Don't lean on the dream!!!
08-28-2013, 08:59 AM
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Don't lean on the dream!!!
If this doesn't speak volumes for the attitude of those building the new C7, I don't know what does ...
At Corvettes at Carlisle on Friday night, I was fortunate to attend a special event where Steve Grilli, Bowling Green Quality Manager, spoke about what was going on at the assembly plant. Now, to fully appreciate this, you have to picture Steve, who is a tall imposing guy with a heavy Brooklyn accent that would not look out of place on a Harley.
He tells the story of a new manager's first day on the job at Bowling Green. This manager is a seasoned GM veteran of many years who has worked at numerous other plants. Steve sees him leaning on a Corvette that's nearing completion.
Cleaning this up for family viewing ... Steve yells, "Hey man, don't you realize you're leaning on someone's dream?".
This credo seems to have become part of Bowling Green's mission statement. As I was snapping pictures of the Corvette team before the parade, Steve yelled, "Don't lean on the dream!". I'm happy to have this guy building my car.
Steve is in the 2nd row with the goatee and jeans
At Corvettes at Carlisle on Friday night, I was fortunate to attend a special event where Steve Grilli, Bowling Green Quality Manager, spoke about what was going on at the assembly plant. Now, to fully appreciate this, you have to picture Steve, who is a tall imposing guy with a heavy Brooklyn accent that would not look out of place on a Harley.
He tells the story of a new manager's first day on the job at Bowling Green. This manager is a seasoned GM veteran of many years who has worked at numerous other plants. Steve sees him leaning on a Corvette that's nearing completion.
Cleaning this up for family viewing ... Steve yells, "Hey man, don't you realize you're leaning on someone's dream?".
This credo seems to have become part of Bowling Green's mission statement. As I was snapping pictures of the Corvette team before the parade, Steve yelled, "Don't lean on the dream!". I'm happy to have this guy building my car.
Steve is in the 2nd row with the goatee and jeans
Last edited by C7GrandSport; 08-28-2013 at 09:02 AM.
08-28-2013, 09:30 AM
#2
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Good story - nice of him to respect what will be someone's new car someday.
08-28-2013, 09:58 AM
#4
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I would think worker at BG would have to feel the passion we owners show. I mean where else is there a owner funded museum? Where do folks wait to see their cars built?
With that being said I am glad they don't take their breaks anymore sitting in the car..... bell went off and they just plopped where they could. And I've not heard any stories of new cars being seen at wendys going thru the drive thru.
Its a unique car, right or wrong and everyone associated with it needs to understand that. It's an edge that GM has.........hope they never lose it just work to improve it.
With that being said I am glad they don't take their breaks anymore sitting in the car..... bell went off and they just plopped where they could. And I've not heard any stories of new cars being seen at wendys going thru the drive thru.
Its a unique car, right or wrong and everyone associated with it needs to understand that. It's an edge that GM has.........hope they never lose it just work to improve it.
08-28-2013, 10:13 AM
#6
Team Owner
Anyone that knows Steve is laughing like hell over this story because they can see him and hear him saying it. Steve takes his job very seriously and yes, he is an imposing figure. He is one great guy and one hell of a singer however.
08-28-2013, 01:23 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
Good story. Great line.
08-28-2013, 01:51 PM
#9
Safety Car
Good story, thank you for sharing.
This only strengthens and extends the same pride that has been shared by those that have done the museum delivery and talked with and observed the build process.
We should all be very proud of the Corvette Team and what they have done over the years and our new C7!
I'm very proud of all of them.
Thank you Team Corvette, for all of your expertise in engineering, design, and build. It starts with Tadge and on down the line.
This only strengthens and extends the same pride that has been shared by those that have done the museum delivery and talked with and observed the build process.
We should all be very proud of the Corvette Team and what they have done over the years and our new C7!
I'm very proud of all of them.
Thank you Team Corvette, for all of your expertise in engineering, design, and build. It starts with Tadge and on down the line.
08-28-2013, 02:34 PM
#13
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I would think worker at BG would have to feel the passion we owners show. I mean where else is there a owner funded museum? Where do folks wait to see their cars built?
With that being said I am glad they don't take their breaks anymore sitting in the car..... bell went off and they just plopped where they could. And I've not heard any stories of new cars being seen at wendys going thru the drive thru.
Its a unique car, right or wrong and everyone associated with it needs to understand that. It's an edge that GM has.........hope they never lose it just work to improve it.
With that being said I am glad they don't take their breaks anymore sitting in the car..... bell went off and they just plopped where they could. And I've not heard any stories of new cars being seen at wendys going thru the drive thru.
Its a unique car, right or wrong and everyone associated with it needs to understand that. It's an edge that GM has.........hope they never lose it just work to improve it.
Last edited by C6Chicago; 08-28-2013 at 02:36 PM.
08-28-2013, 03:30 PM
#16
Safety Car
Thread Starter
09-02-2013, 11:48 AM
#18
Safety Car
Thread Starter
When I was at Bloomington this year, Dave Burroughs gave a talk on what he viewed on the assembly line in St Louis building C2's and C3's. Typical scenes would be a worker curled up in a shipping crate sleeping on the job and another guy banging on the top of a door with a hammer and 2x4 to try to make it line up. We've come a long way.
