Jim Perkins, RIP
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From: Jamestown, ND
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; Apr 20, 2022 at 07:46 PM.
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Chicagoland
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
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.
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Mile High Country !!!
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: Jim Perkins, RIP
All corvettes are red was written by my friends dad James Schefter.
james also passed away.
james also passed away.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,431
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From: Pflugerville, Texas
Car: 92 Heritage Camaro Z28
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Limited Slip
Re: Jim Perkins, RIP
Wow. Started the book. Need to finish it.
RIP Mr. Perkins
RIP Mr. Perkins
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From: MICHIGAN
Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
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; May 11, 2022 at 06:57 PM.
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From: *member since 1999, I think - just can't remember my old name, and the big site crash...*
Car: 89 GTA ASC Conv., Prev: 89 GTA 6.3L
Engine: 5.7L L98 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 w/ JG1 Options:B2L, N10, U1A
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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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 9,946
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From: Chicagoland
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12,228
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From: Il
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Jim Perkins, RIP
Wow, didn't see that anywhere, RIP
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,208
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From: *member since 1999, I think - just can't remember my old name, and the big site crash...*
Car: 89 GTA ASC Conv., Prev: 89 GTA 6.3L
Engine: 5.7L L98 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.27:1 w/ JG1 Options:B2L, N10, U1A
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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