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- Wooden Buck for the 1952 Chrysler Special, Ghia Factory, Torino, Italy, circa 1950 - A close relationship between Chrysler Corporation and coachbuilder Carrozzeria Ghia began in 1950, when the Italian company built its first high-quality body for a standard Chrysler chassis. Ghia would create many of the forward-looking "idea cars" designed by chief stylist Virgil Exner. This photograph shows Ghia executives with the wooden buck used to shape metal for Exner's 1952 Chrysler Special.
- circa 1950
- Collections - Artifact
Wooden Buck for the 1952 Chrysler Special, Ghia Factory, Torino, Italy, circa 1950
A close relationship between Chrysler Corporation and coachbuilder Carrozzeria Ghia began in 1950, when the Italian company built its first high-quality body for a standard Chrysler chassis. Ghia would create many of the forward-looking "idea cars" designed by chief stylist Virgil Exner. This photograph shows Ghia executives with the wooden buck used to shape metal for Exner's 1952 Chrysler Special.
- Virgil M. Exner and Virgil Exner, Jr. Overseeing Design of Mercer-Cobra Automobile, 1964 - Virgil Exner's long career in automotive design included work with General Motors, Raymond Loewy Associates, and Studebaker. He is best remembered for his tenure at Chrysler, where he headed design from 1953 to 1961. Exner designed the Mercer-Cobra concept car in 1963. The Copper Development Association later funded a promotional prototype -- finished with much copper and brass.
- 1964
- Collections - Artifact
Virgil M. Exner and Virgil Exner, Jr. Overseeing Design of Mercer-Cobra Automobile, 1964
Virgil Exner's long career in automotive design included work with General Motors, Raymond Loewy Associates, and Studebaker. He is best remembered for his tenure at Chrysler, where he headed design from 1953 to 1961. Exner designed the Mercer-Cobra concept car in 1963. The Copper Development Association later funded a promotional prototype -- finished with much copper and brass.
- Technicians Working on Mercer-Cobra, Torino, Italy, 1964 - Virgil Exner's long career in automotive design included work with General Motors, Raymond Loewy Associates, and Studebaker. He is best remembered for his tenure at Chrysler, where he headed design from 1953 to 1961. Exner designed the Mercer-Cobra concept car in 1963. The Copper Development Association later funded a promotional prototype -- finished with much copper and brass.
- 1964
- Collections - Artifact
Technicians Working on Mercer-Cobra, Torino, Italy, 1964
Virgil Exner's long career in automotive design included work with General Motors, Raymond Loewy Associates, and Studebaker. He is best remembered for his tenure at Chrysler, where he headed design from 1953 to 1961. Exner designed the Mercer-Cobra concept car in 1963. The Copper Development Association later funded a promotional prototype -- finished with much copper and brass.
- Mercer-Cobra Displayed at Torino Auto Show, 1964 - Virgil Exner's long career in automotive design included work with General Motors, Raymond Loewy Associates, and Studebaker. He is best remembered for his tenure at Chrysler, where he headed design from 1953 to 1961. Exner designed the Mercer-Cobra concept car in 1963. The Copper Development Association later funded a promotional prototype -- finished with much copper and brass.
- October 1964-November 1964
- Collections - Artifact
Mercer-Cobra Displayed at Torino Auto Show, 1964
Virgil Exner's long career in automotive design included work with General Motors, Raymond Loewy Associates, and Studebaker. He is best remembered for his tenure at Chrysler, where he headed design from 1953 to 1961. Exner designed the Mercer-Cobra concept car in 1963. The Copper Development Association later funded a promotional prototype -- finished with much copper and brass.
- Stutz Blackhawk Prototype in Body Buck, Carrozzeria Ghia Factory, Italy, 1968-1969 - Banker James O'Donnell and former Chrysler design head Virgil Exner revived the Stutz brand and built new models under the name from 1971 through 1987. The Blackhawk coupe was based on a General Motors platform but available with luxuries like gold-plated trim and mink carpeting. The high-end car appealed to celebrity owners like Sammy Davis, Jr., and Elvis Presley.
- 1968-1969
- Collections - Artifact
Stutz Blackhawk Prototype in Body Buck, Carrozzeria Ghia Factory, Italy, 1968-1969
Banker James O'Donnell and former Chrysler design head Virgil Exner revived the Stutz brand and built new models under the name from 1971 through 1987. The Blackhawk coupe was based on a General Motors platform but available with luxuries like gold-plated trim and mink carpeting. The high-end car appealed to celebrity owners like Sammy Davis, Jr., and Elvis Presley.
- 1952 Chrysler Special Designed by Virgil M. Exner - Virgil Exner left Studebaker Corporation in 1949 to begin work as chief of Chrysler Corporation's Advanced Styling Studio. His newly created department was tasked to develop forward-looking Chrysler concept models. This "idea car," the Chrysler Special, was unveiled to much acclaim at the 1952 Paris Auto Show. Unlike most concept cars, Exner's Special was both stylish <EM>and</EM> fully operational.
- 1951-1952
- Collections - Artifact
1952 Chrysler Special Designed by Virgil M. Exner
Virgil Exner left Studebaker Corporation in 1949 to begin work as chief of Chrysler Corporation's Advanced Styling Studio. His newly created department was tasked to develop forward-looking Chrysler concept models. This "idea car," the Chrysler Special, was unveiled to much acclaim at the 1952 Paris Auto Show. Unlike most concept cars, Exner's Special was both stylish and fully operational.