Concept for the King

There is a very old adage that says, “Rank has its privileges.” While true, having had a decades-long record of success helps to amplify the privileges of rank.

Harley J. Earl, the founder of General Motors’ Styling Section, enjoyed many privileges through his rank as vice-president of GM Styling. He earned his rank and privileges through his ability to direct his team of designers to create automobiles the public craved. Under his direction, GM rose to the top spot among automotive manufacturers with a 52 percent market share by the mid 1950s. Styling was a major consideration of buyers (behind only affordability), and GM led the industry with trend-setting features such as tailfins and wraparound windshields.

Harley J. Earl’s background included operating the shop his father began as a carriage-building business in the Hollywood area of California. As the automobile gained acceptance as transportation, The Earl Carriage Works transformed into The Earl Automobile Works. Harley J. Earl built many custom cars for VIPs of the growing Hollywood movie industry. His work ultimately attracted the attention of Cadillac executives and, finally, GM President Alfred P. Sloan. Sloan asked Harley to design a new car that was to serve as a companion make of Cadillac, dubbed “LaSalle.” The resulting 1927 LaSalle was such a great success that Sloan offered Earl the job of establishing a styling department at GM. Sloan recognized the value of styling as an important sales tool and was convinced Earl was the right man to lead the styling of the company’s cars..