"Stan Mott was an American cartoonist, known for his cartoons depicting
crazy vehicles, most notably the Cyclops II mini-car. His work appeared
in National Lampoon, Road & Track and several other automotive
magazines. Apart from drawing eccentric cars, trucks, trains and boats,
Mott loved building, driving or sailing them. Between 1961 and 1964, he
infamously quit his job to make a world trip by go-kart - a bet over a
cup of coffee that got him a spot in the Guinness Book of Records. Late
in life, he also drew a graphic novel, 'The Absolute Alliance' (2014)."
"The Berndt Toast Gang and I are sad to report that fabulous automotive cartoonist, former National Cartoonist Society member and long time friend, Stan Mott, has passed away. Stan started out as a car designer at GM in the Fifties. Finding the corporate culture somewhat different to his own dreams and desires, Stan made the wise choice to concentrate on cartooning.
"It was through the pages of Road&Track magazine that I was enthralled by Stan's work. Though his cartoons graced the pages of many automotive magazines. Along with Bob Cumberford, his compatriot at GM, Stan brought the "Cyclops," the world's cheapest car ($14.98), to the attention of the an eager automotive public. The Cyclops would take on a life of its own, created in the flesh by adoring fans, each adventure grew wilder and more exciting. Did you know the Cyclops won at Le Mans? well, in the minds of Cumberford and Mott it did.
"After Stan left GM, he was discussing the fact that most people waited until late in life to travel. Stan wanted to do it now. He made a bet that he could circumnavigate the world in a go-kart! He then spent the next four years doing just that. The bet was won and Stan received his prize, a cup of coffee.
"How to you top an adventure such as that? Buy an old Turkish fishing boat and live on it in the Mediterranean. Then what? Sail it across the Atlantic and live on it in the Caribbean!
"In the 1990's I sold a few cartoons to Road&Track. For over fifty years the best car magazine in print in the world (my opinion and that of many others). Around the same time, I was bringing American cartoonists to the International Cartoon Festival in Rathdrum, Ireland. I knew that Stan was living in Germany and took the opportunity to invite him to come to Ireland for the festival. What a thrill when he accepted.
"I had helped arrange a visit for the cartoonists with the then President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, at her home in Dublin, Áras an Uachtaráin. See the photo by Andy Abbott below. That's Stan looking very dapper third from left. That visit also led to the fastest ride of my life back to Rathdrum in the passenger seat of a Ford piloted by Stan. And the beginning of a long and cherished friendship.
"Never to be outpaced by technology, at the age of 80 Stan produced his first graphic novel. It's loosely (very loosely) based on his time living on the boat with a little science fiction through in.
"You can get a copy of "The Absolute Alliance" for yourself here (not for kids) here.
"See the excellent Dean's Garage blog for more about Stan (including an autobiography), the Cyclops. a period article on his go-kart ride around the world and life at GM in the Fifties."
I had a a couple of Cartoons published in R&T, as well, but in the '70's, and sent a few sketches to Stan through the mag. about 6 months later, I got a short, sunny note from his yacht in the Mediterranean. Then, I wrote him again, about 35 years later (in 2014), and received a typically subversive reply, encouraging me to buy a copy of "Absolute Alliance". It reminded me of something from Playboy, circa 1980, with lots of curvy women and world beating adventurers. Definitely not "PC". He was certainly a Character with a capital "C"!
I had a a couple of Cartoons published in R&T, as well, but in the '70's, and sent a few sketches to Stan through the mag. about 6 months later, I got a short, sunny note from his yacht in the Mediterranean. Then, I wrote him again, about 35 years later (in 2014), and received a typically subversive reply, encouraging me to buy a copy of "Absolute Alliance". It reminded me of something from Playboy, circa 1980, with lots of curvy women and world beating adventurers. Definitely not "PC". He was certainly a Character with a capital "C"!
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