Serious! Automotive Industry Career Question?

I don't know what my dream job is called. Is there something that I can do for a living with my passion for cars?........

"Automotive Car Designer?"

My brain is a catalog of cars. All of them, and I mean all of them, domestic and foreign. I would consider my top interest in cars to be in their style and design. I am always critiquing and judging the appearance cars. My mind is always wondering, like how if I were to build that car what I would change on it to better suit the consumer and overall. I've learned that I don't look at cars like other people. I just don't see badges and metal. I see lines, curves, personality, shape, proportion, flow, elegance, and quality. And as I step forward I begin to dissect the inside piece by piece. How does everything flow, ergonomics, quality, schemes, finish, and materials. I sold cars for a year and didn't like it. However, I did fuel my passion for cars because I got to drive many kinds. I don't want to be a Critic or a Machanic..

I love talking about cars and (not to be a knob) have never met anyone with as much enthusiasm or knowledge as myself. I could spend hours talking about any car. I am addiction to surfing the web and learning about new car releases, car technologies, and alternative fuels. I have many other interests, but this is my true passion.

I am from Milwaukee, WI. There is a wonderful art school here called Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. It sounds very prestigeous and close to par with any other national art school. But is this the route that I take? I love art and EXCELLED in art my whole life. I was not a prodigy but I was good at it and I enjoyed it. But again, is this the route to take? I dream of working in a 100ftx100ft whiny-white-tiled garage with a 1:1 scale car model and talking to my team not just about how we need to do to get this onto the showrooms, but how we are the best in the business and we are creating an unduplicable piece of work (a car).

Well, if you have such interest in deep looks and fine detail...It seems to me like you should try to become a car body designer. I can imagine it's a hard job to get into and you will probably need a lot of qualifications (Art, graphics design etc.) There are one hell of a lot of people who try to do this, but with such limited vacancies, you will have to be exceptionally good. But don't be put off, you can always be a freelance designer and try to sell your concepts to car manufacturers in your spare time. Who knows, if you're good enough, maybe they'll offer you a job!

Another option is become a test driver! This is kinda like being a critic, so I doubt it will interest you, but maybe it will. It involves examining every aspect of the car and requires you to provide suggestions on how to improve it. This is another hard job to get into though.

Hope that helps!