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David Holls Tribute
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Photos Courtesy of MotorCities National Heritage Areas

A Life of Passion for Automotive Design

The 2022 Cadillac Fall Festival & Concours d’Elegance provided a tribute to the influential designer David R. Holls with a display of several cars he designed. There were also symposiums on Friday and Saturday presented by John Manoogian, Dick Ruzzin, and Glen Dermisevich, notable GM designers who worked with David at GM Design. They will provide personal reflections on his career, design approach, leadership qualities, enthusiasm, and inspiration for sporty elegance in car design. 
 

David Holls joined GM Styling in 1952 after graduating from Michigan State University. He began work in the Cadillac Studio. During his 40-year career he was instrumental in design of several notable models spanning all GM divisions. Some of these included --- 1959 Cadillac, 1966 Riviera, 1963 Corvette, 1970 Monte Carlo, and 1970 ½ Camaro. He also designed two unique specials – a Type 57/59 Bugatti and a 1932 Lincoln Model KB Boattail Speedster.

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Over the years, David served as head of the Buick, Chevrolet, Opel, and Advanced Design studios. His last assignment began in 1986 when he was appointed Director of Corporate Design, the second in command, to then GM Design Vice President Chuck Jordon.

 

David loved classic cars and was fascinated with automotive design history. Along with Michael Lamm he authored A Century of Automotive Style – 100 Years of American Car Design. He was a collector of classic cars and the organizer of concours car shows.

Featured Cars
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1966 Riviera

Denny Manner 

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1970 Camaro RS-Z28

Herman Klingelhofer

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1979 Bitter CD

Dick Ruzzin

Neal & Lois Porter

1959 Cadillac Eldorado

Neal & Lois Porter

We had the following David Holls designed cars available for viewing Friday and Saturday. 

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Symposiums

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022
     3:00 p.m. - David Holls Tribute Symposium at Gilmore Care Museum

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2022
     12:00 p.m. - David Holls Tribute Symposium at Gilmore Care Museum

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