Ben Delphia Profile

Interior sketch for Chrysler's 300X concept car

Growing up around California's Monterey Peninsula, Ben was influenced by the many local artists that found work as school teachers as well as west coast 1950's hot rod culture. He graduated from Pacific Grove High in 1957 and attended the Art Institute of Chicago, majoring in sculpture and fine art. But after two years, his love for hot rodding and automobiles resulted in a transfer to the transportation design program at Art Center College in Los Angeles.

One of Delphia's imaginative sketches done "for fun on a slow day."

When Ben graduated in 1962, it was a down year for the auto industry. Only two Art Center seniors had commitments from Ford and GM. Everyone else, including Ben, had to fend for themselves. Fortunately for the new husband and father, he was able to secure two interviews at Chrysler and another at Ford in Detroit.

Delphia's sketches often included descriptive text to explain his innovative ideas.

Delphia's first meeting was with interior manager Charlie Mitchell at Chrysler. Mitchell was impressed enough to hire Ben immediately. “But I still have other interviews today” Ben explained. “What for? You've got the job.” replied Mitchell who had already notified the other Chrysler manager that the new guy wanted a job in interiors. Ben never made it to the Ford interview.

Here you can see Delphia's fine arts talent with a hand reaching for the shifter.

It's no surprise that Ben became the department's resident cartoonist,

drawing charicatures of his colleagues. He was also asked to create sketches to

accompany magizine artices about Chrysler designs.

Ben’s career at Chrysler spanned over 20 years. He influenced the interiors of concept vehicles like the 1966 300X and Chrysler’s production cars and minivans around the globe. With permission from Design VP Elwood Engel, Ben also designed the “Reactor” for legendary customizer Gene Winfield. Besides being a hit at custom car shows, the vehicle was featured in episodes of Bewitched, Star Trek and Batman as Catwoman’s Kitty Car.

Another one of Ben's 300X ideas for eliminating the steering wheel.

As many car companies began to outsource their interior design and manufacturing, Delphia saw the opportunity to leave Chrysler and develop his own independent design firm. Years later he accepted the position of director of styling, design and graphics for Magna Interior Systems.

This instrument panel sketch proposed using mirrors to give the dash a sleeker look.

He is a recipient of the Automotive Interiors Lifetime Achievement Award and has taught transportation interior design at Kendall College of Art and Design. Delphia holds 18 patents and over 30 corporate co-patents.

You can see more of Ben Delphia's sketches in my gallery.

Meeting the Customizers

George Barris Studios illustration of custom Mustang by "Skeet" Kerr

As part of the 2009 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, event chairman Bill Warner assembled three generations of customizers for a once in a lifetime panel discussion. Former General Motors designers Steve Pasteiner and Wayne Cherry were joined by George Barris, Dean Jeffries, Chip Foose and Beau Boeckmann.

Chip Foose's "Hemisfear"

Wayne Cherry's Cadillac Roadster

The discussion was moderated by well-known automotive writer Ken Gross in the Ritz Carlton's Grand Ballroom where an example of each man's work was displayed.

George Barris signs autographs for young fans

After the panel briefly talked about their start in the customizing business, each member left the stage and gave a walk around tour their car. The audience, which included over a hundred invited students from local schools, asked questions and collected autographs and pictures.

Dean Jeffries' "Mantaray"

The cars were also displayed as part of Sunday's Concours event.

Steve Pasteiner's Buick Blackhawk

Beau Boeckmann restored the Ed Newton "Orbitron"

Masters of Persuasion

Automotive art and design has shaped American culture for over a century. Advertising played a major role in creating brands that connect our emotions to a car's nameplate and defined what a car says about its owner. Although styling was the collaborative work of dozens of designers, modelers and engineers - advertising was often the creation of just a few individuals.

The illustrations Art Fitzpatrick and Van Kaufman created for Pontiac in the 1960's defined the brand for generations. Fitzpatrick's masterful car illustrations combined with Kaufman's affluent background settings made for an unbeatable combination. They traveled the world on GM's dime to gather photos and inspiration for creating Pontiac's aspirational images. You may never get the chance to build your own sailboat - but somehow owning a new Pontiac helped get you a step closer.

This original illustration was used in the 1966 Pontiac Catalog.

It's hard to imagine Fitz and Van's influence today. But forty-five years ago, color television was in its infancy and photography was expensive. The Federal Trade Commission also frowned on any photographic "tricks" to lengthen or lower a car's looks. Artistic license was acceptable for illustrations.

Fitzpatrick worked under an exclusive arrangement with General Motors for 21 years. More recently he created a series of car illustrations for "America on the Move" postage stamps for the U.S. Postal Service and was a consultant for PIXAR Studios' animated film Cars.

You don't have to find an original painting to acquire a Fitz and Van of your own. Magazine ads are easily found on ebay and limited edition prints can be purchased from Art Fitzpatrick himself. You can also get poster designed by Fitzpatrick from this year's EyesOn Design automobile show.