Late 1956 - Marketing Meeting a Company HQ
Zachariah Stasiak sat together with Fenton, Everette, and several other top brass at C Fenton Trunt Company. The topic today was the future of the thing that had started it all.
Zach pointed to the easel which hosted the sales figures for the last 24 months. “As you can see,” he started, “Sales have been falling off on the GT for the last 8 months or so, even despite the improvements. At this point, I don’t see any way we can spin it to stop the bleeding.”
Bill Waterson, chief engineer chimed in his support. “That’s right, Zach. The GT is going to be a market loser no matter what we do at this point. We can only change so much within the framework of its current design.”
“So you’re saying a redesign is necessary?” Everette asked of the two.
“In short, yes.” said Bill. Zach nodded his approval.
“Well, we all knew this would come eventually,” Fenton said with obvious understanding. “But – and as I am sure I do not need to tell you two of all people – we have our hands full with the new car. How long do think we can push this?”
“Its hard to say for certain,” Zach explained not trying to sound pessimistic. “I think we would be wise to have something in the works by the end of 3rd quarter 1957.”
“Can we push it any further?” Everette asked. “Third quarter 1957 is when the new car is slated to launch. First quarter 1958?”
Bill shook his head. That was simply not enough time. “At present we should think about launch of the GT’s replacement sometime around…” He looked to Zach to finish his thought.
“Late 1959 or early 1960. I don’t see sales holding out much longer than that.”
Fenton scratched his chin for a second and then announced the attendance. “It sounds as though our hands our tied. Bill, can we handle a second project?”
“When there is a will, there is a way, sir.” He parried.
“What a I like to hear.” Fenton said with a smile.
“Yes. But – while this is important – remember, top priority is launch of the new car. If its a success, methinks we can buoy the GT a little longer.” Everette warned.
Late 1960 - Company Party for the 250,000th Everette Sold
Bill and Fenton found themselves next to each other while piling orderves onto their plates. Bill was always a little uneasy around the many who could terminate his career with two words whenever he wanted and for any reason at all. But in his years of working with Fenton, he had come know him more as a friend than a superior.
“I have to say, it was a risky call but its turned out well. I’m glad you okayed the Everette.” Bill complimented.
“I’m glad I have an engineer who knew how to make the thing better than almost anybody else’s.” Fenton complimented straight back.
Bill snorted a little and looked down at his food, mildly embarrassed.
“I am not personally a fan of the car itself,” Fenton went on. “But credit where its due. You made an excellent machine and its good for the bottom line.”
The two finished filling their plates and began slowly perusing for seats. While on the hunt, Fenton talked about the newly released GT with Bill.
“The new GT seems to be doing well,” Fenton said.
“Reasonably,” Bill said back. “It could be doing better. Doubtless this economy is not helping the situation.”
Fenton, somewhat dissatisfied with this answer, offered his own explanation. “Could be also it seems too much like the previous one. I mean we are using the same engine, no?”
“Correct.” Bill confirmed.
“It may not be what you want to hear, but I think perception is a factor. We have to make it stand out.” Fenton stated, matter-of-factly. “You know, I was thinking. Our 8s are the size of other people’s 6s and other peoples 8s could eat ours whole. Where’s the GT’s punch? Where are its numbers to make it look good?”
Bill mused a little at this. “No disrespect, but bigger numbers don’t always mean better performance, especially not with engine displacement.”
“Well I’m not saying that but perception is important. And like it or not, neither the GT nor the Everette are all that fast despite that one of them should be.” Fenton replied. “Like I said, where’s its punch? Where’s pizazz? Can’t we make it go any faster?”
Bill paused for a second. A few things raced through his mind. How to make the GT faster without taking forever? And then it came to him. “Actually… we could bore out the block.”
“Oh?” Fenton perked up.
“Well sure. The A series V8 was originally designed in 1947 and as such has way too much cooling capacity. We could overbore the block and get some more displacement out of it. Also premium fuel is getting much more common. An overbore, a tune up… heck we could do that all by 4th quarter next year for the 1962 model year.”
“I like this. Can you do it?” Fenton asked.
“I don’t see why not. I’ll have some of my guys start working on it next week.”
4th Quarter 1961 - As Promised
Obligatory glamour shots
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