Wikicars - User contributions [en]

Corvette XP-64 concept racer

2007-02-12T01:41:52Z

Bill Wrigley: /* Design */

Corvette XP-700 concept

2007-01-25T00:32:35Z

Bill Wrigley: /* Trivia */

File:1962 Dodge Dart GT.jpg

2007-01-24T12:28:59Z

Bill Wrigley: /* Rationale of fair use for 1962 Dodge Dart GT */

== Summary ==
'''Description:''' Promotional image of the ''[[Dodge Dart]]''.<br>
'''Source:''' © 2006 Crysler Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

==Source==
*[http://www.chrysler.com/ Crysler.com]

==Rationale of fair use for [[Dodge Dart|1962 Dodge Dart GT]]==
# The image is a promotional photograph intended for distribution to the public by [[Chrysler|Chrysler Corporation]].
# The image is of historical significance
# No free or public domain images have been located for this image.
# The promo shot is of lower resolution than the original (copies made from it will be of inferior quality).
# The promo shot does not limit the copyright owners' rights to distribute the image in any way.
# The promo shot is being used for informational purposes only.

== Licensing ==
{{promotional}}

File:1962 Dodge Dart GT.jpg

2007-01-24T12:25:40Z

Bill Wrigley: /* Rationale of fair use for 1962 Dodge Dart GT */

== Summary ==
'''Description:''' Promotional image of the ''[[Dodge Dart]]''.<br>
'''Source:''' © 2006 Crysler Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

==Source==
*[http://www.chrysler.com/ Crysler.com]

==Rationale of fair use for [[Dodge Dart|1962 Dodge Dart GT]]==
# The image is a promotional photograph intended for distribution to the public by General Motors.
# The image is of historical significance
# No free or public domain images have been located for this image.
# The promo shot is of lower resolution than the original (copies made from it will be of inferior quality).
# The promo shot does not limit the copyright owners' rights to distribute the image in any way.
# The promo shot is being used for informational purposes only.

== Licensing ==
{{promotional}}

Dodge Dart

2007-01-24T12:24:48Z

Bill Wrigley:

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:1962 Dodge Dart GT.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Dodge Dart'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Chrysler Corporation]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| aka
| Swinger<br>
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| 1960-1976
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| compact
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body type
| 2 door, 4 door, [[Sedan|sedan]], [[Coupé|coupé]], convertable, wagon, GT
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Powertrain
| Front engine, rear-wheel drive
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Engine
| 1-6, V-8, Hemi, OHV
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Transmission
| 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, automatic
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Similar
| [[Plymouth Valiant]]<br>[[Chevrolet Nova]]<br>[[Ford Falcon]]
|}
The '''Dodge Dart''' was an automobile built by the [[Dodge]] division of the [[Chrysler Corporation]] from 1960 to 1976. The Dart was introduced as a lower-priced, shorter wheelbase, full-size Dodge in 1960 and 1961, became a mid-size car for 1962, and finally was a compact between 1963 and 1976. Dodge also used the "Dart" name for a Ghia-built show car in the 1950s.
== Model years ==
=== 1960 ===
The 1960 Dodge Dart Pioneer four-door hardtop was aimed squarely at the market segment dominated by the [[Chevrolet Impala]], [[Ford Galaxie]] and the [[Plymouth Fury]]. The first Dodge Darts were full-size cars developed to replace the Plymouth as the low-priced car for the Dodge dealer network; Dodge dealers had been selling Plymouths since 1930, but divisional restructuring in 1960 took Plymouth away from the Dodge dealer network. The Dart was a shorter wheelbase full-size car than the standard-size Dodge line, and was based on the Plymouth platform. The Dart line was divided into three trim levels: the entry-level Seneca, the mid-range Pioneer, and the well-appointed Phoenix.

Introduced for the 1960 model year, the Dart was at once a short term marketing masterstroke. Sales of the Dart outstripped those of the full-size Dodge Matador and Dodge Polara, but it also created an in-house competitor for Plymouth. Even advertising from 1960 and 1961 compared the Dart to the "C" car (Chevrolet), the "F" car (Ford) and the "P" car (Plymouth).

As Dart sales climbed, Plymouth's sales dropped and Chyrsler's corporate heads did nothing to stop the in-fighting between the divisions. Dart sales were so strong in 1960 that Dodge had to cut back its medium-priced model lineup. The full-size, mid-priced Matador was discontinued after the 1960 model year as buyers flocked to the better-appointed and less expensive Dart Pioneer. The premium Polara was left alone to wage battle in the medium-price segment.
=== 1961 ===
1961 Dodge Dart advertising image showing a three-quarter view of the automobile. The reverse fins (which became smaller towards the rear of the car) proved unpopular with American consumers.The Dart emerged again in 1961 as the smallest full-size Dodge (118 in, 2997 mm wheelbase), restyled to emulate but not duplicate the senior Dodge Polara (which had a 122 in, 3099 mm wheelbase). Darts were again subdivided into three trim levels: the premium Phoenix, mid-range Pioneer, and base Seneca.

Engines choices available started with Chrysler's new-for-1960 225 in³ (3.7 L) Slant-6 engine; the 318 in³ (5.2 L) and 361 in³ (5.9 L) V8s were also available in various configurations. Phoenix convertibles were all equipped with V8 engines. Beginning in mid-year, some Darts ordered with the 225 in³ engine were equipped with the die-cast aluminum block. Darts in all series were equipped as standard with three-speed, column-shifted manual transmissions. Chrysler's pushbutton-shifted TorqueFlite automatic was available at extra cost.

But Virgil Exner's odd restyling with its reverse fins, rear fender scalloping and odd-looking concave grille was highly unpopular with consumers. There was also an adverse reaction to the low positioning of the Dart's taillights; drivers in other cars complained that they couldn't see the minuscule lights positioned just above the corner of the bottom bumper. As designed, the taillights wrapped around to the side of the vehicle to provide side visibility at night, but of the total taillight area, the majority was faced on the side of the car, not the rear of the vehicle. By mid-year, Dodge was forced to make auxiliary taillights available to consumers at extra cost through its dealer network. However, the lights were awkwardly placed near the inboard side of the reverse fins, and made the odd-duck Dart look even more ungainly.

As a result Dodge saw Dart sales drop by 53% to 142,000 units; the even more bizarrely styled Polara fared even worse by producing just 14,032 units — a whopping 67% decline from the "slow" 1960 sales year. And that was just the beginning of the bad news for Dodge in 1961:

Of the total number of Darts sold, almost half were sold in the Dart's least expensive model, the Seneca (66,100). Combined sales of the Dart and the Polara were lower than Plymouth's sales for 1961. Dodge ranked ninth in sales in the American market in 1961, down from sixth place in 1960.
Sales of the compact Dodge Lancer were 74,773 units compared to its Plymouth twin, the Valiant, which sold 143,078 units for the same year. The Lancer aside, production of the 1961 model year saw Dodge's total production drop below that of the slow selling 1959 model year and dangerously close to the disastrous Eisenhower recession year of 1958.
=== 1962 ===
Promotional artwork of the 1962 Dodge Dart.For 1962, the Dart was downsized as part of Chrysler's hastily planned effort to compete with what company leaders thought would be downsized large cars from Chevrolet. Chevrolet actually fielded a genuinely full-size car, and the Dart was perceived more as an intermediate than as a true full-size car. The Polara shared the body change with the Dart, but was offered in higher trim. Dodge dealers voiced their displeasure at being unable to offer consumers a true "full-size" car. To placate its dealer network, Chrysler hastily created the Dodge Custom 880 by mating its 1961 Dodge Polara front clip to its 1962 Chrysler Newport's de-finned body. Debuting in January 1962, the Custom 880 helped to remind customers that Dodge indeed offered a full-size car.

Styling aside, the new Dart was on an all-new lightweight unibody platform, featuring Chrysler's well-received torsion-bar front suspension and asymmetric leaf springs. The rigidity gained through the unibody process combined with the suspension provided sound handling, braking, and acceleration; the latter especially with the mid-year 415 hp "Super Stock" 413 in³ (6.8 L) V8. Chrysler continued to use this platform, with minor variations continued through 1979 and in several models.

The Seneca, Pioneer and Phoenix trim levels were dropped in 1962. Dart trim levels became Dart, Dart 330, Dart 440, and Dodge Polara 500, the latter being offered in 2-door hardtop and convertible styles only with a 4-door hardtop added in December. The Polara 500 was not built or sold in Canada, and the Dart series were the same as in the U.S.
=== 1963-1966 ===
At the end of the 1962 model year, Dodge dropped the Lancer nameplate and moved the Dart name to Dodge's newly-redesigned "senior compact" referred to due to the wheelbase having grown from the Valiant's 106.5 in to a relatively lengthy 111 in (2819 mm), which remained in place until the final Dart was built in 1976. The Dart was available as a 2 or 4-door sedan, 2-door hardtop coupe, station wagon, and convertible. Three trim levels were now available: 170, 270, and GT.

The Dart GT was marketed as a premium/sporty car, available as a coupe or convertible. The car, trim aside, would remain basically unchanged until it was restyled for the 1967 model year. A lightweight 273 in³ (4.5 L), 180 bhp V8 was introduced mid-1964, with a high-performance 235 bhp version for 1965, when disc brakes were also released for the first time.

Sales of the Dart began to rebound in 1963 and remained strong for the duration of the Dart's tenure as a Dodge model.
=== 1967-1969 ===
1967 Dodge DartThe Dart and its sister model, the Plymouth Valiant, were significantly redesigned for the 1967 model year. In addition to new styling, the cars received revised steering systems, wider front track (and wider spaced rails) and redesigned K-members capable of accepting physically larger engines. The Dart would keep this basic form, with a few facelifts consisting of revised front and rear end styling and interior trim, until the end of A-body production in 1976 (US/Canada/Mexico) and 1983 (South America).

The restyled Dart for 1967 featured a rear window with compound inverse curves. This created a unique appearance at the rear of the greenhouse, but tended to collect snow and created thick C-pillars that looked formal but created blindspots for drivers. Curved side glass was used for the first time on a Chrysler compact. Up front, there was a new dual-plane front end contour: the center section of the grille, bumper and leading edge of the hood were recessed from the front plane of the car. The single headlamps were placed forward of the recessed center section, defining the front plane. (There are reports Chrysler stylists were forced to use round headlamps after having originally created the front end arrangement anticipating timely US government approval of retangular headlights, which did not occur. DOT records do not support this notion, but additional research is in progress on the matter.) Park/turn lamps were set into the grille, in the corners formed by the transition area between the recessed and forward sections. This same front end treatment, with minor cosmetic changes to the grille and the park/turn lamps relocated to the front bumper, was also used by Chrysler Australia for their 1967 VE-model Valiant.

With the new design, changes were made to the Dart line-up, beginning with the elimination of its station wagons and the base model's "170" designation. The only body styles were the 2 and 4 door sedans, the hardtop, and the convertible. The base 170 model was now badged simply as Dart. The 270 and GT versions carried on unchanged for the most part. In late 1967, the GTS model debuted but was built in limited quantities due to its lateness in the model year; the 1968 GTS would be, arguably, improved by fitting the new high-outout 340 in³ (5.6 L) V8 engine as standard equipment.

The 2-door sedan was dropped at the end of 1968 and replaced with the Swinger 2-door hardtop for 1969. Also added was the Swinger 340.

'''Changes during the styling cycle'''

In 1968, Dodge released one of the most feared drag cars ever: the 1968 Hurst Hemi Dart. Dodge would ship Dart body shells to Hurst and they would install a ram-inducted 426 in³ (7.0 L) Hemi V8 under the hood. Using fiberglass fenders and hood, belt straps for window cranks, and A100 seats for decreased weight, this car and its sister car, the Hurst Hemi Barracuda, would dominate Super Stock for decades to come, in fact, it still does today 92006.) Grand Spaulding Dodge, a notable Dodge dealer in Chicago owned by legendary builder "Mr. Norm" Krause, put the 440 in³ Magnum engine under the hoods of selected Dart GTSs and renamed them GSS for "Grand Spaulding Special." Efforts like this led Grand Spaulding Dodge to become a noted provider of Dodges specially modified for extremely high performance, much as Yenko and Royal Pontiac did for Chevrolet and Pontiac, respectively.

Other changes for 1968 were more subtle. The park/turn lights in the grille were moved slightly inboard and made round. Sidemarker lights were added to the front fenders and rear quarter panels, to comply with newly introduced Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108. Other changes to comply with new federal safety laws included collapsible steering columns, additional padding on the dashboard and sunvisors, a brake system fault warning light, shoulder harnesses (separate, this year and until 1973, from the lap belts) and nonglare matte finish on the windshield wiper arms. Chrysler's "Clean Air Package" emission control system became standard equipment on cars sold in all 50 states. The steering linkage was revised again, as were the windshield and backlight gaskets and trim-lock strips, leaving the 1967 pieces in these departments as one-year-only items. The standard rear axle ratio was dropped from 2.93 to 2.76 with all standard-performance engines and automatic transmission. Part-throttle downshift functionality was added as a refinement to the TorqueFlite automatic transmission in 6-cylinder cars, to retain acceptable city performance with the taller rear axle ratio.

For 1969, the Dart received annual trim updates including another minor revision of the grille, and a return to rectangular park/turn lights. The 1968 round sidemarker lights were replaced with rectangular reflectors. Head restraints were optional equipment until January 1, 1969, when their installation became mandatory under federal law. The 6-cylinder models received a carburetor anti-ice system borrowed from Canadian-market Chrysler 6-cylinder engines, and the drum brake automatic adjustors were revised for more consistent operation. Also, the two-door pillared sedan was deleted from the lineup.
=== 1970-1976 ===
The Dart was refreshed for 1970 with front and rear changes designed to bring the car closer to the design themes found in Dodge’s full-size vehicles through grille and contour changes. In the rear, the Dart’s new rectangular tail lights were set into a wedge-shaped rear bumper design continuing the angled trailing edge of the new deck lid and quarter panels. The revised rear styling cut trunk space almost in half compared to the 1969 model. 14-inch wheels became standard equipment, and the 170 in³ Slant-6 was replaced by a larger 198 in³ version for improved base-model performance and greater manufacturing economy (since the 198 shared a block with the 225, while the 170 had used its own block). Changes to the fuel system improved driveability, economy and emission control. Part-throttle downshift was added to the 8-cylinder automatic transmissions. In compliance with FMVSS 108, sidemarker lights and reflectors were installed at all four corners.

A number of other changes were made to the Dart line for 1970 in order to avoid internal competition with Dodge's new ponycar, the Challenger. The convertible was discontinued along with the optional 383 and 440 cubic-inch V8 options, leaving the small-block 275-horsepower 340 four-barrel V8 as the top Dart engine. The sole performance model in the Dart line for 1970 was the Swinger 340 two-door hardtop.

Beginning in 1971, the "Swinger" name was applied to the high line two-door hardtop (formerly the Custom) while the base hardtop was called the "Swinger Special." The single taillamps of 1970 were given over to the badge-engineered Plymouth Valiant Scamp, while the 1971 Dart received new dual taillamps that would be used through the 1973 model year.

Also in 1971 Dodge also gained a version of Plymouth's popular Valiant-based fastback Duster, called the Demon. As was the case with previous Dodge rebadges of Plymouth Valiants (e.g. the 1961-1962 Dodge Lancer), sales of the Demon lagged behind those of the Duster.

The Swinger 340, Dart's performance model, was replaced by the Demon 340 for 1971. Chrysler Canada, though, did build a small number of Swinger 340 hardtops based on the Swinger Special for two dealers in Western Canada. For 1973 the Demon fastback was renamed Dart Sport, in response to certain Christian groups' complaints about the "Demon" name and devil-with-pitchfork logo. The big-engined fastbacks thus became Dart Sport 340 in 1973, and Dart Sport 360 for 1974 when the 360 in³ (5.9 L) V8 replaced the 340 in³ (5.6 L) V8.

1973 models gained more massive front bumpers to comply with new federal regulations, as well as side-impact guard beams in the doors and new emission control devices. New single-piston disc brakes replaced the more complex 4-piston units offered from 1965 to 1972, though Chrysler did not address the premature rear-wheel lockup that continued to plague disc brake equipped Darts. Chrysler's robust new electronic ignition system was standard equipment with all engines, and starter motors were revised for faster engine cranking.

New for 1973 was the Dart Sport Convertriple, basically a Dart Sport with a fold down rear seat and a manual sunroof. It was advertised as "Three Cars In One" including an economy compact, a convertible alternative with the sunroof and a roomy station wagon-alternative thanks to a fold down rear seat. The fastback roofline and fold down rear seat were similar in concept to two other Chrysler Corporation vehicles of the past including the glassback 1964-66 Plymouth Barracuda and the original 1966-67 Dodge Charger.

In 1974, the US federal 5 mph bumper impact standards were extended to cover rear bumpers as well as front ones; as a result the Dart's rear bumper grew much more massive. Taillights larger than the previous year's items were set above the rear bumper, rather than within it. Shoulder and lap belts were finally unitized into a retractable, inertia-sensitive "Uni-belt", replacing the difficult-to-use separate belts that had been installed through 1973.

The Dart and its Plymouth Valiant/Duster clone led the American compact car market during the early 1970s. Their already-strong popularity was bolstered by the Arab oil embargo of 1973, which caused gasoline shortages with long lines at stations and dramatic price increases at the pump. To capitalize on an emerging trend toward luxurious compact cars, Dodge introduced the Dart SE (Special Edition) in mid-1974 as a four-door sedan and two-door hardtop. The SE included velour high back bucket seats with folding armrest, carpeted door panels, woodgrain instrument panel and deluxe wheel covers along with a TorqueFlite automatic transmission as standard equipment.

Aside from a new grille, the 1975 models were virtually identical to the 1974s, except that California and certain high-altitude models were equipped with catalytic converters and so required unleaded gasoline. A 4-speed manual transmission was offered for the first time with a 6-cylinder engine since 1965, and with a new overdrive 4th gear ratio. A special-image model of the Dart Sport, the Dart Sport Hang Ten, featured surf-themed graphics.

In 1976, several special models were offered. The Dart was made available in a police-spec version, with production code A38. The A38 Dart had the highest-specification components and systems from front to back; suspension (with a rear sway bar), brakes, cooling, electrical, and powertrain systems were all maximum-duty. The engine was Chrysler's 360 in³ V8, with an A727 TorqueFlite transmission. Production totals were low, with most A38 Darts going to the Los Angeles Police Department and the Ventura Police Department in Southern California.

The Dart Sport got several special variants for 1976. In a tie-in with the American bicentennial celebration, a Spirit of '76 edition was released featuring white paint with prominent red and blue bodyside striping meant to evoke the image of the American flag. And with fuel economy becoming more of a concern, a special Dart Lite was released. This was a Dart Sport made as light as possible with an aluminum hood, trunk bracing and bumper brackets, an aluminum intake manifold on the 225 in³ Slant-6 engine for the first time since 1960, specially-calibrated carburetor and distributor, extra-tall rear axle ratio, and TorqueFlite automatic or the A833 4-speed manual transmission. The Dart Lite and its sister model, the Plymouth Feather Duster, were rated at an impressive 36 mpg highway with a manual transmission.

For the Dart's final year of 1976, front disc brakes became standard equipment and a new foot-operated parking brake replaced the under-dash T-handle unit that had been used since the Dart's 1963 introduction as a compact car.

Over the Dart's total production run, the Dart earned a reputation as a dependable and "bulletproof" car. Ultimately, the Dart was replaced by the Dodge Aspen beginning in late spring of 1976—a replacement Lee Iacocca would later lament due to the Aspen's many early quality problems.
== Engines ==
The Dart was available with a range of engines, from the workhorse Slant-6 to the big-block 383 in³ V8.
=== Slant six ===
The 170 in³ Slant-6 engine remained standard equipment, though its power rating rose from 101 bhp to 115 bhp for 1967, owing to a new camshaft and larger carburetor. The 225 in³ Slant-6 was a very popular and inexpensive upgrade option.
=== Small block ===
The 273 in³ (4.5 L) small-block V8 was joined on the option list in 1968 by a 318 in³ (5.2 L) version. The 318 was rated at 230 bhp versus the 2-barrel carbureted 273's 180 bhp and the 4-barrel carbureted 273's 235 bhp.
=== Big block ===
The hottest Dart was the new performance-oriented GTS model. The Dart GTS came standard with the 340 in³ (5.6 L) V8; a 383 in³ (6.3 L) big-block was optional. The light weight and high power ratio of the 340-equipped cars, together with the excellent handling for which the Dart had become renowned, made them a favorite of drag racers. The big-block versions were difficult to steer and stop, so their function was practically limited to straight-line drag races. Furthermore, the big-block engine was extremely cramped in the compact Dart's engine bay. There was scarcely room for even the small, restrictive exhaust manifolds that were required due to the space constraints. Road tests of the day generally recommended the 340 over the 383 or the 1969-only 440 in³ (7.2 L) engines.
=== Hemi ===
For the 1969 model year only, there was also the addition of the 440 in³ V8 in the Dart GTS model and a very few 426 Hemi models in the "Hurst" edition Dart.

== Foreign models ==
=== Mexican Darts ===
The Dart name was used on Mexican-market Dodge F-body cars, known in North America as the Aspen, between 1976 and 1980. The name was also applied to Dodge M-body cars between 1981 and 1982, and also to Mexican-market K-cars.
=== Dart In Brazil ===
The Dart was manufactured in Brazil between 1969 and 1981, available only with the 318 in³ engine during its whole production run, although several different versions of that engine were offered. From 1976, its upper level trims were called Le Baron (four-door sedan) and Magnum (coupé).
== See also ==
*[[Chrysler]]
*[[Plymouth]]

File:1962 Dodge Dart GT.jpg

2007-01-24T12:08:17Z

Bill Wrigley: == Summary == '''Description:''' Promotional image of the ''Dodge Dart''.<br> '''Source:''' © 2006 Crysler Corporation. All Rights Reserved. ==Source== *[http://www.chrysler.com/ Crysler.com] ==Rationale of fair use for 1962 Dodge Dart GT== # T

== Summary ==
'''Description:''' Promotional image of the ''[[Dodge Dart]]''.<br>
'''Source:''' © 2006 Crysler Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

==Source==
*[http://www.chrysler.com/ Crysler.com]

==Rationale of fair use for [[1962 Dodge Dart GT]]==
# The image is a promotional photograph intended for distribution to the public by General Motors.
# The image is of historical significance
# No free or public domain images have been located for this image.
# The promo shot is of lower resolution than the original (copies made from it will be of inferior quality).
# The promo shot does not limit the copyright owners' rights to distribute the image in any way.
# The promo shot is being used for informational purposes only.

== Licensing ==
{{promotional}}

Corvette XP-64 concept racer

2007-01-24T11:38:03Z

Bill Wrigley:

Bill Mitchell

2007-01-24T03:12:48Z

Bill Wrigley:

'''William L. "Bill" Mitchell''' (July 2, 1912 — September 12, 1988) was an important [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] designer from the late 1930s to the late 1970s. He succeeded [[Harley Earl]] as Vice President for Styling in the late 1950s. He was particularly identified with the [[Chevrolet Corvette]] and the [[Buick Riviera]].

==Early Career==
Mitchell's father owned a [[Buick]] dealership when he was a kid, and was in awe at some of the Stutzs and Mercers that his father brought home as trade-ins. He started engineering studies at Carnegie Tech, but during his summers he attended the Art Students League and worked at Barron Collier Advertising Agency. While at Collier a friend of Mitchell's suggested that he show some of his automobile drawings to [[Harley Earl]], then head of [[General Motors Art and Colour Section]]. In 1935, he became an employee working under Harley Earl. At the age of 24, he was promoted to the head of styling for Cadillac.

==Vice President for Styling==
After Harley Earl retired in 1958, Mitchell was ready to step into his shoes as Vice President for Styling. Mitchell felt that cars needed to look fast sitting still, and many General Motors cars made after he became Vice President reflect the motion in design that he was fond of. In 1977, Mitchell retired from his design post and often didn't like the design of later cars becaues they didn't have the same drama that he had been making his entire career.

==Principle Designs==
*1938 [[Cadillac 60 Special]]
*1959 [[Mitchell Stingray]]
*1959 [[Cadillac Eldorado]]
*1960 [[Corvette XP-700 concept|Corvette concept]]
*1962 [[Mako Shark (concept)]]
*1963 [[Chevrolet Corvette]]
*1963 [[Buick Riviera]]
*1967 [[Cadillac Eldorado]]
*1970 [[Chevrolet Camaro]]
*1975 [[Cadillac Seville]]

== References ==
* [http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/history/mitchell.html Mitchell Interview]

[[Category:Car designers|Mitchell, Bill]]

Category:Promo photos

2007-01-24T03:06:02Z

Bill Wrigley:

The following are images that are deemed '''promotional''' and/or '''historical''' in nature and suitable for "fair use" in their respective articles.

Template:Promophoto

2007-01-24T03:03:21Z

Bill Wrigley:

<div class="boilerplate" style="margin:0.5em auto;width:80%;background-color:#f7f8ff;border:2px solid #8888aa;
padding:4px;font-size:85%;min-height:64px;vertical-align:center" id="imageLicense">
<div style="float:left" id="imageLicenseIcon">[[Image:red_copyright.png|64px|Copyright undetermined]]</div>
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*on the [http://en.wikipedia.org English-language Wikipedia], hosted on servers in the United States by the non-profit [http://wikimediafoundation.org Wikimedia Foundation],
qualifies as '''[[Wikipedia:Fair use|fair use]]''' under [[Wikipedia:United States copyright law|United States copyright law]].

'''Other use of this image, on Wikicars or elsewhere, might be [[Wikipedia:Copyright infringement|copyright infringement]].''' See [[Wikipedia:Fair use|fair use]] and [[Wikipedia:Publicity photos|publicity photos]].

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Please note that [[Wikipedia:Fair_use#Policy|our policy]] usually considers fair use '''images of living people that merely show what they look like''' to be replaceable by [[Wikipedia:Free content|free-licensed]] images and '''unsuitable''' for the project. If this is not the case for this image, a rationale should be provided proving that the image provides information '''beyond simple identification''' or showing that this image is '''difficult to replace''' by a free-licensed equivalent.

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[[Category:Promo photos]]

File:Achtung.png

2007-01-24T02:56:41Z

Bill Wrigley:

Harley Earl

2007-01-24T02:44:26Z

Bill Wrigley: Photo added

[[Image:Harley J. Earl.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Publicity photo of Harley J. Earl in the 1930s]]
'''Harley J. Earl''' (November 22, 1893–April 10, 1969) was an automotive stylist and engineer and industrial designer. He is most famous for his time at [[General Motors]] from 1927 until 1959. Earl was instrumental in establishing the industry or business of designing cars and the rules and principles behind the "Automobile Design" profession when none existed before in America. His thinking brought out a certain talent that he was able to style such gems as the [[Buick LeSabre]] show car and other equally impressive firsts. They include, but are not limited to, being the father of the [[Corvette]], introducing the annual styling model change, putting the first-ever onboard computer in an automobile, chrome trim, two-tone paint, hardtops, and wrap-around windshields, but he probably is best known to the general public for beginning the tailfin craze that dominated automobile styling in the 1950s and early 1960s.
== Career ==
The first car Earl designed was the 1927 [[La Salle|La Salle]], a smaller companion car to the [[Cadillac|Cadillac]]. His car quite resembled the [[Hispano-Suiza]] that various Hollywood celebrities and American nouveaux riches were buying at the time, a fashion that Cadillac executives resented. And, as the more expensive cars of that time were usually sold as chassis, drive-train, fenders, radiator, and cowling to be given a body by a specialized coachbuilding firm, it was the first car of that sort that was designed body and all by a professional in a motor firm. But what GM always kept hush-hush (and Earl wanted it this way while he was alive to protect his anonymity) is that he was a giant contemporary artist who literally got millions of Americans hooked on his designs created for GM.

Dave Hickey, author of "Air Guitar, Essays on Art and Democracy" (1998), whose writing has appeared in Rolling Stone, Art News, Art in America, ArtForum, Interview, Harper's Magazine, Vanity Fair, Nest, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times does a good job clearing up the picture on Earl's artwork in a segment titled, “The Battle of the Big, Beautiful Art Market.” He wrote: “after WW II, Harley Earl of GM turned the marketing of automobiles from being about what they do to what they mean." Hickey’s point was that as industries become commoditized, as is now happening in the computer market, intangibles play a greater role in product differentiation. Apple has been a pioneer in marketing computers for what they mean rather than what they do. Everything from the 1984 ad to "Think Different" speaks to the self image of the user who chooses an Apple product. In addition, Hickey went on to say, “The Leonardo of this new art market (or more precisely, its Monet) was an ex-custom-car designer named Harley Earl, who headed the design division of General Motors during the postwar period.”

Perhaps the following statement by Irvin W. Rybicki, a 42-year GM veteran who worked under Earl and later became the third vice president of GM Design (1977-1986), best explains the invidious comparisons people make these days between the great GM designs Earl once created versus the bland and mediocre vehicles GM cranks out today: "Harley Earl is responsible for more than half of GM's greatest 20th century milestones. The fact this company had exclusivity of all his work and was able to capitalize off his artistic efforts and innovative engineering ideas first, is perhaps why this man's story is so controversial and a kept secret today in Detroit."
== Concepts ==
[[Image:Buick Y.jpg|right|thumb|300px|1938 [[Buick Y-Job]].]]
Since he was responsible for the very first [[concept car]] - the [[Buick Y-Job|Buick "Y" job]] of 1938, which had concealed headlamps and prefigured later Buick design motifs - Earl is credited as being the father of the concept car approach; ''i.e.'' the idea of making a [[Automobile|car]] prototype to showcase a new vehicle's styling, technology and overall design long before mass production decisions have to be taken by engineers. But given the immediate postwar sales boom, his second concept car was prepared only in 1950. This was the [[Buick LeSabre|Le Sabre]] (later a production car), the gimmick of which was its extreme lowness, by having the carburetor and air cleaner taken off the top of the engine and put alongside the cylinder heads. At first, Earl and the concept cars toured the United States in the GM [[Motorama]] shows.

Earl saw his contribution to auto design in more general æsthetic terms. He noted that all through his career his purpose had been to lower and lengthen the car, because according to his sense of modern proportions, oblongs were more appealing to the eye than squares. One auto historian put it this way: "Earl was responsible for the design of the modern American car while at General Motors in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s when the 'stock car' was born."

Today, a concept car designed by Earl, the Firebird I, is immortalized as one of the most prized possessions in sport, ''The Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 Trophy'', which goes to the winner of that season-opening [[NASCAR]] race.

To celebrate the [[Buick]] nameplate going in a new direction leading up to its 100th anniversary in the 2003 model year, GM began airing commercials in the fall of 2002 featuring actor John Diehl depicting Earl as Buick's leading spokesperson. His catchphrase was, "My name is Harley Earl, and I've come back to sell you a Buick." In print advertisements he became known as the da Vinci of Detroit, and on TV, the company's cars were shown with Earl's trademark fedora on the hood with the accompanying caption "Harley Earl was here," and it was called "the company where Harley Earl hung his hat."

==Safety==
Earl instituted using "Oscar" (and also named this full-size test dummy after the Academy Awards Oscar statue that originally came from Earl’s hometown of Hollywood) as the first safety crash-test dummy. He took another giant step forward for the entire modern auto industry by later putting the first onboard computer in a car. Today, every passenger car and truck has one. Earl also pioneered the first all-steel “turret-top” design that went on to dramatically revolutionize how all American cars would be built after the late '30s. This one auto design innovation proved to be one of the most important pre-World War II milestones in the history of the auto industry at curbing deaths caused by rollover.

In addition, you could write the evolution of engineering safety in building American cars by writing a biography on Harley Earl’s largely unexamined story of inventing the modern auto design profession. Rather than try to list anymore safety innovations he and his GM Styling Section originally pioneered, let’s just quote the lofty title of a comprehensive nine-page Sunday magazine rotogravure article from a May 1969, Detroit Free Press that drills down on the facts, “Harley J. Earl: The Man Who Invented the Modern Car.” The story’s subtitle was, “How One Man’s Ideas Reshaped An Entire Industry”. Well, human engineering and safety design always were fundamental to how Earl built GM’s cars during his watch. The fact that GM's new management in the 1960s chose to disregard Earl's rules and principles of safety design is another story entirely.

==Discrimination==
Earl's idea for the perfect [[GM]] in the post WW II era was to ensure that women could achieve upper level positions within the organization. In fact, a number of newspaper stories from the mid '50s (to read them just click the pictured "Damsels of Design” link at the official Harley Earl Web site listed below) document his being a visionary and having a well-earned reputation in the car business. These newspaper articles confirm Earl as the very first modern pioneer to hire, promote and ensure women a formidable beachhead within the hierarchical strata of Detroit’s male-dominated auto industry. This high-risk/high-reward milestone by Earl caused other male leaders inside GM to be “apprehensive” as one 1957 Detroit News story reported. Not only did he largely contribute to advancing the women’s movement in Detroit, “Harley Earl was first to hire openly gay men and women designers to come work for GM Styling”, said Larry Falloon, a retired manager who worked at GM Styling/Design for more than 35 years.

==Legacy in Motorsports==
The winner of the [[Daytona 500]] has his name placed on the [[Harley J. Earl Trophy]]. The trophy is on public display at the [[Daytona USA]] visitors center in Daytona Beach, Florida.

==External links==
* [http://www.carofthecentury.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.carofthecentury.com/superbowl_trophy_of_nascar.htm]

[[Category:car designers|Earl, Harley]]
[[Category:General Motors designers|Earl, Harley]]

File:Harley J. Earl.jpg

2007-01-24T02:43:35Z

Bill Wrigley: /* Rationale of [Wikipedia:fair use|fair use] for Pontiac Bonneville Special */

== Summary ==
'''Description:''' Photograph of ''[[Harley J. Earl]]'' in the 1930s. <br>
'''Source:''' © 2006 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.
==Source==
*[http://www.classiccar.com/articles/content/index.php?/archives/16-Harley-Earl.html ClassicCar.com]

==Rationale of fair use for [[Harley J. Earl]]==

The image linked here is claimed to be used under fair use as:

# it is a historically significant photo of a famous individual;
# it is of much lower resolution than the original (copies made from it will be of very inferior quality)
# the photo is only being used for informational purposes.
# Its inclusion in the article adds significantly to the article because it shows the subject of this article and how the event depicted was very historically significant to the general public.

== Licensing ==
{{Promophoto}}

File:Harley J. Earl.jpg

2007-01-24T02:34:32Z

Bill Wrigley: == Summary == '''Description:''' Photograph of ''Harley J. Earl'' in the 1930s. <br> '''Source:''' © 2006 General Motors. All Rights Reserved. ==Source== *[http://www.classiccar.com/articles/content/index.php?/archives/16-Harley-Earl.html ClassicCar

== Summary ==
'''Description:''' Photograph of ''[[Harley J. Earl]]'' in the 1930s. <br>
'''Source:''' © 2006 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.
==Source==
*[http://www.classiccar.com/articles/content/index.php?/archives/16-Harley-Earl.html ClassicCar.com]

==Rationale of [Wikipedia:fair use|fair use] for [[Pontiac Bonneville Special]]==

#The image linked here is claimed to be used under fair use as:
# it is a historically significant photo of a famous individual;
# it is of much lower resolution than the original (copies made from it will be of very inferior quality)
# the photo is only being used for informational purposes.
# Its inclusion in the article adds significantly to the article because it shows the subject of this article and how the event depicted was very historically significant to the general public. [[User:Bill Wrigley|Bill Wrigley]] 02:34, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

== Licensing ==
{{Promophoto}}

Corvette XP-700 concept

2007-01-24T01:52:46Z

Bill Wrigley:

Talk:Bill Mitchell

2007-01-24T01:50:55Z

Bill Wrigley:

== Middle initial ==

Bill Mitchel's name was William "L". Kindly check these links below to confirm.

* http://www.automotivehalloffame.org/honors/index.php?cmd=view&id=98&type=inductees
* http://www.autolife.umd.umich.edu/Design/Mitchell/Mitchell.htm
* http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/history/mitchell.html
* http://www.automotivechronicles.com/articles/2006/may/01/index.php

[[User:Bill Wrigley|Bill Wrigley]] 04:46, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

Template talk:Promotional

2007-01-23T23:49:04Z

Bill Wrigley:

To Sysops,

Care to discuss protecting this template as the warning would indicate below?

[[User:Bill Wrigley|Bill Wrigley]] 02:43, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

== This page is either protected or semi-protected. ==

* '''If the page is [[Wikipedia:Protection policy|fully protected]], only [[Wikipedia:Administrators|administrators]] can edit it; if it is [[Wikipedia:Semi-protection policy|semi-protected]], only established registered users can edit it.'''
* [[Wikipedia:This page is protected|Why some pages are protected]]
* [[Template talk:Promotional|Discuss this page]] with others or request unprotection
* You may [[Special:Userlogin|sign]] in if you have not done so already

You can view and copy the source of this page:

Template:Promotional

2007-01-23T23:36:02Z

Bill Wrigley:

<div class="boilerplate" style="margin:0.5em auto;width:80%;clear:both;background-color:#f7f8ff;border:2px solid #8888aa;
padding:4px;font-size:85%;min-height:64px;vertical-align:center" id="imageLicense">
<div style="float:left" id="imageLicenseIcon">[[Image:Red copyright.png|64px|Copyrighted]]</div>
<div style="text-align:left;margin-left:68px" id="imageLicenseText">
This is a '''[[Wikipedia:Copyrights|copyrighted]] image''' that has been released by a company or organization to '''promote their work or product in the media''', such as advertising material or a promotional photo in a press kit.

The '''copyright''' for it is most likely owned by the '''company who created the promotional item''' or the '''artist who produced the item in question'''; you '''must provide''' evidence of such ownership. Lack of such evidence is grounds for deletion.

It is believed that the use of low-resolution images of promotional material
*'''to illustrate the work or product being discussed''';
*'''where the image is ''unrepeatable'', ''i.e.'' a free image could not be created to replace it''';
*on the [http://wikicars.org English-language Wikicars], hosted on servers in the United States,
qualifies as '''[[Wikipedia:fair use|fair use]]''' under [[Wikipedia:United States copyright law|United States copyright law]]. '''Other uses of this image, on Wikicars or elsewhere, may be copyright infringement.''' See [[Wikipedia:Copyrights|Copyrights]] for more information.

'''To the uploader''': please add a detailed ''fair use rationale'' for each use, as described on Wikicars:Image description page, as well as the '''source''' of the work and copyright information.
</div>
</div>
[[Category:Promotional images|<noinclude> </noinclude>{{PAGENAME}}]]</noinclude>
<noinclude>

Category:Promotional images

2007-01-23T23:35:07Z

Bill Wrigley:

The following are images that are deemed '''promotional''' in nature and suitable for "fair use" in their respective articles.

Template:Promotional

2007-01-23T23:26:26Z

Bill Wrigley:

2007-01-23T22:56:48Z

Bill Wrigley:

Corvette XP-64 concept racer

2007-01-23T19:20:56Z

Bill Wrigley:

File:1958 Corvette XP-700 concept.JPG

2007-01-23T18:46:01Z

File:Corvette XP-64 concept racer.JPG

2007-01-22T01:53:39Z

Bill Wrigley: /* Summary */

== Summary ==
'''Description:''' Promotional image of the ''[[Corvette XP-64 concept racer|Corvette SS concept racer]]'', referred to at [[General Motors]] by its "experimantal" designation, XP-64. <br>
'''Source:''' © 2006 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

==Source==
*[http://www.supercars.net/Pics?v=y&s=c&id=2192&p=1957_Chevrolet_CorvetteXP64SSConcept1.jpg Supercarz.net]

==Rationale of fair use for [[Corvette XP-64 concept racer]]==
# The image is a promotional photograph intended for distribution to the public by General Motors.
# The image is of historical significance as photographed item in question no longer exists. No free or public domain images have been located for this image.
# The promo shot is of lower resolution than the original (copies made from it will be of inferior quality).
# The promo shot does not limit the copyright owners' rights to distribute the image in any way.
# The promo shot is being used for informational purposes only.

== Licensing ==
{{promotional}}

File:Corvette XP-64 concept racer.JPG

2007-01-22T01:52:55Z

Bill Wrigley: /* Source */

== Summary ==
'''Description:''' Promotional image of the ''[[Corvette XP-64 concept racer]]'', referred to at [[General Motors]] by its "experimantal" designation, XP-64. <br>
'''Source:''' © 2006 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.
==Source==
*[http://www.supercars.net/Pics?v=y&s=c&id=2192&p=1957_Chevrolet_CorvetteXP64SSConcept1.jpg Supercarz.net]

==Rationale of fair use for [[Corvette XP-64 concept racer]]==
# The image is a promotional photograph intended for distribution to the public by General Motors.
# The image is of historical significance as photographed item in question no longer exists. No free or public domain images have been located for this image.
# The promo shot is of lower resolution than the original (copies made from it will be of inferior quality).
# The promo shot does not limit the copyright owners' rights to distribute the image in any way.
# The promo shot is being used for informational purposes only.

== Licensing ==
{{promotional}}

1957 Corvette racer

2007-01-22T01:50:03Z

Bill Wrigley:

#REDIRECT [[Corvette XP-64 concept racer]]

Corvette SS

2007-01-22T01:47:57Z

Corvette XP-64 concept racer

2007-01-22T01:38:13Z

Bill Wrigley:

File:Corvette XP-64 concept racer.JPG

2007-01-21T23:46:59Z

Bill Wrigley:

== Summary ==
'''Description:''' Promotional image of the ''[[1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS Concept]]'', referred to at [[General Motors]] by its "experimantal" designation, XP-64. <br>
'''Source:''' © 2006 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.
==Source==
*http://www.supercars.net/Pics?v=y&s=c&id=2192&p=1957_Chevrolet_CorvetteXP64SSConcept1.jpg

==Rationale of fair use for [[1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS Concept|Corvette XP-64 concept racer]]==
# The image is a promotional photograph intended for distribution to the public by General Motors.
# The image is of historical significance as photographed item in question no longer exists. No free or public domain images have been located for this image.
# The promo shot is of lower resolution than the original (copies made from it will be of inferior quality).
# The promo shot does not limit the copyright owners' rights to distribute the image in any way.
# The promo shot is being used for informational purposes only.

== Licensing ==
{{promotional}}

File:Corvette XP-64 concept racer.JPG

2007-01-21T23:45:18Z

Bill Wrigley: == Summary == '''Description:''' Promotional image of the ''1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS Concept'', referred to at General Motors by its "experimantal" designation, XP-64. <br> '''Source:''' © 2006 General Motors. All Rights Reserved. ==Source== *h

== Summary ==
'''Description:''' Promotional image of the ''[[1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS Concept]]'', referred to at [[General Motors]] by its "experimantal" designation, XP-64. <br>
'''Source:''' © 2006 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.
==Source==
*http://www.supercars.net/Pics?v=y&s=c&id=2192&p=1957_Chevrolet_CorvetteXP64SSConcept1.jpg

==Rationale of fair use for [[Pontiac Bonneville Special]]==
# The image is a promotional photograph intended for distribution to the public by General Motors.
# The image is of historical significance as photographed item in question no longer exists. No free or public domain images have been located for this image.
# The promo shot is of lower resolution than the original (copies made from it will be of inferior quality).
# The promo shot does not limit the copyright owners' rights to distribute the image in any way.
# The promo shot is being used for informational purposes only.

== Licensing ==
{{promotional}}