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Virgil Max Exner, Sr. Designed Iconic American Cars

AutoRepair-Review virgil Max Exner Sr. designed iconic american carsThe 1955 Imperial, the Dodge Firearrow and the Chrysler 300 Series were all vehicles designed by Virgil Max Exner, Sr., a great car designer and a big part of car history in this country. At Kinsel Ford Lincoln, we appreciate all of the design work that goes into our vehicles, many of which are truly pieces of art. Every time now when we see an old Chrysler in Beaumont, TX, we will think of Virgil Max Exner, Sr. and his signature style.

Many aren’t familiar with this American automobile designer and his amazing designs. However, he worked for several automotive companies including Chrysler and Studebaker along the way and became famous for his “Forward Look” design, which was used on 1955-1963 Chryslers. He also had a fondness for using fins on some of the vehicles he designed for both their aesthetics and aerodynamics.

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1909, he was adopted by George W. and Iva Exner. From a young age, he was interested in art and cars. He studied at Notre Dame in Indiana, but had to leave due to a lack of funds. He then began working at an art studio that happened to specialize in advertising. After being promoted, he started drawing advertisements for Studebaker trucks.

Eventually, Exner was hired by famed automobile designer Harley Earl at GM. Earl was the head of design at the company and considered by many as the pioneer of modern transportation design. He put Exner in charge of the styling for Pontiac.

Exner then joined Loewy and Associates in 1938, an industrial design company owned by Raymond Loewy. While there, he worked on World War II military cars including 1939-40 Studebakers. After being fired by Loewy in 1944, he went to work for Studebaker in South Bend, Indiana, and helped with the new styling for post-war vehicles.

At the time, the Studebaker slogan was “First by far with a post-war car.”

Because of a rivalry between Exner and Loewy, Exner left Studebaker and went to work in what was called Chrysler’s Advanced Styling group in 1949. He teamed up with Cliff Voss, Maury Baldwin and Luigi “Gigi” Segre of the Italian car company Carrozzeria Ghia S.p.A. Together, they created Chrysler Ghia designs such as the 1952 Chrysler K-310 and Dodge Firearrow show cars.

Cars at that time were mainly created by engineers and often looked tall and boxy. Exner’s designs, which became known as the “Forward Look,” helped future vehicles become more stylish. By lowering the roof and designing a longer hood, it gave the appearance of being sleeker and smoother.

Another design element he incorporated was the use of “fins.” Earl had been using small fins on the rear fenders of 1948 Cadillacs, inspired by the World War II fighter aircraft, Lockheed P-38 Lightning. Exner enlarged the fins and incorporated them in the 1955 Chrysler 300 series as well as the Imperial.

Later in his career, he teamed up with his son, Virgil Exner Jr. and worked on watercraft for Buehler Corp. Exner died of heart failure in 1973.

Many of the design features he used throughout his impressive career have inspired numerous car designers throughout the years.  

Sources: Wikipedia, Forbes and Cleveland Plain Dealer

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