Customer Reviews

ALL CORVETTES ARE RED: The Rebirth of an American Legend

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

PZEditor received this response:

Interesting review. But it sure had a lot of wrong stuff.

1. The chassis design was not completed until long after McLellan left.

2. The book was not rewritten. Not even once. My deal with GM gave them the right to correct technical mistakes, but nothing else. At the request of a GM lawyer, I did delete three cuss words in John Cafaro quotes. That still left a lot of cussing. There was a few minor technical mistakes that were found by the readers inside the Corvette team and those were fixed, too. No one in Chevrolet management, except a couple of PR guys, read the manuscript. The PR guys did not raise a single objection.

3. Your PR source about fighting between Hill and McLean is dead wrong. I was there. I sat in on the meetings. I saw them work.

Basically you're calling me a liar. I wrote what I saw and I'll stand by it 100 percent. Somebody gave you bad info.

Jim Schefter

I don't know exactly what I expected when I purchased this book, probably a fluff piece with lots of GM furnished pap and glamour shots of the car and people. I guess that was OK with me.

What I got was a far different story, a scary walk down the halls of a giant corporation that I only thought was some kind of standard to measure the overall management prowess of other firms. The author does a magnificent job of detailing the warts of GM without seeming ungrateful for the opportunity to do so.

The new Corvette was five years late and probably wouldn't have happened for another three years were it not for a very small number of dedicated individuals who had to work like Green Berets in enemy territory to get out a new car in their own corporation.

Don't expect fluff or coffee table graphics. This book is a masterful chronicle of the making of a new car in an environment of overpowering resistance to the concept of movement. It is a real eye opener to everyone who believes that large firms know what they are doing - or even that they recognize the differnce between moving or not moving.

This book could very well be a case study text in the Organizational Behavior/Development classes took in grad school.

A must read for car nuts or students of the American business scene, but not for the Vette nut that wants a promo piece on the new wheels.

Excellent behind the scenes of General Motors; unbelievable detail in what goes into bringing a new car to market; all the office politics withing GM; all the secret stuff you always wondered about are now exposed. This book provides the history and the detail all car enthusists will want. Anyone that owns a Corvette must read this book. Anyone thinking or dreaming about owning a Corvette should read this book.

I rate it 4 stars; a little too much time spent on early industrial design situations, but excellent care of details throughout. The book provides, in appropriate detail, particulars of the automobile design and test process. I have a C5, I can relate to the results of decisions made by Engineering.

This Corvette team never gave up; through a number of senior staff shake-ups, budgetary problems, technological risks and sleepless nights. The biggest problem I had with this book is that it ends prematurely; there is little mention of the product announcement, public response or the results published in the press. I'll be reading it again. The book fortifies my belief that the Corvette is one of the best engineered automobiles available today, at any price.

Being a fan of Corvettes for years, I wanted an "insider's" view of what goes on behind the scenes at a division of the largest automotive manufacturer in the world. It was much as expected. Having visited and done work at several GM plants and facilities, I am reminded of the inflated "baggage" that is so prevalent in large corporations. It was however, very interesting to read of the successes and triumphs within the division, be they few and far between, are truly successes. I liked the book because I am interested in the creative processes involved in new "things". Especially automotive related "things". It is a definite "must-read" for business majors preparing for a career at a large corporation. There's nothing like 'em. I especially appreciated the detail that went into all the various systems and functional testing of features in the car. If GM spent that much time on every "new" vehicle, the buying public would be very satisfied.

James Shefter's work is compelling. He was priveledge to have access to the Corvette development program which afforded him a rare glimps into GM's politics and policies of the early 1990s. While any Corvette afficionado will readily enjoy this 300+ page dairy of life at GM during the development of the Fifth Generation Corvette (C5), those with an eagerness to understand a Motor Giant's mindset will gain the most in terms of sheer knowledge. As inconceivable as the thought may sound, GM almost killed the Corvette in the late decade of the 90's and only a handful of dedicated engineers and artists were able to rescue the program from the trash bin. Mr. Shefter details, in 70, small-sized chapters, the daily life of C5 development in cramped quarters. He chronicles the clay to fiberglass to full first production car in a way that gives the reader a sense of "being there." The only negative which may be said for the book is the length of time it takes to tell the story. But this is easily forgiven since each mini-chapter usually ends in a cliff-hanger! To Corvette enthusiasts and car-maker students alike, "All Corvettes Are Red" is a must read.

James Schefter should get a commission for every new Corvette sold! After reading this book, you will be convinced that the new Corvette is the best sports car made anywhere in the world today. Great detailed account of how the Corvette team survived multiple GM re-orgs and designed one great car

Anyone who loves Corvettes will buy this book but those who want an inside look at the auto industry and those who are interested in (business) case studies should buy it too. If you read (and liked) "The Reckoning" and/or if you saw and liked "Roger & Me", I think you will enjoy this book. "All Corvettes are Red" is the inside story of GM: beginning during the tough years (covered from the outside in "The Reconing") when it seemed that GM could do no right. It shows how a few people with a love for the Corvette and a vision of the Vettes real meaning (as an image marketing tool) pulled together and took chances to make it (a new Vette) happen, in turbulent times, in a turbulent industry. During the creation of the 97 Corvette, GM went through one reorganization after another. GM was grasping at straws trying to find an organizational model which would return it to profitability. All Corvettes are Red, is a story about GM's chaos and about how a few people focused on that which was important and got the job done, whatever it took. Finally, this is the story of a few great people who persevered to keep a dream (the Corvette) alive. Making it better (faster, more stable and stiffer) than ever

I given this book to guys of all ages who are interested iln cars. They really enjoy all the details, as only car buffs can.

I can't believe its actually been done!!! A book written from the inside (behind close doors) of General Motors. And about America's Legend...the Corvette. All the people behind the legend finally get their share of the spotlight. We all take the work they do for granted, what corvette nut wouldn't trade places with any of them any day of the week, but they go un-noticed once the cars hit the streets. Great job....James Schefter and many thanks for all the hardships you and your family endured. I only wish there were more pictures, but I understand that that was a no-no.