by Wallace Wyss –
If there is any school world wide that is more associated with car design, they would have a hard time beating the reputation of the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, now celebrating 70 years of their influence on car design.
This 1962 Chevrolet Corvair Monza GT, a concept car designed by alum Larry Shinoda, was a big stylistic influence on the 3rd generation Corvette Stingray of 1968. Displayed here on the front lawn of ArtCenter’s 3rd St. campus in 1963 with George Jergenson, at center to right of vehicle, one of the founding faculty members of the Transportation Design department along with Strother MacMinn.
Photo credit: © ArtCenter College of Design
The hilltop campus will be holding their annual Car Classic car show, a concours of sorts on October 28, 2018.
The theme this year celebrates the 70th anniversary of the College’s Transportation Design program and what they say is “the indelible mark our alumni have made on the world around us.”
If you ever wanted to talk to real car designers about the great designs that made it and some that didn’t, this is the opportunity.
Many rare cars will be brought to show and some will even have the designers that designed them. One of the most recent car designs celebrated is the 2018 Tesla Model 3, designed by an Art Center grad who first worked for GM, doing the Solstice sports car before he leapt at the chance to be Tesla’s chief designer.
There will even be some prewar cars like a 1938 Opel Kapitan. Motorcycles and concept cars will also be on display. One of the concept cars is the mid-engined Corvair Monza GT one off car, built about the same time as Porsche put a mid-engined sports car in production, the 904GTS. The design was by the late Larry Shinoda, who attended Art Center and became one of GMs most famous designers.
TOUR THE STUDIOS
When I say “open house” this concours also allows those coming to the show to tour ArtCenter’s design studios, 3D rapid prototyping facilities and galleries. Unlike some colleges I’ve been to when there’s a show, ArtCenter students are working in their classes even while the show is going on, so you can get a realistic picture of how design is taught there.
Car design class, evaluating a 3D mockup
This show is for the general public; for those interested in car design, for those thinking of going to school there or thinking of sending their children. Ticket price the day of the show is $40. Because of limited parking up at the show, there is parking at the nearby Rose Bowl and frequent shuttles up to the hilltop campus.
Ticket information can be found at their website here.
Read about previous events here.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
Wallace Wyss
THE AUTHOR: Wallace Wyss is a fine artist and author. For a complete list of fine art prints of his work, write Photojournalistpro2@gmail.com or text your e-mail address to 213-344-6496.
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