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Philip T. Clark (1935–1968) was an automotive designer who worked for both General Motors and Ford, and was responsible for ground-breaking designs.

Contents [hide] 1 Early years 2 Automobile design 2.1 General Motors 2.2 Ford Mustang 2.3 Later work 3 References 4 External links

[edit]Early years

Born in October 27, 1935 in Iowa, Clark and his family moved to Nashville Tennessee in 1942. He was interested in music early in life, and later received a scholarship to Vanderbilt University to begin a medical career, which he abandoned. Clark was apprenticed in aerodynamics with Avco Aviation where his father was the Vice President of Avco and his father-in-law was also a machinist. Clark had been training as an engineer for Avco before he became ill with urological issues and decided that transportation design would be a better fit for his health. Joining Sears, Clark turned to art and advertising, teaching himself using the art course offered by mail.

[edit]Automobile design

Spurred by a love of cars, engineering and art, Clark sent some of his drawings to Chrysler Corporation, and received a letter from them that told him to choose an auto design school, complete the course (with honors) and then come back to them. Two schools were recommended: Pratt in New York, or The Art Center School of Design in Los Angeles. Clark graduated with honors as a designer and stylist from Art School with a double major in Art Transportation and Design.^[1]

[edit]General Motors

Clark was hired by a General Motors exec to work on the 1964 Futurama cars for the New York World Show. Working in GM Special Designs, he had a hand in the designs that Larry Shinoda made for the Chevrolet Corvair show cars.^[2]

[edit]Ford Mustang