Joe Oros

Joseph E. Oros Jr. (Romanian: Oroș; June 15, 1916, in Cleveland, Ohio – August 2, 2012[1])[2] was an automobile stylist for Ford Motor Company over a period of 21 years[3] — known as the Chief Designer of the team at Ford that styled the original Mustang,[4] and for his contributions to the 1955 Ford Thunderbird.[5] Oros was also an artist, sculptor, painter and industrial designer, having designed appliances and other products.[4]

Oros was born to non-English speaking Romanian parents, originating in Transylvania.[2] He was moved up a grade from 3rd to 5th because of his fantastic art work even though his math and science skills were questionable.[citation needed]

Oros died on August 2, 2012, at the age of 96.[6] He lived in Santa Barbara, California[4] with his wife Betty Thatcher Oros, the first female automotive designer,[2][7] until her death in 2001. His house was full of his own artwork, including paintings and sculptures. Oros was working on a 3D model of the Earth depicting all the original settlers. In 2009, it was about one-quarter complete.[citation needed]

  1. ^ SSDI
  2. ^ a b c "Biography of Joe Oros". biserica.org.
  3. ^ "Oros '39 Honored As Ford Mustang Turns 40" (PDF). CIA.edu, LINK, June 2004, page 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-05-27.
  4. ^ a b c "A Moment With Joe & Betty Oros". Mustangmonthly.com, June 24, 2009. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012.
  5. ^ "This Little Bird: The 1955-57 Ford Thunderbird". Ateupwithmotor.com, Aaron Severson, 04 July 2009. 4 July 2009.
  6. ^ "Joseph Oros, Jr. Obituary". The Sacramento Bee. 11 August 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Collection in Action - H". Franschhoek Motor Museum, South Africa. 26 August 2015.