Arlington

PHOTOS: GM Arlington Assembly plant over the past 70 years, from Star-Telegram archive

By Matt Leclercq

July 26, 2024 12:12 PM

Two men wearing ball caps walk along a line of new cars on an assembly line. — April 3, 1986: Employees at the General Motors plant in Arlington look over a line of Oldsmobile Cutlass automobiles. Joe Giron Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the opening of General Motors’ Arlington Assembly plant.

Over the decades, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has taken hundreds of photographs at the factory — from its groundbreaking ceremonies in 1952 to the milestone ceremonies of each new millionth vehicle produced.

Here is a sampling of our photos from over the years.

July 19, 1965: A shining 1965 Pontiac convertible moves down the General Motors assembly line to become the 1 millionth automobile produced at the Arlington plant, which opened in 1954. Two models, Betty Cremer and Shirley Deis, wearing tiger outfits sit on the hood. — July 19, 1965: A shining 1965 Pontiac convertible moves down the General Motors assembly line to become the 1 millionth automobile produced at the Arlington plant, which opened in 1954. Two models, Betty Cremer and Shirley Deis, wearing tiger outfits sit on the hood. Norman Bradford Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

April 3, 1986: General Motors Arlington Assembly employees work on a 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. — April 3, 1986: General Motors Arlington Assembly employees work on a 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

July 14, 2015: GM employee Efren Martin II checks vehicles for flaws in the final line at GM Arlington Assembly. The automaker announced $1.4 billion to improve the productivity of the plant. — July 14, 2015: GM employee Efren Martin II checks vehicles for flaws in the final line at GM Arlington Assembly. The automaker announced $1.4 billion to improve the productivity of the plant. Mark Rogers Special to the Star-Telegram

June 12, 2012: The UAW workers busy on the brake assembly line had waves and signs for guests touring the General Motors assembly plant in Arlington. — June 12, 2012: The UAW workers busy on the brake assembly line had waves and signs for guests touring the General Motors assembly plant in Arlington. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram

Two men wearing ball caps walk along a line of new cars on an assembly line. — April 3, 1986: Employees at the General Motors plant in Arlington look over a line of Oldsmobile Cutlass automobiles. Joe Giron Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Early 1950s: Mayor Tom Vandergriff showing a map location of the future site of the General Motors assembly plant in Arlington. — Early 1950s: Mayor Tom Vandergriff showing a map location of the future site of the General Motors assembly plant in Arlington. UT Arlington Special Collections

Aug. 3, 1951: This view looking northeast shows the entire 255-acre tract purchased by General Motors Corp. for a future plant of Buick-Oldsmobile-Pontiac division in Arlington. The site is bounded on the north by U.S. Highway 80 and T&P tracks, on east by Watson Road, on south by East Abram Street, and on west by Parkview addition. — Aug. 3, 1951: This view looking northeast shows the entire 255-acre tract purchased by General Motors Corp. for a future plant of Buick-Oldsmobile-Pontiac division in Arlington. The site is bounded on the north by U.S. Highway 80 and T&P tracks, on east by Watson Road, on south by East Abram Street, and on west by Parkview addition. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

May 27, 1952: From left, Ben Critz, Tom Vandergriff, Amon Carter Sr., and John F. Gordon were the first to turn dirt at the new General Motors plant in Arlington, Texas, at the groundbreaking ceremony. — May 27, 1952: From left, Ben Critz, Tom Vandergriff, Amon Carter Sr., and John F. Gordon were the first to turn dirt at the new General Motors plant in Arlington, Texas, at the groundbreaking ceremony. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

May 9, 1987: The final G-platform Chevrolet Monte Carlo, a silver SS, rolls off the assembly line at the General Motors Arlington plant. The model name would return in 1995. — May 9, 1987: The final G-platform Chevrolet Monte Carlo, a silver SS, rolls off the assembly line at the General Motors Arlington plant. The model name would return in 1995. Ron T. Ennis Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Jan. 23, 1954: The first Buick produced at the General Motors plant in Arlington is presented to Mrs. Katrine Deakins, standing left of the car, and Mrs. J. Lee Johnson III. With them are, from left, E.C. Klotzburger, plant manager; A.J. Kemp, zone manager for Buick; John Alford, assistant zone manager at Dallas; and Sanford Webb, Fort Worth Buick dealer. — Jan. 23, 1954: The first Buick produced at the General Motors plant in Arlington is presented to Mrs. Katrine Deakins, standing left of the car, and Mrs. J. Lee Johnson III. With them are, from left, E.C. Klotzburger, plant manager; A.J. Kemp, zone manager for Buick; John Alford, assistant zone manager at Dallas; and Sanford Webb, Fort Worth Buick dealer. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

March 10, 1991: Al Poppitt autographs a Chevrolet Caprice Classic at the General Motors plant in Arlington that is adorned with hundreds of signatures after being named the 1991 Motor Trend Car of the Year. — March 10, 1991: Al Poppitt autographs a Chevrolet Caprice Classic at the General Motors plant in Arlington that is adorned with hundreds of signatures after being named the 1991 Motor Trend Car of the Year. Joyce Marshall Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

March 1, 2013: GM stamping employees wave Texas flags as the new stamping machinery arrives at General Motors assembly plant in Arlington. The delivery of 5 million pounds of new stamping presses and equipment is the latest investment in the plant. The stamping facility will make components for new GM full-size SUVs. — March 1, 2013: GM stamping employees wave Texas flags as the new stamping machinery arrives at General Motors assembly plant in Arlington. The delivery of 5 million pounds of new stamping presses and equipment is the latest investment in the plant. The stamping facility will make components for new GM full-size SUVs. Max Faulkner Star-Telegram

Sept. 22, 2011: General Motors employee Jack Hargrove, left, shakes hands with former Cowboys player Everson Walls as he walks to a Cadillac Escalade at the Arlington plant. GM rolled out its big SUVs carrying local celebrities to draw attention to six local charities. — Sept. 22, 2011: General Motors employee Jack Hargrove, left, shakes hands with former Cowboys player Everson Walls as he walks to a Cadillac Escalade at the Arlington plant. GM rolled out its big SUVs carrying local celebrities to draw attention to six local charities. RON T. ENNIS Star-Telegram

1976: The 3 millionth car, an Oldsmobile Cutlass, rolled off the assembly line at General Motors in Arlington. From left are Robert Cook, GM vice president and general manager of Oldsmobile; Charles Katko, vice president and general manager of GM Assembly, and Everett Siegele, manager of the Arlington plant. — 1976: The 3 millionth car, an Oldsmobile Cutlass, rolled off the assembly line at General Motors in Arlington. From left are Robert Cook, GM vice president and general manager of Oldsmobile; Charles Katko, vice president and general manager of GM Assembly, and Everett Siegele, manager of the Arlington plant. UT Arlington Special Collections

March 10, 2011: Kimberly Copeland and Lorraine Newton pose next to one of the pink Escalades that a select group of Mary Kay’s top businesswomen recieved at the GM Arlington Assembly plant. Three were chosen to drive their SUVs off of the assembly line and out of the plant. — March 10, 2011: Kimberly Copeland and Lorraine Newton pose next to one of the pink Escalades that a select group of Mary Kay’s top businesswomen recieved at the GM Arlington Assembly plant. Three were chosen to drive their SUVs off of the assembly line and out of the plant. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram

Nov. 26, 1980: General Motors Assembly in Arlington celebrates its 4 millionth automobile produced. The keys to the blue Chevrolet Monte Carlo were handed to former Mayor Tom Vandergriff, who would deliver it through Vandergriff Chevrolet Inc. — Nov. 26, 1980: General Motors Assembly in Arlington celebrates its 4 millionth automobile produced. The keys to the blue Chevrolet Monte Carlo were handed to former Mayor Tom Vandergriff, who would deliver it through Vandergriff Chevrolet Inc. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Nov. 26, 1980: General Motors Assembly in Arlington celebrates its 4 millionth automobile produced. The keys to the blue Chevrolet Monte Carlo were handed to former Mayor Tom Vandergriff, who would deliver it through Vandergriff Chevrolet Inc. — Nov. 26, 1980: General Motors Assembly in Arlington celebrates its 4 millionth automobile produced. The keys to the blue Chevrolet Monte Carlo were handed to former Mayor Tom Vandergriff, who would deliver it through Vandergriff Chevrolet Inc. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

July 1997: A General Motors employee works on a truck frame as it goes along the assembly line at the Arlington plant. — July 1997: A General Motors employee works on a truck frame as it goes along the assembly line at the Arlington plant. Jerry Hoefer Star-Telegram

Sept. 25, 1962: Arlington Mayor Tom Vandergriff, right, who also has a Chevrolet dealership, watches the first Texas-made Chevrolet come off the assembly line at the General Motors Arlington plant, along with Henry T. Brian, left, plant manager, and Fred B. Walsh, southwest regional manager for Chevrolet. — Sept. 25, 1962: Arlington Mayor Tom Vandergriff, right, who also has a Chevrolet dealership, watches the first Texas-made Chevrolet come off the assembly line at the General Motors Arlington plant, along with Henry T. Brian, left, plant manager, and Fred B. Walsh, southwest regional manager for Chevrolet. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

April 19, 1990: Nick Champion prepares to drive the last Chevrolet Caprice off the assembly line at the Arlington General Motors plant before the factory shuts down to retool for a new Caprice. — April 19, 1990: Nick Champion prepares to drive the last Chevrolet Caprice off the assembly line at the Arlington General Motors plant before the factory shuts down to retool for a new Caprice. Matt Brunworth Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Dec. 4, 2001: Two new Chevy Tahoes were driven off the assembly line at the General Motors Arlington Assembly plant to be donated to the New York Fire Department, three months after the 9/11 attacks. Tessie Redd, left, an assembly line worker, attended the ceremony with other GM employees. — Dec. 4, 2001: Two new Chevy Tahoes were driven off the assembly line at the General Motors Arlington Assembly plant to be donated to the New York Fire Department, three months after the 9/11 attacks. Tessie Redd, left, an assembly line worker, attended the ceremony with other GM employees. R. Jeena Jacob STAR-TELEGRAM

Nov. 24, 1970: General Motors Assembly Plant, Arlington. Chevrolet on left and Pontiac on right, 11/24/1970 [FWST photographer Tony Record] — Nov. 24, 1970: General Motors Assembly Plant, Arlington. Chevrolet on left and Pontiac on right, 11/24/1970 [FWST photographer Tony Record] Tony Record Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

May 11, 2011: GM employees begin to applaud as the 9 millionth vehicle rolls down the final inspection line towards a banner created to mark the event at the Arlington Assembly plant. The vehicle, a black “Texas Edition” Suburban SUV, will be used by GM as a show vehicle. — May 11, 2011: GM employees begin to applaud as the 9 millionth vehicle rolls down the final inspection line towards a banner created to mark the event at the Arlington Assembly plant. The vehicle, a black “Texas Edition” Suburban SUV, will be used by GM as a show vehicle. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram

July 19, 1965: A shining 1965 Pontiac convertible moves down the General Motors assembly line to become the 1 millionth automobile produced at the Arlington plant, which opened in 1954. Two models, Betty Cremer and Shirley Deis, wearing tiger outfits sit on the hood. — July 19, 1965: A shining 1965 Pontiac convertible moves down the General Motors assembly line to become the 1 millionth automobile produced at the Arlington plant, which opened in 1954. Two models, Betty Cremer and Shirley Deis, wearing tiger outfits sit on the hood. Norman Bradford Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

Jan. 30, 1954: This 1954 Pontiac, the first automobile to be produced in the General Motors assembly plant at Arlington, is to be given away by the Tarrant County chapter of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, as part of the March of Dimes. The Pontiac was purchased by the Amon G. Carter Foundation from General Motors and given to the polio chapter. Admiring the car at the March of Dimes booth at Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show are Mrs. Helen Johnson, left of 1612 Coleman, and Mrs. Sue Payne of 4836 Old Mansfield Road. — Jan. 30, 1954: This 1954 Pontiac, the first automobile to be produced in the General Motors assembly plant at Arlington, is to be given away by the Tarrant County chapter of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, as part of the March of Dimes. The Pontiac was purchased by the Amon G. Carter Foundation from General Motors and given to the polio chapter. Admiring the car at the March of Dimes booth at Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show are Mrs. Helen Johnson, left of 1612 Coleman, and Mrs. Sue Payne of 4836 Old Mansfield Road. Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

June 7, 1978: Women working in General Motors’ Arlington assembly plant now comprise 10 percent of the 4,500 hourly employees. — June 7, 1978: Women working in General Motors’ Arlington assembly plant now comprise 10 percent of the 4,500 hourly employees. Tony Record Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

June 7, 1978: Kathy Ray installs front lower control arm bumpers at the GM Arlington Assembly plant. — June 7, 1978: Kathy Ray installs front lower control arm bumpers at the GM Arlington Assembly plant. Tony Record Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Jan. 19, 2016: James “Bubba” Humes has been working for General Motors for 40 years. He is now doing light repairs on the large SUVs after they come off the line at the Arlington plant. — Jan. 19, 2016: James “Bubba” Humes has been working for General Motors for 40 years. He is now doing light repairs on the large SUVs after they come off the line at the Arlington plant. Joyce Marshall Star-Telegram

June 12, 2012: Sabrina and Gilbert Trejo visit with retired longtime GM worker Morgan Hogue (1955-1980) at the Arlington Assembly plant. The plant’s museum shows several vintage autos, including a 1954 Pontiac Starchief, the 1,731st vehicle made in Arlington. Plant workers restored it. — June 12, 2012: Sabrina and Gilbert Trejo visit with retired longtime GM worker Morgan Hogue (1955-1980) at the Arlington Assembly plant. The plant’s museum shows several vintage autos, including a 1954 Pontiac Starchief, the 1,731st vehicle made in Arlington. Plant workers restored it. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram

Nov. 26, 1980: General Motors Assembly in Arlington celebrates its 4 millionth automobile produced. The keys to the blue Chevrolet Monte Carlo were handed to former Mayor Tom Vandergriff, who would deliver it through Vandergriff Chevrolet Inc. — Nov. 26, 1980: General Motors Assembly in Arlington celebrates its 4 millionth automobile produced. The keys to the blue Chevrolet Monte Carlo were handed to former Mayor Tom Vandergriff, who would deliver it through Vandergriff Chevrolet Inc. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

June 12, 2012: Workers on the assembly line at GM Arlington Assembly. — June 12, 2012: Workers on the assembly line at GM Arlington Assembly. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram

May 13, 2014: Ronald Holcomb, who went to work at General Motors of Arlington in 1963, was among employees honored during a celebration for 60 years of production. — May 13, 2014: Ronald Holcomb, who went to work at General Motors of Arlington in 1963, was among employees honored during a celebration for 60 years of production. Ron T. Ennis Star-Telegram

June 7, 1978: Women working in General Motors’ Arlington assembly plant now comprise 10 percent of the 4,500 hourly employees. — June 7, 1978: Women working in General Motors’ Arlington assembly plant now comprise 10 percent of the 4,500 hourly employees. Tony Record Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

The king, wearing a robe and traditional fez, stands with a group of businessmen in suits in front of the factory. — Nov. 29, 1957: King Mohammed V and Prince Moulay Abdallah of Morocco visited the General Motors plant in Arlington with their interpreter, Abderrahman Naggai. Joe McAulay Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

The king and several others, all wearing robes and fezzes, look at vehicle chassis rolling down an assembly line. — Nov. 29, 1957: King Mohammed V and Prince Moulay Abdallah of Morocco visited the General Motors plant in Arlington with their interpreter, Abderrahman Naggai. Joe McAulay Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections

King Mohammed V and Prince Moulay Abdallah of Morocco visited the General Motors Plant in Arlington, Texas, with their interpreter Abderrahman Nagga. [FWST photographer Joe McAulay] — King Mohammed V and Prince Moulay Abdallah of Morocco visited the General Motors Plant in Arlington, Texas, with their interpreter Abderrahman Nagga. [FWST photographer Joe McAulay] Joe McAulay Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

Jan. 23, 1954: The first Buick produced at the General Motors plant in Arlington is presented to Mrs. Katrine Deakins, standing left of the car, and Mrs. J. Lee Johnson III. With them are, from left, E.C. Klotzburger, plant manager; A.J. Kemp, zone manager for Buick; John Alford, assistant zone manager at Dallas; and Sanford Webb, Fort Worth Buick dealer. — Jan. 23, 1954: The first Buick produced at the General Motors plant in Arlington is presented to Mrs. Katrine Deakins, standing left of the car, and Mrs. J. Lee Johnson III. With them are, from left, E.C. Klotzburger, plant manager; A.J. Kemp, zone manager for Buick; John Alford, assistant zone manager at Dallas; and Sanford Webb, Fort Worth Buick dealer. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

June 12, 2012: Workers on the assembly line at GM Arlington Assembly. — June 12, 2012: Workers on the assembly line at GM Arlington Assembly. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram

Sept. 17, 1999: The construction of the new General Motors truck plant with the existing Arlington Assembly plant in background. — Sept. 17, 1999: The construction of the new General Motors truck plant with the existing Arlington Assembly plant in background. Jerry W. Hoefer STAR TELEGRAM

General Motors employees work on the assembly line at GM’s Arlington Assembly in 2019. — General Motors employees work on the assembly line at GM’s Arlington Assembly in 2019. Mike Stone Mike Stone for General Motors

Matt Leclercq

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Matt Leclercq is senior managing editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He previously was an editor at USA Today in Washington, national news editor at Gatehouse Media in Austin, and executive editor of The Fayetteville (NC) Observer. He’s a New Orleans native.