*RARE*1944 WWII SAGINAW MALLEABLE IRON/GENERAL MOTORS Danville, Illinois Casting For Sale

Thissale is for a *RARE* vintage original heavy metal casting that has \"S M I -- D -- 8 24 44 -- G MC\" on it. The letters stood for SAGINAW MALLEABLE IRON -- DANVILLE -- 8/24/1944 -- GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. During World War 2; the Defense Plant Corporation had General Motors build this facility just outside of Danville, Illinois near the town on Tilton. It was managed by the Saginaw Malleable Iron division and made to produce heavy castings for military trucks during the war. After the war the facility was closed down; only to be purchased by General Motors and ran as their Central Foundry Division for years afterwards. I have had several different souvenir castings that were made by this plant over the years; but this is the only one I have seen like this; and it is most likely the oldest; having been made before General Motors actually owned the plant. Here is some information about it:

• Construction & Purpose: Built in 1943 under a government lease, the plant began pouring iron within six months to manufacture axle differential castings and heavy iron parts for 4-ton and 6-ton military trucks produced by Chevrolet and GMC.
• Management (SMI): The facility was operated by the Saginaw Malleable Iron Division of General Motors, utilizing modern conveyor systems that drastically sped up production.
• Post-WWII Transition: Following V-J Day and the end of the war, General Motors officially organized the Central Foundry Division on November 1, 1946, incorporating the Danville plant (purchased from the federal government), Saginaw Malleable Iron, and a Lockport, New York foundry.
• Legacy: The Central Foundry in Danville employed around 3,000 workers at its peak before shutting down in 1996.

In fairly good condition for its age with signs of blemishes and wear including; minor soiling/staining; surface wear; minor nicks/dings/scratches; other blemishes and wear; etc. Please study pictures above to determine condition of item.Please study pictures above to determine condition of item. By offerding on the sale; you are accepting the condition shown and described in the sale.Payment with $7.00 shipping is requestedin the U.S.please within 3 days of sale ending; or item will be offered to next highest buyer. The only exceptions are if you email me in advance and I give an OK for a longer payment time. If you have any questions about shipping charges, please ask before offerding! Good luck offerding!!