Good read from the # 2 Corvette engineer.

 

I bought it and read it several years ago. He certainly pioneered many advances, such as intensive use of aluminum in suspension and driveline to reduce weight and increase performance.

 

Excellent book --
it's an amazing story of the engineers fighting for the Corvette's survival.

Two more worthwhile books--
Zora Arkus-Duntov

Zora Arkus-Duntov -The Legend Behind Corvette (Chevrolet): Jerry Burton: 9780837608587: Amazon.com: Books

Zora Arkus-Duntov -The Legend Behind Corvette (Chevrolet): Jerry Burton: 9780837608587: Amazon.com: Books

All Corvettes are Red

All Corvettes Are Red (Inside the Rebirth of an American Legend): James Schefter: 9780671685010: Amazon.com: Books

All Corvettes Are Red (Inside the Rebirth of an American Legend): James Schefter: 9780671685010: Amazon.com: Books

 

All good books.

 

I have read all three- the Arkus-Duntov biography, "All Corvettes Are Red", and "Corvette From The Inside".

The "All Corvettes Are Red" author is somewhat critical of Dave McLellan as being a media hound (where he thinks Dave Hill is a hands-on savior of the 'Vette). Of course he was an outsider writing what is really a business book IMHO.

We C5 owners see our cars as a revolutionary redesign, and it was. We especially appreciate the improved interior space and stiffness of the C5 which tends to make us look down on McLellan's C4.

But (I think) McLellan truly took the car to a new place- probably even more significant than the C4/C5 change. The C3 lasted from model year 1968 to 1983/84- so it was 15 years old. The 1975 'Vette base HP was 165, the lowest almost ever. Through those years, the oil crisis, Federal regulations, and the rest almost killed the car hobby entirely before the engineers started to find ways to add excitement again.

So- McLellan and his team inherited a car that was in serious trouble and in danger of being discontinued by GM. The 1983/84 (the '83 was never sold) redesign lasted in the marketplace for 15 years, albeit with declining sales as time went on.

Dave Hill's effort starting with the '97 model year took those numbers to an even higher place AND they stayed there through the C5 and into the C6, only dropping after the 2008 economic crisis.

Corvette is a specialty automobile, sold by the most meat and potatoes division of a meat and potatoes corporation. It has been blessed with a basic commitment to continuous improvement and a team that makes that happen despite many roadblocks thrown at them by the Feds and their own company. Each of the Chief Engineers have contributed to that and are to be admired.

 

Excellent, excellent post. We're living in the heyday of cars now, even more than the 60's when I grew up. We have these two guys to thank for the Corvette still being here.

 

Dave McClennan is a very approachable and helpful gentleman also. I have talked with him at MidAmericas Funfest.

He is very knowledgeable and will go out of his way to try and answer any question about the Corvette you may have. He was not there last year but I look forward to seeing him again this year.

I am going to purchase his book. Sounds like a good read.


Thanks for the info.

 

Jeez - now you're going to make me read ANOTHER BOOK? I already spend too much time on here reading all this stuff about our cars.

 

McLellan is a very detailed writer- explains the geometry of different suspensions, engine placements, etc., from the C1 all the way through the C4, and even a little on the C5. I enjoyed it!!!

 

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