J Mays spent his 34 years in the automotive industry reminding everyone why they fell in love with cars. He was at the forefront of the retro craze that dominated the late 90s and 2000s. Some of the most prominent cars of this nature, such as the fifth-generation Ford Mustang and the concept that inspired the Volkswagen New Beetle were designed under his watch. Nearly a decade after his retirement, the movement still resonates with automakers and consumers alike. Welcome to another episode of Industry Icons!

J Mays was born in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma in 1954 but grew up in nearby Maysville. This small town in the heart of the state has a population of just over 1,000 people. Many automotive designers become inspired to pursue that profession due in large part to their environment and the people around them, and Mays’ situation was no different. A 1996 article from The Oklahoman revealed how deep the obsession with cars ran in his family. J’s grandfather served on pit crews on the Indianapolis 500 and his great-grandfather was an amateur open-wheel racer. His dad also raced, though his career was cut short due to injury.

SOURCES
www.Barchetta.co/j-mays-sources

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 INTRO
0:38 EARLY LIFE
3:42 AUDI
4:49 1986 AUDI 80
6:20 AUDI AVUS QUATTRO
10:39 VOLKSWAGEN CONCEPT 1
14:49 COMING TO FORD
18:39 FORD THUNDERBIRD
22:13 FORD FORTY-NINE CONCEPT
23:52 2003 FORD MUSTANG GT CONCEPT/PRODUCTION MODEL
26:46 FORD 427 CONCEPT
27:26 2004 FORD SHELBY COBRA CONCEPT
28:15 2004 FORD SHELBY GR-1 CONCEPT
30::08 REFLECTIONS
31:31 FORD 021C CONCEPT
33:31 FORD 24.7 CONECPT
34:13 RETIREMENT