A Need For Speed
Thursday February 22nd Mr Dave McLellan was special guest at UNM, discussing the
building and testing of the Ferrari Formula 1 car. Dave has more than 40 years
of automotive industry experience, including 17 years as lead engineer for Corvette.
While the presentation highlighted Ferrari and notable breakthroughs in automotive
design in the racing world, the conversation involved discussions about the Corvette.
NMCA members Larry Jordan, Mike Rothman, Lori Jordan and Shane LeMon (l to r) are
pictured above with Dave McLellan (far right). Below is a short recap from Lori.
What an enjoyable evening, thanks to an invitation issued by Professor John Russell of
the UNM Department of Mechanical Engineering, to attend a lecture presented by Dave
McLellan, Corvette Chief Engineer from 1975 until his retirement in 1992. While the
topic was on the Ferrari manufacturing facility in Maranello, Italy, it had a way of
drifting to the Corvette, especially when Dave opened the floor to questions. From
why they made the C3 for so long to how much lighter can they make the Z06. Dave
answered them all, even when asked what Corvette he drives...of course his ZR-1, what
else! I tried to secure some discount coupons for a new 2007 Z06 but Dave said he was
fresh out.