Thank you for this video legacy, Jim. I donated my five models, including my 1963 Four-State-Regional Award to the National Museum of Transportation. May I ask, what software did you use to make it look like you could just sit on and touch these models? Very realistic. I want to thank rickearl8018 for his comment below and providing a link to the Harley J. Earl story. Another article on the Guild appeared in "Special Interest Autos" magazine, February, 1981. It was written by Wick Humble.

@carthropology8318

9 ай бұрын

Gladly! Jerald, The whole project was rendered on i movie. But, There were numerous apps I found to help with lighting, 3D and retouching. All the shots where I am present are basically done with green screen. I spent a lot of time, calculating angles and positioning in order to make my figure "fit" seamlessly into the settings. Much time was spent "creating" scenes and settings to present in. Another part of the project was creating backdrops to place the cars into so that they looked "full scale" and not like models. I think, most people would be surprised how "bare bones" and un-sophisticated my techniques were! Thanks for the feedback and appreciative comments.

I built several of the cars from Junior high and into high school. While I only got to the level of winning State the process and focus it required was very beneficial and helped me learn to pursue a goal. This was a great video and it was fun to see the cars in a larger scale but for those unfamiliar with the actual scale it might have been good to note that. They hold their own as actual full sized autos don't they?

@carthropology8318

2 жыл бұрын

Mike, Congrats on your participation in the Guild... I hope you kept all the models you built! The Part I video is an intro, Part II kzread.info/dash/bejne/fHmJ0qNxh9WWerQ.html discusses the real scale. If you can, look at "The Amazing Cars of the Fisher Body Guild. Part II. - Just released it! Thanks for sharing!

Hope someone saved the competition entry package and some of the how to tips in follow up mails. The Guild treated each contestant to drawings at full scale size with elevation diagrams show drivers in profile, wheel diameters, front and rear clearance angles and quite a bit more. Instructions on how to make cross-section templates at given points to help with carving fair curves, just as boat builders used from clay half models. I was introduced to the competition by my 8th grade Ancient and Medieval History teacher, a great car buff and illustrator. He gave after school sessions on rendering side elevations in colored pencil on the matte black paper used in photo albums, using white pencil to catch high lights and reflection to model curves and more. He steered us to the Guild competition entry forms. I was already modifying the 1/24 scale plastic models but lacked the serious woodworking skills to finish my design , though the woodshop class provided the band saw for rough cutting the poplar blank. Never the less I carried on acquiring skills that served me well in later days, hoping to gain sufficient proficient to compete against the incredible designs from other contestants. I was on of the 13 year old kids. And still cherish the memory. Oh, and by the way tips came from other boys such as carving an old red toothbrush handle to make translucent tail lights and polishing them to glass finish. Some many more that have faded from memory.

@carthropology8318

2 жыл бұрын

It sounds like you were a perfect entrant for the FBCG. I have been able to talk to many guild members since posting these reports. To a person, all have cherished memories of the experience and every one agrees there later careers were richer for having participated.. Thanks for sharing your history here. It makes us all a little better off for it. PS: Did you also watch the second report " The Amazing Cars of the Fisher Body Craftsman's Guild Part II"?

@thechancellor3715

2 жыл бұрын

@@carthropology8318 I did indeed watch part 2...got a chuckle seeing you present the Entrants Package after I said I hoped someone kept copies. Even my comment about the red toothbrush for tailights got mentioned. Thank you. Seeing the concept cars at the big auto shows really fired the imagination and I began looking at cars in a new light. Among dad's coworkers were a Studebaker Hawk, Jaguar 140 coupe, and most amazing was the collection of 3 MB 300 gull wings in the parking garage where dad worked. All were generous in allowing me to crawl all over them and give me a ride. Hooked on excellent design forever.

@carthropology8318

2 жыл бұрын

It really was a time when really great auto design mattered. There were new, exciting ideas rolling out of the different automaker every year. Thanks for sharing your personal experience.... Just a question. Did you end up in the auto business, yourself?

@thechancellor3715

2 жыл бұрын

@@carthropology8318 The Guild competition lead me to take mechanical drawing classes in high school and appreciate geometry, trigonometry. Not having enough money for full time college I found work in an architectural firm as jr drsftsman/office boy. Lunch hours spent reading Sweet's catalogue of construction materials and systems, learning as much as I could. ...BTW needing a car I lucked out getting a deal on a 1958 Jag XK-150 roadster as my first car. Ended getting getting established in the technical end of implementing napkin sketch building designs. Projects ranged from airports, museums presidential library ,monumental skylights, etc. Worked in well known firms. And so the inspiration and perspiration of the Fischer Guild Competition bore fruit in a related field that with very satisfying career. Actually, I wondered how many others succeeded in other fields peripherally related to auto design.

@treefarmerMT

9 ай бұрын

I do have many of the FBCG newsletters., I have no heirs. These newsletters defined the very parameters you describe. "drivers in profile, wheel diameters, front and rear clearance angles". I donated my five models to the National Museum of Transportation. This includes my 1963 Regional Award. Do you know who would appreciate these newsletters?

Nice video, I like how you put yourself in with the cars...that are actually small models at 1/12 scale. Pretty neat.

@carthropology8318

3 жыл бұрын

I try. Thanks for watching. Hope you support more work by hitting "subscribe"

Well done Jim! The FBCG really has no rival in the 20th Century in as far as being the largest art and business scholarship program (in numbers, stats and finance). The reason this side of the story is not at all known well today has to do with the fact behind the character of each player who was a part of the GM's mid-century "dream team" of leaders. These winners created the largest, the most prestigious, industrial corporation in the world through design and technology leadership. Essentially, they DID NOT ever like to burnish their images relating to their major milestones. Obviously, starting in the 1960s, things changed dramatically in the American auto industry and the teams of leaders in the wake of GM's mid-century leaders didn't ever duplicate the same success. It's okay, nobody did anything wrong in Motown over the last 60 odd years, it's human nature for things like this to happen. In any event, here's the official Harley Earl website's viewpoint (20 years of research went into gathering some of this informative material at this FBCG link): www.harleyjearl.com/harleys-army

@carthropology8318

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Rick, Very interesting insight to the dynamics behind the history of GM and its mid-century designs. The low key manner in which these executives promoted their accomplishments, explains a lot of why they are not widely known today. And of course, the day to day work of getting cars designed and built, did not suggest that history was also being made. I think that is why it is only now that all their hard work and accomplishments beg for historical perspectives. I look forward to visiting your web site. Jim

@treefarmerMT

9 ай бұрын

Thank you for the link to the Harley J. Earl story. See my comment above.

This is phenomenal! A well-done video taking us through this slice of automobile history. My dad was part of the FBCG and is currently working on their legacy program to get models into museums. He shared this with me. I look forward to more! Meghan Simone

@carthropology8318

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Meg, Real nice hearing from someone with ties to the event. I have come across some of your dad's car designs while doing research for this report. I am always interested in talking to people who were actually there. Makes my work better. Thanks for subscribing!

@MEGSIMONE

3 жыл бұрын

@@carthropology8318 My dad has worked closely with John Jacobus, Samuel Kjellman, and many others with the Legacy Program. He has been trying to connect with you - what is the best way he can reach you?

@carthropology8318

3 жыл бұрын

Meg, I can be reached by phone at 941 284 3916

Jim, fabulous job making the cars life-sized. See that terrific black sports car on the left? My uncle Oskar designed it, you ought to talk to him, he's ready and willing to explain his philosophy. It really is a good-looker, isn't it. Message me on Facebook!

@carthropology8318

3 жыл бұрын

Alfred, Thanks. I found you on Facebook and sent a reply. Jim - Carthropology@gmail.com

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