1912–1998
Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen
GM executive who left for Ford
As Chevrolet's general manager, Knudsen reportedly rejected an early Camaro-precursor clay before the Mustang-driven revival of the project. Later passed over for the GM presidency (which went to Ed Cole, who revived the Camaro program), he left GM in February 1968 to become president of Ford — where he was responsible for the Boss 302 and Boss 429 Mustang programs before losing a power struggle to Lee Iacocca.
Key beats
- Early Camaro-precursor skeptic
- Left GM for the Ford presidency (Feb 1968)
- Recruited Larry Shinoda to Ford; drove the Boss Mustang programs