Famed hot rod designer Larry Erickson joins Ford's Small and Medium Car Vehicle Center

DEARBORN, Mich., – Larry Erickson has been appointed a chief designer in Ford Motor Company’s Small and Medium Car Vehicle Center (SVC) Design Studio in Dunton, England, effective June, 1999.

Previously, Erickson was a vehicle chief designer at General Motors in the Chevrolet studio working on the Malibu and Cavalier programs.

In addition to the array of production vehicle programs that he has led, Erickson has been involved in hot rod design, working with various shops on developing custom hot rods including ZZ Top’s Cadzzilla and Boyd Coddington’s Aluma Coupe.

"Larry brings a wealth of design experience ranging from production vehicles to custom hot rods that will add a new dimension to an evolving design team in Europe," said J Mays, Ford’s Vice President of Design. "His passion for the automobile and willingness to stretch beyond the norm will help us grow our brands and differentiate them from the competition. After all, he understands everything from speed to luxury."

Erickson, 42, began his career as an exterior designer with General Motors in Warren, Mich., following graduation from Art Center College in Pasadena, Calif. in 1983. He then went to work as an exterior designer for Bartlett and Associates Design in Santa Barbara, Calif. In 1984, Erickson returned to Art Center College of Design as an instructor in Transportation Design.

He also spent some time as a Motorcycle and Accessory Designer with Tracy Design in Santa Barbara, Calif. Erickson returned to General Motors in 1985 as an exterior designer in the Cadillac studio working on the Seville/STS/Elderado programs.