20 Facts About Harley Earl

Harley Jarvis Earl was an American automotive designer and business executive.

Harley Earl was the initial designated head of design at General Motors, later becoming vice president, the first top executive ever appointed in design of a major corporation in American history.

Harley Earl was an industrial designer and a pioneer of modern transportation design.

Harley Earl subsequently introduced the "concept car" as both a tool for the design process and a clever marketing device.

Harley Earl started "Project Opel", which eventually became the Chevrolet Corvette, and he authorized the introduction of the tailfin to automotive styling.

The senior Harley Earl eventually changed his practice from horse-drawn vehicles to custom bodies and customized parts and accessories for automobiles, founding Harley Earl Automobile Works in 1908.

Harley Earl began studies at Stanford University, but left prematurely to work with, and learn from, his father at Harley Earl Automotive Works.

Harley Earl struggled to legitimize his design approach against the tradition- and production-oriented executives.

Harley Earl avoided extreme or radical styling choices that would become dated quickly and alienate conservative-minded customers.

In 1939, the Styling Division, under Harley Earl's instruction, styled and built the Buick Y-Job, the motor industry's first concept car.

In 1942, during World War II, Harley Earl established a camouflage research and training division at General Motors, one consequence of which was a 22-page document called Camouflage Manual for General Motors Camouflage.

Harley Earl authorized the Frank Hershey design for the 1948 Cadillac, which incorporated the first automotive tailfin.

Harley Earl first offered the project to Chevrolet general manager Ed Cole.

Harley Earl retired in 1958 upon reaching the then-mandatory retirement age of 65.

Harley Earl was succeeded as vice-president with responsibility for the Design and Styling Department by Bill Mitchell, under whose leadership GM design became less ornamental.

Harley Earl suffered a stroke and died in West Palm Beach, Florida, on April 10,1969.

Harley Earl is remembered as the first styling chief in the United States automobile industry, the originator of clay modeling of automotive designs, the wraparound windshield, the hardtop sedan, factory two-tone paint, and tailfins.

Harley Earl was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1986.

Harley Earl was used in a brief advertising campaign for Buick, particularly during its reconstruction period between 2001 and 2002.

Actor John Diehl, portraying Harley Earl was used to symbolize the importance of design in Buick's cars, or as the advertisements put it, the "Spirit of American Style".