The rise and fall of Virgil Exner

Here is an interesting page of information about Exner. I was not aware that he had previously worked for Studebaker, and even Pontiac.

http://www.automuseum.com/Exner.HTM

Teresa Smith

--- Original Message -----

From: Christopher Middlebrook

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2004 2:46 PM

Subject: RE: IML: The rise and fall of Virgil Exner

There are a lot of factors to consider around the time period of Exner's last years at Chrysler. For one, there was a recession going on around 1958 which slowed down car sales. As a result, money for re-tooling or redesigning things was tight. To boot, Chrysler was stung with a stigma for poor reliability and build quality not so long before. Add to that a historically fickle public, and the stage is set for finger pointing and rash decisions at the executive board room.

Exner was better suited designing for a coachbuilder on his own terms. He was a man who set high expectations, but were fallen short - dictated by budgetary constraints. Unfortunately, all we have is just a sampling of his genius. Like Frank Lloyd Wright, a lot of what survives is on paper to dazzle our imaginations, and inspire other artists to come close.

I haven't seen any books detailing Exner's life in any great depth. Just a lot of scribbles here and there on the web and on car publications.

--- On Tue 07/13, < DONALDDICKINSOND@xxxxxx > wrote:
From: [mailto: DONALDDICKINSOND@xxxxxx]
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 09:56:16 EDT
Subject: IML: The rise and fall of Virgil Exner

<HTML><HTML>Since I have been involved with Imperials (The last 2 1/2 years). One of the most fascinating things to me has been Virgil Exners rise and fall. This rise and fall has mirrored the success (or lack of) of the Imperial. The interesting conundrum in my mind is how could the 1957 Imperial be 3 years ahead of its time and by 1962 3 years behind its time. What say you, you Imperial history buffs? Also is there a good bio out there on Exners career that might address this riddle? 
 
Don Dickinson 
Prospect, KY 
 
1955 Imperial Newport, Canyon Tan and Desert Sand 
1967 Imperial Custom Convertible, Ivory and Burgundy</HTML>


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