http://theoldmotor.com/?p=159494

 

Looks like a suspension test of some sort.

 

Thats what I thought, but looks like lights are on and being adjusted, and a strange array over windshield that looks as if it holds 2 spray guns, unless that is something that was used to position the car precisely.
Just put it up to get comments, guesses and maybe someone actually knows.
Maybe some type of final inspection and quality control.
Certainly looks like it is on a lift and the body is stabilized.

 

Looks like the floor grated move sideways, like stated above. Possibly checking body roll, possibly using headlight beam to monitor body movement. Thats my best WAG.

 

By the look of the car I would say this is a mule and has come in for multiple checks.

 

Something to do with the air suspension Olds offered that year?

 

It looks to me like it's a vehicle performance check stand. Guy who wrote the article has no idea what he's talking about, those aren't "varied road surfaces", it's a wheel centering system, and it, along with the suspension jacks, get the body into the proper orientation to adjust the headlights to spec. That probably is a windshield wiper test system above the windshield as well. That's no "lab;" that's an assembly plant. Tires do look old, so it may be a trial vehicle.

That headlight equipment is awesome looking. The headlight checks these days are on extending arms, so the vehicles can drive through, and they have cameras so the worker just puts some power screwdrivers on the adjusters, and the system uses feedback from the camera to adjust it itself. I bet that's why the big dials are there, so the worker could read them from the front of the car.

 

x2 - Road wear & license plate.

Does look like some sort of systems check - lights/wipers.

I don't think it's suspension related. Those (hydraulic?) pillars look like they're supporting the frame. Maybe the arms off the rockers are for positioning ? Or maybe a safety to keep the sideways track from moving if there's a car in place?

Weird....

 

The paint guns wouldn't hold much water. I can't help but think a spray nozzle on a garden hose would work just as well if not better. But I can't think of anything else they'd be doing.
Railguy