The infamous records fire/flood/destruction

[ChallengerHK]

This is something I armchair sleuth over every now and again. Found this interesting discussion this morning, and it's relatively recent:

http://a12mopar.com/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1323967034;start=all

[Brads70]

   That ties into the other post with Cody looking at those cards on E-Bay 

[ChallengerHK]

I was most interested in this post:

"Thank you to everyone who responded when the question was put out there on the whereabouts of the factory records. I sent a link to this forum to Brandt Rosenbusch manager of Historical services for the Chrysler group. As a result of his reading this forum he requested my phone number by Email and we spoke at length this past Monday AM. When he came on board at Chrysler Historical he, along with another employee that started there in '78, searched for the records but this search also wasn't 100%. He had heard the same rumors that they were destroyed in a fire, also a flood, but THERE IS NO RECORD OF THE RECORDS EVER HAVING BEEN DESTROYED.
He has asked this "guru" fellow if he has the records and he has said no. He has also stated that these records are the property of Chrysler and cannot be used by any individual for any purpose.
What he did tell me is the records were stored for a time in a basement location on site. They were also stored in trailers on site and he said this would have been a much less secure location that could have been accessable by anyone on the grounds. He did not know if the Canadian source of information in this forum got his records from that group of records or plant records from Windsor. 
That said , I was told by him they are relaunching a thorough plant and company wide search for the records. This is being done in coordination with security at Chrysler. Also, he will be meeting with Security and the Legal department(s) after the 1st of the year to explore publishing a public appeal for the return of the records to the archives without fear of prosecution (Amnesty). He has said that he will be back in contact with me after he speaks to them. 
THIS PART IS VERY IMPORTANT: Brandt has told me it would help his case for the public appeal very much if there were some proof that the records do exist. INFORMATION ON ONE CAR WOULD DO IT ! This is where I will appeal to everyone reading this forum to step up if you can and provide that link. If you have any information you can either Email it to me at: KvMoc@aol.com or directly to Brandt Rosenbusch at: bjr@chrysler.com Your confidentiality is guaranteed by me if you wish. I will forward all information directly to Brandt without your contact information if you desire that. 
I believe that the records are out there somewhere and the case for their still being in existence is strong enough that a search is being renewed by Brandt Rosenbusch. Lets do everything possible to help him retrieve and preserve this important part of automotive history. He has told me that they are only to happy to share the records with any enthusiast that inquires and their track record certainly proves that ! SPREAD THE WORD AND LETS ALL HELP IN ANY WAY THAT WE CAN ! In this way we can give back, to the company, and the hobby, that has given us so much."

[Cuda Cody]

If those records showed up it would be the best thing to happen for our hobby in a looooong time.   

[6bblgt]

the above quote was from Dec. 2011, 5+ years ago - pre "FCA"

wonder if there are any updates or progress - I keep hearing rumors every now & then, but nothing comes of it 

[Desmond]

Sounds like the same situation over at Chevrolet: "We're not sure where they are, but we also have no record of them being lost. We are endeavoring to find the documents in question." 

[HP_Cuda]

Maybe we will find bigfoot at the same time!!!

[A.Gramz]

I would start by trying locate punch card operator  and find out what they did with them after they put them in the system.  Where they thrown out or sent off to filing. Also Once there in the system the data is stored somewhere probally magnetic tape.  They would of had had to have technicians to look after the equipment.  What did they do with the tape when they changed them.  Also if the info is on tape what is the life expectancy of it from that time period. Could it be usless  by now .  Start at the bottom and work the way up

[Marc70challenger]

They were "lost" for a reason.  Back then, you could get away with it.

The answer lies in the "why".

[Topcat]

Yup, Bigfoot has them stashed in his cave examining them while making Chewbacca sounds on his findings. 

[kent_goins]

I will chime in on this one!!! Marc70challenger may be on to something. Why is it only the magic three year period(1969 -1971) is missing? Also the most controversial muscle car period with new regs and high horsepower. Barry at hamntrack told me the files indeed exist on microfiche. I have asked him where in emails recently. Could some politics or funny business have happened to warrant the sealing of these records??? Barry said he has tried to gain access and Chrysler will not budge. Me thinks uncovering those records may expose something and they want to let sleeping dogs lie. Just my intuition and findings to this point

[kent_goins]

As a follow up...my proposal is to petition fiat/Chrysler with a signed document by all contributing members wanting release of the records and a offering of money to pay a Chrysler employee for a period of time to transfer the records to digital via a microfiche scanner if they do indeed exist. Barry stated to me there is secure information like bank accounts and other classified info on those documents. Letting fiat/Chrysler maintain control and scan the film thus only releasing the relevant documentation is the only way this will work and will likely entail the need for an attorney. Just my cheap two cents

[HP_Cuda]

I wonder if somehow releasing this information would lead to a recall or some such action which have them in a lawsuit.

[ChallengerHK]

It's possible. My gut reaction is that somewhere in these records is information like the real horsepower rating of motors that might cause trouble with insurance companies. Not for our cars; I think they're past caring there. But for newer cars, it might be impolitic for them to have to admit that they've ever lied about horsepower.

[cuda hunter]

As a follow up...my proposal is to petition fiat/Chrysler with a signed document by all contributing members wanting release of the records and a offering of money to pay a Chrysler employee for a period of time to transfer the records to digital via a microfiche scanner if they do indeed exist. Barry stated to me there is secure information like bank accounts and other classified info on those documents. Letting fiat/Chrysler maintain control and scan the film thus only releasing the relevant documentation is the only way this will work and will likely entail the need for an attorney. Just my cheap two cents