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Easter eggs, or hidden features, are becoming increasingly popular among manufacturers, appearing in products ranging from electric vehicles to pickup trucks. One such hidden detail can be found in the 2019 GMC Sierra’s CarbonPro carbon fiber bed, but it carries a special significance.
If you remove the spare tire and examine the bed closely, you’ll find the phrase “Connors Way” etched into it. This is a tribute to Tim Connors, the manufacturing chief engineer who played a key role in leading the CarbonPro project.
Connors tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident during the project’s development. Nonetheless, his influence and spirit remained with the team throughout the creation of this innovative feature.
“Whenever you thought something was impossible, Tim was always there, like the Energizer Bunny, pushing to get it done,” remarked Tim Herrick, the executive chief engineer for both the Sierra and Silverado, in an interview with The Drive. “He left a lasting impression on me and my team.”
In an effort to honor his colleague who was so vital to the project, Herrick decided to incorporate “Connors Way” into the bed’s design. Although he discussed his intentions with a few team members, he moved forward with the plan without formal approval, aiming to place the tribute in a discreet location that wouldn’t draw much attention.
As the project neared completion, Herrick eventually informed his superiors about the engraving. “I told them if they wanted it removed, I would personally cover the cost of taking it out of the mold,” Herrick explained. However, the tribute was well-received, and it made its way into the final production model.
This tribute resembles the one found in the Jeep Gladiator, which features the number “419” molded into the bed as a nod to the company’s roots in Toledo and the local 419 area code. With the inclusion of “Connors Way," GMC not only honors a significant figure in the project’s success but also celebrates his legacy.
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