Age, Biography and Wiki

Ed Cole (Edward Nicholas Cole) was born on 17 September, 1909 in Marne, Michigan, U.S., is an American automotive executive. Discover Ed Cole's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 67 years old?

Popular As Edward Nicholas Cole
Occupation Automobile industry executive
Age 67 years old
Zodiac Sign Virgo
Born 17 September 1909
Birthday 17 September
Birthplace Marne, Michigan, U.S.
Date of death 2 May, 1977
Died Place Mendon, Michigan, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 17 September. He is a member of famous executive with the age 67 years old group.

Ed Cole Height, Weight & Measurements

At 67 years old, Ed Cole height not available right now. We will update Ed Cole's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
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Wife Not Available
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Ed Cole Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Ed Cole worth at the age of 67 years old? Ed Cole’s income source is mostly from being a successful executive. He is from United States. We have estimated Ed Cole's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income executive

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Timeline

1909

Edward Nicholas Cole (September 17, 1909 – May 2, 1977) was an American automotive executive for General Motors.

Cole was the son of a dairy farmer.

In his youth, he designed, built, and sold homemade radio sets, and as a teenager became a field representative for a tractor manufacturer.

He wanted to be a lawyer, but landed a part-time job in an auto parts store while attending Grand Rapids Community College.

He then enrolled in General Motors Institute, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Epsilon (now Pi Kappa Alpha) Fraternity.

Soon after Cole married his hometown sweetheart, Esther Engman.

1949

He worked in engineering, rising to co-head a team (with Harry Barr) that developed the 1949 Cadillac V8.

He was briefly assigned to run a GM plant in Cleveland, Ohio, when Chevrolet general manager Tom Keating requested his assignment as chief engineer.

1952

He became chief engineer of the Chevrolet Division in 1952.

His most important task was to develop a new engine for Chevy's lineup to replace the Stovebolt Six; that new engine was Chevrolet's small-block V8, a massive success that remained in production for decades.

Cole became a member of Michigan Gamma Chapter of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society in 1952.

1955

He collaborated with Zora Arkus-Duntov to revitalize the weak-performing early Corvettes, and he also introduced engineering and design advancements in the Chevrolet car and truck lines between 1955 and 1962.

1956

Cole was promoted to general manager of Chevrolet in 1956.

During these years, Chevy was a perennial sales leader, but with only larger cars in the lineup.

As general manager of Chevrolet, he directed the development of the Corvair intended to pursue the compact car market.

1959

The strong early sales of the new car with its radical design with rear-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, put Cole on the cover of Time magazine October 5, 1959 issue.

1961

Cole was promoted to head the GM car and truck group in 1961, then to executive vice-president in 1965, and to president in 1967.

Cole was chief engineer of the Chevrolet Vega and directed the GM design staff in developing their first subcompact, four passenger vehicle.

Cole's persistence in getting his advanced engineering projects to the production line resulted in the innovative aluminum engines in both the Corvair and Vega.

1970

He "would preside over Vega's troubled launch, which was intertwined with a disastrous 1970 confrontation between GM and the United Auto Workers."

Ironically, Cole's greatest engineering triumph came the same year.

Cole ordered engine compression ratios reduced after 1970 knowing regulations would tighten.

1974

Cole retired from GM in 1974.

He then became chairman and CEO of Checker Motors Corporation and Chairman of International Husky, an air-freight company.

1975

Cole oversaw the transition away from leaded gasoline and prepared GM for catalytic converters in 1975.

1977

In 1977, the Rifle River Scout Canoe Base was renamed the Edward N. Cole Canoe Base to reflect the dedication of Edward N. Cole to Scouting in the Detroit Area.

He died at age 67 in a crash during a storm.

He was piloting his private twin-engine Beagle B.206 Series 2 plane near Kalamazoo, Michigan, about 50 mi south of where he was born.

He was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1977.

Cole is featured in the History Channel docudrama The Cars That Made America.

1998

In 1998, Cole was posthumously inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame.

His son, David E. Cole, is Chairman Emeritus of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) in Ann Arbor, Michigan.