Clay modeling

Automobile prototype model made with clay

This article is about automobile prototyping. For the material, see Modelling clay.

Not to be confused with Pottery.

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An example of full scale clay modeling (left) and completed automobile (right).

Clay modeling (or clay model making) automobile prototypes was first introduced in the 1930s by automobile designer Harley Earl, head of the General Motors styling studio (known initially as the Art and Color Section, and later as the Design and Styling Department).^[1]

The design method prior had used wood and metal, a process that required more time.^[2]

Clay modeling is adopted throughout the industry and remains in use today, with designers and modelers using this method to refine their ideas, and for leadership for decision making, with high levels of confidentiality.^[3]^[4]

Industrial plasticine or "clay" used for this purpose, is a material that can be easily shaped, thus enabling designers to create models to visualize a product.^[5]^[6]

Clay model seen in Zagato design studio (2009)

Clay model seen in Zagato design studio (2009)
AMC designers with clay model (1961)

AMC designers with clay model (1961)

References

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^ An Introduction to Modern Vehicle Design. United Kingdom: Elsevier Science & Technology Books. 2001. pp. 103–107. Retrieved 2024年08月23日 – via Google Books.
^ Culmer, Kris (28 February 2025). "The story behind clay modelling - and why it's still used today | Autocar". www.autocar.co.uk. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
^ "A Soul of Clay". volvocars.com. 10 November 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
^ "#7 Kazushi Eto, a master of clay modeling (Part 1)". Toyota Times. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
^ "Icon: Clay Art | Porsche Christophorus". Porsche Christophorus. Archived from the original on 2025年12月05日. Retrieved 2026年02月13日.
^ "Hidden figures of design: car sculptors". Škoda Storyboard. 4 January 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2026.