Chuck Jordan, former VP of GM Design, dies at 83

Legendary GM designer Charles M. "Chuck" Jordan died at his home in California on Thursday, December 9th. He was 83.

Largely known for creating eye-catching Motorama concept cars during his time at GM's advanced design studio, Jordan climbed through the ranks at the automotive giant until he was elected to become the fourth man ever to hold the title of Vice President of Design, following in the footsteps of Harley Earl, Bill Mitchell and Irv Rybicki. Jordan led GM's Design operations as Vice President from 1986 through to his retirement in 1992.

"Chuck Jordan was the person who hired me as an intern in 1971 while he was working for Bill Mitchell, and I will always be appreciative of the opportunity he gave me to join GM's Design Organization," current Vice President of Global Design, Ed Welburn, said in a statement. "Chuck was always involved in the hiring of talented, young designers, and he took great interest in their growth and development."

Jordan joined GM as a junior engineer after earning a degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but his flair for style and his uncompromising commitment to aesthetic excellence saw him appointed to the role of Chief Designer of the company's special projects team when he was just 26 years old. While there, he designed GM's lightweight passenger train concept, the Aerotrain.

Jordan soon stepped into the advanced design team, a position which saw him create the 1955 Cameo show truck as well as the 1956 Buick Centurion and the XP-700 ‘Phantom' Corvette concepts. He was also instrumental in creating the production 1958 Corvette. By that year, Jordan had already been working as Chief Designer for Cadillac for a year; the role would see him further Harley Earl's well-documented big-fin cars initiative. By 1962, Jordan became executive in charge of automotive design and was responsible for all GM car and truck exteriors.

Over the course of his design career, Jordan also worked as director for Adam Opel AG in Rüsselsheim, Germany, where he was responsible for a number of well-regarded designs, including the Manta coupe and the 1968 production model GT sports car. Upon his return to the US, Jordan was appointed executive in charge of automotive exterior design for GM's upscale car segment – the Buick Oldsmobile Cadillac group – and in 1972, he assumed a similar position for Chevrolet, Pontiac and commercial vehicles.

Jordan was named Director of Design for the entire design staff in 1977 and in 1986, he succeeded Irv Rybicki as Vice President of Design. The Oldsmobile Aurora, Buick Reatta, 1990s generation of Camaros and Firebirds, and the 1992 Cadillac STS were created under Jordan's direction, as were the Ultralite, Sting Ray III and the Oldsmobile Aerotech concepts.

"He was a strong creative force at GM Design, and a passionate leader," Welburn said. "It always felt as if every new project he was leading represented a new mountain to climb, and was a fresh opportunity to create new trends and statements in automotive design. He had the charisma and passion of few others in the industry."

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By Eric Gallina