As the years go by, even the greatest of people will succumb to what we will all one day face. Charles “Chuck” Jordan spent over 40 years designing cars for General Motors and leaves behind a legacy within the company that many wish to achieve, but few ever do.
During his tenure, Jordan rendered some of the most original pieces of automotive artwork the modern era has seen. Such models over the years include the 1958 C1 Corvette, the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado, and – finishing his tenure – the Cadillac Seville STS and Oldsmobile Aurora. Jordan accomplished all this his 1992 retirement. It should also be noted that he designed the enormous Aerotrain locomotive for The General’s late Electro-Motive division back in the 50’s – before he even began drawing out cars.
He also had the better judgment to hire Ed Welburn, GM’s current VP of Design, back in 1971, as an intern.
Jordan was born on Oct. 21, 1927, in Whittier, Calif. He is survived by his wife Sally and his son Mark, who is currently a designer for Mazda. Sally Jordan has stated that she plans to start a scholarship in her husband’s name at the renowned College for Creative Studies in Detroit, where GM attains many of its new designers.
Source: Automotive News
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