Latest News from Holly Clark
© Holly Clark, Wolfgang Kohrn - 2000, Last updated on May12th, 2016

 

++++++BREAKING NEWS+++++++++++
May 2016
New Phil Clark Mustang Stampede Club founded
Holly has founded a new group on Facebook that should support a yearly Stampede honoring her fathers achievements.

Make sure you  join the group and be one of the first 100   to receive some commemorative items like a metal dash plaque and more. T-Shirts are available as well. Make sure you give your size.



   
December 2013
New pictures of the original 1962 Mustang I

scale model published by the Henry Ford Org.

The scale model that was with Najjar most probably, though there is another one at least around.
   
December 2013
1962 Mustang I Scale model availble in 1:24 and 1:43

Starting at 119.95 Dollar up to 350 Dollar for a Dan Gurney signed version, this is the latest goody fom AUTOMODELLO, a scale car manufacturer.
   
John M. Clor puts the fairy tale about the P-51 Mustang name derivation to an end in the latest MCA Mustang times.
We are glad John picked up this topic for the Countdown to the 50th and layed out the different mystery stories about the Mustang naming.

Read yourself and order yours from the MCA from August 2013.

We appreciate that the truth is supported by more and more readers and writers. There might be one day in the next 50 years, where all Mustang books are finally correct in repeating the facts, that the Ford Benson Research Centre already has on file for years.
It took decades to admit that the Mustang emblem was done by Phil Clark. As as readers of this site know there is much more that Phil could and should get credit for.
We still hope that Holly can manage one day to get her second book out. She needs more support than ever to get the facts on paper.
   
The time of Phil Clark after the Mustang I

GM Archive 9-12-66 (Madler GM photograph)
You know we mentioned earlier that Phil Clark was busy as a freelancer and designer, later independent from Ford.
We have found a few of his 1962 and 1966 designs he provided to other car manufacturers and it seems they indeed also influenced a number of other cars.
We will present you his 1966 design of which GM photographer  Madler for example took pics and maybe a few more from his UK time with Ford.. 
Stay tuned.

This is one of his designs that he turned in through his friend Larry Shinoda in 1966. The pic is dated 9-12-66 by GM photographer Madler and filed under the 72/70 folder. 

   
December 2012 After a 2 years break we will continue to update this page.
A lot of things have happened since and Hollys research has not ended after the induction of Phil Clark into the Hall of Fame, though that was a major success in her efforts to get her Dad recognised.
We have recently made new contacts to get the full story out and it is amazing that by now some retired Ford people and GM designers speak out what happened really. So stay tuned for further news soon.
Holly has had her healthy problems ongoing, but is still around and kicking.
So do I :-)
   
October 12th, 2010
The Mustang Club of America will induct Phil Clark into its Hall of Fame!  
Steven McCarley, president of the MCA informed us himself, that after the MCA members voted, Phil Clark ranked first and will be soon inducted into the MCA Hall of Fame.

With about 8 millions Pony emblems designed by Phil on the front grill of all Mustangs being out there and having been a key stylist in the development of the Mustang I Phil Clark certainly deserved that entry after the long road of Hollys efforts.

We like to thank Steven, the related board of directors and the many members for making this finally happen. 

   

September 6, 2010
The Capri Club North America announces a new entry:

The Ford Capri Hall Of Fame

 

Ford Stylist & Designer Phil Clark Inducted into the North America Capri Club Hall Of Fame

 Phil Clark, born in Iowa and raised in Nashville TN, was the chief exterior stylist of the European Ford Capri Mk1, 1969-1974.

 Code-named GBX, his drawings and clay models for Project "Colt", the name given to Capri preproduction planning within Ford, range from 1964 through 1966. Early Clark renderings show nearly all the classical Capri hallmarks: Long hood, Short rear deck, Fastback pillars with notchback rear window, Squared-off rear quarter, Upswept front valence, Dramatic side crease, etc.

 Clark graduated from the Pasadena CA Art Center College Of Design in 1958. He worked at GM immediately afterwards, until 1962 when he went to Ford in Dearborn working for the legendary chief Gene Bordinat. There he worked as a stylist for Lincoln-Mercury in the Design Center. He was involved in the Mustang I concept car of 1962, and created the iconic "Galloping Horse" Mustang logo used on the concept and production Mustangs ever since.

In February 1964, Clark was transferred to Ford of England's Research & Engineering Center in Essex, working for John Fallis and Roy Haynes in Design, and Stan Gillen, the American CEO of Ford of Britain. There, Clark worked on many other projects in exterior design such as the Ford Transit and the Zodiac-Zephyr. He also contributed to designs coming out of the Merkenich studios of Ford of Germany, run by Uwe Bahnsen, and later Hans Muth.

Clark died in 1968 at age 32 of kidney failure. His daughter Holly Clark, two years old at the time of his death, has since reconstructed much of Phil Clark's career from his surviving art folios, Ford Motor Company research (courtesy of Bill Ford, J Mays, and Jack Telnack), and Clark's former work associates at Ford.

 

Contact: Norm Murdock, Executive, Ford Capri Hall Of Fame, blitz@teamblitz.com

   
Bob Frias book is finally out
A major part is telling the story about the Pony emblem and the name assignment to the Mustang. It is a major milestone for Holly that the truth is finally documented after 28 years of fighting against many windmills.
Especially since the book has been sanctioned by Ford itself her father finally gets the proper credit he deserves. 
It is still a miracle that Phil Clark got deleted or just forgotten in the history records for such a long time.
Make sure you read the truth about the Mustang genesis in Robert A. Frias book. Available from McFarland and majour bookstores soon. 

   
Nominated for the MCA HALL OF FAME

The hard work and years of fighting may pay off finally for Holly Clark 
and her efforts to have her Dad Phil Clark recognized as the Pony emblem designer and more....

The MCA provides a ballot with their latest magazine.  

Holly

... I am one of the National Directors for the Mustang Club of America and a member of the Hall of Fame committee. I am pleased to inform you that your father Phil Clark was nominated by the MCA president  Steven McCarley for the hall of fame. 

His name will be placed on this years ballot along with the other nominees to be voted on by the membership. 

.... I know you have fought hard for him I am sure he would be very proud of you.

Kerry
   
It has been silent for a long time around one of our favourite topic - Holly Clarks adventures around her Dads Ford designer history.
But Holly is still engaged to get her second book out. Expect some hidden material in Bob Frias "MUSTANG GENESIS" book (coming out in April 2010 latest) plus major magazines are going to pick up the Mustang history before the Mustang actually appeared on 17th. April 1964 in the public. There is still so much to research and room enough for another book - so let's press at l east 2 thumbs for Holly to get her 2nd script 
book ready in 2010.

The title is perfect, there was a Mustang before the Mustang!
Excert: Motor Trend March 2010
   
The Pony Headquarters at the 45th. Anniversary in Birmingham/Alabama

In a joint effort, Holly Clark, the Ponysite.de and David S. Turnbulls Ponydrive III group  shared a common place, where Pony Enthusiasts could meet and gather for some talk.



Holly Clark's report on the 45th.
The 45th was a time for the unexpected, which is fitting as we are part of the Unexpected Ponysite. I started preparing for the 45th Anniversary Celebration of the Mustang right after we got home from the 40th Anniversary in Nashville. I had so many plans for the event! I had hoped to be back with MUSTANG I like I had been at the 40th. I had planned to have Book one AND Book two completed, published and ready for signing. I had planned to have my 'act together' and be available to meet and greet people that I had talked to over the last several years. I had planned to wear my brand new Purple Dress to the Ford Banquet and make new friends... most of these things would not happen.

When we arrived in Birmingham after the the 4 state trip, I was exhausted and not feeling so well, but by the time we could get into the Vendor spot we had purchased, I was feeling a lot better and was very very excited about being a part of such a wonderful event and representing my father there. 

After working through a few details we were able to get settled in our 10x12 spot next to the Wonderful people of Mustang Monthly. Wednesday and Thursday I spent a long time chatting with the Bill Senior and Junior of MM. Once we got the vendor spot set up for the three of us (we shared with PonySite.de and Pony Drive Across America) we were able to actually walk around a bit. We went back up front and met Wolfgang from Germany. Meeting Wolfgang was the surprise of a lifetime! At the 40th I did not even KNOW of PONYSITE. Thanks to John from Baton Rouge I had been introduced to Wolfgang shortly after the 40th...but NEVER in a Million years had I expected to meet anyone from Germany. Red and Wolfgang and I spent the day Thursday walking around, taking photos, meeting the people coming in enjoying ALL the Mustangs! It was like a dream actually getting to spend the day with Germany's Ponysite Webmaster. Wolfgang has changed the Face of the Phil Clark Mustang Memorial works, and it was so wonderful to be able to thank him in person.

Friday was even more eventful it would seem. After starting out the day in our little Vendor Spot, I decided to make the long hike up the hill to the Opening Ceremony to see who was going to be there. Once at the Barber MotorSports Museum, I of course had to find the water closet (most of you know I do the commercials for Liberator Medical due to my urological disease that I inherited from my father)....upon entering the Museum I was shocked to see the sign saying that the Mustang I was indeed in the Museum from the Henry Ford Museum! I was frozen in front of the sign! Fortunately a couple realized after a short discussion that I was Phil Clark's Daughter, and they told the Museum, who invited me in to be with the Car for photo ops (that I was not prepared for). Through tears I gazed upon my father's design in real life through amazed eyes. This is only the second time I have seen the car that so graciously hangs on my wall in pre-design. For me, this was a spiritual moment.

I spent a lot of time with Derek Moore from the Henry Ford Museum who had sacrificed his time to bring the car down to Alabama. He was there to care for the Mustang I Prototype along with the Mustang Production Vin 0001. Derek told me that they write up information each time the car leaves and that the last time there was a lot of information about my dad and me representing him at the 4oth along with the car itself. The Museum had wondered if I would again be able to set up dad's drawings along with the Mustang I Prototype this time. I told Derek I was just now finding out the car was here, so therefore we had made plans to set up as a vendor this year. Derek asked me if I had finished the Book I was working on at the 40th. I just happened to have a copy with me, and I donated it to the Henry Ford Museum. We also discussed adding dad's work to the Henry Ford Museum as a presentation. The museum along with others let me know that they are very interested in the 24 years of information I have amassed.

I left the car begrudgingly only to walk out into the middle of the presentation of  CEO of Ford Alan Mulally. I got chills when one of the announcers says, and I paraphrase what I heard, "Surely the Father is up Above looking down on this gathering of Mustangs with pride." I thought.. surely my father is... surely he is.

After the introduction and presentation, I spoke to Mr. Mulally and when I introduced myself, he said he knew who my father was, and he knew me. Again, I was amazed. Mr. Mulally was very nice, and it was a pleasure meeting him.

After the opening ceremonies I was asked by ABC news, I believe, to go back down with the car for an interview. I waited for a bit but was not feeling so well. I wasn't sure if it was all the excitement, or if it was passed my lunchtime, or maybe just coming in and out of the cold museum into the hotter day, but I felt the need to get back to the vendor spot.

Out of ALL the thousands of people there, my friend from New Orleans, Mike Aucion was a blessing standing there when I walked back out. He walked me back to our Vendor spot safely despite the fact that I was feeling out of sorts.

After waiting in the long line, I got some food and went back to our Pony Gathering Spot where I enjoyed my meal with Jerry Heasley, Jeff and his friend Mike, whom I had not seen since I took my rotting 64 1/2 Mustang to Mr. Carroll Shelby's house in 2002. I ate, while we all reminisced about the Shelby289 and my car that quit running on the way back from Mr. Shelby's Ranch (Pittsburg, Texas).

Soon after that, the world started spinning and when I realized I couldn't get it back, the Ambulance came and whisked me away from the 45th Anniversary of the Mustang (Barber Motorsports), never to return.

I spent most of the day in the hospital recovering from the life that I live with the disease I inherited, and dehydration among other ailments. I was advised by the doctor that I could not go back out into the sun for the entire weekend.

Unfortunately I had to pack up and go home to Texas after recovering in a hotel room for a few days. I missed all the things I had hoped to do the weekend of the 45th. I never got to say goodbye to Wolfgang because due to technical problems we never could communicate again. I didn't get to go to the Ford Banquet, or see all my Mustang Friends from Myspace, Facebook, twitter and the like.

But in retrospect, I did get to see my father's car in its completion, and I got to to see many of the friends that I have come to know and love in the Mustang world over the last 5 years since I arrived on the Mustang scene. (continued on right)


Holly friday morning shortly before she had to be taken to hospital due to an ear infection and dehydration most probably. We were sorry to miss her for the rest of the show and wish her more luck in the future.


The Mustang I in the Barber Motorsports Museum. Holly got to talk to CEO Alan Mulally and the guys from the Henry Ford museum. We will  keep you updated on the interesting information in her own words a.s.a.p.


There is no more evidence to the 47th Anniversary of the Pony emblem than the original Phil Clark emblem on the hood of the Mustang I

The same emblem on the rear of the Mustang 1. One of them might be a recreation.

The 1962 Mustang name even on the interior emblem. Yet not very eye-catching. The Mustang name was on Phil Clarks early designs of the Mustang I since early May 1962. That same Clark writing of the name Mustang was used at the Watkins Glen appearance on the transport truck and in promotion material. Clearly Phil Clarks influence.


I have to say thank you to my home Mustang Club, RED RIVER MUSTANG. These are my original Mustang Family. I was able to spend the weekend with them and some of the Mach I registry guys in the hotel that we shared. Tommy Gayer and the entire group went above and beyond to be there when I was at my worst. This group has supported me from the first day I met them in Shreveport, La. When I went to my first Mustang Club meeting in 2002 and told them my story, they never doubted me, and they have always supported my father through all the Mustang Stampedes and all the Mustang shows that we have gone to in the past 7 years. I originally brought some of my father's works to this Mustang Club, and they told me, "You have got to share this with the Mustang Enthusiasts out here in the world, they are going to want to see what you have." I told them I didn't think anyone would really care about a man named Phil Clark who had artwork and horses from the 1960's that say MUSTANG. They assured me the world would want to know.

How fitting that I was with them all while ill during the 45th Anniversary Celebration. I want to thank them for not taking photos of me when I looked my worse, but instead, they promised to just tell everyone that we got to spend the weekend together---as one big Mustang Family.

Now the 45th is over---and I need a new 5 year plan, because it is time to look forward to the 50th Anniversary of the Mustang---because she MUST 'ANG on to her 50th Birthday...and by the grace of God so will Phil's Philly.

Happy Mustangin'!
Holly Clark

 

   
When the Mustang sports car idea was born
Many Mustang Enthusiasts still believe in the many written stories of who came up with the Mustang idea on the blackboard in the Ford Research & Styling Center. 

If there wouldn't be this video from the Ford Public Relations department in 1962 (made available on DVD by Great Cars/Michael Rose Productions), one would certainly have never seen the truth in person about those pinned up designs that are shown in the early sequences and who draw them - Phil Clark, clearly visible his signature in pics that Holly Clark has and also seen in this video. Plus himself working on his first design scetches - with which he applied for the job at Ford and that lead to the Mustang I and the Pony emblem development.  
See the meanwhile known Phil Clark renderings on the blackwall and himself in this video and the picture below. 
The true origin of the Mustang! Now let's celebrate the 47th. Anniversary of the Mustang sportscar in Alabama. We are there, see the proofs.
April 1962 - April  2009  - The 47th Anniversary! 


Click on the picture to see the first part of three on the Mustang birth. Thanks to Michael Rose himself made available for us.

A bonus section on the GREAT CARS Video on Mustangs from Michael Rose Productions shows the Birth of the Mustang in 1962 with lots of Phil Clarks renderings on the blackboard.
You can order this video from amazon.com for about 10 Dollar.

 

   
FLASH OF GENIUS
The latest Hollywood production started this weekend in the theatres and is about another sad story in Fords history.
An outsider genius left without proper credit 

One sample of what happened in history and why it takes decades to get the word out.
See this TRAILER 

IN 1967 a college professor invented the intermittent wiper and got ripped of in the automotive world.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY


Who in the movie world will finally jump on the challenge to make a similar movie based on the true story of the lost history of Phil Clark, the genius stylist within Ford ?


   

With the latest PR note about the new 2010 Mustang Pony emblem Ford confirms again that the Pony emblem was done by Phil Clark

Actually Holly Clark  had been in touch with Ford design on this topic some time ago..

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 27, 2008 – 

Curious about what the 2010 Ford Mustang looks like?  Its new pony badge offers a clue.  Like the upcoming restyled Mustang, the new pony is more defined, more muscular and sure to catch the eye of Mustang enthusiasts.

“It’s just a faster-looking steed,” said George Saridakis, Design manager for the 2010 Mustang.

A stronger, more dynamic pony badge with defined edges and crisper forms in a subtly toned tinted-chrome finish will charge across the grilles of the V-6 and GT versions of the 2010 Mustang.  For the first time, a black-chrome version of the Mustang pony badge will be available on the new GT grille.

“We wanted to give the Mustang pony a more realistic feel,” said Douglas Gaffka, chief designer for the 2010 Mustang.  “We lifted the head to make the pony more proud, tipped the neck into the wind to give it a feeling of greater speed and better balance.

“It’s more chiseled and more defined and looks more like a wild horse,” Gaffka added.  “It’s more realistic in terms of proportion to an actual Mustang.”

Senior Designer Rick Howard spent hours researching images of horses and understanding their appearance in natural, wild settings.  That effort, along with his personal riding experience, helped bring forward the design of the Mustang pony badge.

Like the Mustang itself, which was revealed at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, the Mustang emblem has a proud heritage.  The original Mustang logo was drawn by Phil Clark for the Mustang I.  The Mustang logo then was refined for the Mustang II in 1974 by Charles Keresztes, a former member of Hungary’s Olympic equestrian team.  The pony continued on the front grille through 1978 when it was replaced by “FORD” in block letters through 1982.  The iconic Ford Blue Oval graced the front of Mustangs through 1993.  The pony emblem returned in 1994 with some refinements.  The logo was updated again in 2005.

For Howard and the team, creating the new badge was a labor of love.

“We’re very much concerned with detail and precision in our cars at Ford, and that includes the art we do,” Howard said.  “We want our Mustang pony badge to be as good as the rest of the car.”

 

   

The Phil Clark Stampede  Saturday, July 5th

Hillsboro, Texas just south of Dallas saw this year again a nice come-together party for Mustang origin and classic Mustang enthusiasts. Carroll Shelby even donated a car model to the party. 

Hollys Internet connection has been cut for another 2 weeks,, so we rely on short message information from her. 





The genuine Gulf station next to the Meeting location.

Best Paint in show

Finally on - Hollys own report on the Stampede 2008

Click here including a link to the Gayers pictures show


First report after the show from the Gayer family  

"Holly and Russ Kintz and all her volunteer help did a remarkable job putting the show on.
There were close to 100 Mustangs and a plethora of other vechicles.The weather was hot, but we had that Texas 20 mph wind blowing all the time to keep things bearable. There was a water, and a cool drinks taxi circling the square with ample fluids to cool things off.

Both car museums in town opened their doors gratis for participants to enjoy the cars and air conditioning. Two mexican restaurants stayed busy at lunch, and the ice cream parlor was serving Blue Bell ice cream. Blue Bell is the best ice cream in the world because it is made from Freisen-Holstein cows that live in Brenham, TX. We had a court house tour that lasted an hour, which informed us about the judges, the history and notoriety of Hill County. We were permitted on the balcony if we promised not to jump. The court house has a seven story tower in the center.

Russ provided a scavenger hunt for car parts that proved to be a lot of fun. One year he did a Die-Cast contest. He is always coming up with something innovative. There was a silent auction for Carroll Shelby signed stuff.
I met people who owned the old Gulf station and even met a guy who worked there in 1968 and has lived in Hillsboro all his life. 
Holly will give you all the particulars, but there were some awesome cars in the show.
A red Shelby Cobra got best paint. A  blue stang got best of show if I remember correctly.
There were some low riders and Chxxxx in the show that would turn your head.
Don Arnold brought his Terlingua Racing Mustang and that was a sight to behold. Only old guys like me really appreciate a car like that."
Thomas Gayer


Don Arnold brought his Terlingua racer

   
"Now is the time. 
History must make itself right!"
Holly Clark is engaged to make her voice heard more often these days.

With the increasing loss of integrity of some well-known names in the Mustang scene we feel that there is a need to communicate even more about the remaining mysterys, untold stories and well documented "inofficial" history of the Mustang. 

We encourage those "who know more" or who have a deep interest in new "facts" in the media business to stand up and speak out to be remembered by the enthusiasts or at least make room for others to exchange doubts and facts in public. Where is the engaged movie or media world, that digs for interesting stuff like this in the past. Have they all become paid PR guys. It really looks like that. 

We will for sure forget about them sooner or later and they aren't worth to be mentioned here.
 
It seems that some have given up to fight against errors being transferred and wish to stay with the official "told facts" well knowing that not every bit has been ever really researched to correct.
The Ford Benson Research Center did and has admitted Clarks role, although has never gone beyond the interviews or questioned them in detail.

 Questioning facts starts with "doubts". Holly Clark has spend almost 2 decades with "doubts" and has accumulated a lot of facts meanwhile that give here enough strength and a base to speak out.

Ponysite is here to offer her an unrestricted platform to do so, because some of her statements are left away too often, even if they meet doubts by real historians. Read her first article in a row on the right. 
Holly has lost considerable money in her efforts and , so anybody, who says, she is trying to make money, hasn't really understood her.

What she is looking for, is what her Dad was after. Recognition and Dedication to her fathers legacy. 

W.K.

Phil Clarks designs on the wall during a "PR-staged" presentation of the Mustang idea in the last 10 days of April 1962, probably 24th. Bordinat and Misch on right, Najjar on left. The original designs are in the posession of the Clark family.

Source: 
30th Anniversary Mustang book, Nicky Wright

If you died today do you not want to leave behind a legacy?

Phil Clark knew he was terminal, and wanted to leave behind not only his name, but a legacy on the earth.
And yet he was forgotten. The question becomes:
Why?

This is the question people should be asking.

Everything else aside, Ford and all those that worked with Phil Clark have confirmed that he did the drawings of the Mustang Running horse emblem. According to Phil's writings, there were 10 drawings. Ford and all those who worked with him have confirmed that he was with Eugene Bordinat on the Mustang I project. Ford says he headed up the project and most of his ideas are seen on the first Mustang...the Prototype. We know now that he worked alone in a room with another designer (names withheld) on the interior of this project.
 
There was no one else involved until later on down the road.

We know that he worked in another area.

 In the previous mentioned area he did designs of the Mustang Running Horse. We know that the running horse for the production vehicle (64 1/2 Mustang it became known) was sent back to Phil Clark where he 'streamlined' it.
 
Another designer, who also is not mentioned  ... was sitting across from him at his drawing board when this was done. We know this is true, because the truth has so much detail that can be confirmed.

We know that from the Clay modelers ...., that they used Phil Clark's drawings to design the Model. So this would make the drawings first, and then the clay model from the drawings, contrary to what has been written in the past. Photographs that Clark's family have recently released also prove this fact.

We know that this is still the way that models are made in Ford today--drawings first, and then the clay made from the drawings.

We know that no one mentioned this because the employees of Ford are under contract...during the time they work there, and to receive their retirement, not to tell corporate secrets or reveal anything they have worked on.

We know that  Holly Clark and the Clark family have gathered all of their resources together, and through these resources are able to produce signed and dated documents, drawings and journal entries during that time. The only reason the Clark family can release these, is because the Clark family is not under contract with Ford in any way shape or form, and Phil Clark or his family, never received compensation in any way shape or form after his death for any of his work that was turned in to Ford for revenue, use, or workmanship.

We have documentation that Ford's health officials knew that Phil was very ill during his time to work with Ford, and he was not able to pass the health exam that is required to be a Ford employee. We also know that none would know that, nor did they know that, but personelle, as it was again confidential and in his file (this is now missing we are told).

We know that his co-workers, and those under him, as he was Chief of Design before his death, did not know he was so ill, until he was put in the hospital and ultimately died at 32 years old.

The Clark family also has the information that he did not die from what some previous writers have said in the past, but we will not reveal the detailed information. What was released about his death was a conclusion drawn from his personelle file, that not just anyone had access to.

Why was Phil Clark documented in Ford movies?
We know that Ford made commercials featuring Phil Clark as their new and upcoming STYLISTs-- a term used as 'designers' were to be replaced by a younger more rounded STYLIST in the 1960s that could not only design, but had knowledge of the whole of a car's production.
 
Phil Clark was the poster child for the new idea of a STYLIST in 1962.

We know that this movie featuring Phil Clark and about 5 others was released to FORD Employees in 1962 as a prelude to the changes that were going to happen. This movie was shown in the Henry Ford Theater, and Clark was given a copy of the Movie. In this movie--the Mustang is released first to Ford Employees and then to the Nation as snips were used for FORD commercials, for college showings, etc etc...all featuring the NEW YOUNG STYLIST (who was 27) Phil Clark.

We know that soon after Phil Clark was then offered a job as "CHIEF of Design" , and had 14 modelers and designers under him at the time of his illness in late 1967 when he no longer had a job anywhere due to his illness--and he came back to America at that time.

We know from the letters from Ford and other employees, that after his death his designs continued to come out as they were 6-8 years ahead in the S & V group that he was involved with. We also have evidence that his designs were already on the 1970's vehicles that were in production at the time of his death, but not released to the public.


With all of the above and much more "EVIDENCE" that we know for a fact, the question for the reader is,
"Why is there not some sort of dedication to the Stylist and Chief PHIL CLARK?"

Normally when someone with that kind of influence on an industry passes on, there is a memorial to him. There would be ... events, cars, anything ...and more in his name.

The passing of 32 year old Phil Clark was a life altering event to all those who knew, loved, worked with, and admired his genius, not only in design, but art, poetry, drama, writing, music and charisma---and yet his name was marked out of life with a big x. He was never forgotten by anyone, but because he was not spoken of by them--due to the contracts they were under, and are under until their death, he was not remembered--UNTIL NOW!

Now is the time. History must make itself right!

These things have been revealed to you all, and it has been a long time in the process. He deserves some recognition for what he has left behind to you, the public.

Only you can do something to memorialize the man. He is not a myth--he is a man, and a very honorable man in the world of design.

Someone needs to come forward and correct this wrong, and stand up for what is right.

There is no other profession where a person passes on who left a legacy and they are just completely wiped off the face of the earth. It should not be for this one either.

I recently heard that there was a greek saying: a person is only really dead, when their name has been wiped off the face of the earth.

--His was, but now you know the name--Phil Clark--lets not let his name and his artwork be lost forever--I urge you to stand up for what is right.
Holly Clark

 

   
Getting ready for the big Phil Clark Stampede show
KBRQ FM Radio from Waco Texas is one of the first media channels in spreading the news about this spectacular show already and more interviews and PR has been sent out to get attention for the 4th Annual Phil Clark Stampede.

Club officials are requested to send in reports what Phil Clark means to them as the long forgotten and overlooked designer of the emblem and the Mustang I.

Moreover we'd like to see thousands of Mustangers coming to Hillsboro Texas to express their feelings about this sad story of a 44 years delayed coming out of the designer. 

There is still resistance out there to accept the role that Phil played in the design of truely outstanding cars, both at GM and Ford in the year of 1962.

One day you will regret for not having supported Holly in her efforts to get the word out about her father, so don't sit on the fence now. Many that have doubted the story previously have meanwhile adopted the existence of a history error and hopefully 2008 or latest 2009 we will finally see the existing proofs in print. 

Make sure you are a supporting member of the Phil Clark Stampede.  

Click here for a short slide show showing his original artwork, him drawing it in the Ford studios (an official pic out of a Ford movie) plus more of the show.

Register at the indicated site 



The 45th. Pony Anniversary Emblem released.
Less than a year in advance of the 17th. April 2009 the new Anniversary Pony emblem has been finished. 

After some contact about the original emblem by Phil Clark, current designers added the initial open circle as a horseshoe symbol around it. Look a bit further down this page for more info on the creator of the Pony emblem, which was put 9 million times on a Mustang without major credit being given in the past 44 years.
Call out loud his name at the Anniversary when the speeches are done by the officials. Holly will be there and would like to hear that you Enthusiasts recognize the importance of her father for this icon.:)
He really deserves something else.

The word is spread around  worldwide

A french translation of Hollys appearance and interview from the last anniversary.
We hope she will get even more attention at the 45th anniversary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLsxfIurKmo


Meanwhile a number of books have adopted the true designer of the Pony emblem like the latest 2008 Consumer Guides Mustang book (watch out for it in a silver wrap). Although it still repeats a  number of the old saying on the following pages, the first pages give proper credit to Phil Clark and Holly for her efforts in bringing her fathers outstanding design of the Pony emblem to the attention of Mustang enthusiasts worldwide.
The word is also spread around meanwhile amongst insiders. Many longtime Mustang owners and newcomers contact us more often about what they have heard about the Phil Clark story and we are happy to encourage them to ask more questions to the historians to convince them of the importance of Phil Clarks influence in the Mustang topic.
Finally we still hope he will make it into the Hall of Fame and his name be preserved much better in the history of the Mustang than it was for over 30 years, until Holly seriously started to get her fathers stuff out. Unfortunately she had a number of things coming her way, that throw her back in her efforts. We still hope she will finally get all her treasures in print and that somebody is making a movie out of this thrilling story about a forgotten hero of the most iconic history of a 9 million selling car and emblem.
Also watch out for the new emblem on the next generation Mustang. All we can say.

Holly supports a campaign of commercials for support of those with the same desease as her father had.


"This is from the photo shoot from the last commercials... We are getting the word out about people who have issues like dad suffered from. Hopefully we are helping others out there.... that is the plan... so we can all live better..longer lives and do more stuff that needs to be done!"


Sorry for extended periods of  no updates, we will try harder, but time is the most valuable in our life, as you all know, so real life comes first. 

Rest assured 2008 will be even more exciting for news on the true origin of the Mustang. 



Picture source: Ford movie on the design studios 1962, Archive: Holly Clark


The Red River Classic Mustang Club meets Holly Clark and her friends at the 22nd. Sept. Car show at Wray Ford

Donna is a close friend of Holly

A Saleen from Wray Ford - good party, guys and girls.

Ruby is another friend - car crazy and has owned numerous Shelbys, now a 1968 and a 70.

There was another Shelby GT500 on the showroom floor for $46,000 U.S. plus a ten grand dealer "incentive". White with blue stripes, much like the one CS son Mike drives in Dallas (only his is from the sixties) 

We are looking forward to the drive to Indianapolis in April of 2009 for the
45th Birthday bash. It is about a 16 hour drive from here. Those who want to join the Red River Classic Mustang Club, please get in touch.

Tommy Gayer 
Louisiana



Hollys new cool ride - a 2007 California Special. Holly won first price in her class. A second Cal Special from her friend Charlie also got a price.

Holly smiling with an original picture out of  her Dads archive of of one of the first Pony emblem design  created by Phil Clark.

Two Shelby GT500 owned by a father and his son in law - good family relation!


Whoever thought Ford stopped the Mustang I Concept car development soon after its appearance in 1962 and the final decison for the 4-seater Ash Mustang design, is wrong. 


We've found more evidence of the influence that the Mustang I concept car had in the GT40 design and back again for street cars like the Mustang. The Advanced Styling team was busy after the  Mustang I with numerous designs like the Allegro II and others and obviously also with a GT40 street car - the GT44, later called GT46 acc. to Franco Varani. 

Phil Clarks original Mustang I side scoop design is clearly visible on the nicknamed Mustang GT44/46 that was photographed in the studios as late as in February 1964, 2 months before the production Mustang appeared on the TV screens. 

A blend of the 1963 Ford USA GT40 body design and the 62 Mustang I concept car.
 
Any doubt remaining about the influence of the Mustang I in this? 

A new revised edition of the most famous and accurate GT40 book (Ronnie Spain) will have more pages on the origin of the GT40, which were indeed 2 separate programms acc. to Franco Varani.

 


With the Phil Clark Stampede coming on, we will soon dive a bit more into the accurate timeline from early April to October 1962, which covers the first drawings of the Mustang I to its introduction at the Watkins Glen racecourse.


Stampede Activities online



Troutman and Barnes employees, Culver City/CA at work on the alum body of the Mustang I. The ingredients were actually shipped to them June 9th., 1962.. 
T&B, a custom car builder, was ordered working along the drawings and design under Roy Lunn (Chassis) and Phil Clark (Design) and shape the lines according to the drawings and designs into reality, after the first clay model was done in early May 1962 already. 

The finished chassis development (started by Roy Lunn on May 9th and transferred to Troutman 2 weeks later was not pictured in the studios before Sept. 27th. 1962.)


The exterior designs have been approved within Ford by June 4th, the plastic body was already send on June 9th, drawings for the interior, frame, fuel tank, exhaust system and such on June 20th. 1962. On August 23rd, the last mechanical component was dispatched to T&B, the engine was sent on Sept. 18th and the working transaxle on Sept. 21st. Styling delivered the final painted body then on Sept. 23rd and sent back to the studios on 27th. finished and ready to be approved for the appearance at Watkins Glen October 2nd.

Pictures Archive Ponysite.de


News on the 2007 Phil Clark Mustang Stampede
Hillsboro/Texas 30th. June




After meeting with a Hillsboro city official last night, The Phil Clark Stampede will be an independent event separate from all other activities that may be occurring on the same day and location. The Stampede will include all of the Mustang classes listed and one open Ford class this year. I'm sorry if this complicates anyone’s plans to bring and show a non-Ford powered vehicle. This restriction applies only this year and planning has started already for 2008. The awards will not be trophies or plaques this year either. Holly is providing numbered copies of Phil Clarks original running horse emblem as awards which will state the class it represents and will sign and date them at the event.

There will be plenty of interesting places to visit on the Hillsboro square within view of your classic car and a security perimeter to keep the Pony in it’s corral.

Many of you know some of the story about Phil Clark and Holly's efforts to find out more about him. This same individual will be providing a reception for Holly Friday evening June 29th which includes an in depth multimedia presentation of her findings. I've been very fortunate that she shares with me almost everything as she discovers it the last 3 years. I'll compile a list of names of those wishing to attend this presentation and reception to forward to those planning this for Holly. Reply if you are sure you will be able to attend. This could possibly be the highest level of attention the media has given Holly to date.

Wish her luck and peace of mind as she prepares for the presentation and please make every effort to attend the Stampede Saturday June 30th.

Thanks, Russ Kintz

Read further news, check out the registration sheet and see  pics of previous Stampedes here


Holly Clark on Air!


This Thursday night (26th.April 2007 US-time) Holly Clark will appear on TheSpeedscene.com with a live interview about her fathers role in the design fo the MUSTANG.





A picture that was transferred to us showing Phil Clarks name under this probably 1960 shot of the later Ghia IXG. Our source said those library pics were used to work on other projects for inspiration. Phil probably used it himself for some other project. Another topic for further research.


Holly has made quantum leaps in her research and verifying details, that she could not sort without further details so far. 

Holly has made new contacts with colleagues of Phil of Ford UK and has been promised material from his friends in Europe. 

Plus she fond a complete booklet of Phil Clarks writing about his considerations of the American Automotive world plus audiotapes and more. This was a very emotional Christmas again for Holly... finding all these further details. 

We have found also more pics of Phil Clark, even on the Ghia IXG Project plus more, also more tidbits on the Allegro project.


The 1960  IXG as displayed by Ghia. It was sold by Ford in 2002 at the concept car auction for 42.000 pound Sterling. The Ford Germany pic showed it as a 1970 car, strange.

It's amazing how much is still buried in the Ford designer world ...hidden from the public that tells much more about what was going on at Ford back then. 
You must simply follow this story. Don't hold back, c'mon get a few bucks out of your pocket, save a trip to the grocery with your Mustang and dive into a fascinating story of Ford history. Have fun and don't count beans!!!!! (Don't take me serious, just do it, what I said before!)

We've put up a
Sample Chapter of BOOK 1. Although it might be that you are rather interested in Mustang design details, the story, on how Holly found out about her father is the one you need to know to understand her driving force.
If you don't buy Book 1, Book 2 will probably never happen and the Mustang world miss a big portion of Ford history.



Holly is desperately trying to continue her efforts, but health issues and funding are a big concern.
The  Phil Clark Foundation is her goal for 2007 to preserve the art and creativity of her Dad forever and she did it. 

Read her touching words and more about her plans

Update:
The Phil Clark Foundation is finally on and registered.



Update: 
Phils Capri Model as of late 1964, 
maybe early 1965.

Click here for more  

 

 


Santa is coming each year

...and you know what to order as a gift, do you?
      
Hollys book 

You have it already? 
then read on.


Holly will be pictured in a 2007 calendar available from www.unitedstangs.com
You can also order the Mustang calendar for 20 bucks plus 3 shipping sending money via paypal to  sales@unitedstangs.com.from next Monday (12th.Nov. 2006)on.

Detailed instructions from their preinfo:
Order Information (PLEASE READ): If you are placing an order, send payment vial paypal to: sales@unitedstangs.com.
Please ensure you have a valid mailing address. You must include which items you are purchasing to include, size, color, quantity, and item. Please PM or email me at gt4her@unitedstangs.com prior to purchase to ensure availability. Failure to comply may result in you not receiving a complete order. Do not post your order in this thread. Please check your order when you receive it as there will be no refunds unless there has been an error on our part in your order. Ask questions prior to placing your order. Thank you!



OUCH!


If you wonder why we had no news on Holly's efforts in October/early November, it's because Holly has all the bad luck in her life, that her Dad wanted to protect her off.

Holly had an accident again, was seriously injured, but is slowly recovering. Hopefully we have her speaking out loud again soon.

Stay tuned and thanks for understanding, if you don't get your orders or anything like that. Keep on supporting her. She really needs some sponsorship to get the second book out. 

 



Picture courtesy David S. Turnbull 
MCA 30th REPORT
Click here


Holly had Ups and Downs in Birmingham at the MCA 30th, but finally the Ups took a bigger share
Read her report  in her own words. The show brought new contacts and confirmation for several facts, including that Phil worked very close with Eugene Bordinat on the project, so close that Bordinat called Phil and Roy Lunn on a daily base to be  updated about the actual Mustang I project.



Phil Clark was initially a Corvair enthusiast and had actually two of them. He never owned a Mustang himself.

Corvair expert Dave identified this one as a black 62 Monza convertible model, that was introduced mid year in April 62. 
Phils wife remembers this one to be the first off the line.

Holly is looking for her fathers Corvair Monza.

Look here and get in touch with us, if you think it's still out there.




A road racing car for studies in the studios May 22,1962! 1 month after the Mustang I was given a go from Bordinat and when the Mustang I prototype was already in production
Picture courtesy Gary L. Witzenburg



The link between the Mustang I and the GT40
We've opened another chapter of Phil Clarks design involvement.

Probably working together with Roy Lunn on the first GT40 body design, we try to piece common knowledge together with a few new facts plus getting a few insiders speak out.

It's amazing that even after 40 years there are unknown bits of history around, although it's hard to believe for most GT40 insiders.
 
The better the challenge, we go for it. You, too? Click here for  more

Pls stay tuned for updates (reason mentoned above)

 

 







 


Mustang I promotion and the "Finding Phil Clark" case  
supported by Mustang Monthly 


In the August issue of Mustang Monthly and respectively the MCA 30th Anniversary Stampede Programm Donald mentioned the re-appearance fo the Mustang I at the Anniversary on page 68.

"Originally a design exercise, teh Mustang I caught the eye of then Ford Motor Company design vice-president Eugene Bordinat, who wanted something exciting for Ford's new-model press preview.

If you have still doubts about how the situation on the drawing board in the studios was, when Eugene saw Phils design, simply page up Gary Witzenburgs Mustang documentation on page 27 dating Phil Clarks pic (that are all in Holly Clarks posession) 26.April 1962. 


There is little more evidence you need.

 

 


Phil Clark Stampede 2006

 


The car show was actually too big for the RUSK Square, so for 2007 Holly is looking for another place, which will be probably Hillsboro/Texa.

 The Phil Clark Stampede 2006. 

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