Claude Lobo
Encyclopedia
Claude Lobo served in various design positions at Ford Motor Company
over 32 years, playing a prominent role in designing Ford automobiles including the Ford Capri
(Mk I), Mercury Cougar (Mk VII), Ford Ka
(Mk I)
and Ford Focus (Mk I) – while pioneering innovations including the development of Computer Aided Design.
Born in Paris, France in 1943, Lobo studied at the city's Technical College and the Academy of Applied Arts.
, Lobo joined Ford of Germany in 1966, as a designer. In 1967, Lobo became Manager of Exterior Design at was then Ford of Europe, where he held a number
of senior design posts, including assignments in small, medium and large car and truck design – and became chief designer of Advanced Program Definition and Computer Aided Design (CAD) in 1987.
In 1994, Lobo became Director of Ford Motor Company's Advanced Design Studio in Dearborn
, Michigan, leading development of several concept vehicles including the Ford Indigo
, Synergy 2010 and the Mercury MC4. Lobo continued to assist with further implementation of Computer Aided Design technology at Ford, e.g., coordinating the CAD system at Ford with advanced model-milling CNC
machinery as well as coordinating the CAD systems between Ford and its subsidiary Mazda.
Lobo returned to Ford of Europe in 1997 as Director of Design, where he was responsible for the development of the European Car of the Year, the Mk I Ford Focus.
As chief designer on the Ford Ka, Lobo has spoken about his original role, influences on the design, the importance at the time of creating an enduring design, and how the design aged:
Regarding the design of the Focus, Lobo was a smoker and located the ashtray high on the instrument panel, enabling the driver to use the ashtray without removing his hands from the steering wheel.
. Shortly thereafter, in 2000, he created the Concours d'Elegance
d´Automobiles Classiques de Bergerac with Nicole and Jean Descamps. Lobo continued to participate in both internal Ford design competitions, as well as design competitions outside the company, e.g. the 2003 Grand Concours International du Design Automobile, Lille, France.
Lobo had been a professional race car driver in the early 1970s, winning the 24 Hours Nürburgring
sports car race and the Marathon de la Route driving a Ford Capri RS with Klaus Ludwig
. Lobo also competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans
, – and had been known drive a Ford GT40
as his personal vehicle.
Lobo was married and father of two children, Alexandre and Nathalie.
See Photo: Claude Lobo
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
over 32 years, playing a prominent role in designing Ford automobiles including the Ford Capri
Ford Capri
Ford Capri was a name used by the Ford Motor Company for three different automobile models. The Ford Consul Capri coupé was produced by Ford of Britain between 1961 and 1964. The Ford Capri coupé was produced by Ford of Europe from 1969 to 1986...
(Mk I), Mercury Cougar (Mk VII), Ford Ka
Ford Ka
The Ford Ka is a city car from the Ford Motor Company marketed in Europe and elsewhere.The current European version is produced by Fiat Auto in Tychy, Poland, while the model sold in Latin America is built in Brazil and Argentina....
(Mk I)
and Ford Focus (Mk I) – while pioneering innovations including the development of Computer Aided Design.
Born in Paris, France in 1943, Lobo studied at the city's Technical College and the Academy of Applied Arts.
Career at Ford
After designing for an electric appliance company and later for Chrysler-SimcaSimca
Simca was a French automaker, founded in November 1934 by Fiat. It was directed from July 1935 to May 1963 by the Italian Henri Théodore Pigozzi...
, Lobo joined Ford of Germany in 1966, as a designer. In 1967, Lobo became Manager of Exterior Design at was then Ford of Europe, where he held a number
of senior design posts, including assignments in small, medium and large car and truck design – and became chief designer of Advanced Program Definition and Computer Aided Design (CAD) in 1987.
In 1994, Lobo became Director of Ford Motor Company's Advanced Design Studio in Dearborn
Dearborn
-Places:In the United States, all named after Henry Dearborn :* Dearborn, Michigan* Dearborn, Missouri* Dearborn County, Indiana* Fort Dearborn * Fort Dearborn , in present-day Odiorne State Park...
, Michigan, leading development of several concept vehicles including the Ford Indigo
Ford Indigo
The Ford Indigo is a concept car developed by Ford for the 1996 auto show circuit and designed by Claude Lobo. Only two examples were built, and only 1 was actually functional. It took Ford only six months from the original computer designs to the finished show car. The functional concept is still...
, Synergy 2010 and the Mercury MC4. Lobo continued to assist with further implementation of Computer Aided Design technology at Ford, e.g., coordinating the CAD system at Ford with advanced model-milling CNC
Numerical control
Numerical control refers to the automation of machine tools that are operated by abstractly programmed commands encoded on a storage medium, as opposed to controlled manually via handwheels or levers, or mechanically automated via cams alone...
machinery as well as coordinating the CAD systems between Ford and its subsidiary Mazda.
Lobo returned to Ford of Europe in 1997 as Director of Design, where he was responsible for the development of the European Car of the Year, the Mk I Ford Focus.
Ford Ka and Focus
Regarding the design of the Focus, Lobo was a smoker and located the ashtray high on the instrument panel, enabling the driver to use the ashtray without removing his hands from the steering wheel.
Retirement and personal life
Lobo retired in 1999 at age 55 from Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
. Shortly thereafter, in 2000, he created the Concours d'Elegance
Concours d'Elegance
A Concours d'Elegance dates back to 17th Century French aristocracy, who paraded horse-drawn carriages in the parks of Paris during Summer weekends and holidays...
d´Automobiles Classiques de Bergerac with Nicole and Jean Descamps. Lobo continued to participate in both internal Ford design competitions, as well as design competitions outside the company, e.g. the 2003 Grand Concours International du Design Automobile, Lille, France.
Lobo had been a professional race car driver in the early 1970s, winning the 24 Hours Nürburgring
24 Hours Nürburgring
The 24 Hours Nürburgring is a touring car and GT endurance racing event on the Nürburgring Nordschleife . With a lap length of over , it allows the participation of more than 200 cars, and over 700 drivers.-Overview:...
sports car race and the Marathon de la Route driving a Ford Capri RS with Klaus Ludwig
Klaus Ludwig
Klaus Ludwig is a German race driver.- Biography :Unlike Hans-Joachim Stuck, Rolf Stommelen, Harald Ertl, Hans Heyer and Jochen Mass, he has never raced in single seaters...
. Lobo also competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
, – and had been known drive a Ford GT40
Ford GT40
The Ford GT40 was a high performance sports car and winner of the 24 hours of Le Mans four times in a row, from 1966 to 1969...
as his personal vehicle.
Lobo was married and father of two children, Alexandre and Nathalie.
See Photo: Claude Lobo