L. David Ash

Who is L. David Ash?

L. David Ash was an automotive stylist who worked variously in the Lincoln, Continental, Edsel and Ford studios at Ford Motor Company. He is known for his contributions to the styling of the Ford Mustang, Ford Thunderbird and Lincoln Continental Mark III — and his innovative work on the Plexiglas skylights of the 1954 Ford Victoria Skyliner and Mercury Monterey Sun Valley — forerunners of today's moonroof. Ash, who ultimately received the title of Chief Stylist at Ford, died July 2, 1991.

At Ford, Ash worked with other interior and exterior Ford stylists and executives, including Joe Oros, John Najjar, Eugene Bordinat, John J. Nance, Bob Thomas, John Reinhart, Roy Brown, Ken Spencer, Larry Doyle, Dick Krafe, Bob MacGuire, Virginia VanBrunt, Helen Vincent — as well as designers outside Ford including George Barris and Gene Winfield. With Ford of Germany, he worked on the Ford Taunus project. Ash also worked on the styling of the Presidential Parade car — the vehicle in which U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.