Harry H. Bassett

  General Notes:

He was the president of the Buick Motor Co. and was sent on an European trip with General Motors Officials. He was stricken with bronchial pneumonia while in Paris.

"The Men Who Built The Cars"- Harry H. Bassett


Born in Utica, New York in 1875, Harry Bassett wanted to study law after graduating from high school, but this was not to happen. The position of office boy became available at the Remington Arms Company, noted maker of firearms, and he took this job, training in product improvement, cost-cutting methods, and camaraderie with his fellow workers, which he would later use in the automotive manufacturing business.

He worked hard and stayed with Remington for fourteen years before being asked by Charles S. Mott to join the Weston-Mott Company of Utica, a well-known manufacturer of wire wheels and rims for bicycles, carriages and other vehicles. With the advent of the automobile, they had started production of axles, hubs and automobile rims. In 10-5, Bassett became assistant superintendent in Utica, and within a year, went to Flint, Michigan to become factory assistant manager, then the next year, manager. The automotive business was growing and it needed a man like Bassett. He communicated with his employees as a friend, rather than a boss.

By now, 60 percent of Weston-Mott's production was for GN. This led to the consolidation with Buick and, in1916, Bassett became assistant general manager of the combination. He was continually out in the factory. By 1919, he became Vice-President of Buick, where he built sales to the top of the industry, second only to Ford. Buick's output in 1916 before Bassett joined was 43,946 cars. By 1920, production reached 115,927 cars. His attitude was to constantly improve the product, not only mechanically but visually, "Progress is the law of the world, and it must be the law with Buick". Buick built more than 200,000 cars during the calendar year of 1923.

Bassett's success with Buick was phenomenal, not just in record-breaking sales, but also with the men who built and distributed the cars. Once at the factory he heard there was a problem, so he went to the workers and asked, "What's; the trouble, boys? I hear you're not satisfied-tell me all about it and let's see if we can't straighten it out right away." The men replied, "We're not earning enough, Harry." Bassett told them, "I think you're right. The rate is fair enough, but there isn't enough production, and that's not your fault, it's OURS. By the fifteenth of next month, enough work will be coming in to improve that, and between now and then, we'll make up the shortage." The men were happy with this, and morale soared at the plant.

Bassett believed in the spirit of human kindness,or, in his words, "I like people. I like to help others get along". And that's really what our old car hobby is all about-being able to build and share the cars with the people.
Copyright © 2003, Southern Wheels Magazine

Harry married Nina Pearl Cole, daughter of Frederick W. Cole and Rose Lee Baine, on 29 Sep 1909. (Nina Pearl Cole was born on 12 Feb 1888 in Grand Rapids, MI and died on 17 Apr 1911 in Ann Arbor, MI.)