VW History - firsthand

[mekanickel]

My Grandfather was employed as a painter at the Wolfsburg factory in the early 50's. I have been trying to get as much information from him as I can before it's lost forever. Here is a recent email that he sent to me. I left the family history in there as it may be interesting to some.

I will post more information if I can get it.

Enjoy!

"In 1950 I went to Volkswagen and started on the assembly line in the painting division. I instantly went as a ground spray painter. ( first coat after the dipping) It takes about six month in order to become independent on one’s part. Another six month on another part and another six on the third and last part. Now, the individual is a perfect robot and very often in the morning shift, (0600:00 hours) I sprayed my part and woke up when the doors in the chamber opened with a bang. (The booth was preasurerised ) and noticed, running after it, that I have done a fine job being asleep. I went as being a finishing lacquerer right after my completion of the three stage training and worked there as being a jumper, which means, whenever some one had to go for a ( you know what, part of human nature) I jumped in what ever the side or part. It takes three painters to paint a car. Time: 3.6 minutes. I started with 75 cars a shift in 1950 and ended up in 1956 with 174 cars a shift. We had 6 lines at that time and the production was a common 1044 cars per shift, or two shifts as it was 2088 cars out of that division per day. Then my time came as quick as it had to many others , known to management as being a usual sad affair, people fall apart as being robots.

Humans are not made being robots. The company went on full electro-automatic in painting automobiles. I quit being a machine myself and went in to a Wolfsburg Body shop at a VW Dealership. That was in 1956. The VW Company saddled our Family for housing in the village of Calberlah in 1953 where your dad went to school. I think in the year of 1956 your dad had a chance to upgrade to a middle school by the suggestion of his teacher, but I will leave that up to your dad to tell you about it. After this outcome I became interested in the Canadian Government offer to immigrate my family to Canada in order to give my sons a better chance in life. Germany was just to crowded and my family totally out of place. I thought. I was not a villager and had to expand."

[EverettB]

Very cool, I'm interested in hearing more.
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[kingkarmann]

^^
X2! Working in an auto plant myself I find this fascinating

[Harris]

Mekanickel,

Thanks for posting this. Obvioulsy there was no time to play around on the assembly line. VW apparently required a tight schedule for the employees. The most telling part is the 3.6 minutes to spray the car. I can see why your grandfather burned out on the line.

Would love more from you if possible. Your wise to get his history.

I'm passing this one around to the VW buddies. Excellent!

Thanks again

[aaronr25]

Wow that's really cool ! It would have been great to be there and experience that.
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[58758]

Let's hear more! Interesting story, indeed.

[AlteWagen]

Could you ask about this question regarding different color body parts from the factory?


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=502780


My theory on the subject is that VW inspectors found a flaw in the paint/body work on the assembly line and replaced the part (hood, fender, decklid etc) with a fresh one right off the line in matching paint. The damaged part was then repaired and sent back to the line to be installed on another car which was then painted a different color.

It would be great to know directly from the source!!!

[AlteWagen]

Any word from your grandpa?

[my59]

[AlteWagen]

[kdf38]

Hello,

You mentioned 0600. Was that the starting time for the day?

What days of the week did they work in the late 40's early 50's and what
were the hours for each shift? Monday thru Friday only or ?

br
Mike

[tirekicker]

This is so cool. So many questions to ask.
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