Oakland Assembly facts for kids
The Oakland Assembly was a large factory in Elmhurst, Oakland, California. It was where Chevrolet cars were built for many years. This factory was special because it was the first Chevrolet car plant on the West Coast of the United States.
Contents
A New Factory for Chevrolet
Chevrolet opened this important factory in Oakland on September 23, 1916. It started making a car called the Chevrolet Series 490. This was happening during World War I, a big global conflict.
Helping Out During World War II
The factory stopped making cars for regular people on January 30, 1942. This was because World War II was happening. Instead of cars, the Oakland Assembly plant helped the war effort. It made important things like parts for airplane engines and big guns. It also produced huge amounts of metal parts.
The factory even kept making the Chevrolet Fleetline car, but only for military use. Because of its excellent work during the war, the plant received the United States Army-Navy "E" Award. The factory was about 6 miles east of the former Naval Air Station Alameda.
Making Famous Cars
Commercial car making started again on August 20, 1945. During the 1950s, some of Chevrolet's most famous cars were built here. These included the well-known "Tri-Five" Chevrolet cars from 1955 to 1957. These were popular coupes, sedans, and station wagons.
The factory needed updates for newer ways of making cars. So, in the summer of 1963, a new factory called Fremont Assembly replaced it. Today, the old Oakland Assembly site is the Eastmont Town Center. It is located at the corner of 73rd Street and MacArthur Blvd.
Car Models Built Here
Here are some of the car models that were made at the Oakland Assembly plant:
- 1915-1922 Chevrolet Series 490
- 1923-1926 Chevrolet Superior (this was the first car on the GM "A" platform)
- 1927 Chevrolet Series AA Capitol
- 1928 Chevrolet Series AB National
- 1929 Chevrolet Series AC International
- 1930 Chevrolet Series AD Universal
- 1931 Chevrolet Series AE Independence
- 1932 Chevrolet Series BA Confederate
- 1933 Chevrolet Eagle
- 1933-1936 Chevrolet Standard Six
- 1933-1942 Chevrolet Master
- 1941-1952 Chevrolet Deluxe
- 1953-1957 Chevrolet 150/Chevrolet 210/Chevrolet Fleetline/Chevrolet Townsman
