![[PIC] Throwback Thursday: Corvette Chiefs, Assemble!](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/2026/08/080626_5.jpg)
It’s time again for a Throwback Thursday post. Usually, we feature either some vintage photos or a video, but this post is about these “vintage” people that were instrumental in designing and building America’s Favorite Sports Car during their time at General Motors.
The NCRS National Convention was held in Charleston, SC at the end of July and while it attracted a fair number of classic Corvettes, it also brings back the people who worked on these cars for General Motors.
Corvette historian and photographer Richard Prince captured this photo of all the previous Corvette Chief Engineers plus retired Corvette Product Marketing Manager Harlan Charles and current Executive Corvette Chief Engineer Tony Roma. The only previous “Chief” not pictured is Zora Arkus-Duntov who passed away in 1996.
Richard wrote this to go along with the photo:
Much of the history of Corvette as a relatively low-volume specialty car within the vastness of General Motors is a story of continuous struggle. For almost 75 years a small group of brilliant, courageous, forceful, and passionate people have overcome all obstacles to bring us the best production sports car in the world.
The impact that these six men (L-R Tony Roma, Harlan Charles, Tadge Juechter, Tom Wallace, Dave Hill, and Dave McLellan) have had on GM’s flagship icon going back nearly six decades can not be overstated. Their unbreakable dedication and hard work, along with the same from their colleagues in GM Design, have produced the cars we love so much. Looking ahead, America’s sports car is in the excellent hands of Executive Chief Engineer for Global Corvette and Performance Cars Team Tony Roma. Just like each of his predecessors, Tony is super smart, uncompromisingly tenacious, and totally committed to keeping Corvette at the front of the pack worldwide.
On a personal note, it has truly been my privilege to work directly with all six of these remarkable men over the past 30 years as part of both my work for GM and in the creation of my books and other writing endeavors. It was also my privilege to photograph them together at the National Corvette Restorers Society’s National Convention in Charleston, SC a few days ago.
The Corvette Nation is extremely fortunate that these men are still with us today and are able to share their knowledge and experiences with the rest of us. Thanks again to Richard Prince for being able to document this rare gathering.
Source:
Richard Prince / Facebook
Related:
[VIDEO] Throwback Thursday: First 1963 Corvette Z06s Delivered to Now Famous Racers
Throwback Thursday: Mystery Babe and the 1980 Corvette Brochure
[VIDEO] Throwback Thursday: Driving the No. 001 1963 Corvette Grand Sport
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Thank you so much for siding with onstar and not your customers!!! last weeks gm update removed the gps front lift from my c8. Wonderful!
In 1999, at the Birthday Bash within the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, I had prepared a proposal to design, build and sell a Special Edition Corvette Convertible, appropriately called the 2000 Millenium Edition in a new color, close to the House of Color Tangerine Orange Pearl with an all tan leather interior, tan cloth top, in 6 speed manuals, all options and of course only Museum Delivery on January 1, 2000 no matter the quantity sold.
So at the Bash, I gave.a copy to Wil Cooksey, the Assembly Plant Manager, Mr. Strode the Museum Director and Mr. Dave Hill, Corvette Chief.Engineer.
As I had a 2 minute elevator pitch session with each one, practically begging them for a Special Milineum Edition to celebrate all of us Corvette Fanatics in the new year of 2000, only one of the 3 was honestly intrigued.
Mr. Dave Hill told me at an autograph table, that this concept of a special Corvette, only sold and delivered at the Museum on New Years Day of 2000, was a fantastic opportunity to do this once in a hundred years Edition of Corvette!
Mr. Strode and Mr. Cooksey didn’t say anything but thanks.
Later that day on Friday, all of us were at the Assembly Plant entrance to give mini candy bars to each Plant employee going home after their shift ended around 3 or so. We all clapped and yelled Thank You while tossing candy bars and shaking hands. It was very cool!
I turned around and saw someone familiar behind me, Mr. Dave Hill, the Chief Corvette Engineer, had snuck in with.a very large crowd of all Bash folks and was smiling his trademark smile.
So I yelled “Hey.Dave, have some candy” while we were all clapping and yelling.
Well, everybody heard me and saw Dave, our Rock Star, started shaking hands and telling him how much they loved their Vettes.
Everyday for the past 27 years, I always remember how nice and sincere Mr. Dave Hill was when I see my 1996 Collectors Edition Convertible or a Grand Sport or even a nice ’97 or newer Vette. Dave was our Rock Star at Chevrolet building all those beautiful fast Corvettes.
May God bless all of those Corvette Team members in that photograph.
Thanks for listening.
J.T.
You do realize Charlotte is in NC. We as of yet to annex any part of SC. The Corvette scene here is awesome!