Jim Perkins, RIP
04-19-2022, 12:15 PM
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Jim Perkins, RIP
Some of you know and most of you should know the name, Jim Perkins. He was the General Manager of Chevrolet in the late 80’s and early/mid 90’s. To me, he was quite special because he is the person that decided I should be allowed to purchase the last Camaro at Van Nuys. Specifically, he said “if the guy wants the car that damn bad, he should have it”. I had the opportunity to meet Jim Perkins at the Detroit airport in 1994 while I was returning from watching my 1994 Z28 being built in Ste Therese, Quebec. He was very kind and remembered me as the guy that got the last Van Nuys car. After I returned home, I received a card from him, thanking me for being a Camaro enthusiast. I just noticed today that he passed in December 2018.
Last edited by LeonardS; 04-20-2022 at 07:46 PM.
04-19-2022, 12:36 PM
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Re: Jim Perkins, RIP
Some of you know and most of you should know the name, Jim Perkins. He was the General Manager of Chevrolet in the late 80’s and early/mid 90’s. To me, he was quite special because he is the person that decided I should be allowed to purchase the last Camaro at Van Nuys. Specifically, he said “if the guy wants the car that damn bad, he should have it”. I had the opportunity to meet Jim Perkins at the Detroit airport in 1994 while I was returning from watching my 1994 Z28 being built in Ste Therese, Quebec. He was very kind and remembered me as the guy that got the last Van Nuys car. After I returned home, I received a card from him, thanking me for being a Camaro enthusiast. I just noticed today that he passed in December 2021.
RIP, Jim Perkins. You were one of the good ones.
04-19-2022, 10:06 PM
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Re: Jim Perkins, RIP
I was not aware of this. Sorry to hear it. He did a hell of a lot for Chevrolet. He and John Rock at Olds were sort of the last of an era of strong General Managers for the divisions...when they still wielded enough clout to get some things done because they wanted it that way, or they knew it was right for their brand. Something GM needs again, IMO.
I have a picture of me with him and Smokey Yunick at Indy somewhere around there. Post garage fire, I'm not as organized as I used to be.
I have a picture of me with him and Smokey Yunick at Indy somewhere around there. Post garage fire, I'm not as organized as I used to be.
Last edited by DynoDave43; 05-11-2022 at 06:57 PM.
04-20-2022, 04:32 PM
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Re: Jim Perkins, RIP - December 28, 2018
Some of you know and most of you should know the name, Jim Perkins. He was the General Manager of Chevrolet in the late 80’s and early/mid 90’s. To me, he was quite special because he is the person that decided I should be allowed to purchase the last Camaro at Van Nuys. Specifically, he said “if the guy wants the car that damn bad, he should have it”. I had the opportunity to meet Jim Perkins at the Detroit airport in 1994 while I was returning from watching my 1994 Z28 being built in Ste Therese, Quebec. He was very kind and remembered me as the guy that got the last Van Nuys car. After I returned home, I received a card from him, thanking me for being a Camaro enthusiast. I just noticed today that he passed in December 2021.
Jim Perkins passed away December 28, 2018.
https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nasc...rkins-dies-83/
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04-20-2022, 07:42 PM
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04-21-2022, 02:51 PM
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Re: Jim Perkins, RIP
Wow, didn't see that anywhere, RIP
05-06-2022, 06:02 PM
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Re: Jim Perkins, RIP
Jim Perkins and I worked on a vehicle program and was instrumental in the overall success. Fun guy, and great stories over dinner on occasion. Glad to help with the right date for his passing. He was very active with automobiles, even to the end.
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DynoDave43 (05-11-2022)
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