Willem Weertman - Chrysler engine creator - personal and engine chronology
Willem Weertman is soon to publish a new book on the history of Chrysler engines. We took the opportunity to interview him in early September 2007; this is a brief chronology of his professional life.
June 1947: graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Engineering degree.
June 1947: joined Chrysler as a Chrysler Institute of Engineering student
April 1949: started last C.I.E. work assignment at the Resident Engineering Staff of the Plymouth Assembly Plant.
June 1949: graduated from the C.I.E. and became a permanent member of the Resident Engineering Staff at Plymouth Assembly Plant, assigned to car electrical engineering work.
November 1950: started active duty with U.S. Navy with shipboard duties during the Korean War.
November 1952: completed active duty with U.S. Navy and resumed work at Plymouth Assembly Plant.
September 1954: transferred to the Plymouth Mound Road V8 Engine Plant project, becoming its first resident engineer.
July 1955: Plymouth V8 A engine started production at Mound Road Engine Plant and Windsor Engine Plant for 1956 Plymouth models.
December 1955: transferred to Engine Design Department of Central Engineering; promoted to Manager – Engine Design.
July 1957: V8 B engine production started at Trenton Engine Plant for 1958 Plymouth and Dodge models.
July 1958: V8 RB engine production started at Trenton Engine Plant for 1959 Plymouth, Dodge and Chrysler models.
~July 1959: Slant Six LG engine production started at Trenton Engine Plant for 1960 Plymouth Valiant.
~July 1959: Slant Six RG engine production started at Trenton Engine Plant for other 1960 Plymouth models and Dodge models.
June 1962: Promoted to Assist. Chief Engineer – Engine Design
July 1964: LA V8 engine production started at Mound Road Engine Plant.
~Nov 1969: Production of Australian 245 OHV 6-cyl engine started in Lonsdale, Australia.
August 1976: Promoted to Chief Engineer – Engine Design and Development
~August 1977: 1.7L 4-cyl engine production started at Volkswagen in Germany for 1978 L (Horizon and Omni) cars.
~July 1980: 2.2L 4-cyl engine production started at Trenton Engine Plant for 1981 L (Omni and Horizon) and K (Reliant and Aries) cars.
~June 1980: 2.6L 4-cyl engine production started at Mitsubishi Motors Corp. in Japan for 1981 K cars.
~August 1983: Minivan production started for 1984 models. 2.2L and 2.6L engines used.
~July 1985: Production of 2.5L 4-cyl engine started at Trenton Engine Plant for 1986 models.
~July 1986: Production of 3.0 SOHC MMC V6 started at MMC for 1987 minivans.
~July 1986: Production of 3.9L OHV V6 started at Mound Road Engine Plant for 1987 Dodge Dakota truck.
~June 1987: Use of MMC 2.6L 4-cyl engine ended.
~July 1989: Production of 3.3 OHV V6 started at Trenton Engine Plant for 1990 minivans and Dodge and Chrysler sedans.
