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- Circus Performance Control Vehicle, 1967 - In 1966, automobile designer Virgil Exner was approached by a wealthy man with an unusual dream: to build a motorized circus with vehicles for transporting performers and constructing the big top. Exner was eager to begin the novel - though soon abandoned - project and created several concepts, including this control vehicle designed to erect the big top.
- 1967
- Collections - Artifact
Circus Performance Control Vehicle, 1967
In 1966, automobile designer Virgil Exner was approached by a wealthy man with an unusual dream: to build a motorized circus with vehicles for transporting performers and constructing the big top. Exner was eager to begin the novel - though soon abandoned - project and created several concepts, including this control vehicle designed to erect the big top.
- "Circus Velvet," circa 1967 - In 1966, automobile designer Virgil Exner was approached by a wealthy man with an unusual dream: to build a motorized circus with vehicles for transporting performers and constructing the big top. Exner was eager to begin the novel, though soon abandoned, project. He created several concept vehicles and structures for the spectacle, known as Circus Velvet.
- circa 1967
- Collections - Artifact
"Circus Velvet," circa 1967
In 1966, automobile designer Virgil Exner was approached by a wealthy man with an unusual dream: to build a motorized circus with vehicles for transporting performers and constructing the big top. Exner was eager to begin the novel, though soon abandoned, project. He created several concept vehicles and structures for the spectacle, known as Circus Velvet.
- Clay Model for the 1956 Chrysler Falcon Concept Car Designed by Virgil M. Exner - Virgil Exner designed the two-seat Chrysler Falcon concept car for the 1955 auto show season. The roadster was close in spirit to the contemporary Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird, though the simulated knock-off wheels and external exhaust pipes gave the Falcon a somewhat racier appearance. Chrysler chose not to put the car into production.
- April 19, 1956
- Collections - Artifact
Clay Model for the 1956 Chrysler Falcon Concept Car Designed by Virgil M. Exner
Virgil Exner designed the two-seat Chrysler Falcon concept car for the 1955 auto show season. The roadster was close in spirit to the contemporary Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird, though the simulated knock-off wheels and external exhaust pipes gave the Falcon a somewhat racier appearance. Chrysler chose not to put the car into production.
- Clay Model for the 1956 Chrysler Falcon Concept Car Designed by Virgil M. Exner - Virgil Exner designed the two-seat Chrysler Falcon concept car for the 1955 auto show season. The roadster was close in spirit to the contemporary Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird, though the simulated knock-off wheels and external exhaust pipes gave the Falcon a somewhat racier appearance. Chrysler chose not to put the car into production.
- June 20, 1956
- Collections - Artifact
Clay Model for the 1956 Chrysler Falcon Concept Car Designed by Virgil M. Exner
Virgil Exner designed the two-seat Chrysler Falcon concept car for the 1955 auto show season. The roadster was close in spirit to the contemporary Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird, though the simulated knock-off wheels and external exhaust pipes gave the Falcon a somewhat racier appearance. Chrysler chose not to put the car into production.
- Studebaker Champion Mock-Up, 1943 - Virgil Exner's long career in automotive design included time with General Motors, Raymond Loewy Associates, and Studebaker -- for which he produced this work. Exner is best remembered for his tenure as design head at Chrysler, where his dramatic "Forward Look" characterized the company's vehicles from 1955 to 1961.
- July 02, 1943
- Collections - Artifact
Studebaker Champion Mock-Up, 1943
Virgil Exner's long career in automotive design included time with General Motors, Raymond Loewy Associates, and Studebaker -- for which he produced this work. Exner is best remembered for his tenure as design head at Chrysler, where his dramatic "Forward Look" characterized the company's vehicles from 1955 to 1961.
- Studebaker Sales Brochure, 1932 - Virgil Exner's long career in automotive design included time with General Motors, Raymond Loewy Associates, and Studebaker -- for which he produced this work. Exner is best remembered for his tenure as design head at Chrysler, where his dramatic "Forward Look" characterized the company's vehicles from 1955 to 1961.
- 1932
- Collections - Artifact
Studebaker Sales Brochure, 1932
Virgil Exner's long career in automotive design included time with General Motors, Raymond Loewy Associates, and Studebaker -- for which he produced this work. Exner is best remembered for his tenure as design head at Chrysler, where his dramatic "Forward Look" characterized the company's vehicles from 1955 to 1961.
- "The New Conn Alto Saxophone" Brochure, circa 1932 - Virgil Exner's long career in design included time with General Motors, Raymond Loewy Associates, and Studebaker. Exner is best remembered for his work at Chrysler, where he headed design efforts from 1953 to 1961. Following his retirement from Chrysler, Exner consulted on multiple projects including concept cars, motorboats, and revivals of the Duesenberg and Stutz automobile brands.
- circa 1932
- Collections - Artifact
"The New Conn Alto Saxophone" Brochure, circa 1932
Virgil Exner's long career in design included time with General Motors, Raymond Loewy Associates, and Studebaker. Exner is best remembered for his work at Chrysler, where he headed design efforts from 1953 to 1961. Following his retirement from Chrysler, Exner consulted on multiple projects including concept cars, motorboats, and revivals of the Duesenberg and Stutz automobile brands.
- Design Sketch, Dual-Ghia, circa 1956 - The Dual-Ghia had its origins in the Dodge Firearrow concept cars of the mid-1950s. When Dodge chose not to put Firearrows into production, businessman Gene Casaroll bought the rights and contracted Ghia of Italy to build bodies. Priced at more than $7,500, the Dual-Ghia was aimed at wealthy customers. Casaroll built fewer than 120 cars before production ended in 1958.
- circa 1956
- Collections - Artifact
Design Sketch, Dual-Ghia, circa 1956
The Dual-Ghia had its origins in the Dodge Firearrow concept cars of the mid-1950s. When Dodge chose not to put Firearrows into production, businessman Gene Casaroll bought the rights and contracted Ghia of Italy to build bodies. Priced at more than $7,500, the Dual-Ghia was aimed at wealthy customers. Casaroll built fewer than 120 cars before production ended in 1958.
- Photograph of a Drawing by Virgil M. Exner, "Blackhawk Boat-Tail Coupe," 1968 - Banker James O'Donnell and former Chrysler design head Virgil Exner revived the Stutz Motor Company and built new models under the brand from 1971 through 1987. The Blackhawk coupe was based on a General Motors platform but included luxury features like gold-plated trim and mink carpeting. The high-end car appealed to celebrity owners like Sammy Davis, Jr., and Elvis Presley.
- July 01, 1968
- Collections - Artifact
Photograph of a Drawing by Virgil M. Exner, "Blackhawk Boat-Tail Coupe," 1968
Banker James O'Donnell and former Chrysler design head Virgil Exner revived the Stutz Motor Company and built new models under the brand from 1971 through 1987. The Blackhawk coupe was based on a General Motors platform but included luxury features like gold-plated trim and mink carpeting. The high-end car appealed to celebrity owners like Sammy Davis, Jr., and Elvis Presley.
- Early Design Drawing for 1960 Plymouth XNR Concept Car by Virgil M. Exner - Virgil Exner, head of Chrysler Corporation's styling department, designed a concept car to rival Chevrolet's popular Corvette. Exner liked his sleek, asymmetrical "idea car" so much that he named it after himself. This early design drawing highlights one of the Plymouth XNR's most striking features: a vertical fin running from the hood to the tail.
- circa 1959
- Collections - Artifact
Early Design Drawing for 1960 Plymouth XNR Concept Car by Virgil M. Exner
Virgil Exner, head of Chrysler Corporation's styling department, designed a concept car to rival Chevrolet's popular Corvette. Exner liked his sleek, asymmetrical "idea car" so much that he named it after himself. This early design drawing highlights one of the Plymouth XNR's most striking features: a vertical fin running from the hood to the tail.