George Wallace

George M Wallace was born in Toledo, Ohio on June 2, 1930. He held a BSME from the University of Michigan and an MAE (Master of Automotive Engineering) from the Chrysler Institute of Engineering.
George was employed in Chryslers’ Engineering Department in Highland Park, MI from 1955-1971. From 1955-68 he was in Vehicle Performance Analysis Department, initially as a Test and Development Engineer and later Project Engineer and Section Head. George was responsible for analysis and study of the acceleration and fuel economy of future model vehicles, the selection of components for these vehicles and study of advanced components. From 1969-71 George was in the Special Vehicle Development Department as Special Vehicle Coordinator, responsible for coordinating the Engineering design and development testing of Chrysler Corporation race vehicles and Chrysler powered race vehicles. He was involved in design, race track testing and technical assistance to race car owners and drivers in NASCAR, USAC, SCCA and NHRA racing; oversaw development of on-board data logging system for NASCAR and NHRA race car development and designed and developed automatic transmission for USAC Champ Car (Indy Car) racing.
In 1971 George began working for B&M Automotive Products and Sportscoach Corporation of America in Chatsworth, CA. George had various titles over the years, but he held overall responsibility for the engineering operations for both companies. In 1971-72 the major emphasis was on high performance automatic transmission related products of B&M Automotive products (transmission, transmission components, shifters and torque converters); from 1973-78 major emphasis was on the motor homes and other vehicles of the Sportscoach Corporation of America with overall responsibility for design, development and engineering of new models.
From 1978-81 George was the Head of the Powertrain Group at Minicars, Inc. in Goleta, CA. Major work was on the Research Safety Vehicle for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as well as several other vehicles developed under Federal Government contracts. George headed powertrain concept development for the first phase of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hybrid Vehicle Program and oversaw development of the initial design of both diesel and electric powertrains for Denver’s 16th Street Transit Mall vehicles.
In 1981 George returned to B&M Automotive Products as Chief Engineer where he was responsible for design and development of all B & M products: transmission components, shifters, torque converters, roots type superchargers and other performance related automotive parts.
George retired from B&M in 1999 but continued to work for a number of years as an independent consultant on design, development and production engineering for various types of superchargers for after-market performance companies.
George died peacefully on April 28, 2016 after a long illness. He is survived by his wife Barbara, 3 children and 5 grandchildren.