Mays was born and raised the kindergartener who spent J in Maysville. His fascination hours drawing cars has had one with the automobile grew from of the most, if not the most, watching cars pass his father’s successful careers in the history auto parts store. While in high of automotive design. school, he regularly took his His unique intuitiveness to Datsun 240-Z drag racing in understand the connection we Ardmore. But design proved have with our cars has resulted more interesting to Mays in the creation and reinvention than speed. of the most iconic models in PHO He enrolled at the University automobile history. The new T of Oklahoma before transferring Beetle, the result of Mays’ O B Y to the Art Center College of Concept One, remains one of CREEL Design in Pasadena, California, the most popular cars on the M CF earning a degree in transportation road today. From the Aston ARLAND design. Upon graduation he Martin DB9 and the Audi TT to | already had caught the attention the Ford F-150 and Mustang, the LIMERICK of German automaker Audi. creations of Mays are recognized S For more than four decades and applauded for their design, TUDIO technology, and function. And . it’s not just the cars on the road, J MAYS when Pixar Studios was shopping designs during the productions MAYSVILLE of Cars and Zootopia, they consulted Mays. Mays has used his success as a platform to ensure automobile designers are viewed in the same fashion as those that shape buildings and furniture. He has been featured in the most respected industry publications and was the subject of a major exhibit at the Museum of Helen Ford Wallace, left, presented J Mays for induction to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. PHOTO BY CREEL MCFARLAND | LIMERICK STUDIO. 26