GT supercar designer leaving Ford

Designer Camilo Pardo, credited with drawing the Ford GT supercar, is leaving the automaker after a 24-year career with the company.

Pardo, 45, confirmed to AutoWeek that he is leaving Ford, but he declined to give details. He said final details of his departure have yet to be worked out.

Pardo is best known as the designer of the recast Ford GT, a 550-hp street car based heavily on the 1960s racers that dominated Le Mans. He also designed the GT40 concept car, which became the production GT.

Pardo is still an active Ford employee, a Ford spokeswoman said on Thursday. She declined to comment further.

During his Ford career, Pardo worked in Ford's advance design studio and played key roles on the Thunderbird, the Lincoln LS and electric vehicles. He also has worked at Ford studios in Cologne, Germany, and Turin, Italy.

Outside of Ford, Pardo is known as a fine artist, sculptor and clothing and furniture designer. He also has played host to the worldwide design community during the North American International Auto Show with his annual Designer's Night party--an "A-ticket" event during the show.

Pardo joined Ford after graduating from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit.

By Greg Migliore