C. Mark Jordan

C. Mark Jordan is an automotive designer known for his work with General Motors's Opel division and Mazda North America, including his part in the genesis of the first generation Mazda MX-5 Miata, a car that ultimately became the best-selling two-seat convertible sports car in history.[1]

For other people with this name, see Mark Jordan.
Mark C. Jordan
OccupationAutomotive Designer
EmployerMazda North American Operations
Known forDesign of the first generation Mazda MX-5 Miata
Parent

Background and career

The son of noted former GM vice president of design, Chuck Jordan,[2] Jordan studied at Western Michigan University[2] before attending Art Center College of Design (1974-1978).

He subsequently worked for Adam Opel AG (1978-1982) for four years, working on concept vehicles, as well as the sedan variant of the Opel Omega.[2] He later worked with Mazda North American Operations in various roles (1982-2009).[3]

Jordan is widely known for collaborating on the design of the first generation (1989) Mazda MX-5 Miata, with Bob Hall, Masao Yagi and Tom Matano.[4][5] Hall hired Jordan in early 1983[6] to join the newly formed Mazda design studio in Southern California, where they collaborated on the parameters of the initial image, proportion and visualization of what would become Miata, a "light-weight sports concept".

Jordan attended Birmingham Groves High School with his friend, Jeff Teague (1956-2016, son of the noted designer Dick Teague, 1923–1991). The two formed a design company JTDNA,[7] before Jordan founded his own firm, CMJ Design Consulting.

He directs and manages the Charles M. Jordan Scholarship Fund, an endowment fund in honor of his late father, with the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.

References
  1. "900,000th Mazda MX-5 to Set New Guinness World Record". Mazda.com. 2011-02-04. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
  2. Paul Eisenstein (March 4, 1990). DESIGNER GENES FOR CARS. Chicago Tribune. ISBN 9781616730420.
  3. Braun, Stephen (1989-10-02). "Drivers Studied for Future Trends : Southern California--It's the Auto Industry's Lab". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  4. Yamaguchi, Jack K.; Thompson, Jonathan (1989). Miata Mazda MX- (First ed.). New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 18 and on. ISBN 9780312031589.
  5. Levin, Doron P. (1989-07-30). "STYLE MAKERS; Mark Jordan: Sports Car Stylist". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  6. Larry Edsall. Miata 20 Years, p.23. Motor Books International. ISBN 9781616730420.
  7. "Auto Designer Jeff Teague, 59, Has Died". 56Packardman. September 8, 2016.
Mazda Miata MX-5
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