Auto News: In Passing--Charles M. Jordan, 1927-2010
GM Design leader Chuck Jordan was instrumental in designs as varied as the 1955 Chevy Cameo show truck, the 1956 Buick Centurion concept car, the XP-700 "Phantom" Corvette, and the Sting Ray III, among numerous other vehicles.
Written by AT Staff
Charles M. "Chuck" Jordan, 83, was the fourth man elected to the position of vice president of the General Motors Design Staff, serving from 6 October 1986 until his retirement six years later in November 1992. He passed away on 9 December 2010, leaving behind a rich legacy of landmark designs that spanned more than four decades.
In 1949, Jordan joined the GM Styling Staff as a junior engineer. He spent the 1950s in a variety of studios and positions within the Design Department, even working on the advanced, lightweight Aerotrain in GM's Electro-Motive Division (see photograph on the following page).
Jordan moved on to the advanced auto studio, where he designed several Motorama dream vehicles, among them the 1955 Chevy Cameo show truck, the precursor to the personal-use sport truck.
In 1956, he was responsible for the design of the Buick Centurion, a car that served as a benchmarked GM's big-car look throughout the rest of the decade.
Pontiac general manager Bunkie Knudsen chose one of Jordan's advanced studio concepts as the basis for his division's first wide-track models that appeared in 1959. Jordan was also instrumental in the design of the 1958 Corvette and the XP-700 "Phantom" Corvette concept.
In 1957, Jordan was appointed Cadillac chief designer. In 1962, he became executive in charge of automotive design, responsible for all GM car and truck exteriors. From 1967 to 1970, he served as design director for Adam Opel AG in Rüsselsheim, Germany. While there, he was responsible for a number of well-regarded designs, including the Manta coupe and the 1968 production-model GT sports car.
Jordan was appointed executive in charge of automotive exterior design for GM's upscale segment, the Buick Oldsmobile Cadillac group, when he returned to the United States. In 1972, he assumed a similar position for Chevrolet, Pontiac, and commercial vehicles.
In 1977, Jordan was named director of design for the entire Design staff. He was serving in that capacity when Irv Rybicki retired in 1986 and he was moved up to vice president of Design.
The Jordan team was responsible for the 1990's generation of Camaros and Firebirds, the Oldsmobile Aurora, and the 1992 Cadillac STS. His design leadership team also produced such concept cars as the Oldsmobile Aerotech and the Sting Ray III.
Chuck Jordan was succeeded by Wayne Cherry in 1992.
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