"'Continental'--The Name Speaks for Itself" Clip from Interview with Bob Gregorie, 1985

Summary

Bob Gregorie began his career in yacht design. After the 1929 crash, Gregorie came to Michigan hoping to find work as an automotive designer. In 1932 Edsel Ford hired him and he became the chief of Ford Motor Company's new design department in 1935. The 1936 Lincoln Zephyr, the 1940 Lincoln Continental, and the 1949 Mercury were among Gregorie's best-known designs.

Bob Gregorie began his career in yacht design. After the 1929 crash, Gregorie came to Michigan hoping to find work as an automotive designer. In 1932 Edsel Ford hired him and he became the chief of Ford Motor Company's new design department in 1935. The 1936 Lincoln Zephyr, the 1940 Lincoln Continental, and the 1949 Mercury were among Gregorie's best-known designs.

Bob Gregorie began his design career in yacht design in his native New York. After the 1929 stock market crash, Gregorie came to Michigan, hoping to find work as an automotive designer. After one year at General Motors, he met Edsel Ford who hired him in 1932. He became chief of Ford Motor Company's new design department in 1935. Some of Gregorie's best known designs were the 1936 Lincoln Zephyr, the 1939 Lincoln Continental, and the 1949 Mercury.

Gregorie left Ford Motor Company shortly after Edsel Ford's death in 1943. He returned a year later, but conflicts with management led to his resignation after only two years. He left Detroit for Florida and returned to his roots in yacht design. Gregorie never designed automobiles again.

Detailed Description
Artifact

Film clip

Date Made

04 February 1985

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

87.21.5.4

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

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