'79 Mustang Designer gets Hall of Fame Award

John J. “Jack” Telnack, Ford Motor Company’s former vice president of global design was recently inducted as a member of the prestigious Automotive Hall of Fame in a special induction ceremony held recently in Dearborn. Check out our blog for more details.

Before he retired from Ford in 1998, Telnack was considered by many of his peers and industry insiders as the most influential car designer alive. During his 40-year career at Ford, Telnack held chief design positions in the U.S., Australia and Europe. Telnack was responsible for the styling of the original European Ford Fiesta and was involved with the Erika project (The 1981-90 European/American front-drive Ford Escort). But it was when he returned back to America in the mid-1970s that his biggest impact was felt. Using the concepts and functionality he'd learned across the pond, he oversaw the styling direction of the ’79 Mustang, a car which at the time of its debut looked like nothing else from Ford's North American Arm. Clean styling, low drag coefficient and handsome, functional looks proved a hit with the buying public and paved way, for an entire generation of popular Ford vehicles with Aero styling.

Following on from the Mustang were the breakthrough 1983 Thunderbird, the 1984 Jellybean Tempo and the 1986 Taurus, all of which became certifiable hits with buyers. Telnack was a pioneer and many credit him for forever changing the face of North American car styling. Jeff Leestma, president of the Automotive Hall of Fame, said Telnack’s name is being added to a long list of automotive celebrities from Ford Motor Company; however, he is the first designer from Ford to make the grade. “This is the single greatest honor in the motor vehicle industry, intended to honor a career and lifetime achievement,” said Leestma of being inducted. “Mr. Telnack is joining an elite group of automotive pioneers from Ford that includes Henry Ford, Edsel Ford and Harold ‘Red’ Poling.”

The Automotive Hall of Fame is the only industry-wide means to honor the men and women of the global motor vehicle and related industries. More than 200 individuals have been inducted to date, with four to eight new hall of famers added each year. Telnack considers his inclusion a great mark of distinction. “I was surprised, deeply touched and honored that they selected me,” he said. “I’m sure the Taurus was a big driver in this decision, and it was my time in Europe that influenced me to expand and push for a more functional approach to vehicle design that considered aerodynamics and its contribution to fuel economy, beginning with the ’79 Mustang.