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'57-'58 Plymouth Design
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Powerflite
Posted 2023-01-22 2:16 AM (#627175)
Subject: '57-'58 Plymouth Design



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I asked Gordon Davis if he remembered who is the person sitting at the design table in this photograph, which I assume is the main designer of the '57 Plymouth. He replied "It could be David (E.) Scott. Clearly a posed photo that was probably shown in Chrysler's annual report." Mr Scott was the one responsible for the '56 Chrysler Plainsman concept and the front wheel drive Imperial design. I tried to find pictures of Mr. Scott to verify that this is indeed him, but haven't found anything yet. Anyone have a picture of him that they are sure of? If this is indeed him, then all those Christine fans will know who to thank for it.



(57 Plymouth Design Team.jpg)



(1956 Chrysler Plainsman.jpg)



(David Scott FWD Imperial Nov 55 (1).jpg)



(David Scott FWD Imperial Nov 55 (2).jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments 57 Plymouth Design Team.jpg (82KB - 41 downloads)
Attachments 1956 Chrysler Plainsman.jpg (250KB - 36 downloads)
Attachments David Scott FWD Imperial Nov 55 (1).jpg (44KB - 36 downloads)
Attachments David Scott FWD Imperial Nov 55 (2).jpg (27KB - 40 downloads)
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mikes2nd
Posted 2023-01-22 12:00 PM (#627184 - in reply to #627175)
Subject: Re: '57-'58 Plymouth Design


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but he screwed up on that lower grill!!

Exners even going WTF that looks horrible in the pic



Edited by mikes2nd 2023-01-22 12:01 PM
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Powerflite
Posted 2024-03-16 2:13 AM (#634228 - in reply to #627184)
Subject: Re: '57-'58 Plymouth Design



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Thanks to Josh, we have a corporate structure booklet from June 1957 (for the '60 models?) that details out everyone in the styling department under Exner. There is a separate person responsible for the radiator access ports and the lower valance, so that part wasn't likely designed by the same person as the rest of the body. So Mike, you have to find the right guy to blame, and his name is listed in this booklet on another page, but at least for the '60 models.

In general, the further removed you are from the actual design work, the less influence you have in the creation of the design. Managers can use veto power or encourage other directions, but the actual creator, to whom deserves the most credit exists toward the bottom of the ladder. You can see that the creation of the Plymouth exterior design (the interiors were designed by someone else, as were the fabrics etc.) went from:

H. C. LaGassey (exterior design stylist) to
Unknown (chief stylist) to
C. C. Voss (exterior design chief) to
W. M. Schmidt (executive stylist) to
V. M. Exner (director of styling)

You see my complaint? Exner gets all the credit for all the designs, but out of this list, he had the least influence over the Plymouth's, or any other of the designs! He is 5 rungs up the ladder from where the real work is being done! The real credit for the Plymouth design should go to Mr. LaGassey for whichever years this applies to. Since there isn't a cheif stylist in place at this time, the next best person to give credit to would be Mr. Voss.

According to this source, John (Dick) Samsen who was a stylist for Desoto in 1955, Homer LaGassey was in charge of Dodge styling in 1956, which would have covered the '58-'59 Dodge, I believe. Finally Doc has someone to blame. https://www.deansgarage.com/homer-lagassey/

So who was responsible for the '60 Chrysler & DeSoto design? Most likely it was a team effort between Kopka, Reynolds, and Teague.


Edited by Powerflite 2024-03-16 2:52 AM




(June 57 Exner Exterior Styling Team.jpg)



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Attachments June 57 Exner Exterior Styling Team.jpg (188KB - 7 downloads)
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Powerflite
Posted 2024-03-16 3:04 AM (#634230 - in reply to #627175)
Subject: Re: '57-'58 Plymouth Design



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The front end on this design by Mr. LaGassey sure looks familiar from the '60 Plymouth.



(HLG7.jpg)



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Attachments HLG7.jpg (59KB - 8 downloads)
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3N57-2729
Posted 2024-03-16 1:45 PM (#634243 - in reply to #627175)
Subject: Re: '57-'58 Plymouth Design



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If anyone would like to look at the additional pages I scanned of the styling portion of the organization manual, click on this link to the Google Photo album.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GzQocKBe6Yne6kup8
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mikes2nd
Posted 2024-03-17 10:50 AM (#634262 - in reply to #627175)
Subject: Re: '57-'58 Plymouth Design


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All design is still bottom up i believe.. although i think Exner kind of gives the "trend"... like "lets go with bigger fins"....Did Exner say that? who knows.

It is cool to see "ideas" moving from one sketch to an actual car....

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