Re: [Chrysler300] The Exner Era @ the University of Notre Dame

["rob kern" <robkern@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Marv, Don, et al,
    Hello 300'ly to all!
    I was fortunate enough to get my copy of Peter Grist's book just a few days before the Springfield meet by way of a book clearing house affiliated with Amazon in London!  Anyway, I brought it to the meet and managed to show it to John Lazenby and Wayne Graefen then graciously took it with him and Sandy to Notre Dame the next day for the Exner event with hopes of getting my copy autographed by X, Jr..  I'm Forwardlooking to reading my autographed copy thanks to Wayne.  ROB KERN
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Don Warnaar 
  To: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; mjraguse@xxxxxxx 
  Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 6:57 PM
  Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] The Exner Era @ the University of Notre Dame


  Hello Marv,

  The Exner Era Tribute was a very special event. A vote of thanks is due to a few people for sharing news about the event with those on the Chrysler 300 listserver. Without such notice, I would not have known about the tribute to Virgil Exner, Sr. Wayne Graefen informed the group and included a link to the website that gave details of the day's events. Carlton Schroeder shared the fact that you would have your 300C on display. Your car is a stunning example of Ex's styling at its best. I am fortunate indeed to have had notice of the event and to have attended all the presentations. Peter Grist gave a wonderful talk and graciously chatted with everyone as he signed each book. A special highlight was to meet Virgil Exner, Jr. He gave of his time throughout the day and shared many memories of his father during his presentations. The day was a wonderful and fitting tribute to one of the great automobile stylists of all time. I think Ex would be proud to know there are so many of us who continue to admire and appreciate his work. I really enjoyed reading your follow-up email today along with the link to the Detroit News article. Thanks very much for sending it.

  Regards,
  Don Warnaar 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: mjraguse@xxxxxxx<mailto:mjraguse@xxxxxxx> 
  To: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
  Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 7:12 PM
  Subject: [Chrysler300] The Exner Era @ the University of Notre Dame

  FORWARD LOOK AUTO DESIGN: 
  THE EXNER ERA 
  Presented by the University of Notre Dame / Department of Art, Art History 
  & Design 
  September 29th, 2007 
  This past weekend we were fortunate to attend the wonderful Exner Era tribute 
  at Notre Dame University. Peter Grist, author of the much anticipated 
  biography “Virgil Exner- Visioneer”, was present to sign copies of his book and 
  present an Exner lecture at the Snite Museum on Saturday evening. A special 
  Exner designed poster was also available signed by Virgil Exner Jr. The tribute 
  was certainly possible only through the efforts of Professor Paul Down of the 
  Department of Art, Art History & Design. His recognition of the need to do 
  something extraordinary to honor alumnus Mr. Exner led to this event. 
  A special dinner was held at the Morris Inn on Campus to thank all who 
  supported the event through cars or material. In attendance also were a few famous 
  people in Virgil Jr’s.life. 
  After the dinner all guests departed for the Snite Museum for the Grist 
  lecture. After Peter’s presentation, Virgil took the podium to present his comments 
  and slides on his father’s legacy. A Q&A followed. At the lecture, Peter 
  Grist presented two beautiful plaques honoring Virgil Sr. to both the University’
  s Department of Design and to Buchanan High School. The plaques provided not 
  only a brief history of the man but also his classic posed image as well as a 
  prominent forward look emblem; a very considerate gift on the part of Mr. 
  Grist. 
  But the main event was the 9:00 am to 4:00 pm public display and presentation 
  of Exner Era work. Professor Paul Down commenced the event with his 
  presentation of the Exner contribution both to automobile design and Mr Exner’s 
  contribution to the school in the 1950s. Lectures and automobile industry 
  discussions continued all day. All of the invited vehicles were displayed in the Stepan 
  Hall, a unique geodesic dome on the north campus. Twelve significant vehicles 
  and the display of Exner artwork were arranged in Stepan Hall on the North 
  Campus for the public and students to review. 
  What was unusual about this event was the opportunity to see vehicles that 
  heretofore most had only seen in pictures. I took particular pleasure in seeing 
  Virgil Jr.'s Simca creation from about 1957 which embodied the front end 
  styling features of the 1963 Stingray. My favorite was General Lyon's Mercer 
  Cobra which Virgil Sr. produced in1964 for the Copper Development Company; a then 
  widely advertised retro design based on his favored long hood short deck 
  concept. Other notables included Ele Chesney’s 1954 Plymouth Belmont, a 1965 
  Bugatti 101CX, a 1970 Stutz, 1949 Studebaker Starlight Sedan, . 
  The Chrysler Museum, through the efforts of Brandt Rosenbusch, provided three 
  Exner era vehicles, a 1955 Dodge La Femme, a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere, and a 
  1955 Chrysler C-300. I brought my Gauguin red 1957 300 C. Virgil Exner Jr also 
  had a 2007 Chrysler 300 on display for a comparison to his father’s style. 
  On a celebrity note, Jay Leno, who could not attend due to a commitment, 
  chose to have one of his associates there to capture the occasion and bring a few 
  copies of the book home for him. Outside the hall, the Stutz club held their 
  meet. 
  I want to thank Professor Down and his staff for providing the forum for the 
  excellent tribute to our hero of design. 
  Please be sure to pick up a copy of Peter Grist’s book and if you are 
  inclined to send a message of how many of us are out here, please order it from the 
  University Book store at Notre Dame University. <eFollett.com> and search 
  under the title of general books. Key words of Grist and Exner will provide 
  ordering instructions. It is worth the investment. In this way it will help them 
  meet their expenses as well as show the tremendous interest that exists for the 
  man. Professor Down commented that the book store was at first skeptical of 
  the success of the book signing but by Saturday morning the sales had far 
  exceeded all expectations. Many were seen buying three or more copies. 
  In summary the event was the most excellent way to meet the man who worked 
  with his father during those incredible Forward Look creative years. Virgil 
  Exner Jr. was available throughout the day to talk to all of his and his father’s 
  fans. 
  For more information please go to 
  <http://info.detnews.com/joyrides/story/index.cfm?id=694<http://info.detnews.com/joyrides/story/index.cfm?id=694>> 
  If you open the icon on the left of the page you will see all of the cars on 
  display 
  Marv Raguse 

  ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com<http://www.aol.com/>

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