The format and journalistic tone of this oversized, hard-cover book is similar to that of the Complete History of Chrysler (1985). The text includes a mix of product information, business analysis and discussion about socio-political issues such as automotive safety.
For example, authors Richard Langworth and Jan Norbye note that development was stopped on the Corvair before the publishing of Ralph Nader’s book, Unsafe at Any Speed (1966), but after GM’s disastrous experience testifying before the U.S. Senate (p. 261). However, unlike another Consumer Guide (2014) history, this one doesn’t mention that Chevrolet started development on a conventional front-engine, rear-drive car before the 1965 Corvair was introduced, presumably in reaction to the Mustang (go here for further discussion).
Meanwhile, John DeLorean was slammed for launching a “Zero Defects” program at Pontiac but later “would give us the Chevrolet Vega” (p. 266). DeLorean argued that the Vega’s problems were imposed on him (go here).
The Complete History of General Motors 1908-1986
- Richard M. Langworth and Jan P. Norbye; 1986
- Publications International, Skokie, Il
“As he told B. C. Forbes this year (1924): ‘in modern, large-scale industry there are two major forms of organization, centralized or decentralized. If General Motors were to be centralized, we would have one man in charge of sales, another in supreme charge of engineering, another in supreme charge of manufacturing, and so forth. We are organized on a decentralized (basis). Each operation, like Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oakland, and Olds car and GMC truck is headed by the best man we can find for that job, and he is charge with full responsibility for the success of his entire organization. In this way, we develop greater initiative, greater enthusiasm, and a greater sense of responsibility.” (p. 84)
“If 1957 had been a mixed year, 1958 proved an unmitigated disaster. General Motors released some of the ugliest cars in its history, and what they didn’t do to sales the 1958 recession did. Chevrolet built only 1.25 million cars, its lowest total since 1952, while the other four makes failed to account for a million between them. The only consolation was that everybody else was hurting too, with the sole exception of Rambler.” (p. 221)
“Only Chevy and Pontiac sold J-bodies in any quantity (195,000 and 119,000 respectively for the ’82 model year). They were the right kind of cars for the times, but by comparison with the razor-sharp competitor from Japan and Europe, they were unsophisticated, even crude. They also suffered from a number of recalls, and were not known for quality of construction.” (p. 378)
OTHER REVIEWS:
RE:SOURCES
- Automotive Editors of Consumer Guide; 2014. “1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa and Monza.” How Stuff Works. Accessed Nov. 18.
- Langworth, Richard M. and Jan P. Norbye; 1985. The Complete History of Chrysler Corporation 1924-1985. Publications International, Skokie, IL.
- Nader, Ralph; 1966. Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-in Dangers of the American Automobile. Simon & Schuster, New York, NY.
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