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Virgil Exner: Visioneer: The official biography of Virgil M. Exner, designer extraordinaire

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The midfifties were a watershed in auto design. Who can forget the first sight of the dazzling fifties Chevies and Fords but most of all the very dramatic and elegant Chrysler products from 1955 on. The Chrysler products were produced under the inspiration and leadership of Virgil Exner. This book is a dream for all of us interested in automobiles, their design, and the process that brings them into being.

As is so important to those of us who delight in the visual aspects of the automobile, pictures are important. This volume documents the genesis, development and implementation of the great Chrysler designs of the fifties and sixties. As few other books have done so succesfully, these pictures allow my mind's eye to explore the dynamic forms and lucious, subtle lines of both the development and design study cars and the production cars. I was especially taken with the gold and white 1956 D500, it logically flows from Exners show car explorations of the automotive form.

This book also allows us to see the relationship of his early years to his later work, and Exner's relationship to his work at Chrysler. Also covered are his subsequent efforts in other design projects.

If you like cars, admire the geat designs of the fifties and sixtiesVirgil Exner: Visioneer: The official biography of Virgil M. Exner, designer extraordinaire, or are fascinated by the creative process you will like this book.

An excellent presentation of the life and work of an important figure in the history of automotive styling in the U.S. It was written with extensive support of the Exner family which gave the author access to many drawings and to their memories of key aspects of Exner's life. It shows that there was much more to Exner than the Ghia show car.

A major strength of the book is the insights it gives into the corporate/industry environment that automobile stylists operated in during the post-war period. The conflicts between engineering, manufacturing, and styling departments at several manufacturers are shown clearly. The book also shows how and why people moved among companies in a close knit industry. The placing of credit or blame for sales success or failure on the stylists - especially a new department head - by top management is another aspect of the industry that is presented well.

The latter portions of the book covering Exner's work after he left Chrysler is as interesting as his work for the auto manufacturers. We need more books like this about important figures in the history of the auto industry

I seem to be reading about my heros, this year. First, the material made available recently, again, by artist and writer Jack Kirby, and now, the long-neglected Virgil Exner. Though not, exactly, a thing of design beauty itself, the book paints Exner as a fine man as well as a fine designer. It also shows a hint of his early-'60s work for Chrysler Corporation that never made it to production.

Overviews of the Exner story and some fascinating details have appeared in such publications as "Collectible Automobiles" and other enthusiast publications over the past fifteen years. This book does an excellent job of bringing that information together. For someone with an interest in automotive design but not much knowlege of Exner, I would recommed this book highly. For someone who already knows the outlines of Exner's career, the book is less satisfying. While the infomation about Exner the person is one of the book's positive features, the material about Exner the designer merely whets the appetite for more. Part of what is lacking is more development of the context. If one parks a 1955 Chrysler, designed under Exner's command, next to a 1955 Buick, done under the command of the legendary Harley Earl, the surface development of the Chrysler is clearly more sophisticated. The book doesn't show the difference, nor does it show why the 1957 cars were so revolutionary, though the book does correctly point out that the '57 cars redefined the American automobile's proportions. Moreover, the book refers to Exner's influence on the 1970s Detroit cars without really exploring that influence. Key elements of, say, the 1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo are philosophically the same as the themes in the aborted 1962 cars designed during Exner's tenure. Besides more development of the context in which Exner's work appeared, more graphic information about the evolution of the completed Exner designs would enhance the book.

Enjoyed the book. Well written. Virgil Exner had an important impact on automotive styling. It's too bad that health shortened his career. The not often seen photos of the concept cars as they go through their evolution of ideas are great to see. The contribution of his son, Virgil Exner Jr. who is also a stylist of note, add much to the book.
Art, either "fine" or "industrial", is more interesting when I take the time to learn about the artist. A welcome addition to my library that is already on loan to entice other enthusiasts.

Virgil Exner has to be ranked as one of the great automotive designers of all time. This is a fairly comprehensive story of his life and his work. Most of the time the book is quite readable, although some errors in spelling and grammar show up. There is very little written information on Exner, so this book fills a critical need. If you are a Mopar fan, and just a fan of great automotive design, this is a must-have book.

Absoloutly loved this book. This guy really turned car design on it's head and this book details his great but short life and his career in design. The author really knows his stuff and includes interviews with his son and photos,renderings and sketches I have never seen before. If you are into 1950's Mopars you gotta read this book. Love the simple title Virgil Exner - Visioneer. This man truly befitting of this description.

Whether a Chrysler fanatic, or if you just are interested in the history of American Automotive design, this book is a great addition to the auto enthusiast library.