quiet Sunday

I'm trying to figure out which marque of 1946 car is on this assembly line but can't figure it out.  Anyone else know?

My guess is Buick

Posted by: @frank

My guess is Buick

 

I considered the GM cars Frank, but it seems they all  have the large door bulge to continue with the front fender line.

@jack-dodds  The photo is labeled as

empty assembly line during a strike at auto body plant flint michigan 1945,2304646

which led me to GM and possibly Buick.

Empty Assembly Line During A Strike At Auto Body Plant, Flint, Michigan, 1945 - Item # 2304646

12/29/1945-Flint, MI-There wasn't anyone around when this picture was taken at the Fisher Body Division plant in Flint. This scene is typical of strike-bound plants by General Motors where all production has been halted by UAW-CIO walkout.

My first guess was like Frank's for two reasons...Flint, Mi. and the hole over the windshield for the radio antenna. Then Jack, you threw us a curve with the fender bulge that extended into the doors on Buicks. Anyone else?

I wonder which GM divisions got back into automobile production in late 1945 ? These would then certainly be 1946 models and this would supposedly be Fisher Body at Flint ? If this is supposed to be during a strike possibly the photo is mis-labeled and it's a bit later time frame and these are perhaps '49 Buicks.

Posted by: @mikedetorrice

I wonder which GM divisions got back into automobile production in late 1945 ? These would then certainly be 1946 models and this would supposedly be Fisher Body at Flint ? If this is supposed to be during a strike possibly the photo is mis-labeled and it's a bit later time frame and these are perhaps '49 Buicks.

This makes the most sense to me Mike.  I can't imagine a strike occurring shortly after the war ended.  You would think most workers would be happy just to have a job, considering all those men returning to the workplace.

@jack-dodds, Wiki to the rescue. GM Strike 1945.

Posted by: @jack-dodds

...............I can't imagine a strike occurring shortly after the war ended.  You would think most workers would be happy just to have a job, considering all those men returning to the workplace.

Actually, Jack, I think to the contrary as far as a postwar strike. During the war, a strike at an auto plant would land participants in jail for obstructing the war effort. An organizer of such a stunt might likely be looking at a treason or sabotage charge.

But as soon as the war ended, there really weren't such considerations and as John's post indicates, there were a number of strikes. Workers wanted more money and returning GI's would have to apply for a job and join the union at the bottom of the ladder anyway. Companies wouldn't consider firing an entire workforce if there was a strike because of the huge disruption that would cause at a critical time. Each side in a strike has actions they can take and limits to what they can do. In this GM strike case, it looks like the workers got a raise and some other benefits, but the salary increase was about half of what they initially demanded. And they understandably got no say in pricing of the product.

Very interesting and enlightening.  Thanks John and Mike; I learned something today.