All Corvettes Are Red

By James Schefter

Book Overview

No other American car carries the mystique of the Corvette, and early in 1997, General Motors unveiled the stunning fifth-generation Corvette to universal acclaim. But GM's triumph was hard-won -- the legendary sports car had nearly fallen victim to internal company politics and a squeeze on profits. In this candid and compelling book, journalist James Schefter reveals the inside story of the people who saved and reinvented the Corvette, from the drawing board to the assembly line. For eight years, Schefter enjoyed unprecedented access to every part of GM, including areas off-limits to many company vice presidents. A true insider, he observed the new Corvette's odyssey from sketch to clay model to prototype to production vehicle. He accompanied test drivers across scorching deserts and snow-packed mountains. And he came to know the fiercely dedicated team of designers, engineers, and executives who fought and achieved their dream: a new Corvette that is better conceived, better built, and less expensive than its predecessors. The Corvette's odyssey to reclaim its glory is a thrilling testament to the endurance of American spirit.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671685015
• ISBN13: 9780671685010
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.29 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

For all Corvette lovers

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.

Great book - Buy a C5 Today!!

As an avid vette fan since my teens, I finished this book in less than a week (I usually take months to read a book cover to cover). The C5 vette is a significant leap forward for chevy and it is amazing the car got built (read the book for the details!). You two may want to run out and spend $45k on a new vette for your garage after reading this book. I highly recommend it.

A rare inside view of GM and the auto industry

Being a two-time Corvette owner, I anxiously awaited the publication of this book, and had my copy on pre-order with a local bookstore. I had it read in under a week. I was not disappointed. Rather I was quite surprised."ACAR" is the story of the Fifth Generation of Chevrolet's Corvette, nicknamed C5. The author was given access to behind-the-scenes meetings during the entire development of the C5, albeit under gag orders until publication and until the C5 actually made production. In fact, James had access to parts of GM that some VP's couldn't even get to.The book is a great read. The C5 was nearly cancelled on several occasions, mainly due to money problems with a struggling GM. You learn about GM culture, especially in management, that helped cause many of these problems. You learn a lot about what it takes anybody to create a new car. And you learn the dedication of a few engineers and managers who risked careers to keep the project going.

The tale of the worlds greatest 'close call'

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.

Detailed insider's view of an automotive skunk works.

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