A major milestone occurred last week. A car design I created a few years ago (mentioned in the article below that appeared in Classic Motorsports more than 2 years ago) has sat languishing as the client has had his attention elsewhere. Last week the exclusivity I granted this client expired. I am free once again to design whatever I want. At my “advanced” age, it’s been frustrating to put my heart and soul into a design and not see anything come of it. I plan to make up for lost time!
An Appreciation of Change
By Peter Brock
As seen in Classic Motorsports magazine February 2022
Working as an independent automotive designer in this modern age presents some unique challenges. The opportunities to create something of value in such an already congested environment are rare indeed simply because the word “independent” doesn’t really mesh with an international industry already filled with highly complex corporate design teams. Instead of being left alone to create independently they are normally set up to operate at the direction of a remote marketing division that exists solely to determine and direct what it collectively thinks the public wants. Such specious information, often gathered by randomly collected “focus groups” usually has such conflicting opinions, that it’s essentially valueless. This is easily proven by the morass of tasteless junk that constantly fills our highways. Still, for me the rare opportunity to design independently occasionally arises. The chance to create something both aesthetically pleasing and ergonomically satisfying while being environmentally efficient is exciting to say the least. That’s occurring now in my life and I’m genuinely excited. The chance to use new materials and the latest technology is incredibly stimulating as each provides the opportunity to work with new people expert in their specialized fields.
Having been originally schooled in the time-honored techniques of pencil work on a drawing board it’s been interesting over the past few years to watch the industry’s almost universal transition to electronics for both artistic and engineering solutions. Computers have allowed the unification of creative thought and precise hardline engineering because of the practical demand that all involved be able to operate on the same screen at the same time whether across the room or in another country.
Since the late ‘20s, when a young Californian named Harley Earle brought the use of styling clay and the element of aesthetic exterior design to General Motors, that carefully hand applied substance has been used almost exclusively to sculpt forms unique to each of America’s automotive design eras. In addition to pencil work I also learned how to design with clay when I attended Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design back in the ‘50s. I have continued to use that unique skill to sculpt new ideas in quarter scale whenever the prospect presented itself. In the past few months I’ve spent hours on a new design that may actually see production within the next year or so.
What has changed in recent years is that my self-trusted clay skills have become almost obsolete in favor of electronic modeling that has become so sophisticated that current computer-delivered renderings appear almost real. However, I still trust my abilities in 3D, as I feel there’s still nothing to equal working subtle surfaces by hand and eye. Understandably this takes hours and modern industry has little appreciation for time lost to what has been accepted as a superior method to achieve the equivalent result.
What has really improved though in the modern design process is the transition from scale to full size. Any designer who has sketched new ideas in clay soon learns that scale models seldom transfer to full size successfully. The eye sees miniatures and full size in an entirely different way, so any new automotive form must be seen outside in full scale to determine its real aesthetic impact. Full size clay models have almost disappeared from modern automotive design studios. Instead, full size prototypes are now rapidly sculpted from huge blocks of hard foam with sophisticated five-axis CNC machines that that deliver almost perfect renditions in hours instead of weeks. In an industry where time is critical the advent of electronics has almost completely obliterated the hand-sculpted art form.
For someone like myself, essentially a dinosaur from a past era, the change has been both exciting and overwhelming. Now an electronic scan of my quarter scale creation can be converted to a full-scale replica in a matter of hours. If approved I may be able to show you the real thing in a few months.
Epilogue – the few months came and went and then it was a few years. I can’t control what someone does, or does not do, with my designs. If all goes to plan, now that we are back in control, look for an unveiling at SEMA and possibly two new cars next year.
SEMA and possibly two new cars next year! Wow! You are a challenge to keep up with. I can’t wait to see your new stuff. Of course, I also like your old stuff! It’s great to hear what you are doing.
Peter,
Look forward to the unveiling! Will never forget your kindness to me and my service dog Bandit when we met you at Rolex MS Reunion the first time, then later at Rennsport and your office in Vegas. Getting to chat with you one-on-one in your shop (and sit in your personal Brock Superformance Daytona) were memories I will never forget and why I am getting my first Daytona hopefully next year. At age 53, I have become such a fan and have studied up and enjoyed reading or watching just about everything you’ve written or talked about since. What a life, thx for sharing it with us. I hope you will get tonsign my Daytona one day as you have several prints:) God bless and keep you, sir — and your beautiful life partner.
-Lewis
I’m sincerely grateful that you have the opportunity create another work of aerodynamic art fused with unmatched design genius.
Can’t wait to see the results Peter!
Cheers,
Jeff
So glad that you still are following your passion, Peter! I sincerely hope that you are doing well, mi amigo!
I totally agree with Mr.Brock here. I started making wood models of cars for Model Design and Building Merit Badge in the Boy Scouts back in San Francisco in the 1960s. This was NOT a budding talent as my parents, especially my father, considered anything to do with sports cars and anything else that wasn’t a very basic Volkswagen Bug to be a symptom of juvenile delinquency. Fortunately I got the last laugh as my father died in 1988 and my mother, who somewhat tolerated my symptoms of automotive juvenile deliinquency (sp?) died in 2004. However, they might be somewhat encouraged, probably not much, that I have branched out to designing sailboats for my wife and a navy patrol boat for my father in law, who is a Veteran of the Armada Del Ecuador (Navy)>
Thanks for sharing this exciting news! I believe I read the article before. As an architect, by now an elderly “architect”, I understand a bit about the design technology advances available these days vs what we have been comfortable with. I am probably one of a few in this field who still has a drawing board! Still love it, and critical to my design process, from mind to hand to paper or model. After that visualization, with multiple sketches developed by mind “computer”, this is translated into cad. Only way to move it forward today. I can drive or walk around, and notice which buildings were designed in cad, and which had their genesis in a designer’s mind. Same with today’s cars. Little passion, little form development, lots of texture and surface make-up, and visual aerodynamic appearance that does not function. Ah well, I am looking forward to your new designs, which, I am sure, will rise and develop with proper flow of function and air management, and innate beautiful proportion, form and surfaces. Love your energy, design spirit from heart and mind, and drive for human mind-based design excellence. Best to you and Gayle. Paul and Nancy Ann
I’m an old school Industrial Designer that spent the last 25 years of my career in the high tech industry. I’ve been considering reviving my drawing board and getting back into the pencil and paper world after so many years in 3D CAD. BTW, I recognized your name as a Houston architect. I live just a few miles west of The Woodlands.
Hi Mr Brock
In my career I have worked at a few different automotive studios and CAD has taken over for its speed and accuracy but like you I think theirs nothing more rewarding than being able to run your hand over a surface or a line on a full size hard model or to be able to step back and see an overall flow of a design , I think this is lost when it is design by committee.
I am still working on my recreation of your 59 racer the xp87 the hard model is almost finished just working on some air vents and mockup windshields to get that overall image but it’s a slow process on limited budget . I will send you some pictures soon and if you see anything that I have missed please feel free to critique after all these are your lines I’m trying to recreate.
Thanks for listening
Phil Arnold
Do you have an email I can send pictures to
Peter, I was always in love with your Daytona Coupe, even though I could never afford one. I still can appreciate what you have done in the automotive world. And it was GREAT to meet you several years ago at your shop and speak to you and your assistant.
Wonderful article Peter!!! You are truly THE Best Dinosaur I know!!! Very eloquently written and Best Wishes for your newest endeavours!!! Can’t wait to see what is unveiled!! Thanks again!!
The problem with a foam block model is that you can’t make minor adjustments on it? You’ve pretty near got to go back to the scale clay model, make the change and then cut another block based full scale? and you’re back working in scale? I recall watching the Shelby GR-1 styling development film where they were able to make a minor cut adjustment on the full scale clay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=7RPpzElqGyY
Thought you might like this presentation of a 510 Dragster in 1/50th scale.
I pray it NOT be electric
Fantastic, Peter! I look forward to seeing your new creations. My best wishes go out to you, Gayle, and all at BRE.
2 new cars, how exiting! I look forward to your rendition of today’s world.
Happy to see the continuation of your skill sets Peter and I can’t wait to see the designs in “the flesh”. Certainly eye candy.
I am not a “car guy” but found you on a documentary of the Cobra Ferrari Wars years back on DVD and liking documentaries was hooked. Of course the more recent documentaries and films have added to my knowledge and I’ve also read a few books and even purchased one signed by you. As a sort of behind the scenes guy in my industry I really admire your story and continue to follow you. thanks for this very interesting post from one dinosaur to another.
JJ
Hey Pete,
I flew your Dragon Fly and Comet Hang Gliders back in the late 70’s and early 80s. Your attention to detail and quality set an industry standard for flying UP. Thanks for all you did in the advancement of foot launched gliders!
Britt Wuest
Looking forward to your design!