Made in Detroit. Conner Assembly. And ACRs Everywhere.

"Josh Welton" (watchtheprettylight)
05/14/2015 at 08:15 • Filed to: Detroit, american made, dodge, dodge viper, ACR, 2016 acr, brown dog welding, conner assembly, viper

I finally got in to see the pride of Detroit city’s auto manufacturing facility.

Almost two years ago I !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! about Conner Assembly, but it was mostly secondhand info as I was just relaying the pictures and a story from my friends Kenny Cox and Tony Whatley as they did the tour as part of a factory delivery for !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (which he’s already turned in for !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

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Last week I got the chance to tour the plant myself, as part of the 2016 ACR unveil. I’m usually pretty in tune with what’s going on in the scene, but I’ve been distracted by life lately and was completely oblivious to the new race-car-for-the-street launch. I was just excited to see where Detroit builds supercars.

And the “build” part didn’t disappoint. Production was ongoing, and it was pretty fascinating to watch.

First..ACRs everywhere!

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This car was just coming out of the “car wash” where they look for any signs of waterproofing issues:

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And a 2016 TA

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So this robot cell is cool. Basically the frames are built within tolerance, but there’s still some variation from piece to piece. So these bots hammer the certain mounting points right to location so each car starts on an even par.

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Example of said mounting points:

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Steering shaft assembly...

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Dash...

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Cool parts all over...

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Going together on the line...

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Maybe now we’re at the world’d craziest go-kart facility?

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A video of the car on rollers, checking brakes and whatnot. They get it up to 90mph.

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This part was cool, because a friend of mine from my time at the Mack II Engine Plant is now working on this line. He use to work out of the tool crib at MAEP, and always helped me get what I needed. First time I’d saw him in 7 or 8 years! It was obvious he loves what he’s doing now, and is passionate about these builds. (He’s the dude in the Viper shirt with his back turned in this shot)

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Emissions Jazz

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Robots testing panel gaps...

A simulator for NVH

Audit area. 1 in 3 cars gets checked, out of 3 built daily.

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Oh yeah, engine assembly. They’re built in here, and cold tested here, then sent to Arrow Racing (been with Viper program since day one) in Auburn Hills for dyno stuff.

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The paint is also done about 30 minutes away in Auburn Hills, by a company called Prefix. Primed carbon fiber...

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If it gets stripes, that color gets painted first...

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Masking the painted stripes, preppy for body color...

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They’ll paint a 2016 Viper pretty much any color you want...

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This was the first of the ‘16 “One of One” cars; pick any color combo, wheels, trim, even name plate...it’s gone, you’re the only one getting it. This is “Sneaky Pete”

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And there’s always some cool history displayed at Conner Assembly. Not sure I’ve seen this car before, at least in person. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Captivating concept.

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I know that was a lot of photos...but if you need more: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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DISCUSSION (45)

spanfucker retire bitch > Josh Welton
05/14/2015 at 08:50

Agghhh! My browser!

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Josh Welton
05/14/2015 at 09:03

Very cool, thanks for sharing! That video of the rolling “skate” on the four-wheel dyno without tie downs(!) was fascinating...

Josh Welton > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
05/14/2015 at 09:05

Yeah, that was cool to watch!

Milky > Josh Welton
05/14/2015 at 09:18

So much cool stuff, those ACR tires are basically slicks!

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Josh Welton
05/14/2015 at 09:26

I like the butterfly valves in the HVAC ducts on that GTS-R. That is a really cool touch for a car like that.

MrPseudonym > Josh Welton
05/14/2015 at 12:32

All I want is another GTS-R concept.

I mean, that spoiler... mmmmmmm...

NJAnon > Josh Welton
05/14/2015 at 21:24

That GTS-R Concept will re-appear as a factory car because its that good. Just watch, Illuminati confirmed.

the_zuki_driver > Josh Welton
05/14/2015 at 22:03

wow this is FP material! Seriously awesome stuff here

Ryan F > Josh Welton
05/15/2015 at 11:47

Thanks for sharing! I was able to tour the plant when I was 15 and I'll never forget it. I tried getting in for a tour in July when I'll be visiting Michigan, but they are having their annual summer shutdown during that time.

huey > Josh Welton
05/17/2015 at 10:58

sex sex everywhere. gorgeous stuff.

CALUSA > Josh Welton
05/17/2015 at 11:05

Damn the blue one looks good.

Zoom > Josh Welton
05/17/2015 at 11:09

DaHolySmoke .

Wow, cool post!

I drove one of the first Vipers built (unofficially a ‘92 1/2) as Chrysler had to make some deals with suppliers to save initial tooling costs. Lescoa in Grand Rapids made the headlight assemblies and Leslie Tassel was given a year free lease with the option to purchase one of the first 10 cars. He regularly brought it in to my family’s Dodge dealership for service. An early ‘93 was making the rounds for display and I trailered that car back to JTE engineering ( later I learned it was Jeep/Truck Engineering) as the Viper’s electronics and tuning were actually part of the truck program.

Was Conner Ave always the assembly site? Cuz I could’ve sworn it used to be New Mack Assembly on Mack Ave........

Wheelerguy > Josh Welton
05/17/2015 at 11:14

They’ll paint a 2016 Viper pretty much any color you want...

I want hyperblurple stripes.

Kinja'd!!!

FiveLiters1 > Josh Welton
05/17/2015 at 12:30

Great pics,and the GTR-S air vents...I see what they did there. And it’s awesome.

LJ909 > Josh Welton
05/17/2015 at 14:06

Very cool. Im jealous you go to experience American ingenuity at its finest. Still saddens me though to see all of this but no sales.

joeyG > Josh Welton
05/17/2015 at 14:07

that gtsr coupe was literally my first favorite car ever , i have a pic of me in kindergarten with that on my notebook and everything

Josh Welton > Zoom
05/17/2015 at 14:21

Always, yes. I used to work at Mack, both 1&2 are engine assembly plants.

jimz > Josh Welton
05/17/2015 at 14:37

man, FCA has really spruced that place up. Last time I was there it was when the ZB (2003+) Viper was launching, and at the time the plant was a fucking dump.

jimz > Zoom
05/17/2015 at 14:41

the first couple of years Viper was hand built on Mack ave. Chrysler bought an old Champion (spark plugs) plant which became Conner Avenue Assembly in 1995.

Chaparral2F > Josh Welton
05/17/2015 at 14:48

I love Vipers, always have since I saw the Concept at an auto show. There is something special about seeing how they are built and the customization and craftsmanship that goes into them.

QCGoose > Josh Welton
05/17/2015 at 15:27

Simply amazing post! I can't thank you enough, as the new (5th gen) Viper is my absolute favorite car currently produced.

Josh Welton > jimz
05/17/2015 at 15:52

They made a conscience effort to transform into a world class facility before the current gen launch. Tony has visited exotic car manufacturers around the globe and he said Conner is now on par with, if not better than, just about anyplace.

Josh Welton > jimz
05/17/2015 at 15:55

Damn, I didn’t realize that. Not sure how I worked on those grounds for years without knowing that!

bottsdotts > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
05/17/2015 at 15:56

YES, I have to have in some vehicle in my life, someday.

Josh Welton > NJAnon
05/17/2015 at 15:57

One could only hope!

SlothBuilt > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
05/17/2015 at 17:52

Was going to comment that myself, it certainly is a nice detail.

Brosenkranz > Josh Welton
05/17/2015 at 19:06

Those front R-comps are so stretched and low-profile they look ridiculous. I saw their 100,000 mile test car at CPG recently and was put off by that tire package. Not fan.

Brozilla > Josh Welton
05/17/2015 at 19:47

So much want in every photo

r31ya > Josh Welton
05/17/2015 at 19:55

Seems to be appropriate time to post vids/ads regarding Detroit car industry,

SNAFU_rider > Josh Welton
05/17/2015 at 20:47

VERY interesting underbody panel set up, I wonder if they’re trying to cool the oil an filter down with it being exposed like that, and how much drag they get with that set-up.

Taylor Hedgie > Josh Welton
05/17/2015 at 20:49

Absolutely stunning photography, holy crap that place is pretty much on my bucket list of places to visit.

electricarchie > Josh Welton
05/17/2015 at 21:56

Are these selling? I live in an affluent area and haven’t seen but one in my daily travels... whereas bette z06’s are a dime a dozen; granted these are a lot more $$$.

ViperGuy21 > Josh Welton
05/18/2015 at 00:42

Thank you so much for posting!!!!

I'm jealous though, us Texans can't just drive over and check it out. Definitely will some day though, hopefully when I pick up my Viper in the future:)

superdave847 > Josh Welton
05/18/2015 at 01:49

Alright, BrownDogWelding, so now that Aaron Foley has skipped town, will you step up and take over the updates for Jalopnik Detroit? Because we need them. Great work.

Illegal Machine > Josh Welton
05/18/2015 at 08:30

Absolutely stunning. GREAT POST!

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > Josh Welton
05/18/2015 at 08:49

Going to have to re-read this at home because work blocks Flickr photos.....but very nice!

chucchinchilla > Josh Welton
05/18/2015 at 09:31

This photo set is missing one key picture.....the massive storage room adjacent to the assembly line where they keep all the finished cars. You want kid in candy store feeling? Step inside that warehouse.

Kinja'd!!!

Josh Welton > superdave847
05/18/2015 at 10:52

I don’t think Aaron skipped town, I think he’s moved on to other interests...not sure though. I’m happy to help out when I can and when my schedule allows!

Autojunkie > Josh Welton
05/18/2015 at 12:07

I’m glad you posted the IG pic. I was trying to figure out if I already follow you on there (I do).

That plant has changed considerably since i was there last. I was there to support the engine build-up line when it moved from the Mound Road facility. Thanks for posting the IG pics and doing a write-up for Jalopnik.

SerialThriller > Josh Welton
05/18/2015 at 12:07

As a lifelong GM/Corvette guy, I make no attempt to hide my love for the Viper. And now more than ever, I’m really excited that a car like this still exists. Sure, they made a few concessions to safety and comfort, but you gotta love an 8.4L V10 in this day of little turbo engines buzzing around. People still talk about how the Viper wants to kill you, but I can think of worse ways to go.

FormulaVee > Josh Welton
05/18/2015 at 12:25

Kinja'd!!!

i think the car may be a little front heavy.

icelandr > Josh Welton
05/18/2015 at 12:48

Always love the difference you see in different industries. I worked at Bobcat and Case-New Holland with construction equipment, both were dirty from the welding in the same building as assembly.

Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > Josh Welton
05/18/2015 at 15:55

For some reason and I don’t know how, here in Bulgaria we are now having an official Dodge importer(after the Daimler-Chrysler days) and it has a Ram pickup, Challenger SRT and a Viper. I couldn’t stopped drooling over the Viper, even if it cost over $200k here. I want that car in my life. Getting even an old murderous Viper here in Europe is more or less, a brand new luxury car.

Josh Welton > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
05/18/2015 at 16:03

That is awesome.

Roody > Josh Welton
05/20/2015 at 19:48

Damn you. The Viper is at the top of my Want List and this only makes it worse.

Fantastic post, btw.