Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky.

Bill Porter began his 38 year career as an automobile designer with a Master’s Degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.

BIOGRAPHY

Bill came to GM Styling, as it was called then, as a Summer Intern in 1957 and returned to GM as a Designer full-time in 1958. From 1960-61 Bill was assigned to Pontiac Exterior Production Studio under Chief Designer Jack Humbert. From 1962-67, Bill held positions in the Styling Staff within the Preliminary Design Studio, Design Development Studio and Advanced 2 studios.

In late 1967-72 Bill returned to Pontiac Studio and replaced Jack Humbert as Chief Designer where he directed the design of a number of memorable Pontiacs of the era, including Firebirds, Le Mans, GTOs, Catalinas, Bonnevilles, and Grand Prixs.

Bill retired as Chief Designer of Buick 1 Production Studio in 1996.

Notable Pontiac Responsibilities as Chief Designer:

• 1982 - Chevrolet Camaro/Pontiac Firebird. Basic body shape developed in Advanced 1 Studio with Assistant, Roger Hughet


• 1978 - Pontiac Grand Prix. Advanced studio pre-production development only.


• 1973 - Pontiac Le Mans, Grand Am


• 1972 - Pontiac Catalina, Bonneville, Grand Ville


• 1970 - 1/2 - 1973 Pontiac Firebird.


• 1970-72 - Pontiac Catalina, Bonneville


• 1968 - Pontiac Le Mans/GTO. Advanced studio pre-production development only.


• “Gordon Buehrig Award,” Eyes on the Classics, 1994.

Notable Pontiac Responsibilities as Contributing Designer:

• 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix. Rear end design theme only.

ADDITIONAL MEDIA