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><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10
FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">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 <I>how
could the 1957 Imperial be 3 years ahead of its time and by 1962</I> <I>3</I>
<I>years behind its time</I>.� What say you, you Imperial history buffs?� Also
is there a good bio out there on Exners career that might address this
riddle?�� <BR>
<BR>
Don Dickinson<BR>
Prospect, KY <BR>
<BR>
1955 Imperial Newport, Canyon Tan and Desert Sand<BR>
1967 Imperial Custom Convertible, Ivory and Burgundy</FONT></HTML>
<p>
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