Harley Earl Overated?

Probably because he worked for GM and it is in the company's interest to promote it's "hero". Makes for good propaganda. I think he was probably as good as most since GM did on occasion makes some exceptionally nice cars during his era.

I think he is so widely referenced since he was responsible for taking custom body styling and applying it to production cars (the LaSalle) then expanding his program to the entire GM line and changing styling every year, and this happening on almost half the cars built in America. I understand he himself could not draw, and was of ruthless temper, but he had lots of influence on GM management (he was also a VP) and made styling a big part of GMs success. Bob Gregorie at Ford was technically more talented than Earl, as was Gordon Buehrig at ACD, and other classic-era designers. But they were not as powerful in their companies and did not have the wide-reaching influence or volume of work that Earl (or, more specifically, Earl's department) had. That said, I think the commercials are ineffectual on the modern Buick buyer, but who asked me? Todd C

I agree with you, Todd. Harley Earl made it big business to bring esthetics to the table and present the American consumer with designs that are pleasing to the eye and fun to show off.

I do think without that early consumer push we might not have the cars we have grown to love.

Technically he was not the power at the drawing table. Bill Mitchell was. He was a brilliant conceptual designer. The finer mechanical points were left to the team to work out, and god help them if they weren't on time!!!

As for the Buick ads...I think Harley would be spinning in his grave. As I said once before, the new Buick Ultra is only a 3 holer!!! And they dumped Oldsmobile over Buick. Sad sad sad.

<img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />Keep in mind that General Motors are the folks who convinced the American public that they had to get a new car every couple of years. They did this through styling changes that made your old car look out of date. Prior to that, model changes were evolutionary, and not determined by the calendar.

That's all true, Chuck, and wasn't it a wonderful time. It was really fun to sneak a peek through the covered windows of the dealership before the debut day. Every year was an exciting time. Now, people our age could care less about the new cars. There's just replaced before we think their time is getting short. It's really sad what has happened to the auto industry with their styling priorities. I get so mad here lately at my Autoweek magazine that I'm real close to asking for a refund on my last 3 years of subscription. That's what's so great about the Virginia antique tagging system. You can only drive an antique occasionally, but if you have enough cars you'll have a different one to drive each day of the week. Once a week is occasional, right. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Wayne

I personally think that Earl was very overated, and wonder what he would have done and what influence he would have had without such a large staff under him. There are about 6 designers of the era that I can think of that had more talent than Earl. One exanple take a look at Earls famous Buick Y Job car from 1940. Then take a look at the Alex Tremulis design of the Chrysler Thunderbolt and Newport to me these two designs where light years ahead and better looking that Earls Y Job Buick. A few more examples coming monday night.