Edward Nicholas Cole (September 17, 1909 – May 2, 1977) was an American inventor, automotive engineer and executive, widely known for leading critical projects for General Motors, including development of the Chevrolet Corvair and Chevrolet Vega; developing GM's Small Block V8 and its rotary engine, championing the catalytic converter to migrate cars from leaded gasoline, and advocating for air bags.
Raised on a dairy farm, as a 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 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.
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.
Cole was chief engineer of the Chevrolet Vega and directed the GM design staff in developing their first subcompact, four passenger vehicle.
[12] His son, David E. Cole, is Chairman Emeritus of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) in Ann Arbor, Michigan.