General Motors Styling 1927-1958: Genesis of the World's Largest Design Studios | 
 enlarge | Author: Tracy Powell
Publisher: Powell House Publishing
Category: Book
Buy New: $29.95
New (2) from $29.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 91128
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 172
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 10.1 x 7.1 x 0.7
ISBN: 0970919514
EAN: 9780970919519
ASIN: 0970919514
Publication Date: October 1, 2007
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
GM Styling 1927-1958 walks through the "Harley Earl era" of automotive styling, with research and interviews that extend beyond Olds, Pontiac, Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac, and into the dream cars and Motoramas of the '50s. Behind studio doors readers learn about the politics and inner workings of Earl's Art & Colour Section--later to become GM Styling--and how the diverse melting pot of talent orchestrated standard-setting products and techniques. The group of men and women would become the model for automotive design from that day forward. More than 30 full-color artist renderings are revealed, some for the first time to the public, from the drafting tables of the stylists. Telling historical photography also complements the story of the personalities and their milestone cars, including: the 1927 LaSalle where it all began; the 1938 Buick Y-Job that sparked a line of dream cars; Bill Mitchell's first major contribution, the 1938 Cadillac 60 Special; the 1953 Corvette; and other dream cars including the 1951 Buick Le Sabre, the 1955 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, and Firebirds I, II and III. An in-depth chapter on the birth of the Tech Center, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006, covers its conception and construction, much of it gleaned from the talented Earl and his stylists. The story of Harley Earl has been told before. So has the history of GM and most of its cars. But this book takes readers inside the studios as if stepping back in time and in the thick of the highly competitive and electrifyingly creative hub of American car design at its zenith.
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| Customer Reviews:
 A proper tribute to Harley Earl January 25, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
My review of Tracy Powell's General Motors Styling 1927-1958 is from the vantage of having worked in the industry during this, its most glamorous period.
His book contributes a historical perspective that adds insight and is a tribute to the genius of Harley Earl, as the father of automotive styling. Powell collects the stories of the players from that period and follows their interactions, bringing faces and names to life, as they would influence the industry.
All in all, it is a remarkable book, with photographs and illustrations, which--as a participant--accurately reflects the individuals and their places in automotive history.
A very enjoyable read.
Excellent coverage. November 26, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book contains subject matter not captured in other books on automotive design history, especially the story of the men and women that comprised the GM Styling Studios in the beginning. Each chapter seems written as stand-alone chapters, which is great for those with interest in certain aspects of the studios, such as the techniques used.
 Wasted Opportunity for a great Subject November 21, 2007
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
This should have been a fascinating story the topic is compelling but unfortunately the book is a disorganized mess. The writing is choppy and hard to follow the writer meanders all over the place. Some of the syntax and grammar is so tortured it is next to impossible to read. The book appears to be written without benefit of an outline or outside editor to guide the writer or help clarify the text. The book contains some nice period photos but not enough to justify the purchase price. Basically the book is a jumble of quotes without a good story line to tie it all together, each page jumps from the 20's to 50's then to the 60's without any regard for the readers ability to follow the writers chaotic path. If you are looking for a good read about the history of GM's design department look elsewhere this book is a big disappointment.
An important and original contribution to American automotive history November 4, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
For decades, the General Motors company was one of the most popular and successful of the American automobile manufacturers. A key element to their commercial success was their employing engineering designers and stylists to give their automobiles a physical appearance that attracted the attention and loyalty of the car buying public. Tracy Powers draws upon his considerable expertise (he is managing editor for 'Automobile Quarterly' and winner of awards for writing and editing) to provide the reader with an informed and informative history of automobile stylings of this legendary company in "General Motors Styling 1927-1958: Genesis Of The World's Largest Design Studios". Profusely illustrated with eight photographs and thirty-two full color artist renderings, this detailed history is a seminal work of meticulous scholarship as Powell identifies key personalities and their contributions to milestone accomplishments as reflected in specific car designs for Buicks, Cadillacs, Corvettes, and other distinctive General Motors cars. Enhanced with the inclusion of an extended bibliography and a comprehensive index, "General Motors Styling 1927-1958" is an important and original contribution to American automotive history and should be a part of every academic library reference collection for the benefit of scholarship and non-specialist general readers with an interest in thirty years of specialized car history.
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