RE: [Chrysler300] The Exner Era @ the University of Notre Dame

["Ed Jasinski " <ed5000@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

To All,

 

The Virgil M. Exner Tribute event was all of what's been said and more.
Staged in two places on campus, the daylight hours were spent with the cars
and guests both in and around the Stepan Center geodesic dome auditorium
building, with the more formal lecture and discussion following that evening
at the nearby Snite Museum of Art facility.  A unique opportunity to speak
with and listen to history-makers was presented to everyone in attendance.
What a treat.  There was ample time to get very close to some very special
cars, and to experience the unique opportunity to interface one on one with
a few of the actual Chrysler designers of our favorite era: these are the
guys that penned the cars we collect today!  I met with John S

 

At the Stepan Center, an open microphone encouraged the VIPs in attendance
to share in spontaneous conversation with visitors; all in an atmosphere
charged with enthusiasm and staged to reveal something new at any time.
Comparison and contrast with the current 300, and oratory on its acceptance,
was a recurring theme, but there was plenty said of the earlier work too.
On the floor, in cocktail party manner (sans alcohol), providence led each
of us to engage in personal conversations with influential designers and
industry insiders very willing to take the time to talk.  Only through this
type of venue would this happen.  This was not only a rare opportunity but
in all probability the opportunity to experience these people together and
discussing their days at Chrysler.  Many thanks to all who worked so hard to
make it happen.  With so much going on, each of us at any one time found
ourselves coming in on-or maybe even initiating-some very rewarding
conversations.  It was this opportunity to meet with them: the designers,
Chrysler historians and current management, that really made the show.  You
just couldn't keep up with it.  

 

The evening reunion at Snite was a bit more formal, with the audience still
invited to participate.  So much was presented and, with the exception of
often humorous but not-quite-for-the-record anecdotal comments, most of it
is in this new book "Virgil Exner Visioneer".   But a few of those between
the line remarks were golden.  One that has to be passed on is an apparent
feeling that V.E. Jr. held regarding the has-been application of the trunk
spare tire motif well beyond its day.  Dad is always right: isn't he?  

 

Buy this book.  Read about John Samsen, Del Coates and others we had
opportunity to visit with.  The author Peter Grist has put together so much
of what you have always thought about, and what you didn't think to ask
about the business of design and manufacturing; and how your favorite
Chrysler car came to be the way it is.  Very well done, and a must-have
publication for any enthusiast or historian.  And it carries appropriately
beyond automobile interests.  This fellow Exner had it going on in ways you
may not have been aware of.  Successful and human, and in many ways burdened
with the same tribulations we all deal with in life.  He managed it well,
never gave up, and left us with some great Chrysler cars and more.  

 

Ed Jasinski  

San Mateo, California

     

-----Original Message-----
From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of rob kern
Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 5:56 PM
To: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; mjraguse@xxxxxxx; Don Warnaar
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] The Exner Era @ the University of Notre Dame

 

Marv, Don, et al,
Hello 300'ly to all!
I was fortunate enough to get my copy of Peter Grist's book just a few days
before the Springfield meet by way of a book clearing house affiliated with
Amazon in London! Anyway, I brought it to the meet and managed to show it to
John Lazenby and Wayne Graefen then graciously took it with him and Sandy to
Notre Dame the next day for the Exner event with hopes of getting my copy
autographed by X, Jr.. I'm Forwardlooking to reading my autographed copy
thanks to Wayne. ROB KERN
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Don Warnaar 
To: Chrysler300@ <mailto:Chrysler300%40yahoogroups.com> yahoogroups.com ;
mjraguse@aol. <mailto:mjraguse%40aol.com> com 
Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 6:57 PM
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] The Exner Era @ the University of Notre Dame

Hello Marv,

The Exner Era Tribute was a very special event. A vote of thanks is due to a
few people for sharing news about the event with those on the Chrysler 300
listserver. Without such notice, I would not have known about the tribute to
Virgil Exner, Sr. Wayne Graefen informed the group and included a link to
the website that gave details of the day's events. Carlton Schroeder shared
the fact that you would have your 300C on display. Your car is a stunning
example of Ex's styling at its best. I am fortunate indeed to have had
notice of the event and to have attended all the presentations. Peter Grist
gave a wonderful talk and graciously chatted with everyone as he signed each
book. A special highlight was to meet Virgil Exner, Jr. He gave of his time
throughout the day and shared many memories of his father during his
presentations. The day was a wonderful and fitting tribute to one of the
great automobile stylists of all time. I think Ex would be proud to know
there are so many of us who continue to admire and appreciate his work. I
really enjoyed reading your follow-up email today along with the link to the
Detroit News article. Thanks very much for sending it.

Regards,
Don Warnaar 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: mjraguse@aol. <mailto:mjraguse%40aol.com> com<mailto:mjraguse@aol.
<mailto:mjraguse%40aol.com> com> 
To: Chrysler300@ <mailto:Chrysler300%40yahoogroups.com>
yahoogroups.com<mailto:Chrysler300@ <mailto:Chrysler300%40yahoogroups.com>
yahoogroups.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 7:12 PM
Subject: [Chrysler300] The Exner Era @ the University of Notre Dame

FORWARD LOOK AUTO DESIGN: 
THE EXNER ERA 
Presented by the University of Notre Dame / Department of Art, Art History 
& Design 
September 29th, 2007 
This past weekend we were fortunate to attend the wonderful Exner Era
tribute 
at Notre Dame University. Peter Grist, author of the much anticipated 
biography "Virgil Exner- Visioneer", was present to sign copies of his book
and 
present an Exner lecture at the Snite Museum on Saturday evening. A special 
Exner designed poster was also available signed by Virgil Exner Jr. The
tribute 
was certainly possible only through the efforts of Professor Paul Down of
the 
Department of Art, Art History & Design. His recognition of the need to do 
something extraordinary to honor alumnus Mr. Exner led to this event. 
A special dinner was held at the Morris Inn on Campus to thank all who 
supported the event through cars or material. In attendance also were a few
famous 
people in Virgil Jr's.life. 
After the dinner all guests departed for the Snite Museum for the Grist 
lecture. After Peter's presentation, Virgil took the podium to present his
comments 
and slides on his father's legacy. A Q&A followed. At the lecture, Peter 
Grist presented two beautiful plaques honoring Virgil Sr. to both the
University'
s Department of Design and to Buchanan High School. The plaques provided not

only a brief history of the man but also his classic posed image as well as
a 
prominent forward look emblem; a very considerate gift on the part of Mr. 
Grist. 
But the main event was the 9:00 am to 4:00 pm public display and
presentation 
of Exner Era work. Professor Paul Down commenced the event with his 
presentation of the Exner contribution both to automobile design and Mr
Exner's 
contribution to the school in the 1950s. Lectures and automobile industry 
discussions continued all day. All of the invited vehicles were displayed in
the Stepan 
Hall, a unique geodesic dome on the north campus. Twelve significant
vehicles 
and the display of Exner artwork were arranged in Stepan Hall on the North 
Campus for the public and students to review. 
What was unusual about this event was the opportunity to see vehicles that 
heretofore most had only seen in pictures. I took particular pleasure in
seeing 
Virgil Jr.'s Simca creation from about 1957 which embodied the front end 
styling features of the 1963 Stingray. My favorite was General Lyon's Mercer

Cobra which Virgil Sr. produced in1964 for the Copper Development Company; a
then 
widely advertised retro design based on his favored long hood short deck 
concept. Other notables included Ele Chesney's 1954 Plymouth Belmont, a 1965

Bugatti 101CX, a 1970 Stutz, 1949 Studebaker Starlight Sedan, . 
The Chrysler Museum, through the efforts of Brandt Rosenbusch, provided
three 
Exner era vehicles, a 1955 Dodge La Femme, a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere, and a 
1955 Chrysler C-300. I brought my Gauguin red 1957 300 C. Virgil Exner Jr
also 
had a 2007 Chrysler 300 on display for a comparison to his father's style. 
On a celebrity note, Jay Leno, who could not attend due to a commitment, 
chose to have one of his associates there to capture the occasion and bring
a few 
copies of the book home for him. Outside the hall, the Stutz club held their

meet. 
I want to thank Professor Down and his staff for providing the forum for the

excellent tribute to our hero of design. 
Please be sure to pick up a copy of Peter Grist's book and if you are 
inclined to send a message of how many of us are out here, please order it
from the 
University Book store at Notre Dame University. <eFollett.com> and search 
under the title of general books. Key words of Grist and Exner will provide 
ordering instructions. It is worth the investment. In this way it will help
them 
meet their expenses as well as show the tremendous interest that exists for
the 
man. Professor Down commented that the book store was at first skeptical of 
the success of the book signing but by Saturday morning the sales had far 
exceeded all expectations. Many were seen buying three or more copies. 
In summary the event was the most excellent way to meet the man who worked 
with his father during those incredible Forward Look creative years. Virgil 
Exner Jr. was available throughout the day to talk to all of his and his
father's 
fans. 
For more information please go to 
<http://info. <http://info.detnews.com/joyrides/story/index.cfm?id=694>
detnews.com/joyrides/story/index.cfm?id=694<http://info.
<http://info.detnews.com/joyrides/story/index.cfm?id=694>
detnews.com/joyrides/story/index.cfm?id=694>> 
If you open the icon on the left of the page you will see all of the cars on

display 
Marv Raguse 

************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.
<http://www.aol.com> com<http://www.aol. <http://www.aol.com/> com/>

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