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All Corvettes Are Red: Inside the Rebirth of an American Legend
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 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.
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 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.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 17, 2013
Tremendous.
This book will amaze you - not only the level of corporate rot and dysfunction, but how determined one must be to get around it. It may give you some ideas for your own Intrapreneurship. Another amazing fact is how people and companies just refuse to learn, no matter what is placed in front of them or how obvious reality is.
Don't underestimate the need for a halo project, in either your corporate or personal life. And don't rip the team of crazies, because they're the passionate ones that come up with new Corvettes (and Apple Macs, and Tivoli software, and SR-71s, and so on).
This book will amaze you - not only the level of corporate rot and dysfunction, but how determined one must be to get around it. It may give you some ideas for your own Intrapreneurship. Another amazing fact is how people and companies just refuse to learn, no matter what is placed in front of them or how obvious reality is.
Don't underestimate the need for a halo project, in either your corporate or personal life. And don't rip the team of crazies, because they're the passionate ones that come up with new Corvettes (and Apple Macs, and Tivoli software, and SR-71s, and so on).
November 10, 2013
I am a connoisseur of The Corvette of the highest order I enjoyed reading this book and I am glad I own two copies the hardcover and softcover. What I do not like is the book seems Heavy on the critique of A previous engineer and very pro on the successor. The hardcover has color pictured while the softbound does not. Hardcover dust jacket you take off has red cool c5 on binding you can see thru. Great In-depth and interviews. Highly recommend reading and owning all versions of the book.
April 1, 2011
At last, a book with a story as dramatic as the car it was written about! And, what a BEAUTY! VERY well written.
I never realized that the automobile industry could be so cut-throat, or that the planning and design of a new car was so exhaustive and exhausting. If you love cars, adore the Corvette, and really enjoy a good business biography, this is a MUST READ. Enjoy!
I never realized that the automobile industry could be so cut-throat, or that the planning and design of a new car was so exhaustive and exhausting. If you love cars, adore the Corvette, and really enjoy a good business biography, this is a MUST READ. Enjoy!
January 17, 2016
A great book detailing the checkered story leading up to the C5 (5th Generation) Corvette. A story of engineering and designers pulling a flagship car from the brink of extinction, creating the best Corvette and probably the best car made by GM in 40 years.
November 10, 2017
I loved this book because of the tremendous insights it provided in to the car making business, plus how it detailed the very troubled gestation and re-birth of one of America's great cars.
May 2, 2026
This one is about the creation and development of the fifth generation of Corvette (C5). It starts in the late 80's and carries through to the late 90's. The author was allowed to essentially embed himself with the folks making the new Corvette and give a behind the scenes story about how it came about.
The book itself covers the design, engineering, and initial production of the car, along with the fate of GM itself during that period - which ended up being more "interesting" than the author could have anticipated. As someone who has worked for large companies, there were definitely aspects of corporate America that were clearly recognizable to anyone who has had to deal with internal company politics.
The author does a great job of introducing not just the technical aspects of the car but the people who made things happen. This helps move the story along and also helps make the whole thing more relatable to someone who isn't a car enthusiast or engineer. I would have actually preferred some more insight into some of the engineering challenges, but it probably would have been something that would detract from the book in a general audience's eyes. And there was still enough to highlight some of the big concerns and changes from C4.
The story ended up taking longer to write because of upheaval at GM during this time and subsequent delays and program changes that pushed the new model out several years from the original intent. However, I thought the author took advantage of the situation well and portrayed the changes from the perspective of those working on Corvette, while at the same time giving enough big picture to put the whole thing in context.
Overall this was a fast read and an enjoyable one. There is enough engineering stuff in there for folks like me (hydroformed frames, for example) but really the story is about people who had a vision and a passion for doing their jobs, and I think that translates well to just about any pursuit. The book isn't a game changer, but it is something that I think would appeal to a wide audience.
The book itself covers the design, engineering, and initial production of the car, along with the fate of GM itself during that period - which ended up being more "interesting" than the author could have anticipated. As someone who has worked for large companies, there were definitely aspects of corporate America that were clearly recognizable to anyone who has had to deal with internal company politics.
The author does a great job of introducing not just the technical aspects of the car but the people who made things happen. This helps move the story along and also helps make the whole thing more relatable to someone who isn't a car enthusiast or engineer. I would have actually preferred some more insight into some of the engineering challenges, but it probably would have been something that would detract from the book in a general audience's eyes. And there was still enough to highlight some of the big concerns and changes from C4.
The story ended up taking longer to write because of upheaval at GM during this time and subsequent delays and program changes that pushed the new model out several years from the original intent. However, I thought the author took advantage of the situation well and portrayed the changes from the perspective of those working on Corvette, while at the same time giving enough big picture to put the whole thing in context.
Overall this was a fast read and an enjoyable one. There is enough engineering stuff in there for folks like me (hydroformed frames, for example) but really the story is about people who had a vision and a passion for doing their jobs, and I think that translates well to just about any pursuit. The book isn't a game changer, but it is something that I think would appeal to a wide audience.
May 15, 2025
If you are a fan of the car design process, have at it. If you're simply a Corvette aficionado like myself, maybe reconsider spending the time.
It is clear the author spent a lot of time researching the book by attending numerous meetings on the development of the C5 and interviewing the people that gave us that car. The first third of the book is like reading the outcomes of many corporate meetings and organizational changes. The second third starts to pick up momentum and finally gets into the specifics of the design elements of the car (improving ingress/egress, wheel and tire size, should it have a spare tire, etc). The last third covers testing and is like an action movie on the C5 team avoiding spies seeking out car photos.
If the book was less heavily weighted towards the front and more heavily weighted towards the rear, it would be easier to accelerate through it!
It is clear the author spent a lot of time researching the book by attending numerous meetings on the development of the C5 and interviewing the people that gave us that car. The first third of the book is like reading the outcomes of many corporate meetings and organizational changes. The second third starts to pick up momentum and finally gets into the specifics of the design elements of the car (improving ingress/egress, wheel and tire size, should it have a spare tire, etc). The last third covers testing and is like an action movie on the C5 team avoiding spies seeking out car photos.
If the book was less heavily weighted towards the front and more heavily weighted towards the rear, it would be easier to accelerate through it!
January 23, 2026
I was hard to get pass corporate-political in the beginning. That part should be a bit shorter, more briefly described. At least for me it was quite hard to go through it.
But I liked the parts about designing car, problems they faced - both technical, but as well with parts manufacturers. I had a feeling for most of the book that it's about perfect car… which C5 isn't. I think finish of the book covered that part.
What I was missing - a bit more photos, sketches, etc. There were only few in the middle of the book… would be better have it in the context or at least mentioned in chapters "take a look at photo 6 in the middle of book" or whatever.
But I liked the parts about designing car, problems they faced - both technical, but as well with parts manufacturers. I had a feeling for most of the book that it's about perfect car… which C5 isn't. I think finish of the book covered that part.
What I was missing - a bit more photos, sketches, etc. There were only few in the middle of the book… would be better have it in the context or at least mentioned in chapters "take a look at photo 6 in the middle of book" or whatever.
July 18, 2019
Amazing read. The C5 has always been close to my heart and seeing the struggle that brought this car to life makes me appreciate it and those who designed, engineered, and built it even that much more.
July 7, 2024
Incredible read for Corvette or automotive fans alike. A true behind the scenes account of exactly how hard it is to design engineer and eventually build a vehicle.
May 13, 2015
Not so well written, but it does contain some interesting inside stories. The audio engineering is atrocious; it sounds almost as though every second or third paragraph was overdubbed from another session, which is VERY distracting. (and annoying)
August 2, 2015
A tad tedious. Too many characters. Great insight into the complexity surrounding new product development in a highly bureaucratic environment.
August 6, 2007
good fun. interesting insight into how cars are designed and the politics inside a large company.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews