Another great corvette book
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,501
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From: Houston, Texas FEAR THE BONES
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,145
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From: Valdosta GA
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22
Excellent book --
it's an amazing story of the engineers fighting for the Corvette's survival.
Two more worthwhile books--
Zora Arkus-Duntov
All Corvettes are Red
it's an amazing story of the engineers fighting for the Corvette's survival.
Two more worthwhile books--
Zora Arkus-Duntov
All Corvettes are Red
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
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All good books. 
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 146
Likes: 30
From: Perry OH
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.
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.
Last edited by MikeWyatt; Feb 4, 2016 at 05:23 PM. Reason: spelling error McLellan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 456
From: USA
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.
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.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 146
Likes: 30
From: Perry OH
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!!!
Last edited by MikeWyatt; Feb 4, 2016 at 05:22 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 128
From: Valdosta GA
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22
I have read all three- the Arkus-Duntov biography, "All Corvettes Are Red", and "Corvette From The Inside".
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.
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.
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