Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter Retires

Who has the best job in the world? Many people will claim that distinction but in the hearts and minds of Corvette folks, a likely candidate for the honor would be Tadge Juechter.

Tadges GM career started in 1977 at the Lordstown OH GM plant and in 1993 he joined the Corvette program. In 1999 he became Corvette's Assistant Chief Engineer and in 2006 he became the Corvette Executive Chief Engineer.

Left: Tadge at the introduction of the convertible C7 ZR1 in Los Angeles on November 28, 2017. Click here for a YouTube video of Tadge's talk. I had the chance to chat with Tadge at the event. I told him I am active with the local Vintage Corvette club and showed him a picture of my '68 convertible. I asked him what he thought of older Corvettes. He looked up for a bit and then said "I think the best Corvette is the next Corvette".

I think I kind of put him on the spot as a GM executive since they are supposed to be in favor of the new models but do not want to alienate anybody in the Corvette world. Tadge is clearly a first class act.

GM CEO Mary Barra accompanies Tadge Juechter in a teaser photo in a "camouflaged" Corvette C8.

Tadge worked on five generations of the Corvette starting with later versions of the C4. He was instrumental in the development of the C7 with a priority regarding the interior for which we are all grateful. He was also the lead on the 2019 C7 ZR1 - named Road and Track Performance Car of the Year - and was triumphant by all accounts.

Success with the C7 led to similar work on the C8 which we all know to be totally new and different and that much more of a challenge. Above: Tadge helps to reveal the C8 to the world on July 18, 2019.

Tadge ended an illustrious career with the ZR1, as fitting as could be imagined for an amazing career that included induction into the Corvette Hall of Fame on August 12, 2024.

The ZR1 set new performance standards for the Corvette with a twin turbocharged engine rated at 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque. It is clearly a performance monster with a future as a track day star.

The front windshield glass and front tunnel reinforcement panel beneath every Corvette Stingray, Z06, E-Ray, and ZR1 will feature the above graphic image of Tadge. According to a GM press release it will be featured on all Corvettes in the "2025 model year Corvettes and beyond." Wow.

"Tadge made our vehicles and our company better every day that he came to work, for nearly five decades, with his career culminating in the fastest, most powerful Corvette of them all," said GM President Mark Reuss. "ZR1, and all Corvettes that follow, will wear this symbol commemorating his immense contributions and celebrating his legacy forever."

As of July 1, 2024, Tadge has been replaced by Tony Roma. He is the sixth person to be known as the Corvette chief engineer.