J Mays is gone!

[amk91]

He didn't design it. He was the chief engineer - the manager of the people who make the hard parts come together. While he likely had discussions with the designers, the people who reported up through J Mays did the styling.

And yes, he did get promoted but was moved to other business functions within Ford outside the US for awhile. I think he is back in Dearborn again. I can't remember what capacity at the moment.

Thanks for mentioning that, as it can be misleading to many individuals when engineers are listed as "the designers" by the media. Sid Ramnarace designed the '05 Mustang into late 2001. The final "freeze" model was presented in July 2002, likely with the help of Wai Tang between that period 6-9 month period. The '03 concept project started as a result of that in February 2002. I'm sure most of you have already seen these years ago, like the recent SN-95 ones from 1990-91.

People like Mays and Callum serve more of an editorial design function from what I understand, providing general direction, critique and final approval of the designs.

While I'm sure his fingerprints and "signature" are all over it, no doubt the real pen to paper designers like Kemal Curic and team are the ones most responsible for how the S550 will look.

Yes, Curic is the man responsible. Mays gave the direction and like Doug Gaffka and George Saradikis before him (2010 model), Curic is responsible for the S550. Curic may share responsibility for the exterior with another designer, while the interior was primarily done by another designer.

I met him at Carlisle in 2002-I remember him telling me the 05 mustang would look to the past--he signed the bottom of my armrest.

The S-197 design was very fresh to Mays or very much headed to finalization depending on if he spoke to you before or after July 2002(design freeze).

Sponsored

 

[FStephenMasek]

I'm 56 and wonder why a guy so young would be retiring. It is not a manual labor job. Do you think this indicates some sort of management shake-up at Ford?

 

[Unchained]

Retired from Ford maybe, but not sitting in a rocking chair just yet. He may end up at Microsoft from what the rumors say.

 

[Tony Alonso]

Retired from Ford maybe, but not sitting in a rocking chair just yet. He may end up at Microsoft from what the rumors say.

Alan Mullaly, the CEO, is the one rumored to go to Microsoft, not J Mays.

 

[TearTheHorizon]

Rumor mill near me is that he denied microsoft.

Sent from somewhere you're not

 

[The Sarge]

Retrofuturism

But beyond redefining design as an alternative form of communication and story telling, Mays' other gift was an ability to surround himself with talented designers who could bring these stories to life. Moray Callum is an eminently able successor, but the two designers who should be credited most for Mays success are Freeman Thomas and Martin Smith. Both Thomas (who heads Ford's advanced design studio in California) and Smith (in charge of Ford of Europe design) have worked with Mays as far back as the Avus. Thomas is the creative genius behind many of the concepts, while Smith has, over time, developed the kinetic design philosophy from Europe that is now being used globally on Ford product.

In a way, Mays' retirement timing is impeccable. Even though he is responsible for a full range of designs from retro to futuristic, the cars he is most associated with are those tapping into heritage like the Beetle, Thunderbird and Mustang. If the all-new Mustang about to be revealed is received well with a fresh, contemporary look that offers a distinct break from the past, it will be proof positive that Mays and his legacy are much more than just retrofuturism.

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/11/15/j-mays-ford-designer-retirement-legacy/

I don't know about u guys but I'm glad we're movin past retrofuturism. Mays did a good job but it's time for some new blood. Hopefully the redesign is a fresh take on the Mustang.

 

[Tony Alonso]

I don't know about u guys but I'm glad we're movin past retrofuturism. Mays did a good job but it's time for some new blood. Hopefully the redesign is a fresh take on the Mustang.

Since the coming Mustang was done while he is still with Ford, likely he has already had his influence baked into it. The current Ford cars are mainly not in that design idiom, so if anything, that period of time really was already gone in the last 3 years.

Especially based on a 2011 interview statement from the current design manager, J Mays was already well beyond in his "retrofuturism" design thinking already.

"In a nut shell, the biggest challenge for you in your current position?
I just starting working full time at Ford world headquarters in Dearborn, in the United States, and that is a definitely a new challenge for me. At the same time, it is not too difficult as we have a new global strategy and clear direction from our J Mays, our global lead on design. This makes it easier for us to develop products as one team, one car for all the markets. And it does work. Great examples are the Fiesta and the new Ford Focus."

 

[The Sarge]

Since the coming Mustang was done while he is still with Ford, likely he has already had his influence baked into it. The current Ford cars are mainly not in that design idiom, so if anything, that period of time really was already gone in the last 3 years.

Especially based on a 2011 interview statement from the current design manager, J Mays was already well beyond in his "retrofuturism" design thinking already.

"In a nut shell, the biggest challenge for you in your current position?
I just starting working full time at Ford world headquarters in Dearborn, in the United States, and that is a definitely a new challenge for me. At the same time, it is not too difficult as we have a new global strategy and clear direction from our J Mays, our global lead on design. This makes it easier for us to develop products as one team, one car for all the markets. And it does work. Great examples are the Fiesta and the new Ford Focus."

Your right but Ive learned to not trust a lot of the public statements they make. We also heard the 6G is going to be a huge departure from the current styling but it doesn't look like it.. if anything it looks like it could be the least amount of change we gotten from a redesign.

Look at the interior bits too. Modern toggle switches? That's the definition of retrofuturism if you ask me. i happen to like it but just saying its still there.

 

[Tony Alonso]

Your right but Ive learned to not trust a lot of the public statements they make. We also heard the 6G is going to be a huge departure from the current styling but it doesn't look like it.. if anything it looks like it could be the least amount of change we gotten from a redesign.

And that public statement might have been made before the rumored "this design was too radical, fix it up" review. I would not characterize this as least amount of change, especially when you compare it to the '05-'09 cars. If this car had a dramatically different side profile that lost the fastback look in the coupe, my opinion is that many would say "not a Mustang", both diehard and casual observer.

The front end is quite different than the '05-'14s, especially with the headlight changes. The area between the wheel wells shows a definite slimming, which also changes the view of this car, especially since there is no "hockey stick". The rear quarters, with the accentuated rear wheel well bulges presents a view that appears more muscular than the current car. It changes the look of the stance, especially when seen in combination with the slimmer side door area.

Likewise with the tri-bar taillights...to me it seems to such a characteristic styling cue that if left off, the car would likely be said to be "not a Mustang".

Look at the interior bits too. Modern toggle switches? That's the definition of retrofuturism if you ask me. i happen to like it but just saying its still there.

I am not aware of any Mustang interior that had toggle switches, so I consider that a cool design feature, not retro nod to an earlier version. If anything, I think of "race car" when I see toggle switches.

Thanks for your comments!

 

[GTsquid]

Agree with you Tony, the toggle switches are very cool and race car-ish. They are a little 'retro' in the sense that you see them a more on older cars.

The S197 concept car had them too as someone already pointed out I think.

As for retro futurism, if it looks anything like chaz's, I think its proof that they have moved on from that. The integrated quarter window, removal of the c-scoop, the sleeker profile..... all thoroughly modern IMO. We also shouldn't confuse Mustang design cues with retro per se. It still has to retain some resemblance to the past if it wants to be recognized as such. The tri-bar tails, long hood/short deck, fastback profile, interior dual cowl dash....

 

[Tony Alonso]

Agree with you Tony, the toggle switches are very cool and race car-ish. They are a little 'retro' in the sense that you see them a more on older cars.

The S197 concept car had them too as someone already pointed out I think.

Understand and yes!

As for retro futurism, if it looks anything like chaz's, I think its proof that they have moved on from that. The integrated quarter window, removal of the c-scoop, the sleeker profile..... all thoroughly modern IMO. We also shouldn't confuse Mustang design cues with retro per se. It still has to retain some resemblance to the past if it wants to be recognized as such. The tri-bar tails, long hood/short deck, fastback profile, interior dual cowl dash....

Precisely...long-enduring design cues, while some might call "retro", I call "DNA".

Sponsored