For many years, the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant has been part of the Dodge and Chrysler brands. This is the location where, most recently, the Dodge Viper was assembled and FCA needs to figure out how to make this assembly space provide some form of income to the company to ensure they can enjoy making this space worth something to the company. Other than being a historic location that’s been used for over 51 years by the Dodge and Chrysler brands, this location has a specific association with many people in the Detroit area that had the opportunity to work there.
Moving forward, the former assembly plant will now become the Conner Center which will be a place that will become an internal meeting and display space that will showcase nearly 400 of the FCA concept and historic vehicles in this space that will be incredible to see and admire. In the past, this extensive collection was housed in a variety of different locations by FCA, but now it will all be under one roof to allow those that spend some time in the Conner Center the chance to see what this location has to offer.
How Will the Space be Broken Up?
Approximately 77,000 of the 400,000 square feet of floor space of the former plant will be dedicated solely to displaying vehicles that are part of the history of the Dodge and Chrysler family of brands. Some that will be on display will be the 1902 Rambler and the 1924 Chrysler Touring. Another 22,000 square feet of space will be dedicated to meeting space for the administrative offices that will be used by the staff and the groups that choose to meet at this historic location to check out the vehicles and collaborate together.
During the first part of the use of the building, which is at least the second half of this year, the area will be used for internal groups in the FCA company. If this works out to be a positive area and a successfully renovated location, the plan is to open the doors to the public in the future. This would be an excellent way for anyone who wants to see some of these historic rides up close and personal and to walk the floor of the plant where they might have worked at one time when the plant was open and in operation.
In addition to finding a new use for the plant that produced the Dodge Viper, FCA is honoring the Viper with an auction to benefit United Way for Southeastern Michigan. There will be over 1,800 Dodge Viper models up for bid at this auction to give those interested a chance to own these incredible cars. These Viper models will have signed hoods, prints, and posters to go along with a variety of other merchandise that could be bought and enjoyed. The auction is currently underway and will continue through April 13 if you wanted to check it out and see what’s being sold for this great cause.
Looking for something a little larger, but still just as powerful as the Viper? Opt for the Dodge Journey today!