Art & Inspiration Clay car body pictures from the past...

I'm looking to get into a design studio here in Dearborn and I was wondering how the car bodies were sculptured in the past before the use of 5 axis cnc machines... Got pictures???..
Post'em if ya got'em... Thanks!

 

I always thought that designing and building these would be a dream job.

 

That's what I'm looking for!!! Thanks pirate!!

 

Heres a few...

 

these are good...

 

a few more....
(the last pic is Raymond Lowey)

 

I was trained in clay modeling at Art Center in 1959, and worked in the body modeling studio at BMW 1960-61.

The "styling bridge" visible in Skywolf's picture was developed in Detroit pre-war, I believe, and was an important tool to getting the models accurate and symmetrical. The metal frame surrounding the model on the floor was leveled and located accurately from the car's front wheel centerline, and the gantry over the top was similarly accurate. This permitted dimensions to be taken at all points on the model to assure that it accurately reflected the design layout, and was symmetrical side-to-side.

The clay carving tools were commonly made by the designer or modeler himself. The clay was stored in ovens which kept the material soft when it was loaded onto the armature or buck, but as it came up to room temperature it hardened to a soap-like consistency and could be carved and smoothed with a bit of practice.

Sorry, I have no pictures, but those already posted show a good portion of the process. What else did you want to know?

 

This is a long one, my old bosses wife's uncle was a clay modeller at Ford in Dearborn. Since my old boss knew that I bleed Ford blue, he always kept me away from the guy when he was around....

 

Very nice thread - keep them coming please!

 

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,,,

 

This is what happens when you hire an indecisive clay modeler.

 

Cool thread, and neat info 50Fraud. And a big thanx you 29 Henry for the great flik, an that is so hip to see the era's demeaner. Those bad ass offices and thier cool intercom/telephone system, some mighty sweet wood paneling in those exec offices. The part showing making the dye is unreal, that molten slag coming down that big trough in the dark is awesome! I have always been intriqued seeing glimpses of the clay modeling. Thanx guys! ~sololobo~

 

Cool pics, reminds me of when an automotive engineer was considered a professional.

 

These guys are checking the accuracy of wood master models. These were made after the final clay and after every thing had been drawn to full scale in three views on a 5" grid. The master model was constructed from coordinates taken from those fill scale drafts. All subsequent work (keller models, die spotting plasters, dies, and checking fixtures were made from or referenced back to the master model. The model was God.

 

These guys are checking the accuracy of wood master models. These were made after the final clay and after every thing had been drawn to full scale in three views on a 5" grid. The master model was constructed from coordinates taken from those full scale drafts. All subsequent work (keller models, die spotting plasters, dies, and checking fixtures) were made from or referenced back to the master model. The model was God.

 

Whats the story on this?

 

Looks like there's allot I need to learn...Yikes!

 

Favorite thread on the HAMB. Keep them coming. This is great.

 

Automotive design departments, and automotive engineering departments didn't always get along under the same roof! I'm told '' ego-offs'' & bitch fights were common between design studio heads, and engineering department heads.......basicly artists vs. engineer/bean counters.


Still true today. I'm that artist... basically.

 

From what I understand, you are correct your assessment for the origin of the styling bridge. Also, it's my impression that it was Vince Gardner who did the Cord 810 clays for Gordon Buehrig. Gardner went on to create the 1953 Ford Vega and it was also Gardner who Alex Tremulis called upon to sculpt the graceful lines of the Gyronaut X-1 motorcycle in clay before fiberglassing. These clays and tools are located at the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum.

 

The only clay model images of the '57 Chevy known to exist.

 

Wow! great photos of Cord "clays" & modeling tools, as well

Ah, Vince Gardner, a designer's designer! I'd read he could do it all, draw, sculpt, do prototypes & build fiberglass design bucks. It's sad his personal life seemed so troubled

" Life ain't no Disney movie "