Ford GT designer, Camilo Pardo, leaving the Blue Oval
AutoWeek is confirming rumors that Ford GT designer, Camilo Pardo, is parting ways with Ford after a 24-year relationship. While no details were disclosed, Pardo confirmed he is leaving the Blue Oval and said the specifics are still being ironed out. Pardo is probably best known for designing the GT40 concept car which spawned the production Ford GT.
While employed at Ford's advance design studio, Pardo also worked on the Thunderbird and the Lincoln LS among other things. It's rumored that he hasn't done much vehicle design work for Ford recently, being relegated to smaller tasks such as side view mirror shaping. Such a pity, although we have no doubt that this talented artist and designer will land on his feet in short order. We had a brief meeting with Camilo during last year's Ford GT National Rally II and you can scope out the images from that day in the gallery below.
Gallery: Ford GT National Rally II
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Scott 1:06PM (1/15/2009)
To say he designed the GT40 is a huge stretch.
The drawings and inspiration were sitting idle for almost 40 years until he decided to take a beautiful looking car of the past and make it look fresh.
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216 1:12PM (1/15/2009)
that's what i was thinking. Cuz the modern GT doesn't look that much different than the classic GT
Steve Neill 1:18PM (1/15/2009)
Likely the most retro car in the world, and "he designed" it?
I bet he wasn't even BORN in 1964.
JD 1:18PM (1/15/2009)
...regardless, they thought highly enough of him to let him "re-design" it.
I don't think anything should diminish his work.
Victor 1:28PM (1/15/2009)
Agreed. For all the detractors, please reference the body / portfolio of work you have done in the automotive design field to justify your critique of his work.
Steve Neill 2:04PM (1/15/2009)
Okay, well, you asked for it.
http://jdmaero.carbonmade.com/
I design bodykits for Japanese cars. And while I may not be a great automotive designer, I can attest to the fact that even a 12 year old child could redesign a car to make it modern.
whoapossum 2:59PM (1/15/2009)
Yes, I agree. It reminds me of how P. Diddy refreshed Kashmir by Led Zeppelin.
c-vcledr 1:16PM (1/15/2009)
Yeah Scott, Great Point.
He helped to tweaked the design some thats about it.
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Jeff 1:18PM (1/15/2009)
He was there for 24 years and all we can pin him on is the GT40 which wasn't anything revolutionary?
Can autoblog dig up more info on everything else he designed like the Tempo, F-150, Excursion, Towncar, and so on......if he did.
thanks
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AZZO45b 1:24PM (1/15/2009)
Pardo was my instructor when I went to CCS... thought he graduated in 1988? (would but him at Ford for 20-21 years?)
AZZO45b 1:28PM (1/15/2009)
Jeff: He worked in Advanced Design... so he would have worked on many of Ford's concept cars in the 90's + the two cars (T-Bird & Lincoln LS) that AB mentioned in their piece.
Olivier Parent 1:23PM (1/15/2009)
Leaving Ford for... Xerox perhaps?
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Shiftright 1:39PM (1/15/2009)
Perhaps...Richard Gresens, the designer of the Ford Flex left for Whirlpool....
Matt 3:00AM (1/16/2009)
lmao
Dude 1:30PM (1/15/2009)
Okay, so the Ford GT was 99% the original GT40, but you have to give him credit for the Lincoln LS. It was a totally orig.... never mind.
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cdwrx 1:41PM (1/15/2009)
Car design is just one of his talents. I've had the good fortune to attend one of his private fashion/art shows and it was absolutely amazing. He's an incredibly talented designer and to link him solely with the GT40 serves to diminish rather than expand his design credentials. If you think he's "only" done the GT40, you owe it to yourself to get to know his work.
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Shiftright 5:34PM (1/15/2009)
Didn't he do the '05 Mustang as well?
cdwrx 6:44PM (1/15/2009)
No, that was Larry Erickson.
AZZO45b 6:59PM (1/15/2009)
Fact: No ONE designer does a car like the Mustang. The GT(40) update was different due to its smaller numbers. Assigning one designer/ manager insures one specific & strong theme being executed.
cdwrx 8:00PM (1/15/2009)
Thanks Capt. Obvious.