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.
Streamlines, 1936
To hear the term “Torpedo Car” is worth watching the video.
1969 Chevrolet Corvette XP-856 Aero Coupe?
Mystery Photo. Turns out it was a Toronado proposal.
Aerovette Brochure
A rare brochure showing the development of the Aerovette.
Oldsmobile Presents Futuramic Design, 1948
Theater advertisements for the first all-new automobile to be placed on the market after World War II, the Oldsmobile Futuramic.
Zora Arkus Duntov and the Sounds of a 1961 Corvette
Years ago I had this neighbor, Marge, who was seriously into opera.
Lost Techniques—352 Pluvius Pencil on Newsprint
Newsprint pads, the same stuff your newspaper is printed on, were far cheaper than other sketch pads and were very popular at Pratt Institute where I did my graduate work in Industrial Design in 1957–58.
The American Look
A fascinating look into the world of design in the late 1950s
David North with Jay Leno’s 1966 Toronado
“Jay got a hold of me and invited my son and me to the NBC studios and a day at his “Big Dog” garage in Burbank.”
Sounds of a Porsche 917K
Mike Parris had a several lap ride in a Porsche 917 at the Riverside International Raceway before it became a shopping mall.
Racing Movies from the ’60s and ’70s
Over an hour of racing excitement if you can tolerate old 8mm home movies
Gray Counts, Designer, Automotive Fine Artist, Friend
Gray is a good friend and great designer.
Corvair Monza GT brochure
The Monza GT tipped me over the edge.
Firebird III Brochure
The Firebird III is an extraordinary car representative of an “anything goes” optimistic age now long gone.
GM Styling Staff Brochure from the ’60s.
Featured in this post is a 8.5″ square, 8-page grayscale brochure of GM Design Staff from the early 1960s.
Rescued Studio Artwork and Photos
A lot of wonderful artwork was pitched. That makes what was saved that much more special.