All Corvettes are Red...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 458
Likes: 2
From: The Great Northwest
St. Jude Donor '13
All Corvettes are Red...
I know there have been several post about the book, but wanted to bubble it up to the surface once again. First off- I am 51 years old, on my second Vette and have always been a "car guy".
After reading the recommendations here on CF, I am about halfway through the book right now. While reading I have learned a lot about how not only GM/Chevrolet works (or did work), "big business" in general, corporate politics, true/unyielding persistence in what you believe in and lastly, a true love of the Corvette culture and history. Although this is mainly a C5 story, learning a little of the Vette history is also interesting. I just finished the chapter about everything that went into the gas tank design. Whether you agree with the design or not (I know, somewhat painful to diagnose/repair problems with it), what went into designing the system is pretty interesting. I have also learned that I was truly naive about what went into car design and testing. I know not every car/model goes through the same rigors, but the glimpse I have gained into the somewhat secret world is a great read. If not for 5 or 6 truly dedicated folks, we would not be driving these great cars. Okay, my three cents (inflation) now added to the forum.
After reading the recommendations here on CF, I am about halfway through the book right now. While reading I have learned a lot about how not only GM/Chevrolet works (or did work), "big business" in general, corporate politics, true/unyielding persistence in what you believe in and lastly, a true love of the Corvette culture and history. Although this is mainly a C5 story, learning a little of the Vette history is also interesting. I just finished the chapter about everything that went into the gas tank design. Whether you agree with the design or not (I know, somewhat painful to diagnose/repair problems with it), what went into designing the system is pretty interesting. I have also learned that I was truly naive about what went into car design and testing. I know not every car/model goes through the same rigors, but the glimpse I have gained into the somewhat secret world is a great read. If not for 5 or 6 truly dedicated folks, we would not be driving these great cars. Okay, my three cents (inflation) now added to the forum.
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I agree it is a very enlightening book. I read it many years ago and was amazed at what the people working on the C5 had to go through to get the car in production. Thanks to them, we have a world class sports car at a reasonable price.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 305
Likes: 3
From: Newbury Park CA
Great book and I never realized all that went into getting the C5 into production. Ever wonder why GM made a bunch of ugly crappy cars in the 80's-90's? (Corvettes excluded)
Once you finish with ACAR, you should check out Bob Lutz's "Car Guys vs Bean Counters". Although it's not technically about Corvettes it is about how GM used to do things and why they got into financial trouble. Pretty interesting
Once you finish with ACAR, you should check out Bob Lutz's "Car Guys vs Bean Counters". Although it's not technically about Corvettes it is about how GM used to do things and why they got into financial trouble. Pretty interesting
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I enjoyed the book, however it was a tough read at times when navigating through the corporate politics and egos that drove GM at that time. It's scary how close we came to losing the Corvette, although just like the recent recession and GM's walk through a government (tax payer sponsored) Chapter 11 reorganization, the Corvette brand is such an incredible asset and American icon, I can't imagine it would have just died and not been purchased to live again.
However, I'm not sure if I ever want the Corvette to be branded like Porsche where there are multiple models, including an SUV and 4-door sedan.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Been a fan of all cars my whole life. For years, I never "got" Porsches. Then as the 911 evolved, I realized they are pretty neat cars, tho' overpriced for me. Agreeing with MSG above, when they came out with the Cayenne, I wondered "what for?".
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Having also read "All Corvettes.." I found some other books that are relevant and would be good to read to understand even further the history and almost demise of the Vette. The biography of Zora Arkus-Duntov was very interesting about the roots of Corvette performance. Additional insight into the difficulties of producing the Corvette are highlighted in Dave McClellan's biography, the original father of the C5. Both also good reads. While it might pertain to a different subject another book I enjoyed is "Well Made in America", the story of the almost death and recovery of Harley Davidson. In many ways it was similar to the almost death of the Corvette.