The Lincoln Futura, Part 1
Inspired by a Bahama’s fishing trip with Bill Mitchell. Bill Schmidt came back with an idea for the Futura; Mitchell with an idea that lead to the XP-755.
McNamara’s Interchangeability Study
McNamara had clay models created to test parts interchangeability between car models (like GM).
The ‘59 Chevrolet and the Ford Quicksilver
“On seeing the ‘59 Chevrolet clay model, Ford designers soon convinced themselves that GM had somehow caught on to what Ford was doing and was purposely trying to mislead them.”
Lincoln in a Box
Some 900 new 1936 Lincoln-Zephyrs also went overseas—shipped in crates.
Ford Mustang Mach 2
The Ford Mach 2 and the short careers of Knudsen and Shinoda at Ford.
Ford Designer McKinley W. (Mac) Thompson, Jr.
Highlights of the career of Mac Thompson—Ford Designer from 1956–1985.
Herbert Hoover’s Dog House
Gil Spear (designer at Ford and the subject of the last post), while working for Norman Bel Geddes, was commissioned to create a dog house for Herbert Hoover. Here’s the story.
Ford Designer Gil Spear’s Idea Sketchbook
Fascinating images from Ford designer Gil Spear’s idea and innovation sketchbook.
Lincoln Design Heritage: Zephyr to LS (1936-2000)
Lincoln Design Heritage: Zephyr to LS (1936-2000) is an exhaustively and throughly researched book that chronologically records the development of the Lincoln mark. Great book review. Many photos.
Automotive Designers Showcase—Pontiac, Sept 16, 2021
A photo essay of the Exhibit at the Pontiac Creative Art Center featuring design sketches and renderings from production and advance Pontiac Studios.
Detroit Style—Car Design in The Motor City—11/2020
Detroit Style—Car Design in The Motor City. Photo assay by Ryan Gertner.
Royal Oak League Show 2021
Photos from the League of Retired Designers 2021 show at the Royal Oak Historical Society, Royal Oak, Michigan.
Cyclops Dream Cruise
Stan Mott’s Cyclops at the 2021 Woodward Dream Cruise—with video!
Roger Hughet Tribute at GM Design
GM designer Roger Hughet’s wok on display at GM Design.
Bob Marcks Ford Renderings
A collection of renderings by Bob Marcks
A James Dean Wannabe
Jim Van Orden remembers his first car, a well-used ’49 Merc.
Ford Studio Renderings
Anybody know George Theophelis, Barry, or Lampe, Ford Designers?
How A Body Design Is Developed at General Motors
A satirical mid-’50s look at the GM design process by Stan Mott.
John Fitch Video Tribute
A brief look at the amazing life of John Fitch.
Corvette: A Racing Reminiscence
Dick Thompson’s commentary on driving the ’59 Stingray and the GS Corvette in competition.
Stingray Driving Impressions
Dick Henderson gives Rich Taylor an unforgettable ride around the Tech Center’s test track in the ‘59 Stingray.
The First Stingray
An interesting account from 1977 of Mitchell’s Stingray racing effort with quotes by Mitchell and Kenny Eschenbach.
The Cellini of Chrome
The Story of George W. Walker review by Helen Hutchings
Retrofuturism: The Future We Dreamt Of
This compilation of videos is what society once believed the future would be like. It’s uplifting and entertaining—just what we need as 2021 gets started.