Virgil Exner: Visioneer: the Official Biography of Virgil M. Exner, Designer Extraordinaire - Hardcover

Grist, Peter

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1845841182 ISBN 13: 9781845841188

Publisher: Veloce, 2007

Synopsis

This is the story of a man that 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 epitomised 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. Until the mid-fifties, engineers, creating cars that were reliable but invariably staid and conservative, had dominated auto design. Exner introduced to Chrysler, firstly 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 whilst stationary. His design of the 1947 Studebaker established the design pattern for all modern cars and was a huge success. Along with automobile styling, his talents stretched to many other areas of industrial design, from trains to trucks and boats to Buicks. This book gets behind the character of the man, his strengths and weaknesses, his personal tragedies and his vision of modern transport. Uncover why he set up in competition with Raymond Loewy, get the real facts behind historic inaccuracies and why he was made scapegoat for the sales disaster of the early sixties, Then delight in his fine artwork and his love of motor racing. With many previously unseen works of art and family photos among the 150 colour images throughout this is a unique and fascinating insight into a pivotal player in the development of the modern automobile.

About this title

Review

Wow! Masterfully Peter Grist weaves the triumphant, inspirational, and tragic in the telling of the Exner story. Illustrations, many never before published, are bright threads in this tapestry. As a photographic essay of Exner's life and work, this book is nothing short of stunning. Add well-researched text and you have a first rate study of one of the American automotive industries greatest innovators in the post-war period. - Cars & Parts magazine -

This is a book that goes under the skin and into the mind of a legendary stylist and his creations. It is an intuitive and beautifully illustrated work that belongs on every auto enthusiast's book shelf. - Car Collector magazine -

This very readable biography of one of America's most influential automotive designers introduces you to the politics and personal dramas that shaped the cars of the fifties and sixties ... It's as much a book for enthusiasts of design and aesthetics as it is for American car fans. - Classic Cars -

If the evolution of the automobile in the US is of interest, you will find this biography quite fascinating. The book does not reflect only the good times, covering for example the death of Exner's son Brian, but nevertheless comes highly recommended. - Australian Classic Car -

There are many sketches and photographs throughout the book detailing Exner's career ... the book's early chapters offers many colour photographs from Exner's time with Studebaker and Loewy. - Avanti magazine -

... 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. - The Automobile -

This is a highly personal and well-researched account of a styling legend. - Classic & Sports Car -

Tribute to a design genius. When journalist Peter Grist realised that all his favourite cars had been designed by Exner, he was astonished to find that no one had written a biography of Exner's life. He has now put that right. - Freedom magazine -

A must-read not only for Chrysler Corp. fans, but all fans of good automobile design. - Old Cars Weekly -

... an extensive look at one of the great auto designers of the twentieth century. Author Peter Grist does an exceptional job of showing Virgil M. Exner's contributions to automotive design in its historical setting. - Cruise-IN.com -

Veloce's trademark use of big, colourful illustrations is appropriate for his subject's glitzy, showbiz style, Grist has worked hard to round out Exner's persona ... - Octane -

We can only say: this book is top class and belongs in every car library. - Oldtimer/Dreamcar magazine -

This is not a paean to the tailfin. If you think it is, you're just underscoring why this book is so important. Delights abound. The hobby needs books like these more than cud-regurgitated marque histories. It's great, and an essential for Chrysler historians. - --Hemmings Classic Car

About the Author

Peter Grist has been writing about American automobiles for over 15 years, and is a member of the National Union of Journalists and the Society of Automobile Historians, Inc. He started with the Chrysler Corp Club UK, which he ran for more than 10 years, editing its monthly magazine, TalkFlite. This led to writing for High Street magazines. He currently owns three Dodge vehicles and has already published a book on Dodge. Peter is married to Catherine and has three children.

Edition details

• Publisher: Veloce
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1845841182
• ISBN 13: 9781845841188
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 176