RESEARCH ARCHIVES

Hellcat Tank Christening - July 29, 1943

On July 29, 1943, Buick's M-18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer was christened at a gala dinner, held the Durant Hotel, Flint, Michigan.  This is the event's program given to all attendees.  It is 16 pages, 9-1/2" x 11-1/2", some illustrations and photographs in Black & White.  It contains a list of the names of the attendees, a letter from Harlow H. Curtice about Buick's war time production initiatives and a brief description of the M-18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer.  In Mr. Curtice's remarks that evening, he said, "Many of you remember the first experimental anti-tank vehicle we demonstrated for this assemblage nearly a year ago.  Now, today, you have seen the final development of that vehicle-and learned that it has been in regular production for more than a month. Actually, they began rolling off the line only five months to the day from the time we were given the Army's "green light."  We call it the Hell-Cat.  It is a fitting name, because this vehicle is literally "hell on wheels" to anything it goes up against.  It has the swiftness and maneuverability of a wild-cat on the prowl, and the same sure, quick deadliness in its strike."  If you have an interest in Buick's M-18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer, you'll no-doubt find this event program to be an interesting piece of Hellcat history.  And remember, ''WHEN BETTER WAR GOODS ARE BUILT, BUICK WILL BUILD THEM."