Virgil Exner: Visioneer: The official biography of Virgil M. Exner, designer extraordinaire - Couverture rigide

Grist, Peter

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 1845841182 ISBN 13 : 9781845841188

Editeur : Veloce Publishing, 2007

Synopsis

Virgil Exner Virgil Exner's name still remains inexorably linked to the Chrysler Corporation in the minds of car enthusiasts worldwide. With works of art and family photos among the 150 colour images throughout, this book provides insight into a pivotal player in the development of the modern automobile.

A propos du livre

Revue de presse

Australian Classic Car, February 2008
Australian magazine

While I don’t hold a strong affection for new cars these days, I’ll admit that I admire the bold, assertive style of Chrysler’s 300 Series. Its style, especially around the front recalls the 1950s when Chrysler wooed stylist Virgil Exner away from Studebaker. It was a time when companies replaced the drab, carry-over, pre-war styles with the flowing extravagance of the 1950s, many of which had a helping hand from Virgil Exner.

This publication is Exner’s story, both private and public, from his school days when his drawing prowess was first recognised to his career styling boats and cars during the 1970s. If the evolution of the automobile in the US is of interest, you will find this biography quite fascinating. Through Exner’s work, it’s possible to track the changes during almost 40 years. Responsible for Studebaker’s Startlight Coupé, Chrysler’s C-300 of the 1950s, and 1960s Imperial and Valiant, he even designed the body for the last Bugatti Type 101. I could be persuaded to own the Exner-designed 1953 De Soto Adventurer any time. The book does not reflect only the good times, covering for example the death of Exner’s son Brian, but nevertheless comes highly recommended.

Classic Cars, January 2008

Review by Rob Scorah
UK magazine

This very readable biography of one of Americas most influential automotive designers introduces you to the politics and personal dramas that shaped the cars of the fifties and sixties as much as the prevailing aesthetics of the studios. The sweeping fins, long flanks and outlandish front-end designs act as a recurring motif throughout his work for the likes of Chrysler, Ghia and Karmann. Also included are examples of Exner's power-boat designs and his fine-art painting. It's as much a book for enthusiasts of design and aesthetics as it is for American car fans.

The Automobile, January 2008

As a student of automotive style I found this official biography exceptionally interesting, a long overdue and well-illustrated, complete life story of one of the most important designers of the 1950s and '60s. It is official as the De Soto-owning author has had much help from Virgil Exner Junior, himself a designer who worked alongside his father.

Exner, ever an artist, started his automotive career in an advertising agency with the Studebaker account. He joined Harley Earl’s fledgling Art and Color Section at GM in 1934, rising to head the Pontiac section a year later. He joined Raymond Loewy in 1938, working mostly on Studebaker before being employed by them in 1945. His move to Chrysler adn international fame came in 1949. Few would forget the products of his association with Ghia. Having stayed at Chrysler till 1962, he set up on his own. He effectively created retro-styling, vide his creation on the Bugatti 101 and the Stutz Blackhawk and became equally known in the boating world. An interesting character well recalled, and we learn much about other well-known designers of the time.

Présentation de l'éditeur

The official biography the man who brought his own personal style to the world of industrial design, from automobiles to powerboats. Some 50 years after his design masterpieces wrested styling leadership away from General Motors' Harley Earl.

Thirty four years after his untimely death, Virgil Exner's name still remains inexorably linked to the Chrysler Corporation in the minds of car enthusiasts worldwide. For an all too brief period, Exner's name epitomized all that was great and exciting in America.

His thrilling automobile designs from the mid-fifties took the world by storm and put Chrysler at the top. His work was nothing less than a revolution. Exner introduced to Chrysler, first with his "idea cars" then with production models, vehicles that were wanted for their looks but at the same time, were soundly engineered; automobiles that carried classic proportions and gave the illusion of movement even while stationary. His design of the 1947 Studebaker established the design pattern for all modern cars and was a huge success.

With many previously unseen works of art and family photos among the 150 color images throughout, this is a unique and fascinating insight into a pivotal player in the development of the modern automobile.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Veloce Publishing
• Date d'édition: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1845841182
• ISBN 13: 9781845841188
• Reliure: Relié
• Langue: anglais
• Nombre de pages: 160