1948-1954 Step-Down Question (historical)

[James B.]

1948-1954 Step-down Design historical question..

Does anyone know what happened to designers Bill Kirby and Arnold Yonkers? Bill was more high profile with this design while Yonkers left in the middle of work. I have been able to locate all of the others associated with the project – correct full names as well as birth/death dates but these two seem to be a bit elusive.

When Robert Andrews gave an interview for Automobile Quarterly he said that Kirby was in his mid 30s when he came on board and was considered by later standards as a bit of a hippie. I was able to locate a William Kirby born c.1915 and seen in Michigan’s census with two other men listed as “partners” rather than other regular relationships such as husband, wife, son, brother, border, lodger, etc... a bit odd seeing partners for 1940 leading towards being a bit unusual and an artist too hence hippie? He was listed as an artist while another a photographer and the third some other line of work. As for Yonkers, it was stated he left in the middle of the project and was deeply into religion and was a tall thin Dutchman. I have yet to find a Arnold Yonkers that matches but there is one Arnold Jonker(s) that is a possibility but says worked with windows and the Jonker(s) spelling is correct for the Nederland’s – or Arnoldus Jonkers. Just like I saw one printed interview shows Toncray as Concray – spelling error. Does anyone have any leads for me? My main interest is in the chassis design which I think fell under Millard Toncray?

Thanks.

Jim

[MatEck]

Jim:  just  a note - my grandfather was Arnold Jonker - the "window dresser".  He was a commercial artist in the Detroit, MI area.  He spent most of his time as a commercial artist - I think for a company called Cadillac  (not car nameplate but a graphic arts company).  Somewhere I have a business card of his.  He was not an engineer.  I do remember being told that he did some drawings of tanks and other equipment during the war - but I think these drawings were for sales brochures.  I'm not sure from your post what you are looking for, but if you need me to ask around with my relatives, i would be happy to do that.  Matt Eckman.  (I can be reached at the contact form at https://myvideousa.com/contact/