By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian/Researcher
Images Courtesy of General Motors Heritage Archives / Henry Ford Media Center Archives
Published 2.18.2026
Larry Shinoda (1930–1997), born in Los Angeles, California, was one of the most influential automotive designers of the 20th century. During World War II, he and his family were among the many Japanese Americans interned by the U.S. government. Despite these early hardships, Shinoda developed a passion for cars, building hot rods and racing on the streets of Los Angeles. In 1955, he became one of the first winners of the inaugural NHRA Nationals in Great Bend, Kansas.
Shinoda studied art at Pasadena City College before enrolling at the Art Center College of Design. His professional career began with Studebaker-Packard, and in 1955 he joined Ford Motor Company. A year later, he moved to General Motors, where he served as a senior designer under Harley Earl.
Rear End of 1963 Corvette proposal
At GM, Shinoda’s creativity flourished. Working in Bill Mitchell’s advanced styling studios—including the famed subterranean Corvette studio with Tony Lepine—he contributed significantly to early Corvette design programs. His sketches and proposals played a central role in shaping the iconic 1963 Corvette Sting Ray, a design still celebrated for its lasting influence on American sports car styling. Shinoda also helped create the Corvette Mako Shark I and II concepts, both major sensations on the auto show circuit, and contributed to the Chaparral 2D race car. During the 1960s, he was considered one of Mitchell’s most talented and prolific designers.
1963 Corvette Illustration
1963 Corvette
In 1968, Shinoda left GM after Bill “Bunkie” Knudsen departed for Ford. Shortly after, Knudsen recruited Shinoda to help develop new design directions for Ford Motor Company. Shinoda’s first major assignment was the 1969 Boss 302 Mustang—an instant success among younger drivers. He is credited with coining the name “The Boss Car,” which quickly became part of Mustang culture. The Boss 302 remained one of Shinoda’s favorite design projects throughout his career.
1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302
After leaving Ford, Shinoda continued to influence the automotive world through his own firm, Shinoda Design Associates, Larry Shinoda Automotive Design Company. His contributions were widely recognized: he was inducted into the Mustang Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Corvette Hall of Fame in 1998.
Larry Shinoda’s design legacy spans decades of innovation, creativity, and unmistakable style. His work helped define the look of American performance cars, and his influence continues to inspire generations of enthusiasts and designers.
Bibliography
Automobile Quarterly Publications/Ludvigsen Karl. “Corvette America’s Star-Spangled Sports Car The Complete History by Karl Ludvigsen”. Princeton Publishing 1973.
The Editors of Consumer Guide. “Corvette America’s Only True Sports Car” Winter 1979.
Lamm Michael & Holl’s Dave. “A Century Of Automotive Style 100 Years Of American Car Design”. Lamm-Morada Publishing Co. Inc. 1997.