James Morrow Geddes grew up in the Bay Area and graduated from Lincoln High School in San Francisco. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II, serving as a medic in both the European and Pacific theaters. After the war, he attended Oregon State University before studying industrial design at Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles.

A lifelong car enthusiast, James built his first car at age 15 using scrap parts and wooden boxes, a memorable sight rolling through San Francisco’s Sunset District. He later designed, built, and sold custom hoods for Jaguar XK-Es and Austin Healey Sprites throughout the 1960s. Well into later life, he remained active in the automotive community, regularly driving his 1978 Ferrari 308 GT4 in Ferrari Club rallies around the Bay Area.

Beyond cars, James was an accomplished sailor. He spent countless hours on San Francisco Bay aboard his Bristol 33 and served as a member and past treasurer of the Golden Gate Yacht Club. He was also an avid traveler with a deep love for Europe. One of the highlights of his career came during the years he lived in Italy, where he designed Ford of Italy exhibition displays for the Turin Auto Show.

Over a long and accomplished career in industrial design, James worked with a wide range of leading technology and aerospace companies, including Tandem Computer, Balco, Northrop Grumman, Kaiser Electronics, Ampex, and McDonnell Douglas. 

I’m currently restoring a Sprite with this front end. 

Gedde’s Sprite Advertising Photos