Virgil Exner
Virgil Exner
Chrysler President K.T. Keller hired designer Virgil Exner in 1949 to bring the automaker to the next level by developing a series of “idea cars” to influence new production vehicles. The first of what are now known as “concept” cars was the 1950 Chrysler K-310, showcasing the company’s revolutionary HEMI® V-8 engine.
Exner worked from a “pure automobile” design philosophy in which functional elements of the car – such as wheels, radiator grilles, spare tire storage, taillights, etc. – were featured instead of disguised.
He was named Director of Styling in 1953 and Chrysler’s first Vice President of Styling four years later. Under Exner’s direction, Chrysler’s design department swelled from 17 staff members to more than 280 as he led a campaign to completely remake the company’s product line.
Exner’s all-new Forward Look cars in 1955 ushered in a fresh era of Chrysler design and are today considered leading icons of America’s “tailfin era” of automotive design.