India, Nov. 14 -- Ford sculptor Rex Allen has spent 40 years shaping car models out of clay. Now 68, he has seen the work change with the arrival of new technology, including virtual reality (VR) and 3D printing. Yet, clay remains an important part of the process.

Based at Ford's headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, Allen continues to use traditional sculpting techniques alongside digital tools to develop vehicle designs.

Allen did not begin his career as a car sculptor. He started out as a machinist but decided to move on after seeing robots take over some of the work. Having always enjoyed art and drawing, he was drawn to a job that allowed him to work with his hands.

As reported by Fortune, someone he knew introduced him to a busines...