begins after this one. This Fisher Body film is contained in its entirety in this video. Take a look and see what “Bodybuilding” was all about at GM in that era.
