458:, to order Exner to do the same to his 1962 design–a change Exner disagreed with, thinking it would make his cars "ugly." Exner with his associates had completed work on the second full-sized finless Plymouth since 1955, this one for 1962, described as a strikingly attractive automobile. While he was still recovering from the heart attack, the 1962 models Exner took credit for were downsized by associates. This downsizing drastically changed the cars' appearance. This reduced the cars' appeal and caused a significant drop in sales. It turned out that the Chevrolet rumor was false and consumers disliked the smaller Plymouth and Dodge cars introduced for 1962, the styling of which was bizarre compared to more sedate Ford and GM products. Needing a scapegoat, Chrysler fired Exner. He was allowed to retain a position as a consultant so he could retire with a pension at age 55. He was replaced by
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been built by the
Chrysler shops at an enormous cost—two hundred/three hundred thousand dollars. At that time, that was a tremendous amount of money, while Ghia was showing this little Plymouth. It wasn't nearly as big, but it was a totally new body built on a standard chassis, but they were quoting prices for show cars to be built from ten to twenty thousand dollars at that time, and the workmanship was excellent. There was a bit of fear on the part of Chrysler that they would be taking work away from union shops to have these cars built in Italy. But, nevertheless, they signed a contract with Segre to go ahead. Chrysler would design a car, and Ghia would build what became the first true show car that my father was responsible for the new design section at Chrysler.
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glad that one of his designs had made it into large-scale production." Chris Voss, a stylist in Exner's office, reported in 1993, that Exner considered the
Karmann Ghia the ultimate form of flattery. Segre in turn sent Exner the first production Karmann Ghia imported into the state of Michigan, in gratitude.
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and K-310 concepts, which Ghia had been tasked with prototyping, and which in turn reflected numerous cues and themes developed previously by Mario Boano. The precise styling responsibilities were never documented before the passing of the designers, further complicated by the overlapping work of the
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approached through C.B. Thomas and engineering to Jim Zeder who was the vice-president of engineering to show what they called the
Plymouth 500X. And it was shown to my father , and, oh, he thought that their workmanship was wonderful, and just unbelievable compared to these parade cars which had
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Segre and Virgil Exner had become close professionally and personally, eventually traveling Europe together. Peter Grist wrote in a 2007 Exner biography that when Exner in 1955 eventually saw the
Karmann Ghia, which cribbed heavily from his Chrysler D'Elegance, "he was pleased with the outcome and
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As the head of Ghia, Segre singularly directed and incubated the project through conception and prototyping, delivering a feasible project that
Willhelm Karmann both wanted to and could practically build—the project Willhelm Karmann would in turn present to Volkswagen. The styling itself, however,
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Tailfins soon lost popularity. By the late 1950s, Cadillac and
Chrysler–driven by the respective competing visions of GM's Earl and Chrysler's Exner–had escalated the size of fins till some thought they were stylistically questionable and they became a symbol of American excess in the early 1960s.
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but, in 1928, dropped out after two years due to lack of funds. He then took a job as a helper at an art studio specializing in advertising. In 1931 he married
Mildred Marie Eshleman, who also worked for the studio and, on April 17, 1933, they had their first child, Virgil Exner Jr. By that time,
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trucks. They had a second son in 1940, Brian, who died of injuries after falling from a window. They had their first daughter June 28, 1943, Bronwen Marie Exner. Exner also adopted and raised his niece, Marie Exner, born in 1947, who had become an orphan after her mother Lenor (Milred's sister)
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Prior to the 1955 model year, Chrysler products were considered solid and well-engineered, but with dull styling. But for 1955 and 1956, Chrysler introduced the first set of cars with Exner's stylish and popular
Forward Look. These models were very popular and greatly improved Chrysler's image.
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military vehicles and cars, notably
Studebaker's 1939–40 models, and advance plans for their revolutionary post-war cars. "But working on Studebaker designs… Exner struggled to get the attention of his boss, who had to sign off on every facet of the designs. Exner was encouraged by Roy Cole,
301:. There he was involved in the design of some of the first cars with all new styling to be produced after World War II (Studebaker's slogan during this period was "First by far with a post war car"). As acknowledged by Robert Bourke, Virgil was the final designer of the acclaimed 1947
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S.p.A. The men forged a strong personal bond, which helped link the companies closely throughout the 1950s. The alliance produced the
Chrysler Ghia designs, such as the 1952 Chrysler K-310, the mid-1950s Dodge Firearrow series show cars, as well as the Chrysler d'Elegance and
381:—but he also liked their visual effects on the car. Exner lowered the roofline and made the cars sleeker, smoother, and more aggressive looking. In 1955, Chrysler introduced "The New 100-Million Dollar Look". With a long hood and short deck, the wedgelike designs of the
454:. He resumed work in 1957, working on the designs for the 1962 cars. On July 25, 1957, Exner was elected the first vice president of styling at Chrysler. Unfortunately, a rumor that GM was reducing the size of their cars caused the president of Chrysler,
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were advertised with the slogan, "Suddenly, it's 1960!" In June of that year, Exner and his team were awarded a Gold Medal Award by the Industrial Designers Institute (IDI). In 1958, Chrysler's Forward Look was the sponsor of the groundbreaking
489:—a design that ultimately reflected strong influence from Virgil Exner. In the early 1950s, Volkswagen was producing its Type 1 (Beetle). As post-war standards of living increased, executives at Volkswagen were at least receptive to adding a
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to re-open the already-completed designs for the 1959 models and create "an alternate design for each car line, Chevrolet through Cadillac." Exner's work effectively "change the course of automotive design" during that period.
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Virgil Exner Jr., was a real nice guy—super guy—great big fellow. He married quite a wealthy Brazilian gal. They were a neat couple and raised a nice family. They became very good friends with my family. I liked Luigi very
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517:, Sergio Coggiola, and designer/engineer Giovanni Savonuzzi—and at various times they each took credit for the design. Furthermore, the design bore striking styling similarities to Virgil Exner's Chrysler
474:" designs; Exner later referred to the finless 1962 downsized Plymouth and Dodge models as "plucked chickens". He believed Chrysler executives had "picked" away at the cars to make them lower in cost.
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Although fins were out of favor by the early 1960s, fins could still give aerodynamic advantages. In the early 1970s, Porsche 917 racing automobiles sported fins reminiscent of Exner's designs.
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coupe, though Raymond Loewy received the public acknowledgment because his legendary name was a major advertising attraction. Exner is actually listed as the sole inventor on the
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Seeking to reenter the automotive field, Exner drafted a resume, describing himself as having "extensive, responsible and successful experience in all areas." Exner died of
309:. Rivalry and bad feeling between the two resulted in Exner having to leave Studebaker, whose engineering chief Roy Cole provided personal introductions for him to
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After Volkswagen approved the design in November 1953, the Karmann Ghia debuted at the 1955 Paris Auto show and went into production, first at Ghia and then in
377:, Exner adopted fins as a central element of his vehicle designs. He believed in the aerodynamic benefits of the fins, and even used wind tunnel testing at the
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When Exner joined Chrysler, the company's vehicles were being fashioned by engineers instead of designers, and so were considered outmoded, unstylish designs.
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Studebaker's engineering vice president, to work on his own at home on backup designs in case the company's touchy relationship with Loewy blew up".
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1110:"Styling & Aerodynamics" Exner's presentation to the SAE in 1957 explaining his theories on tail fins, car body design, and aerodynamics.
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quickly working to catch up. The 1957 Imperial also featured compound curved glass, the first to be used in a production car. The 1957
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545:. He also teamed up with his son, Virgil Exner Jr., designing watercraft for Buehler Corporation. In 1963, he designed a series of "
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peered through a fence—thanks to a tip he received—and spied Chrysler's soon-to-be-launched 1957 Chrysler lineup, it prompted
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For 1957, Chrysler launched all-new models again, introducing cars that were long, low, wide, and featured sweeping
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Personality profile, "Virgil M. Exner, Sr.: Distinguished Designer", Collectible Automobile, Dec. 1994, pp. 70-77.
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Exner is widely known for the "Forward Look" he created for the 1955–1963 Chrysler products and his fondness of
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854:"Automotive & Design History: 1962 Plymouth & Dodge – Brilliant Blunder, or Suddenly It's 1977"
976:"Virgil Exner actually didn't mind that the Karmann Ghia directly copied his 1953 Chrysler D'Elegance"
877:"Sport Sensation: Celebrating Chrysler's 300 Sport convertible exactly as it left the factory in 1962"
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329:'s Advanced Styling Group, where he partnered with Cliff Voss and Maury Baldwin. He also worked with
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205:, Virgil Exner was adopted by George W. and Iva Exner as a baby. Virgil showed a strong interest in
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Bourke, Robert E. (1972). "The Starlight and the Starliner: Some recollections of a designer".
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1957 Plymouth Belvedere, featuring the second-generation "Forward Look" design of 1957-59.
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and revised 1957 models suddenly brought the company to the forefront of design, with
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The Flookerang, the logo for the Chrysler Corporations "Forward Look" design program
1005:"Automotive Design Oral History Project: The Reminiscences of Virgil Max Exner, Jr"
957:"Automotive Design Oral History Project: The Reminiscences of Virgil Max Exner, Jr"
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key players. A definitive individual attribution on Karmann Ghia's was never made.
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The Forward Look Network - Online community for 1955-1961 Exner-designed vehicles.
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and was eager to augment his contracts building Volkswagen's convertible models.
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Automobile In American life and Society - Reminiscences of Virgil Max Exner, Jr.
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Exner continued consulting for many car companies from his office in
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1955 Plymouth Belvedere, featuring the 1955-56 "Forward Look" design.
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1135:"Virgil Exner" by Dave Schultz, MoparStyle.com – January 18, 2002
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In 1956, during the design of the 1961 models, Exner suffered a
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Bugatti Type 101 Virgil Exner/Ghia roadster (chassis # 101506)
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1955 Imperial, one of the first Exner-styled Chrysler vehicles
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1046:"Volkswagen - Cars People Love - Max Wagner - pub Todtri 1998
1145:"Exner's one-off Mercer-Cobra", Chromjuwelen, July 15, 2011
1058:"Escape Roads: 1960 Plymouth XNR, Virgil Exner's dream car"
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was committed to expanding the international reputation of
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Exner Sr. had been promoted to drawing advertisements for
991:"Five Things You Might Not Have Known About Virgil Exner"
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In 1944, he was fired by Loewy and was hired directly by
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styling, to convince GM top executives and styling chief
777:"Where Credit Is Due: A Fresh View on the Exner Designs"
746:"Where Credit Is Due: A Fresh View on the Exner Designs"
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An interview With Virgil Exner's son, Virgil Exner Jr.
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Exner, Virgil M.; Studebaker Corp. (18 January 1949).
252:. Before age 30, he was in charge of Pontiac styling.
108:(September 24, 1909 – December 22, 1973) was an
959:. Benson Ford Research Center. The Henry Ford. 1989.
485:Three entities came together in the history of the
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553:failed, but he was instrumental in the revival of
470:The 1961 models are considered the last of the "
435:had a lasting impact on car styling in Detroit
505:had taken over his family coachbuilding firm
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1007:. Automobile in American Life and Society.
1120:The Exner Era - Chrysler Design Institute.
231:passed away when Marie was a young child.
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549:" with production plans. His revival of
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248:, where he was hired by GM styling czar
1023:"Classic Cars: Volkswagen Karmann Ghia"
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611:concept (1953) (later produced, as the
264:1939 Studebaker Champion G 4-door sedan
818:"US Patent #D152400: Exner Automobile"
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852:Niedermeyer, Paul (4 December 2017).
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974:Strohl, Daniel (November 10, 2017).
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513:integrated work by Segre as well as
897:Lamm, Michael (23 December 2012) .
744:Garrett, Jerry (October 21, 2007).
119:automobile companies, most notably
775:Garrett, Jerry (21 October 2007).
325:In 1949, Exner started working in
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1190:People in the automobile industry
989:Scott, Daryl (January 17, 2016).
875:Fitzgerald, Craig (1 June 2005).
244:His first work in design was for
1170:Artists from Ann Arbor, Michigan
935:. Veloce Publishing. p. 7.
493:to its range, if not proactive.
1175:University of Notre Dame alumni
1115:The 1953 Chrysler Ghia Special.
576:List of Exner-designed vehicles
629:Chrysler 300 non-letter series
1:
1180:American automobile designers
1056:Hart, Roger (3 August 2012).
699:Bugatti Type 101 1965 concept
564:on December 22, 1973, at the
401:An Evening with Fred Astaire
209:and automobiles. He went to
27:American automobile designer
350:Forward Look design program
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624:Chrysler 300 letter series
619:Chrysler New Yorker (1957)
456:Lester Lum ("Tex") Colbert
383:Chrysler 300 letter series
929:Bobbitt, Malcolm (2004).
713:Duesenberg 1966 prototype
708:Mercer-Cobra 1965 concept
566:William Beaumont Hospital
106:Virgil Max "Ex" Exner Sr.
219:University of Notre Dame
217:then studied art at the
99:Vice President of Design
1081:Virgil Exner: Visioneer
487:Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
481:Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
367:Lockheed P-38 Lightning
978:. Hemmings Motor News.
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543:Birmingham, Michigan
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303:Studebaker Starlight
256:Loewy and Associates
211:Buchanan High School
44:Virgil Max Exner Sr.
609:Chrysler d'Elegance
593:Studebaker Champion
570:Royal Oak, Michigan
464:Lincoln Continental
443:Tail fin of a 1959
299:South Bend, Indiana
268:In 1938, he joined
203:Ann Arbor, Michigan
184:, Jordan's boss at
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856:. Curbside Classic
835:"Allpar Home Page"
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1027:independent.co.uk
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669:Plymouth Suburban
365:After seeing the
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472:Forward Look
468:
460:Elwood Engel
452:heart attack
449:
404:TV special.
399:
373:on the 1948
364:
361:
324:
292:
274:World War II
267:
243:
200:
178:Chuck Jordan
171:
164:
144:
140:aerodynamics
129:
115:for several
105:
104:
75:(1973-12-22)
34:Virgil Exner
18:Forward Look
1165:1973 deaths
1160:1909 births
909:22 December
860:22 December
755:22 December
689:DeSoto 1961
515:Mario Boano
495:Luigi Segre
250:Harley Earl
235:Design work
190:Harley Earl
1154:Categories
1033:2008-01-22
905:. Hemmings
551:Duesenberg
537:Retirement
519:D'Elegance
491:halo model
423:Adventurer
369:-inspired
295:Studebaker
228:Studebaker
197:Early life
136:aesthetics
125:Studebaker
110:automobile
50:1909-09-24
636:1955-1961
531:OsnabrĂĽck
395:Plymouths
176:designer
81:Royal Oak
58:Ann Arbor
1062:Autoweek
634:Imperial
375:Cadillac
371:tailfins
327:Chrysler
315:Chrysler
201:Born in
167:tailfins
132:tailfins
121:Chrysler
117:American
113:designer
97:Chrysler
62:Michigan
605:concept
507:Karmann
335:Italian
223:Indiana
1087:
939:
501:. And
421:DeSoto
419:1956
64:, U.S.
962:much.
728:Notes
715:with
701:with
555:Stutz
333:, of
172:When
1085:ISBN
937:ISBN
911:2020
862:2020
757:2020
717:Ghia
703:Ghia
644:Ghia
389:and
387:Ford
313:and
311:Ford
138:and
123:and
70:Died
40:Born
568:in
297:in
221:in
213:in
207:art
1156::
1060:.
1025:.
919:^
901:.
889:^
879:.
837:.
826:^
801:.
789:^
779:.
765:^
748:.
736:^
572:.
466:.
346:.
317:.
174:GM
142:.
127:.
60:,
1093:.
1064:.
1036:.
945:.
913:.
883:.
864:.
841:.
820:.
803:X
783:.
759:.
615:)
52:)
48:(
20:)
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