Name: CHRISTOPHER J. M. WEBB
Place of Birth: TORBAY, ENGLAND
Age: 30
Occupation: DESIGNER
Employer: GENERAL MOTORS
Year, Make and Model of your first car/truck:
1980 something……FORD FIESTA
What did you want to be when you grew up?
FASHION DESIGNER or TEACHER
How long have you worked in the auto industry?
6 YEARS
What do you drive now?
Are you out at work?
YES
Was being gay ever an issue at any of your jobs?
NO
If you had one piece of advice to give to a gay person wanting to work in the auto industry, what would it be?
BE YOURSELF….and apply right now. In my opinion the one thing that has been lacking most in the Automotive Design Community is diversity, whether it be gender, sexual orientation or race. The customer of our product is EXTREMELY diverse ……. so in my opinion, so should the designers who create these products!
Ok, here is the fun part; if you had $25,000 and had to buy a new car, what would it be and why?
SATURN SKY…….. It`s sexy, and is living proof that a beautifully designed product doesn`t have to “cost the earth”
Same question but bigger budget – $50,000:
C6 Corvette…… For the driving experience and horsepower……. in my opinion it can`t be beat !
If money was no object and you had to drive it every day:
CADILLAC XLR V OR ASTON MARTIN DB7 or 9
What is your favorite car of all time and why?
Being British…….. I`d be lying if I didn`t pick Aston Martin…….. The quality, craftsmanship and beauty of design makes it my brand of choice every time ! ( It`s also the car of Royalty ……which no “Queen” should be without !!)
If your car/truck could talk, what would it say about you?
WHAT A CUTIE !!
This is a genius addition to this site. I wanted to be a car designer desperately as a kid… and even as an adult I considered working towards it, till a straight, strong woman said I’d probably be put off by the bigotry. Seeing this designer and the above columnist here broaden the ‘car experience’ and the perspective of where we all can go. Bravo.
I am an engineer in the auto industry. Although I am not out at work, I have never seen any discrimination for any gay people in my field. I agree with Mr. Webb when he says to be yourself. Although I am not out at work, I have never been anything than myself. I don’t feel the need to be out at work. I know some people suspect that I am gay, but that hasn’t change they way they interact with me.
My passion for cars started when I was 16. I read every magazine about cars that I could. I could never get enough. I thought about how cool it would be to design cars. I decided that I wanted to be one of the people who design cars. And, now I do. I can’t imagine doiong anything else. I love cars and I can’t believe that I get paid to design them.
Remember, we are everywhere. We can and do do everything. There is no limit because you are gay. The only limits are those that you put on yourself.
Bored @ home and accidently found your site. I tip my hat to you!! You don’t say where you working Oshawa? Detroit? I’m 42 and my saving grace growing up was I was the No 1 auto mechanic in my high school 4yrs running, (hated sports)My most prized car was a 76 Cutlass with a Rocket 350 4 brl in it. Luved that car but i like a lot of the late 60’s domestic muscle cars. Learned to drive in a 65 Pontiac Parisenne ..283 in it, my folks bought it new in ’65 …140,000 miles later it was scrapped…total cost of ALL miantenace incl brake jobs, mufflers, tune ups we did it all.was 600 bucks including a paint job that we did yourselves (um i don’t recommend that lol)
I work in Pickering Nuc plant now and i’m out, it wasn’t easy @ 1st but I subscribe to the theory that ignorance is not bliss, i know we are everywhere stand up and be proud!
Best Wishes to all!
D