If πΊ is a centreless group, then πβ‘(πΊ) denotes the height of the automorphism tower of πΊ. We prove that it is consistent that for every cardinal π and every ordinal πΌ<π, there exists a centreless group πΊ such that (a) πβ‘(πΊ)=πΌ; and (b) if π½ is any ordinal such that 1β€π½<π, then there exists a notion of forcing π, which preserves cofinalities and cardinalities, such that πβ‘(πΊ)=π½ in the corresponding generic extension ππ.