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John Clinard joined the Ford Motor Company in 1972. That’s the same year he married his wife Linda and they attended a racing driver’s school on their honeymoon. His 38-year career with Ford spanned positions in Marketing, Public Affairs, Motorsport, and Product Planning. After retiring in 2011 he immediately returned to consult for Ford in automotive public relations. He’s competed in vintage and SCCA racing, he’s been published, and he consults for museums as well. John’s the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Motor Press Guild and Packard International, and the Lee Iacocca Award.
SHOW SPONSORS
NOCO Genius Boost Jump Starter
SUCCESS QUOTES
“The more your foot is on the gas the less it’s on the brake.”
“Stress is not caused by what you’re doing. It’s caused by what you’re not doing.”
CAREER CHALLENGE
Trying to get in the graduate school and continually being rejected.
AH-HA MOMENTS
After interviewing for a job at Ferrari and Alfa Romeo in Italy and the Lotus in England he realized what he thought would be dream jobs weren’t quite what he envisioned.
FIRST SPECIAL CAR
An Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider
BEST AUTOMOTIVE ADVICE
“There will always be another car.” – Norman Silver, Ferrari collector
GREAT AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCE
Petrolicious – www.petrolicious.com
FAVORITE BOOKS
Go Like Hell by A.J. Baime
The Arsenal of Democracy by A.J. Baime
PARTING ADVICE
Focus on helping other people and you’ll be rewarded.
HOW TO FIND JOHN
Check out his story in the August 1993 Road & Track Magazine, Confessions of Exotic Car Enthusiasts.
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Hi John,
It’s Dan Carrico, a blast from the past, when I was living in Bloomfield. I fondly remember cold winter days in your garage doing something or other to your beautiful California Spyder. We last saw each other, in say, 1990, when your 250 was displayed on the 18th green as THE featured car. I hope you still have her! I am living in Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo now, very much into boating. Hope you are well and happy.
I had a 330 Spyder.