Legendary automotive designer William Porter has passed away in his Michigan home at the age of 93, according to The Detroit News. His career as a designer for General Motors spanned 39 years, with his work breaking new ground not only for GM but for the whole automotive design world.
Porter’s most famous work was with the Pontiac division at a pivotal time for the brand. His design résumé includes the 1968 Pontiac GTO, which set the course for GM’s muscle car golden years, and the second-generation Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am that came out in 1970. Porter mastered the “Coke bottle” body shape that became synonymous with American performance cars and pioneered “bumperless” integrated fascias that would soon become the industry standard after their debuts on Pontiac models.
William Porter is also the father of the iconic “screaming chicken” hood graphic that immortalized the second-generation Pontiac Trans Am. “[GM design VP Bill Mitchell] called me up and I had to hold the phone away from my ear,” remembered Porter in an interview. “That was the end of that! Then a couple of years later, (colleague) John Schinelle talked him into taking another look at it. And so it finally saw the light of day on the ’73 cars. Mitchell was a real hair-trigger.”
Porter was Chief Designer of the Advance Pontiac Studio from 1972-1980 and served as Buick’s design chief from 1980-1996, where he oversaw the design direction of the Buick Park Avenue becoming a standalone model and the Riviera’s rounded-off aesthetic evolution.
“I have always respected and admired Bill for his design track record but even more so for his personality and his design discretion and expertise,” wrote Jon Albert, who worked alongside Porter as Buick interior chief designer in 1995. “I am extremely privileged to have worked with a guy who knew the history of design in general (not just auto design) and who possessed such a keen sense for good design as well as what makes sense for compelling styling.”
Comments
He ranks right up there with the late bill mitchell as one of the all time GM Auto designers, rip.
he was the truth.
Some good looking cars. The industry desperately needs more like him now. RIP.
Well… he made 3 of his dreams 1. professional dream to work as vehicle designer in a car manufaturer… oposite than me, even worked as well as to GM, GM never saw me as Vehicle Designer in Styling doing exteriors. 2. reach 93 years … well am with 55 this month, but do not know if do another 40… seems me have nothing, but my wife has already arthrosis in knee and so we do not know 40 years more…. if he was happy do not know, but he fullfulled his drams I couldnt
“Then a couple of years later, (colleague) John Schinelle talked him…”
The correct spelling is John Schinella. A great guy to work with and VERY talented.
Rest in peace M. Porter, you were right PONTIAC was the best. As an employee fo GM Canada from 1965 to 2001, I had the chance and the privilege of driving your PONTIAC’s. Wish that GM would bring back the EXCITMENT DIVISION on the market. Best condoleanses to your family
Worthy of a book is Mr Porter and similar great designers who played second fiddle to Bill Mitchell, who took full credit for the designs that Mr Porter and others did.
RIP to one of the greats who gave us an era of cars that we are still talking about and drooling over, 50 years plus after the fact.
I was a Buick product manager in the ’90’s. He and his team taught me a lot about the design process as we worked with marketing, engineering and manufacturing to bring each car to reality. He was a very talented and thoughtful guy to work with. I’ll never forget him!
One of my favorite stories: When Bill was nearing retirement, he decided to build a new house – which, of course – he designed himself. He then built a scale model of the house which he carried around in the back of his car to make sure that contractors and material suppliers all could provide input on things that might make it better. This is exactly what he did in his Buick design studio!
Rest in peace, Bill!
Great design legacy, R.I.P. Mr. Porter!
Why can’t current car designers design cool looking cars instead of just one boring SUV/pick up after another?
Or can they but mgt. does not allow them to?
Guess those type of CAR GUYS don’t exist anymore?
Extremely sad to see another great car designer passing away. It looks like we will never get to see anymore gorgeous designs again. Looks like we will just have to put up with shoe box styled SUVs in the future.