L. David Ash

L. David Ash was an American 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 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, — while Iacocca himself championed the project as Ford Division general manager. The Mustang prototype was a two-seat, mid-mounted engine roadster, later remodeled as a four-seat car styled under the direction of Project Design Chief Joe Oros and his team of L. David Ash, Gale Halderman, and John Foster — in Ford's Lincoln–Mercury Division design studios, which produced the winning design in an intramural design contest instigated by Iacocca. Ash's styling exercise, originally internally named the Cougar, was the winning styling exercise. for the design of the Mustang: it would seat four, it would have bucket seats and a floor mounted shifter, it would weigh no more than 2500 pounds and be no more than 180 inches in length, it would sell for less than $2500, and it should have multiple power, comfort and luxury options for the buyer to select from.

Ash, in a 1985 interview — with David R.Crippen, Curator of special Collections, Archives & Record Center at the Henry Ford Museum — speaking of the origin of the Mustang design, when asked the degree of his contribution, said:

Continental Mark III

As Chief Stylist at Ford, Ash contributed to the styling of the Mark III, which had derived heavily from the mid-sixties Ford Thunderbird. Ash distinctively raised the height of the rear fenders and upper back panel (two inches higher than the Thunderbird), thereby giving Mark III a hunched look that recalled cars of the 1920s. When Henry Ford II saw the result, said "I want to drive that one home."

In a break from company tradition, the newly promoted Ash, was given a Mark III to use as his company vehicle, in acknowledgment of his contribution to its design.