  Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 5239 Registered: 06-2004 |
moving to senior advisor role, then retiring at end of 2009 http://jalopnik.com/5149563/bo b-lutz-to-retire-at-end-of-200 9?skyline=true&s=x | ||
Ferndaleguy76 Member Username: Ferndaleguy76 Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2003 |
I wonder what this means for the Chevy Volt. | ||
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian Post Number: 1992 Registered: 08-2006 |
He deserves a break at 77 yo if he wants it. He had the right ideas, but I'm not sure GM can use his styling expertise at this juncture when what they need to bring people back in is low cost electric or hybrid type cars. | ||
Raptor56 Member Username: Raptor56 Post Number: 743 Registered: 05-2007 |
Wasn't Bob the Father of the Corvette? or am I thinking of someone else? | ||
Detmsp Member Username: Detmsp Post Number: 67 Registered: 08-2008 |
viper not corvette  | ||
Otter Member Username: Otter Post Number: 545 Registered: 12-2007 |
Cambrian, Lutz has a lot of experience in automotive product development, and a good sense of style and pretty good intuition for interesting cars, but he was never a stylist. Raptor, Zora Arkus-Duntov was the "father" of the 'Vetter. You're thinking of the Viper, as Detmsp pointed out. O. | ||
Blueidone Member Username: Blueidone Post Number: 473 Registered: 03-2007 |
My mother worked at Chevy Engineering when Lutz was VP for Chevrolet...and my aunt was his personal secretary. They both admired him very much. When I had a problem with a Chevy Nova back in the late 70's if memory serves...but I'm not sure...my aunt was telling Lutz about it and he had me bring it directly to the engineers at the Tech Center. He rode it my car briefly and then had it fixed for me right there. They admitted a design flaw in the car which made it vibrate (something to do with the size of the catalytic converter). They put Olds engine mounts on it..and a 13 lb lead bar on the exhaust. Stopped the vibration...unfortunately other Nova owners weren't as lucky until the next model year. I met him at my aunt's funeral. He spoke very highly of her and was very gracious. I wish him well in his new endeavors. | ||
Lizaanne Member Username: Lizaanne Post Number: 133 Registered: 06-2007 |
Blue - that is a really lovely post about him, what a nice way to remember the man. | ||
Bibs Member Username: Bibs Post Number: 318 Registered: 10-2003 |
Bob Lutz always seems to push car designs that envoke an emotional response: Solstice, Sky etc. He likes to take risk. Once he leaves, who will be that driving force? | ||
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289 Post Number: 915 Registered: 08-2007 |
Now he might have time to fly his jet. | ||
Jiminnm Member Username: Jiminnm Post Number: 1701 Registered: 02-2005 |
Bibs, GM probably doesn't need a driving force any longer. They (and probably Chrysler also) are now in servitude to the US Congress, not the auto buying market. To continue their existence, and keep getting government funds or fail, GM must now only please Congress and build the cars Congress wants them to build, whether there is a market for those cars or not. From what I have read and heard, Lutz was seriously opposed to taking government funding as he understood what that meant to the future of GM. | ||
Gralr Member Username: Gralr Post Number: 72 Registered: 12-2008 |
I agree with jiminnm, It is not what people want it is what we are told to want. The gov will no doubt mandate GM into a corner, and for that matter Chrysler. Case in point, design, look at the magnificence of Detroit in the 30's it was a result of design, design, and more design, coupled with pride, and master craftsmen. Cars of the 30's , Design, Trains, most everything pride and design. Detroit today, one picture suffices. The automakers are finally producing really nicely designed auto's and now this. Buy your favorite old car now and keep it running, enjoy it and live in the past! | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 1515 Registered: 11-2003 |
Lutz is an amazing guy. He owns and flies his own Ruskie MIG jet ( which he once landed wheels up---oooops!),and is active in the YAF. Maybe he will spend more time at Willow Run in retirement. He is certainly a drawing card, the Roger Penske of the airwaves. | ||
Hpgrmln Member Username: Hpgrmln Post Number: 658 Registered: 06-2007 |
"Buy your favorite old car now and keep it running, enjoy it and live in the past!" Amen brother. All these states are trying to crack down on old cars and keep them off the road. I keep asking, "what about hobbiyists who like that old iron?" My fear is that pretty soon, collector car owners will be forced to surrender their cars to the crusher. Please tell me im overreacting. | ||
Hpgrmln Member Username: Hpgrmln Post Number: 659 Registered: 06-2007 |
"Buy your favorite old car now and keep it running, enjoy it and live in the past!" Amen brother. All these states are trying to crack down on old cars and keep them off the road. I keep asking, "what about hobbiyists who like that old iron?" My fear is that pretty soon, collector car owners will be forced to surrender their cars to the crusher. Please tell me im overreacting. | ||
Lodgedodger Member Username: Lodgedodger Post Number: 1425 Registered: 05-2008 |
Very few people in today's car business have the passion Mr. Lutz has for cars. He's one-of-a-kind. | ||
Otter Member Username: Otter Post Number: 559 Registered: 12-2007 |
Hp, You're overreacting. O. | ||
Bibs Member Username: Bibs Post Number: 319 Registered: 10-2003 |
Your points about GM being owned by the Feds are true. I'll never forget this quote from Bob Lutz:"The car buy decision is not a logical decision!" I didn't believe him at first. My buddy buys a car and I asked him why he bought it in order test Bobs theory out. His response was:"I don't know. I just had to have it!" My wife likes certain vehicle based on their looks alone! Safety, whats that! Another buddy is loaded, bought a used car which breaks down constantly and refuses to buy a new one out of fear! Me, I want to buy a new car with a 2.4 four cylinder engine which can handle E85! Bob is right! |
