2009 Honda FC Sport Concept Car currently on display at The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Despite the dark clouds currently looming over Detroit, the auto industry in the United States is alive and creativity is the key to its survival. For many years, domestic and foreign auto manufacturers have looked to California for inspiration. Because of this, there are more automobile design studios in Southern California than anywhere else on earth. Since the early days of the automobile, the cars from California have always been a little different. Brighter colors, flashier styling, more dramatic proportions, and “outside of the box” ideas are the norm. Is it the climate? Is it the culture? Is it Hollywood? Come to our panel discussions on Tuesday, August 25, and Tuesday, September 15 to find out.
The Petersen Automotive Museum will host two panels of proffessional automotive designers from two different generations who will share their views on what influence California culture has had on their work and the industry as a whole.
Classic Design-
Tuesday, August 25, 7:30 p.m.
Racing Corridor Panelists:
• Chuck Jordan began his career at General Motors in 1949 and he retired as Vice President of Design in 1992. Examples of Chuck’s design influence can be seen in such varied cars as the ’59 Cadillac Eldorado, ’92 Cadillac STS, and the Oldsmobile Aurora among many others.
• Ron Hill started his design career at GM in 1954. He helped pioneer GM’s adoption of CAD systems in the 1970s and later served separate terms as the Chair of the Industrial Design Department and the Transportation Design Department at the Art Center College of Design before retiring in 2000. A few of Ron’s design projects include the ’65 Corvair, ’72-’73 GTO and Firebird, and the Pontiac Fiero.
• Syd Mead is perhaps best known for his science fiction vehicle designs for films such as Blade Runner, Aliens, and Tron but he began his design career at Ford Motor Company’s Advanced Styling Center in 1959. Syd moved to Southern California in the mid 1970s and has been an active and influential industrial designer for film, television, and the automotive industry ever since.
Tuesday, August 25, 7:30 p.m.
Racing Corridor Panelists:
• Chuck Jordan began his career at General Motors in 1949 and he retired as Vice President of Design in 1992. Examples of Chuck’s design influence can be seen in such varied cars as the ’59 Cadillac Eldorado, ’92 Cadillac STS, and the Oldsmobile Aurora among many others.
• Ron Hill started his design career at GM in 1954. He helped pioneer GM’s adoption of CAD systems in the 1970s and later served separate terms as the Chair of the Industrial Design Department and the Transportation Design Department at the Art Center College of Design before retiring in 2000. A few of Ron’s design projects include the ’65 Corvair, ’72-’73 GTO and Firebird, and the Pontiac Fiero.
• Syd Mead is perhaps best known for his science fiction vehicle designs for films such as Blade Runner, Aliens, and Tron but he began his design career at Ford Motor Company’s Advanced Styling Center in 1959. Syd moved to Southern California in the mid 1970s and has been an active and influential industrial designer for film, television, and the automotive industry ever since.
Design in the 21st Century
Tuesday, September 15, 7:30 p.m.
Racing Corridor
Panelists:
• Dave Marek is Director of Advanced Design for Honda R&D, Americas and is also an instructor at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Dave served as project leader for the 1994 Honda Accord Wagon and 1997 Acura CL and also produces automotive fine art.
• Jason Hill is the son of former GM designer Ron Hill and an Art Center Graduate and instructor. He contributed to the design concept for the Mercedes smart car as well as the Porsche Carrera GT during his time with the two German companies. In 2003 Jason founded the Eleven, LLC design company which focuses on designing alternative fuel vehicles like the Aptera.
• Third Designer To Be Announced.
Tuesday, September 15, 7:30 p.m.
Racing Corridor
Panelists:
• Dave Marek is Director of Advanced Design for Honda R&D, Americas and is also an instructor at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Dave served as project leader for the 1994 Honda Accord Wagon and 1997 Acura CL and also produces automotive fine art.
• Jason Hill is the son of former GM designer Ron Hill and an Art Center Graduate and instructor. He contributed to the design concept for the Mercedes smart car as well as the Porsche Carrera GT during his time with the two German companies. In 2003 Jason founded the Eleven, LLC design company which focuses on designing alternative fuel vehicles like the Aptera.
• Third Designer To Be Announced.
Educational programs are free for Museum members (unless otherwise noted), and included in general admission for nonmembers. Programs are subject to change without notice. Reservations are recommended for all programs. For information or to RSVP, please call the Education department at 323-964-6347 or email cdrscher@petersen.org.
The Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation is a non-profit 501©(3) charity. The Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles. Admission prices are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students with ID, and $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Museum members and children under five are admitted free. Covered parking is available for $2 per half hour with an $8 maximum for Museum visitors. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. For general Museum information, call 323/930-CARS or visit the Museum’s Web site address at www.petersen.org.
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