TFP - typical factory production
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Pro
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From: Purcellville, Virginia
TFP - typical factory production
I am trying to explain this concept to someone who is not in the Corvette hobby. Does anyone know of some good websites that might define TFP or non-TFP ???
Race Director
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
TFP=typical factory production. Parts are painted, plated, etc. exactly as the factory did it, no better, no worse, no "over-restoration".
It can also be used to define how parts were assembled, and how parts were stamped, dated, etc.
For example, a frame might look great in semi-gloss powdercoat, but the factory used cheap asphalt based paint.
An engine stamp might appear as TFP, but lets say a restamp might use a "6" that looks like this instead of a "b" that looks like this.
I could go on and on.
Chuck
It can also be used to define how parts were assembled, and how parts were stamped, dated, etc.
For example, a frame might look great in semi-gloss powdercoat, but the factory used cheap asphalt based paint.
An engine stamp might appear as TFP, but lets say a restamp might use a "6" that looks like this instead of a "b" that looks like this.
I could go on and on.
Chuck
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
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From: Purcellville, Virginia
Chuck, I agree you and I could go on and on... but I am looking for some corvette website that might have it explained well so I can point someone to it.
MICK
PS. Thanks for organizing a great event this past Sunday!
MICK
PS. Thanks for organizing a great event this past Sunday!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
It was nice to meet you in person, Mick. I don't know of any website.
I seem to recall that David Burroughs' book about the restoration of a 65 Corvette was the "first" documenting factory style restoration.
Don't know if the book is still in print. Can't remember the name of the book either. CRS. Chuck
I seem to recall that David Burroughs' book about the restoration of a 65 Corvette was the "first" documenting factory style restoration.
Don't know if the book is still in print. Can't remember the name of the book either. CRS.
Chuck
Drifting
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From: Grand Rapids Mi
Name of book is "Corvette Restoration state of the art" The one I have is first printing 1981 published by Michael Bruce Associates Hopes that info helps. Nice book and good reading! Haven't seen a copy in awhile. 
Thread Starter
Pro
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From: Purcellville, Virginia
Thanks, I will look for the book. This prompts me to think, I may also have something from a Dave seminar at Bloomington or some other Bloomington pamplet that might have something in it.
Team Owner
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Lemish -- I'm willing to bet a generic definition of TFP would have to be pulled from more than one source. NCRS publications would contain part of it; Noland Adam's books would contain part; other Corvette reference works would contain still more snippets. Q & A columns in the Corvette magazines also provide information. You may not be able to find one source which could provide a definitive definition.
Le Mans Master
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From: Philadelphia Burbs
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St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Lemish -- I'm willing to bet a generic definition of TFP would have to be pulled from more than one source. NCRS publications would contain part of it; Noland Adam's books would contain part; other Corvette reference works would contain still more snippets. Q & A columns in the Corvette magazines also provide information. You may not be able to find one source which could provide a definitive definition.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Ocala FL
Typical Factory Production is a bunch of guys who are doing what they have to do until the timeclock says time to go home.
They follow the assembly manual enough to get their job through inspection without slowing the production line down.
The goals are these:
1. Get the item to the next guy.
2. Don't hold the line up or we lose money or bonus or our job.
3. Can't wait for break or quitting time.
4. Don't do anything to get the foreman on your butt.
5. Try to get stuff pass inspection the first time. Otherwise, you have lost #2 and #4.
Think of it this way - the guys who come in a spray paint an apartment white for the new tenants vs your wife's supervision of you painting the baby's room.
The first guys come in, basic mask the trim in 45 minutes, spray the apartment in 30 minutes, take a smoke break, and then peel the masking off. If nothing serious is seen, pull up the tarps and leave.
You will spend 45 minutes masking one baseboard to be sure it is where it is perfect. Then you will spend 30 minutes with a small brush to paint that 1 inch wide stripe before doing the rest of the wall.
They follow the assembly manual enough to get their job through inspection without slowing the production line down.
The goals are these:
1. Get the item to the next guy.
2. Don't hold the line up or we lose money or bonus or our job.
3. Can't wait for break or quitting time.
4. Don't do anything to get the foreman on your butt.
5. Try to get stuff pass inspection the first time. Otherwise, you have lost #2 and #4.
Think of it this way - the guys who come in a spray paint an apartment white for the new tenants vs your wife's supervision of you painting the baby's room.
The first guys come in, basic mask the trim in 45 minutes, spray the apartment in 30 minutes, take a smoke break, and then peel the masking off. If nothing serious is seen, pull up the tarps and leave.
You will spend 45 minutes masking one baseboard to be sure it is where it is perfect. Then you will spend 30 minutes with a small brush to paint that 1 inch wide stripe before doing the rest of the wall.
