GENERAL MOTORS CELEBRATES YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

DETROIT, March 20, 2002 – It is a daunting yet intriguing task: Among the millions of cars and trucks produced by the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer, select three that epitomize the corporation’s past, present and future. Which ones embody the corporation’s rich heritage, its enduring commitment to innovation and its sustaining vision of the future?

Consider these three candidates: The Buick Y-Job, the industry’s first concept car; a Chevrolet Monte Carlo stock car, the most successful model in NASCAR racing history; and the Cadillac Cien supercar, a design study that expands the envelope of automotive technology.

In fact, this eclectic trio of vehicles will represent General Motors at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 12-14, 2002. They are from different eras, constructed for different purposes and notable for different reasons. But viewed together, they express the essence of the company that has been the leader of the automotive industry for decades.

“The foundation of General Motors’ long-term success are product innovation, global technical competence, and strong and successful brands,” said Scot Keller, staff director, GM Corporate Brand Communications. “These elements were foremost in our minds when we chose the vehicles that GM will bring to the Goodwood Festival of Speed.”

At 64 years of age, the Buick Y-Job still has the power to evoke an emotional response in anyone with an eye for personal style. Created in 1938 by GM’s colorful design chief Harley J. Earl, the Y-Job was the first masterpiece in a new automotive art form that became known as “dream cars.” Long, low and streamlined, the Y-Job emulated the appearance of the fighter planes that gave this elegant two-seater its distinctive name. Refurbished by the staff of the GM Design Center, the Y-Job will reenact Earl’s daily drives through the streets of Detroit in this priceless prototype.

The Festival of Speed will also see a genuine American racing hero return to the driver’s seat when three-time NASCAR champion Darrell Waltrip puts Chevrolet’s legendary Monte Carlo stock car through its paces. Waltrip’s quick wit is rivaled only by his speed in a racecar, and he has vowed (with tongue planted firmly in cheek) to outrun the Formula 1 contingent on Goodwood’s long and winding road.

Competition has been a part of GM’s culture since the early days. Automotive pioneers such as Louis Chevrolet and Ransom E. Olds (founders of the Chevrolet and Oldsmobile divisions respectively) recognized that the racetrack was a compelling venue to demonstrate their products.

GM is continuing this heritage with a global motorsports program that showcases its products in Europe, North and South America, Australia and Asia. When Waltrip wheels Richard Childress’ Chevy Monte Carlo up Lord March’s driveway, he will represent the countless professional and amateur racers who compete worldwide in GM vehicles.

This passion for performance also finds expression in the Cadillac Cien concept car – a carbon fiber supercar with a sharply chiseled profile and cutting-edge technology. Powered by an experimental 750-horsepower Northstar V12 engine with direct fuel injection, the Cien boldly celebrates Cadillac’s centennial – and promises future breakthroughs in design and technology from GM’s luxury division.

The Cien has a Spanish name (which translates as “100” in honor of Cadillac’s first century) and an unmistakable British accent. Designed by Simon Cox at the General Motors Advanced Design Studio for Cadillac in England and powered by a prototype engine built by Cosworth Engineering in cooperation with GM Powertrain, the Cadillac Cien will return to its virtual home in the U.K. for the Festival of Speed.

On three magical midsummer days, the past, present and future converge at Goodwood. It is a time to celebrate heroes and legends, and to pay homage to extraordinary people and exceptional vehicles. The Buick Y-Job dream car, the Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR stock car and the Cadillac Cien concept car that will participate in the Festival of Speed are a snapshot of the millions of GM vehicles of the past, present and future – and the passionate people who create them.

More information on Waltrip's Goodwood experience