The Human Bridge—Birth of the 1949 Ford
This video traces the birth of the 1949 Ford from the drawing board to the roads of the world
Bob Marcks, Designer at Studebaker, Ford, and Chrysler, Part 2
Looking back, I think what a great place to start an automotive career, and how sad to think of what FOMOCO was then, and what it is now.
GM Design photos from the early ’90s, Part 2
Part two of a three part series showing a design process in order from sketch to a roll around hard model.
GM Motorama 1954
“General Motors means to keep on being the leader.” So what happened?
Every Boy’s Dream: The Life and Career of an Automotive Designer
A wonderful sketching style.
GM Design photos from the early ’90s, Part 1
This gallery of images more or less shows the design process in sequence from sketch to a roll around hard model.
Firebird Jet Powered Motorama Dream Cars; Pace Car Sketch
Jet-powered cars. Sure, why not?
Every Boy’s Dream: The Life and Career of an Automotive Designer
Of the many and varied professional opportunities available in the automotive industry, the role of the designer (or stylist) has probably captured the imagination of more young men and auto enthusiasts around the world than any other.
More Rescued Studio Sketches
Renderings by Jerry Hirschberg, Allan Flowers, Clark Lincoln, Geza Loczi, and yours truly.
Bob Marcks, Designer at Studebaker, Ford, and Chrysler
I was a designer for Ford in 1953, and 1956-1961.
More Rescued Sketches
Renderings by Geza Loczi, Jerry Hirschberg, Harry Bradley, Clark Lincoln, and yours truly.
Ads from a Bygone Era
See the USA in Your Chevrolet.
1977 Buick Olds Studio Show Photos
I ended up with a box of slides from a major Buick-Oldsmobile show previewing the 1977 Buick and Oldsmobile models.
1961 Pontiac Sedan vs. Streamliner
Jack Humbert, the greatly respected Pontiac studio chief in those years, was very tolerant of my naiveté.
Styling and the Experimental Car
Videos from Archive.org.
Homer LaGassey
According to Bill Porter, Homer, who was assistant in Pontiac at the time, says he quit because of round-the-clock overtime. Claimed his kids cried when he did come home. “Who’s that strange man, mommy?”
Sketches of Optimism From Detroit’s Glory Days
Illustrations accompanying the New York Times article published August 26, 2007
Corvair in Action, 1960
Ralph Nader’s attack on the safety of the Corvair was the first successful assault on the auto industry.
More Rescued Studio Artwork
Renderings by Jerry Hirschberg, Bill Porter, Allan Flowers, and yours truly.
Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild, Part II
Photos from Ron Will.
Design for Dreaming, 1956
Set at the 1956 General Motors Motorama, this is one of the key Populuxe films of the 1950s.
1933 Indian Four Cylinder
“I don’t EVER want you to get a motorcycle…But if you do, get a big one.”
Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild, Part I
The Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild got me started.