Next Cars & Coffee - Saturday August 8th - Special Guest Richard Earl

[Mike Phillips]

This video does a really great job of telling the life story and accomplishments of Harley Earl.



Harley Earl - GM Designer Extraordinaire



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[Mike Phillips]

The Firebird designs were Harley Earl designs. This video show how the Harley Earl design was taken from start to finish and incorporated new technologies like,

Cruise Control
Keyless Entry
Onboard Computers
Automatic Guidance or Auto Pilot



Harley Earl Firebird III Movie


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[Mike Phillips]

Quotes about Harley Earl from Dennis Gage



Harley Earl was the guy that basically came up with the concept of the “concept car”. His first was the Buick Y-Job in 1939, Project Opel lead to the Corvette, and of course there’re the Flash Gordon fins on the ’59 Caddy.

I think my favorite though was the La Sabre in 1951. This was a magnificent, hand-built, custom car with design elements that found their way into many different production models over the years.

But this was when concept cars really ran, and after it was debuted and toured, Harley used it as transportation and rolled over 50,000 miles on it. Now that guy knew how to roll!

I got to drive it myself for a short distance at “Eyes on Design” back in 2003. That car made a lasting impression on me, and Harley Earl had a lasting impact on automotive design.


Dennis Gage

1951 LeSabre Concept Car

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=97892




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[Mike Phillips]

This video shares 3 of Harley Earl's car designs for Chevrolet's Motorama.

Excellent video of these cars!



Harley Earl Motorama Cars


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[BillE]

Thank you for ALL the vids Mike!

Really fun to look back and see what may/could/want to happen with auto design and engineering.

When the Firebirds were in the picture, kerosene was, what 10¢/gallon? Nowadays, it's pushing $5/gallon. Would have been a bit pricy to fill the tank today...LOL.

I can imagine the 'hot rod society' figuring out a way to really get the turbine roar vice just the whine. Think about it, it's midnight and you're trying to ease away from your girl friends house at midnight, and the N-3 stage kicks in (unrestricted)...BUSTED! Oh that would have fun.

Again, thanx for all the info on Mr. Earl.

Bill

[Mike Phillips]

Thank you for ALL the vids Mike!

Really fun to look back and see what may/could/want to happen with auto design and engineering.

When the Firebirds were in the picture, kerosene was, what 10¢/gallon? Nowadays, it's pushing $5/gallon. Would have been a bit pricy to fill the tank today...LOL.

I can imagine the 'hot rod society' figuring out a way to really get the turbine roar vice just the whine. Think about it, it's midnight and you're trying to ease away from your girl friends house at midnight, and the N-3 stage kicks in (unrestricted)...BUSTED! Oh that would have fun.

Again, thanx for all the info on Mr. Earl.

Bill


No problem Bill....


It's going to be a real treat having Harley's grandson Richard here this Saturday. I've seen him speak before and his both knowledgeable about his grandfather's history and impact in the automotive world and charismatic too.


We'll be starting a power point presentation at 8:30am this Saturday with questions ans answers afterwards.

Richard is also bringing some shirts to raffle off and some examples of the modeling clay used by Harley Earl and still used today to create mock-ups of concept cars.

It's going to be a great Cars & Coffee show this Saturday at Autogeek!


PLUS - Our Tech Session is on engine detailing, a topic the local car guys have been requesting for some time now.



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[Mike Phillips]

Here's a quote about Harley Earl from Barry Meguiar





Harley Earl is still viewed as the Father of Automotive Design for the automotive industry and for sure GM.

He brought us clay modeling, the first concept car, the Corvette, the tail fins of the '50's, etc. etc.

Pure Genius!

–Barry Meguiar




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[feslope]

Here's a quote about design from Harley Earl....


Design and beauty not only command attention, but they are the very foundation of living, changing progress... not only in automobiles but in all man's handiwork. - Harley Earl


The 1959 Cadillac CycloneThe last Harley Earl concept car to be built.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=97874

:dblthumb2:I remember this car at the 59 auto show. I was so intrigued with it having a rear view TV camera system, I was allowed to sit in it and the rear view was demonstrated for me. The video monitor IS installed high in the dash and intended to replace the rear view mirror. The Cadillac Cyclone still exists and has been perfectly maintained to this day.

[Mike Phillips]

The dorsal fins built into the Cyclone concept care (those are the ones sticking out on the lower portion of the back of the fenders), wound up being a part of the 1961 to 1963 Cadillacs.

Here's two 1962 Cadillacs, note the dorsal fins....


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=98240


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=98239


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[Mike Phillips]

Here's what Wayne Carini has to say about Harley Earl...





Harley Earl was an engineering artist. With his designs and the way he presented them to the public, through his Motorama shows that brought the future of automotive design to the consumer, he changed the automotive industry.

-Wayne Carini





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[Mike Phillips]

Looks to be another beautiful day for Cars & Coffee here in sunny Stuart, Florida!


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