Owen Ray Skelton (February 9, 1886 – July 20, 1969) was an American automotive industry engineer and automobile designer.

[3] From 1905 until 1907, Skelton's first job in the automotive industry was with the Pope-Toledo automobile factory in Toledo, Ohio, noted for their gasoline-powered engine technology.

[2] As he became more experienced with expertise, Skelton simultaneously gained the reputation of being a design analyst who understood the entire transmission of a car, and a master specialist in rear axles and gear boxes.

[1][2][4] In 1921 Zeder, Skelton, Breer, and several associates left Studebaker to start an independent Newark automobile design-and-engineering firm, "ZSB Engineering."

The luxury-oriented Daniels Motor Company hired ZSB to design their 1922 V-8,[6] but the high-end car listed for $7,450 (equivalent to $136,000 in 2023), a prohibitive price for that day.

Later in 1922, ZSB became interested in the mass market and was hired by Billy Durant on a motor design for the Flint automobile.

The ZSB-designed six-cylinder engine with an updraft carburetor was later used on the Locomobile, a luxury automobile built by Durant Motors.

[9] Chrysler obtained financing in early 1923 to merge Maxwell, the Detroit-based Chalmers Motor Car Company, and ZSB Engineering.

"[10] With ZSB's six-cylinder engine design as an integral element, Maxwell-Chalmers's cars sold well, and the firm underwent rapid expansion under CEO Chrysler's leadership.