#virgil exner

[morecarsthatnevermadeit]

Chrysler’s Dart Concept of 1955 was designed by Virgil Exner and built by Ghia in Italy to become the most aerodynamic car of its time. It featured a sliding roof panel that could be removed entirely and stowed in a compartment behind the rear seat. 

[wheelsgoroundincircles]

1960 Plymouth XNR

This is a 1960 Plymouth XNR, a one-of-a-kind concept car designed by Virgil Exner. 

It features a unique asymmetrical design with a distinct power bulge running down the driver's side. 

The car is powered by a Chrysler Slant-6 engine. 

It was built by Carrozzeria Ghia in Italy and was capable of reaching speeds up to 150 mph. 

The XNR was intended as a functional sports roadster to compete with the Corvette. 

[photoshoparthouse]

Chrysler Streamline X "Gilda" (1955) What the Jetsons would've driven if they didn't already own a flying car. ✨ Check out those fins!!!

One of the most futuristic Jet-Age concept cars ever created, the Chrysler Streamline X "Gilda" was originally powered by a gas turbine engine. It was named after Rita Hayworth's iconic character in the 1946 film Gilda.

[rabbitcoolcars2]

1955 Chrysler Falcon Concept by Ghia

Virgil Exner designed the 1955 Falcon and had pre-production prototypes hand-built by Carrozzeria Ghia in Turin, Italy, incorporating existing Chrysler parts and manufacturing techniques already in place. The most famous surviving example of the Falcon was built on a shortened C-300 chassis and is powered by the 331 cubic inch FirePower HEMI V8 paired with a two-speed PowerFlite automatic.

[transport-methodology-101]

Fin tails were a prominent styling element which was part of the "Forward Look" design introduced by Chrysler's design chief Virgil Exner.

[whativebecome]

[frenchcurious]

Duesenberg Model D Rendering Ghia (Virgil Exner) 1966. - source Roland Richter.

[diabolus1exmachina]

Chrysler Special Coupé by Ghia (1 of 19). 

One of the first Chrysler show cars designed by Virgil Exner and built by Italian coachbuilder Ghia, the appropriately named Chrysler Special was first exhibited at the Paris Salon in October 1952. Built on a New Yorker chassis shortened by six inches, it featured unusually high radiused wheel arches that extended almost to the top of the fenders, smooth sides that flowed from bumper to bumper with only a small “kick” in the rear fender curve, rounded headlights, and a broad chromed trapezoidal grille.Its subtle yet muscular lines made the Special the hit of the show, and M. Ladouch, proprietor of the French Chrysler importers France Motors, realized that there was a willing market for a small number of copies, for which he secured the support of Chrysler export manager C.B. Thomas.Ghia’s “production” Chrysler Special was based upon the original show car but built upon a standard-wheelbase, 125.5-inch New Yorker platform and with a modified semi-fastback roofline to accommodate four full-sized adults. The first of these limited-production, hand-built cars was made for C.B. Thomas himself, and was followed by another 18 cars, six for customers of France Motors and another dozen for clients of Ghia. All were originally delivered in Europe. American customers, in many cases—with the exception of the fortunate Mr. Thomas—remained unaware that this truly “special” Chrysler even existed until a few of the cars made their way stateside later in life. Nonetheless, this “dream car for the public” can be seen as the forerunner of similar efforts to follow later in the 1950s, most prominently the Dual Ghia.