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.