Would anybody want to read a book of pictures of clay models?

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

Over the years, many people I’ve come into contact with have expressed an interest in the design process, both clay models and full-size airbrush renderings. No one has ever attempted such a task.

 

Definitely! Go for it!

Of course, the downside may be intellectual property rights claimed by the various car brands.

 

I would love it

 

everyone loves models and mud, right?

 

To John's point, why stop at just clay models to show all the wild concepts?

Personally I love the whole design phase including the clay models but especially would love to see more about the artistry and talent of the people making the clays, but that's just me. Don't know if there are that many people out there that would have this interest unless they're studying or planning to study design.

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

I believe there is an interest in the alternative designs that never happened. There was a great deal of interest when Ferrari showed the 5 designs that were considered for LaFerrari. They showed the full size clays along with the design sketches.
Every car has a story. Each car has a unique design story in how the team developed the final design. There is currently interest in the American cars from the ‘50’s & ‘60’s. Telling the backstories of many of those classics has never been attempted.

 

Yes, yes, and yes. Throw in sketches and wind tunnel models and you've got a winner. It would take a lot of work and may not have mass appeal, but there are some great stories to tell and history to document.

 

I’ve got the development photos from the ‘08 Cadillac CTS program, as well as some ‘97 Pontiac Grand Prix shots.

 

I would love to!

 

It just occurred to me that this might have been the first starting iteration of the new 2020 ME C8.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

No. Same team, but no.

 

Style Auto, a bi-monthly (or so) magazine from Italy and then later Car Styling out of Japan did a lot of coverage of the design process for individual models. The book by Roy Longberger on Bill Mitchell does some good insights on the design and people involved for a specific set of cars done under Mitchell's reign.

If this subject were to be attempted, I believe that it needs to delve into the process with the alternatives not selected. Unfortunately there may be resistance from the corporations when the path selected was the lesser choice.

The website Dean's Garage has some interesting articles sometimes that gets into how and why a design came to be the way it was. This can also involve the politics of the people involved in making the decisions.

 

You got it right.


FWIW, I have the complete set of Car Styling Books and Style Auto.
If anyone's interested, PM me.

 

I have a BFA from the NY State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. I was told by one of my tenured art professors there that Alfred was once the prime recruiting ground for clay modelers for the automotive industry. As an aside, some of my engineering classmates went to work for Champion Spark Plugs or LOF Glass (windshields).

 

Someone is finally going to do a book dedicated to the design history/process with artwork and photos.
http://www.deansgarage.com/2019/deans-garage-book/#comment-603753