David E. Davis

For the ecologist and animal behaviorist, see David E. Davis (ecologist). For other people, see David Davis (disambiguation).
David Evan Davis Jr.
Born(1930-11-07)November 7, 1930
Burnside, Kentucky, U.S.A.
DiedMarch 27, 2011(2011-03-27) (aged 80)
Ypsilanti, Michigan[1]
OccupationWriter, editor, publisher
GenreAutomotive journalism

David Evan Davis Jr. (November 7, 1930 – March 27, 2011) was an American automotive journalist and magazine publisher widely known as a contributing writer, editor and publisher at Car and Driver magazine and as the founder of Automobile magazine.

Davis influenced the format of automotive journalism by introducing premium publishing features[2] and he influenced the profession by mentoring a gamut of automotive photographers, illustrators, designers and journalists – including Jean Lindamood Jennings, Robert Cumberford, Bruce McCall, P. J. O'Rourke, Jim Harrison and David Halberstam[2] – as well as younger colleagues and journalism students.[3]

Known for his own straightforward writing style and his colorful personality – at six-foot-three inches tall, bearded, portly[4] and always immaculately dressed – Davis had once been featured in The New York Times On the Street fashion section. Automotive writer Todd Lassa called him "a raconteur, an impresario, a bon vivant in a tweed, three-piece suit."[5] As an editor he maintained an "atmosphere of creative turbulence."[2]The New York Times described him as "a combative swashbuckler who encouraged criticism of the cars it tested, even at the risk of losing advertising."[2]

His collected writings were published in 1999 "Thus Spake David E.: The Collected Wit and Wisdom of the Most Influential Automotive Journalist of Our Time".

Davis said his success in automotive journalism came from "his ability to marry southern storytelling to big-city presentation."[6] The Truth About Cars said "automotive journalism in the post-Vietnam-War era was entirely and singlehandedly defined by David E. Davis Jr."[7] Time magazine called Davis the "dean of automotive journalists."

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference schultz2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d Grimes, William (March 28, 2011). "David Davis Jr. Dies at 80; Elevated Automotive Press". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-11-06.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference freep01 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference baggy01 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Lassa, Todd (March 28, 2011). "We All Knew David E. Davis Jr". Motor Trend. Source Interlink Media.
  6. ^ "David E. Davis Jr. 1930–2011". Car and Driver, 27 March 2011, Eddie Alterman. Archived from the original on 1 April 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  7. ^ "RIP David E. Davis Jr". The Truth About Cars, 27 March 2011, Jack Baruth. 27 March 2011.