Edward Nicholas Cole was an American inventor, automotive engineer and executive, widely known for leading critical projects for General Motors, including development of the Chevrolet Corvair and Chevrolet Vega; developing GM's Small Block V8 and its rotary engine, championing the catalytic converter to migrate cars from leaded gasoline, and advocating for air bags.
20 Facts About Ed Cole
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Ed Cole was President of General Motors from 1967 through 1974.
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Ed Cole wanted to be a lawyer, but landed a part-time job in an auto parts store while attending Grand Rapids Community College.
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In 1930, Ed Cole enrolled in the General Motors Institute, where he was selected by GM for an engineering assignment at Cadillac, before his graduation.
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Ed Cole was a member of the Phi Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.
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Ed Cole divorced Esther in 1964, to marry Dollie Ann Fechner, and they had one child, Edward N Cole Jr.
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Ed Cole worked in engineering, rising to co-head a team that developed the 1949 Cadillac V8.
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Ed Cole was briefly assigned to run a GM plant in Cleveland, Ohio, when Chevrolet general manager Tom Keating requested his assignment as chief engineer.
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Ed Cole became chief engineer of the Chevrolet Division in 1952.
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Ed Cole collaborated with Zora Arkus-Duntov to revitalize the weak-performing early Corvettes, and he introduced engineering and design advancements in the Chevrolet car and truck lines between 1955 and 1962.
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Ed Cole was promoted to general manager of Chevrolet in 1956.
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Ed Cole was promoted to head the GM car and truck group in 1961, then to executive vice-president in 1965, and to president in 1967.
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Ed Cole was chief engineer of the Chevrolet Vega and directed the GM design staff in developing their first subcompact, four passenger vehicle.
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Ed Cole ordered engine compression ratios reduced after 1970 knowing regulations would tighten.
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Ed Cole oversaw the transition away from leaded gasoline and prepared GM for catalytic converters in 1975.
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Ed Cole then became chairman and CEO of Checker Motors Corporation and Chairman of International Husky, an air-freight company.
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Ed Cole became a member of Michigan Gamma chapter of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society in 1952.
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In 1998, Ed Cole was posthumously inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame.
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Ed Cole was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1977.
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Ed Cole is featured in the History Channel documentary film, The Cars That Made America.