Irv Rybicki
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Irvin Walter Rybicki (September 16, 1921 – July 24, 2001) was an American
automotive designer Automotive design is the process of developing the appearance (and to some extent the ergonomics) of motor vehicles, including automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, buses, Coach (vehicle), coaches, and vans. The functional design and development o ...
widely known for his career as a designer with
General Motors General Motors Company (GM) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, United States. The company is most known for owning and manufacturing f ...
and his tenure as the corporation's Vice President of Design from 1977–1986, succeeding
Harley Earl Harley Jarvis Earl (November 22, 1893 – April 10, 1969) was an American Automotive design, automotive designer and business executive. He was the initial designated head of design at General Motors, later becoming vice president, the first ...
and Bill Mitchell in that role. Over a career spanning 43 years with GM, Rybicki contributed significantly: from his work on the 1953 Cadillac Le Mans; his forecasting the potential market for an inexpensive, sporty four-passenger car, what would become the first generation 1967
Chevrolet Camaro The Chevrolet Camaro is a mid-size American automobile manufactured by Chevrolet, classified as a pony car. It first went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed to compete with the Ford Mustang. The Camaro sha ...
(i.e., a
Ford Mustang The Ford Mustang is a series of American Car, automobiles manufactured by Ford Motor Company, Ford. In continuous production since 1964, the Mustang is currently the longest-produced Ford car nameplate. Currently in its Ford Mustang (seventh ...
before there was a Ford Mustang); his contributions to the successful 1973
Chevrolet Monte Carlo The Chevrolet Monte Carlo is a two-door coupe that was manufactured and marketed by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. Deriving its name from the Monte Carlo, city in Monaco, the Monte Carlo was marketed as the first personal luxury car ...
and, as Vice President, his design leadership on the 1982
Chevrolet Camaro The Chevrolet Camaro is a mid-size American automobile manufactured by Chevrolet, classified as a pony car. It first went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed to compete with the Ford Mustang. The Camaro sha ...
, 1984
Chevrolet Corvette The Chevrolet Corvette is a line of American two-door, two-seater sports cars manufactured and marketed by General Motors under the Chevrolet marque since 1953. Throughout eight generations, indicated sequentially as C1 to C8, the Corvette is not ...
, 1984
Pontiac Fiero The Pontiac Fiero is a Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, rear mid-engine, light sports car manufactured and marketed by Pontiac (automobile), Pontiac for model years 1984 – 1988. Intended as an economical commuter car with modest perf ...
and the 1985–1990 GM C-bodies: the
Buick Electra The Buick Electra is a full-size luxury car manufactured and marketed by Buick from 1959 to 1990, over six generations. Introduced as the replacement for the Roadmaster lines, the Electra served as the flagship Buick sedan line through its en ...
,
Oldsmobile 98 The Oldsmobile 98 (spelled Ninety-Eight from 1952 to 1991, and Ninety Eight from 1992 to 1996) is the full-size car, full-size flagship model of Oldsmobile that was produced from 1940 until 1942, and then from 1946 to 1996. The name – refle ...
and
Cadillac Deville The Cadillac DeVille is a model name used by Cadillac over eight generations, originally to designate a trim level of the 1949 Cadillac Series 62 and later for a standalone model in the brand range. The last model marketed specifically as a ''D ...
/
Fleetwood Fleetwood is a coastal town in the Borough of Wyre in Lancashire, England, at the northwest corner of the Fylde. It had a population of 25,939 at the 2011 United Kingdom census, 2011 census. Fleetwood acquired its modern character in the 1830 ...
among others. Having served successfully as a styling director for each of GM's five brand divisions, Rybicki assumed the corporate design leadership just as the industry entered a period of tremendous pressure: in quick succession, the federal government mandated waves of increasingly strict and comprehensive automotive emissions, fuel efficiency and safety standards – severely hindering the industry's ability to adapt – a period that became widely associated with austere and ungainly design, referred to in retrospect as the
Malaise era The term Malaise era refers to a period in the U.S. automotive industry from roughly the early 1970s through the early to mid 1980s, characterized by ''malaise:'' poor products and a generalized industry unease — an era of profound adjustment as ...
. Rybicki's legacy is tied to his numerous innovations, his excellent design credentials, his collegiality and support of his designers, and yet simultaneously his acquiescence to corporate finance management and product engineers – and his limited success in elevating General Motor's styling direction during his tenure as Vice President of Design to the level of his predecessors.


Background

Rybicki was born September 16, 1921, in Detroit to Wladyslav Walter Rybicki (1895–1972) and Helen Biess Rybicki (1899–1987). Rybicki attended Catholic grade school, and at an early age, began sketching and modeling airplanes while attending Detroit's Chadsey High School, graduating in 1940 – and summering at his father's place at Portage Lake. He would later study art at the Meinzinger Art School in Detroit. His earliest sketching focus on airplanes changed when he saw his uncle's 1938 Cadillac Sixty Special, declaring it "the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen," and turning his interest to cars. After he graduated from high school, Rybicki's father took his design sketches to General Motors without his knowledge, speaking with Jules Andrade, one of Harley Earl’s assistants. GM showed interest in Rybicki's work, retaining his information and as it turned to wartime production. Wounded in the United States during his military service, he was discharged and never went abroad to fight during World War II. In 1946, Rybicki married Hazel Lee Ryland Rybicki (1926–2023). They lived in
Bloomfield Hills Bloomfield Hills is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northern suburb of Detroit on the Woodward Corridor, Bloomfield Hills is located roughly northwest of downtown Detroit, and is surrounded on most sides by Bloomfi ...
, and after his retirement from General Motors maintained a residence in
Jensen Beach, Florida Jensen Beach is an Unincorporated area#United States, unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Martin County, Florida, Martin County, Florida, United States. The population was 12,652 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Por ...
. He died 24 Jul 2001 at 79 in
Sandwich, Massachusetts Sandwich is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States and is the oldest town on Cape Cod. The town motto is ''Post tot Naufracia Portus'', "after so many shipwrecks, a haven". The population was 20,259 at the 2020 census. Histor ...
and was survived by his wife, son David Irvin Rybicki and daughter Susan Rybicki Sheehan.


GM early career

In February 1944, in pursuit of an automotive styling career, Rybecki applied for and was hired as a project engineer by GM's Engineering Standards Laboratory at the GM Proving Ground. In September 1945, a colleague at the lab asked to show Rybicki's sketches to
Harley Earl Harley Jarvis Earl (November 22, 1893 – April 10, 1969) was an American Automotive design, automotive designer and business executive. He was the initial designated head of design at General Motors, later becoming vice president, the first ...
, whereby he was transferred to the GM Styling Staff (now GM design) as a junior designer. He studied with the ''Forty Milwaukee'', GM's school for trainee designers – led by Ned Nickles and later
Frank Hershey Franklin Quick Hershey (1907–1997) was an American automobile designer and student of General Motors Vice President of Design Harley Earl. Hershey is known for his 1932 Peerless V-16 prototype, 1949 Cadillac tailfins, and the 1955 Ford Th ...
. He was promoted to designer in 1947 and senior designer in 1950. He spent six years in the Cadillac studio under future Styling VP Bill Mitchell. Rybicki was noted for innovating the concealed gas cap for the 1948 Cadillac, hidden within the flip-top taillight. Rybicki styled the interior and instrument panel of the 1953 Cadillac Le Mans concept car. In 1956, Rybicki became assistant chief designer at the Oldsmobile Studio where he was subsequently promoted to chief designer, remaining for five years. in February 1962, Rybicki became the chief designer in GM's Chevrolet studio, where he helped make GM’s lowest priced cars and trucks appear more upscale. In 1963, Rybicki and his team presented
Bunkie Knudsen Semon Emil "Bunkie" Knudsen (October 2, 1912 – July 6, 1998) was an American automobile executive. Early life Semon Emil Knudsen was born on October 2, 1912, in Buffalo, New York. He was the son of former General Motors President, and Army ...
with a styling concept for a four-seater car with a sporty image that could augment the Corvette – what could have effectively leap-frogged the first
Ford Mustang The Ford Mustang is a series of American Car, automobiles manufactured by Ford Motor Company, Ford. In continuous production since 1964, the Mustang is currently the longest-produced Ford car nameplate. Currently in its Ford Mustang (seventh ...
. Knudsen rejected the idea and GM was forced to play catch-up, introducing the first
Camaro The Chevrolet Camaro is a mid-size American automobile manufactured by Chevrolet, classified as a pony car. It first went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed to compete with the Ford Mustang. The Camaro sha ...
in 1967. Rybicki became group chief designer for the Chevrolet passenger car and GMC truck studios in 1965 and became the executive in charge of exterior design for Chevrolet and Pontiac passenger cars and Chevrolet and GMC trucks in 1970. Rybicki led the team that redesigned the
Monte Carlo Monte Carlo ( ; ; or colloquially ; , ; ) is an official administrative area of Monaco, specifically the Ward (country subdivision), ward of Monte Carlo/Spélugues, where the Monte Carlo Casino is located. Informally, the name also refers to ...
for the 1973 model year, which Chevrolet general manager John Z. DeLorean approved for production without a single revision. The design featured an opera or coach window in the
B-pillar The pillars on a car with permanent roof body style (such as four-door sedans) are the vertical or nearly vertical supports of its window area or greenhouse—designated respectively as the A, B, C and (in larger cars such as 4-door stati ...
. GM’s management liked the small window and gave it first the 1971
Cadillac Eldorado The Cadillac Eldorado is a luxury car manufactured and marketed by the Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors from 1952 until 2002, over twelve generations. The Eldorado was at or near the top of the Cadillac product line. The original ...
. When it arrived on the Monte Carlo, it thus carried the halo of a Cadillac design detail. Rybicki remained in his position over Chevrolet, Pontiac and GMC until 1972, when he was named executive in charge of Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac. Rybicki worked on the design of the first generation
Cadillac Seville The Cadillac Seville is a mid-size luxury car manufactured by Cadillac from the 1976 to 2004 model years as a smaller-sized, premium model. It was replaced by the STS in 2004 for the 2005 model year. Origin of the name The name of "Cadillac's ...
and had a major role in GM's massive downsizing of the 1977 full-size and 1978 intermediate cars.


GM Vice Presidency

Rybicki superseded Bill Mitchell, an outspoken, passionate designer, as GM Styling vice president on August 1, 1977 – at a time when the industry and company faced new fuel economy, safety regulations and emissions regulations; increased foreign competition, and a more controlling upper management. He was only one of seven to hold the Vice President of Design position, including
Harley Earl Harley Jarvis Earl (November 22, 1893 – April 10, 1969) was an American Automotive design, automotive designer and business executive. He was the initial designated head of design at General Motors, later becoming vice president, the first ...
, Bill Mitchell, Chuck Jordan,
Wayne Cherry Wayne Kent Cherry (born 1937) is an American car designer educated at Art Center College of Design and employed by General Motors from 1962 through 2004, retiring as Vice President of Design. Cherry worked for General Motors in the United States ...
,
Ed Welburn Edward Thomas Welburn Jr. (born December 14, 1950) is an automobile designer and former General Motors' Vice President of Global Design, a role in which he served from 2003 to 2016 and the same position that Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell once h ...
and
Michael Simcoe Michael "Mike" Simcoe (born 1959–1960) is an automobile designer from Melbourne, Australia. He most recently served as General Motors' Vice President of Global Design. Simcoe received an Associate Diploma of Art Industrial Design from the ...
. Physically reserved and discreet, Irvin Rybicki neither wore the flamboyant outfits of his predecessors, nor had their forceful, outsized egos. The oil crises of 1973 and 1979, along with the Energy and Conservation Act of 1975, required the company build more fuel-efficient cars. To this end he oversaw the styling for the corporation's transformation to front-wheel-drive, including the J-Platform cars, A-platform cars, C/H Platform cars as well as the GM-10/W-platform cars. He oversaw the 1982 Chevy Camaro and Pontiac Firebird, 1984 C4 Corvette and Ed Welburn's Olds Aerotech design. Notably, Rybicki oversaw a design period under CEO Roger Smith where the A-bodies were called out on the cover of the August 22, 1983 issue of
Fortune Magazine ''Fortune'' (stylized in all caps) is an American global business magazine headquartered in New York City. It is published by Fortune Media Group Holdings, a global business media company. The publication was founded by Henry Luce in 1929. T ...
– for their cookie cutter design. All automotive design staff competing in the United States faced complex federal regulations;
Motor Trend ''Motor Trend'' is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, and designated the first Car of the Year, also in 1949. Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles published ''Motor Trend'' until 1998, when it was sold ...
magazine noted in 2016 that "confusion over how to cope with these new laws from a design and engineering standpoint led to poor decisions that affected the exterior and interior appearance of GM’s cars through the late 1970s and 1980s." Noted automotive writer Michael Lamm and Dave Holls, former General Motors designer, wrote in their book ''A Century of Automotive Style: 100 Years of Automotive Design,'' that "General Motors, during Rybicki's nine years in office, would lose not just its identity but its dominance of the American industry. It would lose its half century of automotive design leadership." The authors noted that Rybicki's "strength lay in administration. (GM Executive Vice President Howard) Kehrl wanted a good administrator, someone who could put GM Design Staff on a more businesslike footing. He got that. As a designer, Rybicki had done some nice things when he ran the Olds and Chevrolet studios, but he lacked emotion and forcefulness. He didn't have the conviction to fight for design. He was too gentle a person to do battle at all." Automotive author Dave McLellan, in his book ''Corvette From The Inside,''described Rybicki as a “team player, someone that would allow GM’s top brass more control over styling. Mitchell had been a real pain in the ass, and the board wasn’t going to have any more of that. Rybicki liked big, cushy cars, and had a debilitating back problem," adding "Irv may well have been an okay guy, but he was definitely a yes-man." Near the end of tenure as Vice President of Design, Rybicki gave an extensive interview with David Crippen for the Automotive Design Oral History project at the Benson Ford Research Center at the Henry Ford Museum, formerly
The Henry Ford The Henry Ford (also known as the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village, and as the Edison Institute) is a history museum complex in Dearborn, Michigan, United States, within Metro Detroit. The museum collection contai ...
. Rybicki retired from GM in October 1986.


Design leadership

* 1973–1977
Chevrolet Monte Carlo The Chevrolet Monte Carlo is a two-door coupe that was manufactured and marketed by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. Deriving its name from the Monte Carlo, city in Monaco, the Monte Carlo was marketed as the first personal luxury car ...
* 1982–1994
Chevrolet Cavalier The Chevrolet Cavalier is a line of compact cars produced by Chevrolet. Serving as the replacement of the Chevrolet Monza, the Cavalier was the second Chevrolet model line to adopt front-wheel drive. Three versions of the Cavalier have been sold, ...
* 1983 General Motors Aero 2002 Concept Car * 1985–1990
Buick Electra The Buick Electra is a full-size luxury car manufactured and marketed by Buick from 1959 to 1990, over six generations. Introduced as the replacement for the Roadmaster lines, the Electra served as the flagship Buick sedan line through its en ...
,
Oldsmobile 98 The Oldsmobile 98 (spelled Ninety-Eight from 1952 to 1991, and Ninety Eight from 1992 to 1996) is the full-size car, full-size flagship model of Oldsmobile that was produced from 1940 until 1942, and then from 1946 to 1996. The name – refle ...
/ Touring Sedan * 1985–1993
Cadillac DeVille The Cadillac DeVille is a model name used by Cadillac over eight generations, originally to designate a trim level of the 1949 Cadillac Series 62 and later for a standalone model in the brand range. The last model marketed specifically as a ''D ...
,
Fleetwood Fleetwood is a coastal town in the Borough of Wyre in Lancashire, England, at the northwest corner of the Fylde. It had a population of 25,939 at the 2011 United Kingdom census, 2011 census. Fleetwood acquired its modern character in the 1830 ...
, Sixty Special * 1986–1993
Cadillac Eldorado The Cadillac Eldorado is a luxury car manufactured and marketed by the Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors from 1952 until 2002, over twelve generations. The Eldorado was at or near the top of the Cadillac product line. The original ...
,
Seville Seville ( ; , ) is the capital and largest city of the Spain, Spanish autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Andalusia and the province of Seville. It is situated on the lower reaches of the Guadalquivir, River Guadalquivir, ...
* 1987–1991
Pontiac Bonneville The Pontiac Bonneville is a model line of full-size or mid-size FR (until 1987) or FF cars manufactured and marketed by Pontiac from 1957 until 2005. The Bonneville (marketed as the Parisienne in Canada until 1981), and its platform partne ...
* 1987–1996
Chevrolet Corsica The Chevrolet Corsica (named after Corsica, France) is a front-wheel drive compact car that was produced by Chevrolet from 1987 until 1996. The Corsica was built upon the L-body platform. It shared the L-body with the 2-door Beretta, and the reb ...
/
Chevrolet Beretta The Chevrolet Beretta is a coupé that was produced by Chevrolet from 1987 until 1996. Alongside the four-door Chevrolet Corsica, the Beretta served as the successor to the Chevrolet Citation. Slotted between the Cavalier and Lumina/Monte Carlo ...


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Rybicki, Irvin 1921 births General Motors designers American automobile designers 2001 deaths