The 1962 Plymouth remains a controversial topic among automotive enthusiasts and historians. While some admire its unique styling, others criticize it as a misstep in automotive design. One prevalent narrative attributes the car’s controversial design to the declining health of Virgil Exner, Chrysler’s lead designer at the time. This article delves into this claim, examining historical evidence and expert opinions to determine the validity of attributing the 1962 Plymouth’s design to Exner’s health.
The Downsizing of the 1962 Plymouth
In the late 1950s, Chrysler, like other American automakers, embraced the Forward Look design philosophy, characterized by long, low, and wide cars with ample chrome accents. Virgil Exner, renowned for his innovative and often flamboyant designs, spearheaded this movement at Chrysler. However, the company’s financial troubles in the early 1960s forced a change in direction.
Faced with declining sales and mounting pressure from new compact cars, Chrysler’s management made the decision to downsize its full-size models, including the Plymouth. This decision meant scrapping Exner’s original full-size designs for the 1962 model year and opting for a smaller, more cost-effective platform.
The Impact of Exner’s Health
The narrative that Exner’s declining health significantly impacted the 1962 Plymouth’s design is rooted in the idea that the downsizing came late in the development process, leaving Exner and his team with limited time to adapt the design. According to this narrative, a healthier Exner would have had the energy and time to create a more polished and cohesive design.
However, historical accounts present a more nuanced picture. While it’s true that Exner faced health challenges during this period, attributing the 1962 Plymouth’s design solely to his health overlooks other contributing factors.
Other Contributing Factors
Several other factors played a crucial role in shaping the 1962 Plymouth’s design.
1. Cost-Cutting Measures
Chrysler’s financial constraints led to significant cost-cutting measures, impacting the 1962 Plymouth’s design. For instance, the company decided to share door sheetmetal between the Plymouth and Dodge models, a decision that compromised the design’s uniqueness and contributed to its boxy appearance.
1962 Plymouth four-door hardtop and 1962 Dodge Polara 4-door hardtop
2. Engineering Constraints
The downsizing also presented engineering challenges that impacted the car’s overall proportions and design. The need to accommodate existing engines and transmissions within a smaller frame further restricted the design team’s freedom.
3. Shifting Market Trends
By the early 1960s, automotive styling trends were moving away from the flamboyance of the Forward Look era. The market embraced cleaner, more angular designs, leaving the 1962 Plymouth’s sculpted lines looking somewhat dated even upon its release.
Exner’s Vision vs. Corporate Decisions
While Exner’s original full-size designs for the 1962 Plymouth were never produced, surviving sketches and clay models offer a glimpse into his vision. These designs suggest that Exner aimed to evolve the Forward Look aesthetic, incorporating some of the emerging trends towards cleaner lines while retaining a sense of drama.
However, it’s crucial to note that design decisions at large corporations like Chrysler are rarely made in isolation. Exner’s vision was undoubtedly influenced by market trends, engineering limitations, and, most significantly, corporate mandates.
The 1963 Restyling
Further complicating the narrative is the fact that Chrysler’s new president, Lynn Townsend, ordered a significant restyling of the Plymouth for the 1963 model year, just one year after the controversial 1962 model debuted. This rapid redesign suggests that Townsend, perhaps more so than Exner’s health, played a pivotal role in shaping the design direction of Plymouths during this era.
Conclusion
While it’s tempting to draw a direct line between Virgil Exner’s health and the 1962 Plymouth’s design, the reality is far more complex. The car’s design resulted from a confluence of factors, including corporate decisions, financial constraints, engineering limitations, shifting market trends, and, yes, potentially even Exner’s health. Attributing the design solely to his health risks oversimplifying a complex historical situation.
The 1962 Plymouth serves as a reminder that automotive design is a collaborative process, shaped by numerous internal and external forces. While Exner’s illness might have played a role, it’s essential to recognize the broader context and acknowledge the myriad factors that ultimately led to the car’s final form.
FAQs
1. Did Virgil Exner design the 1962 Plymouth?
Virgil Exner was the head of design at Chrysler during the 1962 Plymouth’s development. However, attributing the design solely to him overlooks the influence of corporate decisions, cost-cutting measures, and engineering constraints.
2. Why was the 1962 Plymouth downsized?
The 1962 Plymouth was downsized due to Chrysler’s financial troubles and the increasing popularity of compact cars. The company aimed to create a more competitive and fuel-efficient model.
3. Why was the 1962 Plymouth restyled so quickly?
The 1962 Plymouth’s design was met with mixed reactions, and Chrysler’s new president, Lynn Townsend, pushed for a significant restyling for the 1963 model year to align the car with evolving market preferences.
4. What was the Forward Look design philosophy?
The Forward Look was Chrysler’s design philosophy in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It emphasized long, low, and wide cars with ample chrome accents, aiming to create a sense of motion and modernity.
5. What is Virgil Exner’s legacy in automotive design?
Virgil Exner is remembered as a talented and influential automotive designer who left his mark on Chrysler’s design language during his tenure. While the 1962 Plymouth remains controversial, his other designs, such as the 1957 Chrysler 300C and the 1959 Dodge Dart, are celebrated as icons of automotive design.