I wanted to be a Car Designer...

For most of my life, I've aimed for a humourous or witty reply to questions posed to me. It wasn't always that way. When I was much younger, I was known for being very serious and for always saying exactly what was on my mind. But if I was relating a deep personal goal with what I thought was great sincerity, it would strike my listener's funny bone a mighty blow, much to my chagrin!

Example No. 1
I was a little over ten years old when I was asked to appear on local television on behalf of the Kelowna Boys' Club. I was there representing the "Rock Hound Club." Preparing for this honour, I'd collected the really cool rocks I wanted to show to the TV audience. I thought the best way to get all these rocks to the studio would be to stuff them ALL into the pockets of my jeans.
There we were, on live TV, and Paul Orvin, the interviewer was working his way down the row of boys representing, The Leatherwork Club, The Watercolour Paint Club, The Carpentry Club, and finally me for the Rock Club. My first time on live TV was more than a bit nerve-wracking. Paul knew I was the kid for rocks (maybe it was the big sign they'd stuck on my chest stating "Rock Hound") that clued him in. Anyway, he asked if I'd brought any rocks to show. "Yes I have," I replied, desperately trying to pry them out of my pockets. When they would not budge, I came to the realization I had gotten them all in my pockets by undoing my belt and unzipping the fly on my pants. There was NO WAY any of those rocks were coming out of my pockets unless I released my belt, etc. I was not prepared to do that on live TV, so I sheepishly told Mr. Orvin I couldn't get them out of my pockets. With a smile and a giggle he said, "That's OK, perhaps I can just ask you what you want to be when you grow up."
A wide smile crept across my face, I knew I had the perfect answer to this question. You see, I had just been learning about the Olympics and what the difference was between being amateur and professional. Also, just the day before, my brother and sister had taught me all about the Olympic sport we now call the "Long Jump." Turns out, for my age, I was quite good at what we then called the "Broad Jump." So, in a loud confident voice, and in keeping with my keen interest in rocks as well as my new-found jumping skill, I proudly announced I wanted to be, "A Professional Geologist and an Amateur Broad Jumper!" I was completely mortified by the immediate reaction my profound personal revelation created in the interviewer, cameraman and the rest of the crew. I was hurt and just didn't get what was so funny? Now I do.
Geology and competing in the Olympics was just a passing fancy, so I don't think I was permanently harmed in any way by my TV appearance. It was though, the start of my wariness to share my hopes and aspirations.

Example No. 2
I'm now in the ninth grade, age fifteen. The year, when you're supposed to decide what you're going to do with your life. What a helluva burden to put on someone who's just discovered hair growing where there never was before, that GIRLS are interesting and that everyone thinks you're ugly and hates you for it. Not a great time to be asking someone to be setting life-altering career goals.
Anyway, that's how it was done back in the olden days. Each of us had a private appointment with "The Guidance Counsellor." For me, my thing was cars, I can't remember when I didn't like looking at cars. Now, I can turn a wrench if I have to, but I'm much more interested in the look of cars than fixing them or making them go faster. So, when Mr. Wood (an appropriate name that dunderhead) asked me in his bored monotone voice, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I thought, here's my chance to start my chosen profession, this man is going to tell me how I go about achieving my goal. "Well sir," I began, "I'd really like to be an automotive stylist." Mr. Wood looked up at me, and after a brief moment, burst our laughing! The rest of the interview was a complete blur. I don't remember anything else he said, all I knew was that my dream was impossible. Thank you Mr. Wood you blockhead!

1963 Corvette Sting Ray

Looking back, I now know I shouldn't have taken his response so seriously. But back then, at that time in my life, it turned my applecart end for end, and I abandoned all efforts to becoming what is now called a Car Designer.

Nowadays, in thirty seconds, a young person can google a list of about twenty schools that specialize in automotive design. The premier one in North America being The Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Their Transportation Design program has turned out many prestigious automotive designers.

The original Morris Mini Minor

In my world, Car Designers are celebrities. I never became one, but my lifetime of creative work in other fields has enabled my "eye" when it comes to really looking HARD at a car, which is something I constantly do. It's often said, "The Devil is in the details," – that is more true in car design than any other creative field I know.

When a new car is about to be introduced, I spend hours on the web trying to find a spy shot of same. I've enjoyed looking at the just announced 2016 smart fortwo (see my last post) and I can't wait till September 3rd for the new Mazda Miata to be revealed. Mazda has shown us the new chassis of the car and also has posted on youtube what the engine sounds like. Soon we'll see little teaser shots of details of the car. They have me hooked, I could be their favourite customer, sleuthing out details on the new model. I'll be the first in the showroom when an actual car arrives, grinning ear to ear while I study it, end to end. The salesmen in the showroom will be rubbing their hands in glee, knowing I'll just have to have that car. Alas, they'll soon realize, I'm just there to LOOK at the car, not buy it.

1969 Datsun 240Z aka Fairlady Z

Although I admire their products greatly, good car design isn't exclusive to exotic marques like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Porsche, it includes landmark designs like Sir Alec Issigonis original 1959 Morris Mini Minor; Albrecht Goertz 1969 Datsun 240Z; Larry Shinoda's 1963 Corvette Sting Ray and his legendary 1969 Mustang Boss 302. But the car whose image is forever burned into my memory, simply by its absolutely perfect line and proportion is Ettore Bugatti's beautiful 1932 Type 50.

1932 Bugatti Type 50

Many people say modern cars all look alike. That's somewhat true, since the designers are all working to maximize aerodynamic efficiency; meet crash and safety standards; utilizing standardized components wherever possible to keep costs down; building to insurance company design requirements to keep repair cost as low as possible; etc.

Tesla Model S

But good design is still being done. If you have a chance, take a look at one of the most striking new cars, the Tesla Model S. A purely electric car that was penned by Franz von Holzhausen. Its clean and simple lines are a testament to the response Ettore Bugatti is purported to have given to the question, "Mr. Bugatti, how do you know when a design is complete?" His reply, "When there is nothing left to take away." Bravo.