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Sunbeams, Shopping Carts and Tar

To: alpines@autox.team.net, tigers@autox.team.net
Subject: Sunbeams, Shopping Carts and Tar
From: CANISDOG@aol.com
Date: Thu, 18 May 2000 15:19:15 EDT
Jim,
Love the way you have related our Sunbeams to an everyday task such as 
groceries shopping.  I will never look at a wobbling wheel on my cart at 
Safeway the same way again.  Why did Rootes do what they did?  Your question 
has sparked some thought on many a subject.
Last night I finished my routine run and was standing in the garage cooling 
down with a protein shake and just looking at the Beam's.  I had a strange 
thought about the factory.
I was looking at the series 5 and contemplating the next move as my son and I 
have just finished an interior renovation.  All the garage doors were open and 
the sunset was such it lit up the interior of the Series 3 in the garage 
corner.  The car has no doors and is just a shell in the raw.  
The setting sun lit up the interior and it dawned on me....
DAMN THEY PUT A LOT OF TAR IN THAT CAR!!
I thought about what the job must have been like, you know, what would they 
call it? Tar Tech, Tar Coat Supervisor, Adhesive Foreman, Undercoat Operator.  
Who would do this job?  I imagined it being a starting position.  Heck, with 
good performance and time on the job, you could move up to Carpet Tech., or 
even Soft-top installer!  What would the pay be?  
I imagine this was a job that nobody wanted.  I imagine this worker had an 
attitude and maybe that's why you find some spots having no tar and some with a 
disgusting ½" that screams out "I don't care".
Was it a disciplinary position?  Maybe if you called in sick or came in late 
the Factory Foreman said, "sorry, you weren't here when we started, I had to 
put Bill on Bumpers today, we need you in Tar".
Maybe it was a young kid.  You know, the plant managers sisters son or 
something like that.  They say it's not "what" you know but "who" you know.  
This may have been a starting position for those wanting to work in the plant 
after High School.  I could see it like this...
"Heh Miles, where have you been all summer?  Hans and I haven't seen you down 
at the lake".
"I'm working at the Rootes Factory.  My uncle Winchell got me the job, he's a 
foreman.  Say's I can move up to the Engine room by next year".
"Really, what are you doing now"?  
"Smear'n Tar. I really hate the job but I have to pay my dues.  Today was great 
though.  Some ass that works carpet was giving me a bad time all day.  I really 
got him back good".
"Really, what did you do Miles?"
"The last car I sent down the line I just covered with Tar.  He was pissed!  
Every time he tried to put a piece of felt in it would float to a different 
position.  He won't mess with me anymore".

Paul Scofield
Colorado

   
 

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