Harley Earl and the Corvette: RCR Stories

[@billwhitfield7437]

RCR stories might be the most important part of this channel. No to discredit the reviews by any means. The history of automobiles is a huge chunk of this weird country, and in my opinion the best part. Just a thought, ya might look into 18 wheelers at some point. Thanks for another fantastic listen.

[@DMTruckSpotting]

I hope they do, that’s be awesome.

[@matthewjones12181]

If they don't, there's a history of them on the channel Jack's Chrome Shop. It's pretty good, but it's pretty much surface level.

[@LimitedTimeRoman]

I just wanted to add my apologies to everyone for the issue. I rewatched it in the editing bay but not again once I exported. I dad-clicked and messed up the presets. I'm really sorry to anyone I let down. Also this WILL be available as a podcast within the next week or so. Thanks for your support.

[@oscarmcmahon]

I had only just started watching it and had to pause to take care of the kids.... now I come back and it's fixed. Nice.

[@travishabursky4362]

Holy shit, it’s The Roman!

[@rhull3939]

Hey Roman, no freaking problem dude.

[@acedotcom]

See i thought i dad youtube'd and didnt know what was wrong with the aspect ratio. I just figured there was k-pop on the edges of the frame or something.

[@YatriTrivedi]

Most of the content was there anyway. Besides, you never get all the info or jokes on one watch - rcr stories is usually a 2-watch minimum for me anyway. More to catch this time around.

[@WitoldWitkowski]

"The following film has been modified from its original version. It has been formatted to fit this screen."

[@c.armstrong2978]

THX (Bwwwwaaaaaaahhhhhhh)

[@chadbaptiste4227]

citizenKaneclap.gif

[@4R8YnTH3CH33F]

Literally saw that disclaimer on almost every VHS as a kid and didn't understand what it meant until quite recently.

[@captainchris5858]

@@c.armstrong2978 re

[@Leo9ine]

Please keep making these for as long as you enjoy it and are able to. They might never get the recognition they deserve, but they'll always be deeply loved and appreciated by some of us. Thank you Roman

[@myabyrnemusic]

Roman, I love your stories, but this one in particular was really moving and as a person obsessed with the intersections of history, it really encapsulated and brought together so much I did not know. We so very often hear about the supposed egos and hubris of Mitchell and Earl, but not of their genuine achievements and influence. And the fact that Earl employed women in the way that he did is truly something that needs more coverage. What a legacy. On a side note-it was also amazing to learn about Don Lee and to see his Pasadena dealership in context - that building still exists, as a florist, and is gorgeous. I knew it was a dealership for Cadillac; I didn’t know it was THE dealership for Cadillac. It took me a couple of days to get through this, but that’s because I really wanted to absorb it all (and tend to watch YT before bed). Thank you for doing this research and putting together one of the most interesting histories I’ve engaged in for some time. -m

[@deusexaethera]

Wow. An employment contract that allowed retirement and pension after 30 years instead of 40. That sure would be nice.

[@texlad04]

Everyone under 40 in the private sector: What’s a pension? Employment contract?

[@TheDumpbin]

The contract that led to GM's bankruptcy in 2008. Paying people $60 an hour to sling bolts and lifetime employment guarantees isn't viable long term. Now they get $15, and with Joe Biden what factories are left will leave for his friends in China. GM has a bright high profit future :D

[@deusexaethera]

@@TheDumpbin: Joe Biden is _old._ He pre-dates the concept of neoliberalism. He doesn't believe the free market can solve all problems and doesn't believe free trade deals are in everyone's best interests. We'll see what he's actually able to do, but I don't consider him part of the problem right now. Anyway, most cars sold in the US are assembled in the US or Canada, same as the old days -- they just have foreign brand-names glued on the trunklids. Cars suitable for the North American market aren't suitable in most other parts of the world that can afford them, so Japanese and Korean carmakers have separate designs for North America.

[@TheDumpbin]

@@deusexaethera Biden will be declared senile and incompetent and removed by Amendment 25 within his first 3 to 6 months. President Harris, under advisement of the real POTUS, Obama, will get the job done. And Biden is owned by China, they gave 22 million to his think tank at the University of Pennsylvania. That's why his pick for Secretary of State, who ran that think tank said we need to encourage the rise of China. Senile Uncle Joe is bought and paid for by the Chinese. I'm sure they are overjoyed with things as they stand at the moment.

[@geetarguy777]

Wow, a retirement pension.

[@soapbxprod]

This is sheer genius. As a former owner of a 62 Fuelie, which I rebuilt 80 percent of- including the Rochester unit- and the grandson of a fairly famous Hollywood actor and director (I'm 61), may I think you most sincerely. You're a truly accomplished historian.

[@ClassicJunk88]

I wasn't ready for the contemplative shaving cream man, beautiful and side splittingly hilarious at the same time.

[@ccl6057]

"Some jerk is born 4 days later" -- brilliant! I love the non-essential bits you throw into your videos! I happened across your 2.5-hour AMC video and loved it to pieces. Now I'm going through many of your other videos. I'm hooked!!

[@9ZERO6]

I am always thankful for a dose of RCR.

[@stuffmadethen]

Brilliant. TV documentary quality with some humour that would not be welcome on TV. Simply brilliant.

[@landrec2]

Yes! Watched the Isle of Man TT doc yesterday, loved it, now this falls in my lap!

[@1995RangeRover]

Roman, your story telling skills are impeccable!

[@forresttm]

Roman. Thank you.

[@mistgate]

"But where are we gonna get one of those?" See: Aston, Ferrari, Lotus, R8, Sharkwerks 911, GTR, Pulsar, LARC, C7 Calloway Aerowagon, Viper, Model T...

[@BokBarber]

In high school, one of my best friend's father had a silver blue C2 Sting Ray convertible sitting in his basement in mint condition. It was a beautiful machine, and he loved it more than he loved his own wife and kids. I had no idea how rare and valuable it was at the time since I wasn't really into cars, but even in my ignorance it was an extremely cool car.

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

Thanks for making and sharing these historical Auto Films..

[@MichaelRoma91]

Ahh it’s widescreen now

[@phdep1]

MAY-KO, not MACH-O. Great piece!

[@EggBastion]

--Eugh-- *_`¦ P_* No, wait! The other one, I _agree_ with you! Damn, when was the last time I agreed with anyone . . . *_:' ?_*

[@nickswing159]

My godz..I watched this even though I'd given up hope on owning one...but thing you...you broke a tear from my eye in this time and age.

[@jasonyoung6420]

C2 is still my favorite generation; the 60's were just a really good time for automotive styling, at least in my opinion. C6 Z06 is the model I'd likely have though; crap interior, but a focus on performance, and the C7 & C8 have made their values drop. Minor comment: It's pronounced may-ko not Mah-ko; not trying to be a d***, just pointing it out.

[@evolved64]

To-may-toe, to-mah-toe,,, eh, let's just call the whole thing off.

[@EdDale44135]

Appreciate the background on Harley Earl and his family.

[@12ealDealOfficial]

There's my like and here's my comment. You killed it on this one! Thanks for making it widescreen.

[@terribelbliss9646]

That was a good story, I enjoyed it immensely, thank you Roman. 👍😉

[@tevinhoward4419]

A blast from the past since 1953 of the C1-C8.

[@richardvickrey4786]

As always, you pulled off a feat of "deep-dive" research & timely observations which you then wove into a veritable tapestry of a an historical tale full of links & associations which is THE BEST way of presenting a valid & verifiable story. Well done! Heartfelt kudos to you & your team.

[@natep9171]

Excellent story, as always. Thank you Mr. Roman.

[@synthdriver8817]

I'm really digging RCR Stories. The reviews are awesome but I could listen to you ramble on all day long about automotive history. Keep it up m8.

[@densealloy]

25:21 Hackberry General Store! 30 mins from my house! Such a time capsule...

[@richard16372]

WOW a wonderful video and great research . THANKS FOR SHARING, I really enjoyed this being 77 years old and owned 8 Corvettes from 1968 thru 2007 RON FELLOWS ZO6 VETTE.

[@FordFlatSix]

Harley Earl: Appearance and function are of parallel importance Also Harley Earl: I have this fabulous idea; transparent steel!

[@paulthegeek]

Fun tangential fact: In his autobiography, John Z Delorean claims to have HATED the idea of "dynamic obsolescence" and planned to avoid drastic swings in design from year to year if the DMC-12 had been allowed to continue production.

[@funfun5656]

I feel like the Delorean would have been the gen 1 VW Beetle of sports cars if not for the fact John had to bootstrap it himself with limited resources and 2 growing nostrils to feed.

[@Heavygravy447]

Great job Roman really like all the RCR stories you do the best at bringing the stories to life and making them very interesting please continue making them

[@theogeitondasamphilochos5630]

Just what a beautiful story everything around him really was! His family's reincarnation from his father's home town to undeveloped LA, building local auto industry kingdom and back to Detroit and his father's origin, his fellows who helped him to climb carrier ladder, believing and shared his beautiful dream, his foresighting dedication to more independent women as skillful designers. This is exactly anthem of blessings of American capitalism that capitalism can truely serve ppl best advance and happiness...

[@netburnr]

I'm new to your channel, and I love Corvettes.... this moved me in an emotional way, and I thank you for that

[@VinceroAlpha]

With titans like Earl, Zora and Delorean, it's no wonder GM became a monolith in the auto industry. But sadly bean counters are in charge and it's a shadow of it's former self.

[@VinceroAlpha]

Hector actually it’s not, during that era GM invented a lot of technology that is the standard in the automotive industry today. They took risks, were forward thinking, actually took the time to research what people ACTUALLY wanted and had people who were GENUINELY PASSIONATE about their jobs in high ranking positions. During that era, they were innovators as well as their vehicles they ushered in. However, having your ethos being playing safe all the time, only the bottom line matters and appealing to everyone just drags down a company, which is what has been happening for the better part of 30 years.

[@stratcat4450]

@@VinceroAlpha so well said. Cadillac alone was responsible for so many innovations. I grew up in Detroit during the good old days of the big 3. Was an awesome era to be born in.

[@areyousureyouenteredyourna85]

@Hector ok zoomer.

[@ChrisSmith-mi2zo]

@@VinceroAlpha This is what makes GM so compelling as a company to me. For the majority of the 20th century, it maintained an almost Trotskyist culture of various divisions breaking convention, innovating, and occasionally all-out rebelling against management. Developing the Corvette, straight-up lying about windshield angles for the 2nd-gen F-bodies, the NASCAR aero wars of the 1980s and Buick casually making a Regal that would beat Corvettes on the drag strip, with GMC mimicking that with trucks soon after. One of my favorite of these stories is the development of the LS1 engine. The SBC is rightfully legendary but definitely an antiquated design by the 1990s, even with incremental improvements. When GM contracted Lotus to develop the complicated and expensive LD5 engine for the C4 ZR1 Corvette, the GM engine division felt betrayed that management trusted an outside company more than them. They rebelled, compiled all the information learned by all of GM's previous engines, combined with new developments like injection-molded intake ducts, and introduced the 5.7L LS1 V8 with the C5 Corvette in 1997, kicking off another legendary line of small-block V8s that set standards in performance just like the SBC (mostly the 1970 LT1) before it.

[@mattmatthews5414]

I’m sure that there’ll be more in this that I love, but I gotta tell you I loved the Earrrrrly Years joke.

[@Meinstein]

Earl was rated third behind Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder? Bbwaahha ha ha! Detroit.. you kill me!

[@scottcraig-stearman590]

The text drove me insane on the last one, thanks for fixing it lol

[@capcitylandtv2383]

Definitely got that Dixie Carter joke. My grandma used to watch that show lol

[@natemofield281]

If FoMoCo hadn't messed up the Thunderbird the Mustang might have been a side note.

[@SamCyanide]

Fantastic story, glad you're keeping going

[@joshcantrell4720]

Split windows C2 is the best looking Corvette ever made in my opinion

[@johnclayden1670]

Loved it - love the quality of the narration - and love my C6 too.

[@95blahblahhaha]

Why go to work when I could just watch 8 hours of RCR Stories! Also I wonder what Harley thought of the Chrysler Airflow's design

[@MrJommins]

Flippin’ awesome buddy! Great video! I really enjoyed it!

[@bobspatafore3056]

Just found your channel. Lovin it! You are like C &Rsenal for cars. Made my week sir

[@StarsAndSticks]

This video plays almost exactly like the first and second chapters of the book "Engines of change". Recommended read for anyone on here.

[@leezuregamr]

Thank you for this video

[@JeffManseau]

Viewer #182. To me that's significant. On my birthday no less.

[@realAlexChoi]

Yo viewer 520, also my birthday

[@realAlexChoi]

Happy birthday my dude 🥳

[@JeffManseau]

Alex Choi hpb to you too fellow rcr aficionado :)

[@tydondero16]

I would love to listen to one of these to be done about the styling and manufacturing process of the willys jeep. I feel like there is a lot of that story that hasn't been told in this format or maybe even at all.

[@Sunfried1]

I thought this would be a conventional documentary. It needs a narrator with clear projecting voice, not a half whisper about a car designed to get the blood flowing.

[@brianwhelan5382]

What about electric cars that were on the market at the beginning of the introduction of the automobile, how about a video on that?

[@redkos]

"Well now, they often call me Speedo but my real name is Mr. Earl......" Opening lyrics to, "Speedo" by The Cadillacs.

[@jedgarsquink]

Significant but omitted here is the fact that, beginning in the late 1940's, there were quite a few small companies, primarily in the US, building fiberglass sports car bodies and in some cases complete cars, using American sedan chassis, usually with the engine set back.

[@Partizan90]

Excellent as always. Would love to see the second half of the Corvettes history. Would you be willing to do that? Please?

[@williamhodges477]

Thankful and amazed great details

[@deusexaethera]

I'd never heard of the Mako Shark concept car before. It is the only C2 variant I actually like the look of. Too bad they never built it.

[@kepecs0408]

As usual, great video! If you're ever in Charleston SC I would love to show up just to shake your hand and that of your crew. All of your videos have a certain personal Flair or time and travel that seems to hit

[@kepecs0408]

And by the way, Bridgeville rules.

[@480JD]

@42:00 the corvette sells every other nameplate Chevy sold. There's that family like team association between those driving the same nameplate. The Camaro and Corvette I found myself driving next to in my Cavalier on I10 going from Los Angeles to Phoenix one Christmas Eve figured there was strength in numbers while going 100+ mph to help maybe slip past Highway Patrol, and slowed down enough to where I could keep up, since my car was electronically limited to 109mph.

[@LJG69]

I love these

[@vassa1972]

Thank you

[@henrymontenegro1159]

Thanks! Great video.

[@jameseyman9078]

So good..... Roman is a talent! When does he start his own podcast? I'm so there...

[@mosessupposes2571]

These are great shows!

[@josephagnello9335]

EXCELLENT !!!!!!!!!

[@jamespn]

Can’t wait for the C4 to C8 blog.

[@hendo337]

Wait a minute...I thought the '53 235ci Blue Flame I6 was rated @ 150hp gross with the 3x1bbl setup? Not 136hp...

[@zendonbuilds948]

Some people believe Duntov designed the Corvette. He didn't. Harley Earl designed it, but Duntov saw the Corvette for the diamond in the rough that it was. He built it up into the competition machine we know today.

[@jeffreymarchant4020]

Proper pronunciation of MAKO is (MayCo) Named after the MAKO Shark...The C2 was originally the 1963 spit window Corvette...1968 to 1976 was the Sting Ray...In 1971 they had a 454CID... and if you had the right combination on the engine components would make the car shove a sideways launch along with a heavy sinking into the seat ...

[@bobz1736]

Masterful job sir 🙏

[@hendo337]

The Corvette debuted three days less than exactly 30yrs before I was born. There was no Corvette for my birth year.

[@danturner8741]

This is great.

[@Sentient6ix]

You can find the original Fuel Injector prototype for the Corvette at Fairview College in Alberta (Canada for you lazier yanks).

[@joellamoureux7914]

Well done sir

[@Phylonyous]

Oh snap… RCR a wrasslin fan!

[@jacobalexander4874]

"100% no Dixie Carter" Just got back into wrestling, I noticed you make quite a few jokes

[@mikeklakowicz1186]

I learned something from this today that the Dukes of hazard or should I say hazard county is a real place that was named after a man in the late 18 hundreds

[@serbang277]

perfect

[@Mellowbaton]

The only storytime I don't mind

[@StillConfusing]

good story

[@deusexaethera]

All the people bitching about the new mid-engined Corvette should watch this video and count the number of times Chevrolet _tried_ to make a mid-engined Corvette in the past. It's not a new idea to appeal to "kids these days".

[@areyousureyouenteredyourna85]

Corvettes become more and more like a poor man's Ferrari every year. That's my problem with them. The mid engine is just the latest in a long line of "not a Corvette anymore". Sure, they tried to do it before, but there are probably good reasons why it didn't catch on back then. GM hasn't just been dying for over a decade now, they've been committing suicide.

[@deusexaethera]

@@areyousureyouenteredyourna85: Watch the video. It 8s made quite clear that mid-engined Corvettes were held-up in the past by lack of R&D money, lack of parts-bin compatibility, and at least once, US government intervention in motorsports. Are those "good reasons"nyway to you? They aren't to me. Anyway, the macrodesigns of supercars (i.e. the big decisions, not the shapes of vents and taillights) are constrained by the laws of physics. Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Bugattis, Porsches, and Lotuses all have mid-rear engine layouts _because it works better._ The Corvette can either follow suit or be left behind as a "rich man's Camaro" instead of a "poor man's Ferrari".

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Chevy knew a few more HP in the mid engine Fiero would embarrass the hell out of their Corvette...

[@weaponsgrade47]

Love you Roman

[@coosey3764]

Reupload?

[@Kiwi-hv8fg]

It was badly Cropped on the first upload

[@TBustah]

You guys really need to review a later C1 as well, not just a C2. It may all technically be one generation, but that 1953 you looked at didn’t have a V8 and was the better part of a foot shorter than the 1958-1962 cars. The 1953-1957s and the 1958-1962s may as well be two different generations, four if you want to count each refresh. It’d also be interesting to see how much the build quality improved.

[@markmiller3279]

Good point. I've always found it odd that such different cars were considered a single generation. There was no decisive break any one year, but that was often the case with cars from the 30s-50s, when changes were incremental.

[@TBustah]

@@markmiller3279 I think they all at least shared a frame (all 1953-1962 Corvettes do have the same wheelbase), but implying that you've driven all C1s because you've driven one model year is a bit like saying you know what a Fox 5.0 is like because you've driven one of those early Foxes with a Pinto engine. The C1.3 and C1.4 have more in common with the C2 than they do with the C1.1 in some ways.

[@vertigo4567]

Ive seen this a few times now, and I ONLY now discovered the Metal Gear Solid reference starting at 2:52 hahahaha Just pause the video and read ALL of the "historical timeline" that is shown :)

[@MrGodisded]

Great stuff!!

[@peterkirby1753]

My Name Is Earl

[@bigboatben]

I can get you behind the wheel of a C2 if you don’t mind coming to Southern California

[@mikerosenthal3276]

well made thnx

[@chriseaton2730]

I'm a bit confused about the Z06 package as it seems like you're implying it was available on the C1 Corvette but it started on the C2.

[@mlyssy2]

It’s Mā’kō dangit!!! It’s not Mo’kō!!! Quit saying it like that!!!!

[@markmiller3279]

It's originally a Maori word, and would be pronounced by them as Roman is. It's English speakers who've messed it up.

[@mlyssy2]

Mark Miller it wasn’t Polynesians who designed or named the C3 though. The people who did pronounced it the way I said it was and any fisherman or nature documentary will too. Prove me wrong. Go ahead. Find someone else who pronounces it that way. I also don’t ever hear Roman saying “aluminium” and autocorrect seems to find that word offensive when I type it in even though the Brits say we’re the ones pronouncing it wrong. Times and pronunciations change. We don’t speak old English anymore. Neither you nor Roman have a leg to stand on here you are just trolling.

[@rareblues78daddy]

@@mlyssy2 Mike... just give it up. I've been fighting these people for two days now. They don't want to learn; they're content being fools.

[@ideitbawxproductions1880]

"Not that (turn signals) matter, because half of this state doesn't even use them!!" Every Canadian except me: "What are turn signals?" Me: 🤬🤬🤬

[@jamesminney4497]

Great story. Couldn’t get past the mispronunciation of the Mako Shark model. It’s pronounced May-Co not Mach-o.

[@robertlittin5196]

SUGGESTION: How about a video on how Ford “stole” the intermittent-windshield wiper’ from the inventor. ???

[@spinchsprimkle6541]

I think the sales spike in 1979 was caused by the release of the movie 'Corvette Summer'

[@pjnelson8971]

I saw that a couple of months ago. I'd never heard of it till it popped up in recommendations from KZbin. Mark Hamill and MeeMa from Young Sheldon. She was really cute.

[@bobwhite3777]

Could you do a rcr story on the corvair?

[@aliabdallah102]

How TF did I miss this?

[@JowoHD]

it took them a long time to make 250 corvettes it seems

[@theloseph]

4:18 hilarious