…for those of you who know…

Just finished a review in CF by @mschuyler back about ten years ago centered on one of my latest reads titled All Corvettes Are Red. I wanted to post at least this to say my appreciation for the C5 has deepened immensely. However we may look back over the history of this beloved tribute to America’s love affair with the Corvette, this book spotlights a glimpse into a portion of Corvette legacy that I am humbled to be made aware of. The ins and outs in the affairs of big business are nefarious to say the least. But those who can champion a cause while maintaining direction in spite of conflicts and chaos are truly champions that pass too quickly out of history for the next generation to appreciate.

I recommend this book to whomever can grasp the perspective illustrated and are capable of the admiration and respect the events recorded deserve.

 

i just bought the book, anxious to read it!!

 

I have an autographed copy that is leather bound. It is one of the best automotive books ever not just Corvette.

It tells the C5 success story and when it was started it could have been a book on its death. They just did not know.

This book also was a good snap shot of how GM and other automakers were dysfunctional. Management and engineering clashes. The Fiero program followed the same path and was hid outside of GM at an engineering firm till they finally got it approved after several cancelations. They still were never given the proper funding.

The Fiero was killed due to some risks Pontiac took with plant capacity and also due to the Corvette team fearing for their own business case after they found Pontiac had a DOHC Mid engine V6 with 230 HO coming at a lower price. Chevy held more influence and got the Pontiac killed. The ironic thing is a number of FIero people came to the Corvette program including the designer. They used the same hid the program from GM plan too.

GM often left engineers at odds with management.

If you want other good books get any book written by Bob Lutz. He has one on his time at Chrysler. One with a number of companies like Ford and BMW and then Bean Counter Vs Car Guys. This is about his time at GM. These books give great in site to how automakers work or not work.

Another is an older book On a Clear Day You Can see GM by Delorean. He wrote it in anger but he told the truth. The disfunction went back much farther than you imagined. It all took a large company to failure in 2008.

GM has had many good engineers and for too many years too many divisions as they never knew how to handle them. Pontiac was the best example. GM leaders seldom understood Pontiac and their best cars like the SD cars, GTO and FIero were ideas that all broke rules at GM but GM never knew what to do with them.

I'm a long time Pontiac guy and The FIero was the last true Pontiac as the rest were just Cooperate platforms with Chevy engines. They were often the best version but most fell short of what Pontiac had one in the past. It is just as well they killed Pontiac as it would never have been Pontiac in this CUV era. The cars they built are not not in favor of the market right now. Save the name and maybe it could return at some point if things change.

Anyways All Corvettes Are Red is a must read by anyone connected to GM and not just the Corvette.

 

@bearone2 I wasn’t familiar with Mr. Schefter’s writing format and will have to confess it took me a bit to find a comprehensive perspective from which to read the book. I had to go back a couple of times to rebuild my understanding of his details and where they occurred in the timeline. My view from here is that if your DNA has been infused with the propensities to love this car, you can’t help but appreciate the gestation and birth of the C5 as described in this book. Definitely not the static read.

I hope you enjoy!

 

@hyperv6 Thank you for the read suggestions and your perspectives! Bob Lutz is an expressive visionary with a follow through that improves with development. Automobile economies are driven by so many influences and the author of All Corvettes Are Red just scratches at the surface of volatility in that arena.

Great input!

 

A good example of Bob and GM is this. Bob is still a very pro GM guy but he pointed out some things he ran into when he arrived be it too late to save them.

The new Malibu was coming for 2008. They were showing the car and had a Hyundai next to it. He asked why can we get panel gaps as tight as the Hyundai. The man in charge of the metal said we can but we were never told to do it. Lutz was puzzled not told. The man replied we can do many things but we can ask we have to be told. Bob told him to find out what he needed to do and do it. It was a small cost of several hundred thousand dollars to fix the presses and the had industry leading gaps on the Malibu.

Same on the Impala The frames on the new Impala were shown with chrome on them. The lead of the program told Bob they would have to eliminate them. Bob said why and the program lead said they would put him over budget.

Bob asked what would sell better with or without? The lead said with. Bob said would you rather get in trouble for a small budget miss or for the failure of the car to sell? He then told him to fix it.

GM for the most part was like a large dysfunctional family. If they had worked together and if they had worked to make the divisions compliment each other they would have done better. But too often they hurt each other more than help.

 

i'm sure i will after reading the 7th gen book 3x's from the library, finally bought it for christmas!! this c5 book was mentioned in comments from one buyer of the 7rh gen book!!

current: spiral gray 2004 c5 mag ride, blade silver 2014 z51!!

 

@bearone2 Nice!

 

A great read . . . and to think of almost any way to ruin a car like this is an understatement. Between Jordan and the bean counters it is amazing we have at one of the best Corvettes I've ever owned on my second one now. The amazing thing, if I'm allowed to bring it up, is the countless executives pissing contests nearly that nearly killed this car, and the truly wonderful part is, that they have sold every single car built since 1953 ? how long do they need to be sure it's a good idea ?

 

The C5 in my opinion was one of the most important Corvettes in history.

The C1 1953 is first as if not for it nothing else would matter.

The C2 1963 set the tone for the car for several decades even today. We still call a C8 a Stingray.

The C5 not only saved the model but advanced it far beyond what the C3 or C4. It made it a world class car with no compromise. It was a great street car and also the C5R was winning in global races around the world.
It also laid the foundation for the C6 and C7.

The C8 as it has advanced the car to the next level of performance yet you can still buy a Stingray for the same kind of price you always could buy a Corvette for. If you take todays money and compare it to past values it is the same.

 

The book All Corvettes are Red is truly a great read. I read it many years ago and need to read it again. It has been a staple of my bookshelf since it first came out.

 

Just ordered a copy. Sounds like a good read.

 

I enjoyed reading it. The only area I wish he spent more time on is the development of the LS1.

 

@castlemusic Absolutely! Great coverage of the thrashing Powertrain Division put the new all aluminum Gen III through. I will always hold out total faith in the capabilities of the LS1 in its original format and whole heartedly support a publication on LS1 research and stages of development.

Great idea!

 

Agreed! Fortunately for GM there were those who knew and understood the necessity of pursuing the continuation of this American icon!

 

Its as if the armies of heaven were engaged in protecting this endeavor. Reminds me of the depiction of events that lead to the ‘Battle of Thermopylae’ in the movie ‘300’. God is truly a Corvette enthusiast!

 

This book is easily worth repeated visits! I appreciate that Mr. Schefter provided an index for quick references. Kinda underscores the format of being a historical record.

Blow the dust of that addition, good sir!