Gib Hufstader

If there's a secret MVP in Corvette history, Gib Hufstader is a shoo-in. Gib died at the age of 94 on Sunday, May 4th.
His tenure at GM spanned over 45 years and goes back to1950 as a Buick- and Chevrolet-sponsored co-op student. Upon graduation from the General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) in 1955, Hufstader joined the army and went to work testing M48 Patton tanks. In 1957, he rejoined GM at Chevy R&D and worked on a variety of projects including experimental air suspensions as well as various assignments for Corvette.
Gib formally joined the Corvette group in 1964 and was there for many of the great moments in Corvette history alongside Zora. He was forced to do much of his work underground following a recommended ban on motorsports from the American Manufacturers Association in 1957. His specialty was engines, brakes, clutches and drivetrains. He worked extensively with the race teams, especially on projects like the lightweight Corvette Grand Sports, which battled the Ford Cobras for the hearts and minds of sport car enthusiasts in the 1960s. He journeyed to Le Mans to assist with the privately entered L88 Sting Ray driven by Dick Guldstrand, Bob Bondurant and Don Yenko before a late-race engine failure. He was also a regular at the Sebring 12-hour and Daytona 24-hour, assisting race teams over the years with parts and knowhow, most notably the Owens Corning Fiberglass L88 Corvettes driven by Tony DeLorenzo and Jerry Thompson. Gib even co-drove a Corvette to 14th place overall in the 1969 Sebring 12-hour.
Hufstader also worked very closely with the Penske Trans-Am Sunoco Camaro team on engines and brakes in the late 1960s with driver Mark Donohue.
One of Gib's higher -profile projects was the mid-engined Aerovette concept car. This beautiful almond-shaped coupe was powered by a four-rotor engine put together by Gib, who mated a pair of two rotor engines to produce a lightweight engine with over 400 horsepower. This was to promote GM's acquisition of Wankel engine technology for possible future use in Corvette and other Chevrolet passenger cars, a pathway that GM later abandoned.
Hufstader earned seven United States patents during his career including one for the Aerovette drivetrain.
Gib was also there during the development of the 1990-1995 "King of the Hill" Gen Four Corvette ZR-1, working closely with Lotus and Mercury Marine on its all-aluminum 32-valve LT5 V8 engine. He consulted well into the development of the C5 Corvette working closely with Zora's successors Dave McLellan and later Dave Hill.
Gib remained active in Corvette circles well into his 90s and had a wide range of motoring interests. He loved vintage racing his drop-windshield Austin Healey 100/4 as well as his 1966 427 Corvette roadster. He was an aviation enthusiast and owned a Steen Skybolt aerobatic biplane. He also maintained a collection of rare exotic bikes, including a 1952 Vincent Black Shadow, a 1972 900 cc Ducati and a 1956 Triumph Trophy. For many years, he demonstrated his dirt biking skills at the week-long Colorado 500 Charity Ride.
Gib lived with his wife Sandy in Shelby Township, Michigan, both under the loving care of their daughter Becky. His life made a real difference for the millions of Corvette enthusiasts around the globe.
Gib's funeral services will be held on May 17th at Wasik Funeral Home at 49150 Schoenherr Road in Shelby Township, Michigan. The viewing will be at 10 am with a service at 11:30 am.
Memorial contributions in lieu of floral arrangements may be directed, in Gib's memory, to https://donate.kettering.edu/in-memory-of-gibson-hufstader-55