Written and photographs by : Gary Willoughby, Edited by Gary Carden

    A SPECIAL PRESENTATION BY SYD MEAD - June 16th 2005

Syd Mead’s presentation took place at the Petersen Automotive Museum. The exhibit “Driving Through Futures Past” Mid Century Automotive Art and Models coincided perfectly with the Mead presentation. The exhibit featured prototype automobiles, models, paintings, and drawing of autos with a futuristic look. 

Living in Los Angeles does have its advantages from time to time. Attending this lecture was one of those times. 

For the evening presentation I arrived about a half hour early. I found my way to the third floor lecture hall and took a seat near the front.  I was in good spirits and very excited to see the lecture Syd Mead prepared. I had decided before I left home that this would be probably be the only opportunity I would have to wear the Blade Runner crew jacket I had purchased from Bill George a few years ago.

The audience consisted mostly of professors or students from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena interested only in the automotive aspect of the presentation.

Syd Mead was delightful as expected, the lecture consisted of a brilliant slide presentation peppered with humorous antidotes. To my delight the subject matter and images were mostly of the film Blade Runner.

After the presentation the audience filed down to the second floor for refreshments and a book signing by Mr. Mead.  Nearby was the exhibit “Driving Through Future Past”. I spent about an hour looking at the rare prototype full-sized cars as well as models  and excellent watercolors and paintings of cars of the future.

The secret of the evening was that Gene Winfield had restored the “People’s car” from Blade Runner. I had seen the car on a previous trip to Gene’s shop, when he was restoring the Blade Runner Spinner. He had restored this car for display, and delighted Syd Mead during the book signing. It was announced by the museum’s director Dick Wesser and the car was unveiled.

Unrestored peoples car

I believe the car will be shipped to Science Fiction Museum in Seattle after the exhibit to be shown along side the Spinner flying car.

I recognized many faces but could only put a name to one, that of General Motors designer Chuck Jordan. I am sure there were many other designers in attendance as well. Mr Jordan seen here talking to Gene Winfield and friend.

Later in the evening a stranger remarked to me “ do you know you are the hit of the evening? The Japanese Art Center students have been following you around taking photographs of the back of your jacket. They love it.” You never know what will happen at these events.

Please visit the Petersen Automotive Museum and see more information about this exhibit and others. www.petersen.org

Report by Gary Willoughby - Compiled by Gary Carden