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How One Man Defied GM to Keep the Corvette Alive in the 1990s

Posted November 16, 2015 10:00 AM by dstrohl
Pathfinder Tags: business classic auto corvette GM

Though an icon of American performance, the Chevrolet Corvette hasn't always had a secure place in the General's lineup. Most Corvette historians and enthusiasts already know that it faced cancellation multiple times early in existence, but the story of another potential death knell is just now becoming public more than 20 years after it happened, and the man best positioned to tell that story - the man who defied GM's order to let the Corvette die - will tell that story this weekend.

By the mid-1990s, Russ McLean had already worked for GM for many years - including stints in Spain and in Mexico - and developed a reputation as a cost-cutter and turnaround champ.

Learn how McLean reignited the Corvette lineup.

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Re: How One Man Defied GM to Keep the Corvette Alive in the 1990s

11/16/2015 4:48 PM

Even if it was scrapped GM would bring it back like every other model in the past.

Okay, maybe the Edsel might be an exception, unless you are some of the few that realized that they just rebadged it as a Cavalier.

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Re: How One Man Defied GM to Keep the Corvette Alive in the 1990s

11/16/2015 5:36 PM

Ford might have some thoughts about bringing back the Edsel under the GM brand.

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Re: How One Man Defied GM to Keep the Corvette Alive in the 1990s

11/16/2015 6:16 PM

While I never cared for the C4, my boss had one, I'm grateful to Mr. McLean for the C5 and keeping the Corvette alive.

Being the owner of a (72) C3, I think the C4 was a dog, due in part to the sick engines we were saddled with after '75.

I hope Vettes are around for a long time.

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Re: How One Man Defied GM to Keep the Corvette Alive in the 1990s

11/16/2015 7:21 PM

1967 tri-power 427 would be my choice in a Corvette, but I am happy to stick with my 04 GT3 indefinitely.

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Re: How One Man Defied GM to Keep the Corvette Alive in the 1990s

11/16/2015 7:33 PM

No argument with either of those.

GT3 is a cool car for sure. More exotic than a mere Vette.

I've never been a fan of the big blocks in the Vette. Too front heavy.

Ours had a big block, but I went to a 350 with just a larger carb and high rise and love it.

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Re: How One Man Defied GM to Keep the Corvette Alive in the 1990s

11/16/2015 10:22 PM

Yup, a very visceral sensation, those older cars. Love it!

The GT3 is a daily driver. It has functional AC (a must on some days in Florida) and because the back seats are deleted, the space back there swallows almost anything you can think of luggage wise. We even had a full-sized cello and an acoustic guitar back there and on another trip we packed for a week for two and toured the North East a couple of years ago.

Unload the car and pull the floor mats and it is all set for the track. When I have time I use it to autocross.

Put over 100K miles on it since I bought it. ;-)

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Re: How One Man Defied GM to Keep the Corvette Alive in the 1990s

11/17/2015 9:38 AM

A 427 is great for shredding tires.

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Re: How One Man Defied GM to Keep the Corvette Alive in the 1990s

11/18/2015 4:55 AM

And your gas credit card

But I still love a big block.

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