Exner Excess

Chrysler Corporation design director Virgil Exner is remembered for some of the most graceful - and bizarre - vehicle styling of all time. Steve examines five fabulous fin machines.

[@bad2000ta]

Wishing Steve the best and hoping for a full recovery. Hang tough, brother!

[@TeckTrek3055]

everyone just put all his videos in que and let it play all night and day, this man deserves it.

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

@Bad2000 Yeah I hope a makes a speedy recovery. Great Videos. 👍

[@randylahey1232]

What's wrong with him?

[@greenmtroamer33]

My grandfather had a 300 m and he said it was by far one of his favorites. Thanks Steve!! 🇺🇸

[@user-vg7mu6yn5o]

I really like your videos, Steve; witty, informative, and no drama. I hope you are back to making new videos soon.

[@MrRichinil]

Doing a marathon watch for you Steve . Glad to hear you are improving . Wishing you and you family all the best .

[@remko1238]

- same here,, Amsterdam 👏🏽

[@steveib724]

Me too hopefully Steve has alot of video payments coming lol

[@cherokeeoutlawmartiel5340]

I loved the Dart Phoenix. Please get well soon Steve. We all miss you. Your automotive family. Prayers and best wishes to you and your family.

[@AcmeRacing]

I've been watching Cold War Motors videos while he builds a 1960 Fury. He started with a hopelessly rusted heap sitting right on the ground with no wheels. He rebuilt the whole car on a donor Dodge floorpan. Lots of patches, but they're steel formed with hammer and dolly and edge welded. The guy's got more hours in it than it's worth, but it's beautiful to watch. Scott has a bunch of Exner Mopars, and he has a soft spot for the ridiculously high tailfins.

[@glenfenderman]

The host of Cold War Motors lives in Canada where I live. Us Canucks will freeze our asses off in the cold winters to get those old hulks rolling!

[@saxongreen78]

It's the best I have ever seen (and even more impressive for what it represents in craft and dedication)...it's basically a hand built work of industrial art.

[@edwardallan197]

Yes I love the CWM '60 Fury. It is insane how much specialized work he has done on it......

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

Scott is an amazing body man/fabricator/mechanic

[@nonelost1]

@@IowaBudgetRCBashersAlso Scott is a great comedian, along with his friends that accompany him on his videos, especially Dean (aka Mr “same old shit“).

[@planetwisconsin9901]

I'm from Wisconsin Steve's from New England rust can destroy a car seeing these 65+ year old cars with little rust is a trip!😊

[@donlove6405]

@Defective Degenerate and uh,,,,

[@bramlintrent1145]

Walking through this auction site in west Texas, it was amazing to see all these 1950s Mopars with no rust holes. Yes, some surface rust here & there, but no real corrosion. I'd never seen anything like it in my life.

[@HM2SGT]

From the highlands of the Northeast Kingdom myself. My 06 Frontier is a perfect example of what the iron moths up in the notches of New Hampshire do- something about the steel Nissan was using then; it really didn't react well to winter road maintenance!

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

The last car, the 60 Dodge Dart Pioneer was my folk's car and first car I ever drove.

[@patrickwayne3701]

Hey Lynn, My Dad's first car was a '60 Dart Phoenix two door with the 318poly engine. Luckily, there's a couple pictures in the family album to remember it by,,, but it was long gone by the time I showed up in '66. I have looked and looked for one like Dad's and never found one yet... but this last car, was close,,, just the lower model to the Phoenix and the Seneca.... I think it's probably as close as was likely to happen in my lifetime,, but no cigar.... I DO HAVE the good fortune of owning the NEXT Dodge he bought though.... a 1964 Polara 500 2dr. Hardtop with a 426 wedge 4 speed. Dark Blue Poly with light blue and white interior. I'm reveling in Mags' coverage of this event. Gives me hope that there's still a chance there's one still hiding in a barn somewhere....

[@55Diddley]

This is cool, you just don't see cars like this anymore. Old Mopar's have such a distinct and unique design that really standout with originality and flair. Thanks, for keeping the history alive.

[@eddiepatterson5025]

The 4 door with the 392 hemi would make a nice sleeper with its original patina.

[@bradkay4794]

No no make it a couch!!! LOLOLOL

[@MikeTheSlacker]

What a find this was for someone. I can imagine wheeling around town in it

[@alfavulcan4518]

I so miss the my first car, a 1957 Chrysler New Yorker 2 door with the single 4bbl 392. I was 16 and it was a tank. Push button automatic back in 1970 when I got it. You could almost see the fuel gauge move as you drove it

[@patrickwayne3701]

Way, Way, damn cool man. Did you have a bad job that made you wear a goofy outfit like Judge Reinholdt did in fast times? My uncles were graduating hs in '73 and they say Fast Times was 'pretty close' to how things were in 69, 70, 71 and 72. I graduated in '85 and the coolest stuff I could find was a '70 Chrysler New Yorker 4dr. Hardtop with a 440 4 barrel for $125.00 that old beast could carry 8 of us and STILL burn the hydes 60 feet.... it was such a wonderful old boat. Had a pedal on the floor that you could change the radio station by stepping on it. You cannot imagine the great times that old car inspired.

[@nastybastardatlive]

I have a 1958 DeSoto fireflite driver, 4 door sedan. My point is that when parked next to my 2007 grand marquis, they are virtually the same length. The desoto is wider and lower, but it's not really as huge in comparison. Lets remember the 07 grand marquis is like the mid-sized models of the 1970s; the full sized 1970s models were truly huge.

[@scootergeorge7089]

1960 Lincoln

[@dubsesda3]

Thanks for doing this series in a categorized way. It’s been a lot of fun to watch!

[@johnholm8175]

My first car was a 1959 Plymouth Savoy. It was second prize at a Kansas City Athletics baseball game for automotive night in 1966. They had to push it around the field to get it started, big puff of smoke when it started

[@fonziebulldog5786]

😄👍

[@patrickwayne3701]

That is freaking EPIC!!! I hope you got plenty of pics of that car in your family albums!!!!

[@miketyler4536]

I have a 1960 Plymouth Belvedere Sedan with 77K Miles and the 3 spd Torque flight and the record player. My dad bought it new and it sat on my uncles farm in No. Idaho until 2012 when I brought it home to SLC to restore it. It is in my garage with the original Plymouth insignia interior and Poly V8 pulled out while my son and I bring it back to life. It has passenger floor pan rust and surface Patina and broken rear taillights from my mom backing into something because she wasn't able to gauge distance because the car was so big. I am doing a RestoMod with Suicide Doors and Front Disk brakes. I believe I am the only one in Utah with this last of the big Fins (Stabilizers) left.

[@Ray56z]

Loving these, my childhood cars.

[@bigkk758]

I cant even watch seeing all the dodge pickups it makes me cry. I had a 1968 in mint condition all original and sold it to buy a house and raise my kids. I still have my wife and my kids are my greatest achievement so while I cry I happy cry lol

[@dogpotter]

get well soon. thanks for showing these cool old cars

[@bozodog428]

Amazing Mopars. So great that they were saved from the dreaded crusher.

[@ricardofierro7041]

Yes , basically saved from the crusher so someone can make couches for their man cave. At least that’s what Steve suggested ( twice ) . Regardless I can’t believe that he suggested that. No way hose A.

[@brianalbrecht4423]

get well Steve...we miss u...!..!

[@truckerdaddy-akajohninqueb4793]

I grew up in the 60s telling Dad I wanted to have my own scrapyard.

[@user-KrackerJack]

Me too the old junkyards were my favorite place to go. Unfortunately those days are long gone at least here in the northeast

[@warringtonfaust1088]

When I was really a kid, when riding the school bus to school we regularly passed a billboard with a 1957 Plymouth. The only words were "suddenly its 1960"

[@craighansen7594]

Get Well Steve, loved your videos for a long time!

[@RudySullivan-g3r]

Get well soon Steve, love your work

[@tomdibattista3899]

Praying for your full recovery, steve

[@kennygee6627]

The first car, Dodge, is in amazingly good condition. It goes to show you the quality of American made steel. Between the steel used in today’s cars and the terrible things applied on the roads where we live here in New England, cars are doomed to rust away. Great channel, Steve - thank you

[@manitoba-op4jx]

doesn't matter how good your steel is. getting sandblasted with water and dust is a one way ticket to rust. if anything, the extra material these boats had helped them stay in one piece longer.

[@OKFrax-ys2op]

Those classic cars in the rust belt that I grew up in, rusted out in about 8 years. Put a new one in the same area, well it’ll last way longer

[@johnmaki3046]

Long ago (as a child) I had a '61 Plymouth Fury (JoHan) promo model! It was "shell pink/charcoal"! I wish I still owned this! SO MUCH "of-the-era"!

[@chipper442]

I watched all of the original videos and still am enjoying the second shot at seeing these cars. Great job Steve, thank you.

[@neilduncan8657]

BEST WISHES STEVE!!! Get better soon!!!!

[@roberttheriac3259]

I really hope that this video is not the last ones that you show from the auction. I'd watch all 150 of them. Lots of prayers for you.❤

[@glenfenderman]

Nice to see those old 1950's Mopars with the engines still in them. You don't see that very often. I hope that '57 Chrysler gets rescued by someone who wants to restore the whole thing including the engine.

[@haroldbirge6881]

🏆Steve 🍀You're the man 😎✌️

[@WaybackTECH]

This has been a fascinating series. I am just starting to watch the video, but this has been a fun journey.

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

@Wayback tech Steve is best at explaining all the details that we don’t even know about.

[@spankyham9607]

@@Daniel-fd3wp The guy is a walking history book.

[@waynegood9233]

I had a 1957 Belvedere Plymouih in 1966 Black and white and my Aunt bought the same car only Blue and white when it was brand new My grandfather worked at a Dodge Plymouth dealership as a mechanic for many years

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

Again, nice to see these videos with sold prices included! Thanks Steve.

[@Litauen-yg9ut]

I appreciate your affinity for the old iron. I suffer the same affliction. All good...

[@terra2805]

That '57 Dodge Dart Phoenix was beautiful. A real time capsule! The interior was amazing. Whoever got some of these cars sure got a bargain. Truly thankful they were saved from the crusher. To think these cars may have been crushed and lost forever is mind boggling!! Truly fascinating stuff! It makes me wish I lived in the US with the prices I see some of these gems going for!!

[@alanblanes2876]

I think that was a 1960

[@cherokeeoutlawmartiel5340]

@@alanblanes2876 Yes it was a 1960 model.

[@oldblueshhrchannel1847]

Get well soon Steve!

[@jeffsmith846]

The '60 Dodge four door with factory AC is a rare find. Glad it went to a new home. My first grade teacher (in 1961) had a 1960 Dodge dart but I doubt it had any options. I still remember it parked in the gravel lot. What a nice cache of cars.

[@t.s.racing]

Great job as always Steve. Anyone else notice how almost all of these land yachts back in the day only had a single stage brake master cylinder ? Scary huh ?

[@SteveMagnante]

Hello Boosted Twin Cams, I have mixed feelings - and experiences - with single circuit brake systems. lets not forget that every single Chevy Impala 409, every single Max Wedge and Race Hemi B-body, every single 427 Galaxie and debut year Shelby GT350 had a similar single circuit braking system. They all did just fine, right? In fact almost EVERY AMERICAN car (and truck!) made before 1967 had a single circuit with that spooky single pot deal. The exceptions were Studebaker in 1962 and Cadillac in 1963 which went to dual circuit brake systems before the Federal Government forced them on all of Detroit for model year 1967. The PROBLEM comes when these cars start to rust. And I mean REALLY rust. When steel brake lines become paper thin, when wheel cylinders score and start to seep. Then, YES you have BIG PROBLEMS (not if but...) when a single leak occurs. You'll have about one full pump of the brake pedal before it goes to the floor and your car rubs on something up ahead. I've personally resisted "upgrading" any pre-1967 car I've ever owned. Lets remember, millions of U.S. cars travelled billions of miles safely with single circuit brakes. Again, I ALWAYS make sure every bit of the brake system is NEW or absolutely verified as being safe. But again, I totally get it if people upgrade to dual circuits systems. but be warned...if your '63 Z06 Corvette or '65 Tri-Power GTO has a dual circuit system, top level show judges will deduct points...if you care (I'm not a car show guy so I don't). Anyhoo, you probably knew all of this. THANKS for writing, Steve Magnante.

[@bradkay]

@@SteveMagnante " The exceptions were Studebaker in 1962 and Cadillac in 1963 which went to dual circuit brake systems before the Federal Government forced them on all of Detroit for model year 1967." Also AMC

[@Herlongian]

That’s why back then the parking brake was called the emergency brake.

[@justinfincher2385]

That c pillar on the last dart fastback, that’s incredibly a c pillar design that’s still used today 62 years later on vehicles.

[@terrystewart2070]

On the 57 New Yorker with non opening doors.....I had the exact same car body style wise (57 Saratoga 4 door with a 354 poly head) I bought from my Dad (for $200) when I was 16. It had been the family car until he went into a 58 Caddy. He hated the Chrysler because the doors were a non stop pain in the a**! It was his second one (first one was totaled when an old guy going 90+ hit him) and they both had the same issue. Out of four doors there always one or two that did not work...I don't remember now why, but I was always taking them apart fixing them. Loved that car!

[@born_again_torinos]

Great video Steve, Please stop with the "cut off the back and make a couch" comments. We don't need any of these beauties chopped up.

[@bradkay]

These videos were made to promote the cars for auction. Never tell a customer what they might do with it. The "make a couch" comment probably hurt the bidding.

[@rockettcustoms6266]

@@bradkay It definately did. He needs to stop with the stupid comments. It does nothing but hurt sales.

[@patrickwayne3701]

The world is about to be nuked... I doubt anyone will ever see them cut up for couches....

[@AdamWaffen]

Beauties? WTF is wrong with you? I bet you think Jimmy Buffett makes good music, too.

[@born_again_torinos]

I didn't want people watching getting any ideas that if Steve says it would make a nice couch then maybe I should do that.@@jcanfixall1585

[@vernoncarroll9839]

Love this series from the auction

[@jessieharris1676]

Grew up with those cars, as a kid, I saw many wind up in the wrecking yard for scrap during Vietnam era metal grab.

[@MikeJBlues]

Awsome video Steve, thanks for capturing them in the wild!

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Man beautiful cars indeed! Specially that last coupe one! Glad they’re all going to a good home!

[@MarvinHartmann452]

These cars really last long where winter isn't a thing.

[@Ekimsrevo]

It amazes at how much of this stuff is still out there

[@randyauer7303]

Another great video professor Steve

[@darrininverarity4297]

Thanks for helping to preserve history Steve.

[@toddcallaghan5609]

Great job Steve can't wait fer the next one

[@Mark-vd8oi]

WE LOVEYOU GET WELL WE NEED PEOPLE LIKE YOU

[@felixlafuente9714]

Great video, Steve!

[@mymoparstoo]

Christine will always be one of greatest movie cars.

[@arthurmccarron4379]

What A video. Instant. Classic. Happy New Year. 2024. Get. Well. You can. Do It. Thanks

[@duanegingerich9138]

It’s kinda funny that you have the 1960 dart Phoenix growing up in the 60s and 70s my father had a 1960 Polara with a 393 hopro engine it was a 4 door ht nice car thanks for the memory

[@arthurmccarron4379]

Good to hear your voice. U are my. Main stay. Can’t wait. To see. New video. Take care

[@oneflewoverthecuckoosnest2823]

CHRISTINE” TRIVIA As happens often when books are adapted into movies, on-screen “Christine” differs a bit from her paper-bound counterpart. First, the novel refers to Christine as a four-door vehicle. However, the 1957 Fury was only available in a two-door hardtop. Also, Christine was red and white in color. True Plymouth fans know the 1957 Fury only came in beige with gold trim. The reason for all the errors was explained by King: the author wrote the middle part of the story first, and then he wrote the beginning and end a few years later. This sequence made it impossible to accommodate what was being released by the auto industry. Since the Fury name perfectly described the car, he chose the brand for the novel.

[@danscott3880]

King had a cocaine habit then

[@patrickwayne3701]

Sadly, now he's political as can be,,, and seems a bit too supportive of the crowd trying to undermine the Constitution. And for that,, unfortunately, I no longer will rabidly support him,, but his books gave me a place to hide when I was young and suffering abuse by stepparents. I cannot describe the hope he gave me when he wrote about the abuse him and his brother suffered thru when THEY were my age back then. I guess for THAT,, I still owe him a cold brew from Aroostok. But I doubt that would ever present itself. He helped me not to dwell on self harm with his frightful stories. I was at just the right place to imagine how much worse off I COULD have been, and that, is where I found the determination to hold with just a little bit more determination.

[@johnkranz4004]

Excellent Video Steve

[@jackpalczynski7884]

Some of the best videos around. Get well soon, Steve.

[@thomasmcbride582]

Just love those late late fifty early sixtys mopar some of the coolest design cars ever hope your doing fine ànd hope for a speedy recovery much love we miss you buddy

[@c.d.scalemodels9198]

Morning, Chris here…….. excellent final on that kit!!!!!!! I’m not a big fan of that body style myself…….. however your color choice changes my view on it…… great job!!!!!

[@robertswain8665]

We were asked to subscribe to the channel …So here I am. You get better A.S.A.P. Rob

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

Cool Phoenix😎 thanks for sharing

[@Fore-Four-Dee-Too]

Those hood spears fit perfectly on the hood of 1956 Dodge truck

[@remylopez2408]

Steve another excellent episode your knowledge is remarkable and like you I also like trains and other mechannized equipment I spent my career as an aircraft mechanic but I must digress I got a good kick out of watching you wear those snake gaiters and sticking your hands underneath the vehicles lol keep ‘em coming

[@BigMikesHooptyBarn]

Man I hate that I couldn't be part of that auction event!

[@rollerdragon]

get better soon Steve... we need you..

[@budpool4835]

My first car in 66, white 4 door. 16.29 quarter mile at Keystone Raceway Park. Chirp when going into second.

[@mjg263]

My dad bought a brand new Dodge Dart with a slant 6 in 1960, the first year for both. He always reminded us of the hard lesson he learned about NEVER buying a new model car with a new engine design the first year of production. The new slant six was just awful; he said from day one it was burning so much oil he couldn’t keep it full. The dealer refused to take it back or repair it, he kept giving my dad some BS story about it having a high compression engine that uses more oil than old engines. The car constantly broke down both under warranty and after the warranty was up. Dad tried to take them to court but back then there weren’t any “lemon laws” or much in the way of consumer protection so the buyer usually got screwed. Of course the slant six and the torque-flight went on to become the most reliable power train ever, but it sure didn’t start out that way!

[@johnburch6927]

Those were pretty good deals compared to what I have seen, price and condition. Wishing you well Steve, get well soon.

[@dougritchie4625]

Love the 60 Dart Pioneer! Someone got a killer car.

[@francfurian8215]

Excellent Steve👌🏻

[@robertchristie9434]

The great thing about having a big family and living in the southwest side of Detroit was someone had a car just or almost like the cars shown. An uncle owned a red & white '57 Dodge 2 dr hardtop with the D500 pkg. That Dodge had the famous 4 spoke "spinner" hubcaps. Mopars had some slick hubcaps like the '57 Plymouth cones. A cousin owned a loaded '60 Dodge Phoenix hardtop and another cousin had a loaded '57 Pink Chrysler New Yorker 2 door with a 392 Hemi that was drop dead fast. Good times, great memories.

[@keithfilkins2043]

Thanks Steve

[@rudybriskar5267]

Praying for a full recovery 🙏

[@sheldonpangburn7707]

Although I grew up Bowtie, drive a ford, i have a very soft spot for mopars. I love these videos.

[@coolfabba]

This mentioned 1957 "suddenly it's 1960" sales slogan appeared only in the Plymouth ads. It was a Plymouth division slogan, not in entire corporate line.. And those mentioned "fastback" body styles on some are basically 2-door Hardtops and called so.

[@manuelmaldonadojr.306]

So much beautiful potential! Mags I'll bet you wanted all of them. I know I do.

[@arthurmccarron4379]

Design Design. What a age. Thanks

[@imaoregonbum6683]

My Uncle had this in a 1958. Same color. He said if it wouldn't do 90 mph in 4 blocks it wasn't tuned right.

[@billwood2914]

We hope to see you soon, Steve.

[@francisjaniewski5990]

Steve,your like a cruise missile hunting out those now very classic cars. Northwest Indiana bench racer,keep up the good work!

[@gjm456]

Very enjoyable view.

[@rodneybrand8521]

Praying for you to pull through your illness..🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@gregmartin2223]

I like the snake-bite shin guards.

[@BlownDart68]

Loved it

[@throttlewatch4614]

Love all car facts and history

[@kpb96m]

I'm here from Hoovies recommendation. Seeing those Snake Gaiters give me anxiety. I hope you get better soon Steve.

[@greglewis1146]

I want them all!!!

[@caprego4728]

Hey Steve, great video! Some of Mopar"s most exotic designs!!! The car next to the last one you previewed, looks like a Chrysler 300 2door which i believe is a rather rare body style. Please correct me if i'm wrong, and keep those videos coming!!!!!

[@loualiberti4781]

Love 💕 Ur Vids !!

[@rickcreel9557]

EVERYONE is pulling for you man

[@the23rdbryan]

Secretly hoped you stumbled on a LaFemme ! New subscriber here. Great stuff !!

[@elmerfudd1086]

Get well soon Steve. We miss your moto trivia❤

[@HM2SGT]

1:57 #1 Last on the road 50 years ago... probably visited Texas Burger (Nolan Ryan beef!) when it first opened. 😃

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

Pausing.... did I hear right, they were going to go to recycle crushing for $200 each???? Jeeeez, who low-balled the estate and family with that offer! Glad to see they went to auction, as even with sellers commision and the fees for doing the videos taken off the top, a far better nest egg has been built up for estate and family of the deceased.

[@SteveMagnante]

Hello PiDsMedia, I was also shocked to learn that the Haynie family had been approached by a local scrapper who offered on-site disposal services (i.e. mobile crusher). Happily the surviving Haynie brothers felt the need to shop the idea of having an auction instead. A few auction companies (one that made world headlines for selling a time capsule Chevy dealership's inventory a few years back) looked and RAN away. They saw the magnitude of the task ahead. But former Barrett-Jackson lead auctioneer Spanky Assiter was asked and he reached out to me (I've known Spanky since 2005) and I'm glad he did. We agreed that it would be unwise to invite bidders to sit in the hot Texas sun for a live auction. So the online-only auction idea was hatched. But in that mode, how would bidders know what they were bidding on? Junk or jewel? That's where these 150-plus walk-around videos came to the rescue (along with the magnet). Amazingly The Internet saved the day and most every car and truck was purchased for a very respectable sum all around. Some went CHEAP but that's an auction!!! OK, THANKS for writing, Steve Magnante

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

@@SteveMagnante Great stuff Steve, getting the classics re-homed, or sent to donate parts to surviving classics, your efforts are well worth it.

[@bramlintrent1145]

@@SteveMagnante I'm sure the auction company that worked this sale put in a LOT of time on title work, clearing mesquite trees, organizing and cataloging the cars, placing the inventory in a single lot, and helping buyers load their vehicles. But I was VERY impressed with the entire process, especially with the assistance in loading my car.

[@robertmacdonald4518]

Have to say it Steven King/ Carpenter book movie Christine 58 Plymouth Fury , Beautiful car esp in that color treatment, didn't come that way tho would have been the golden commando cream/white. But in book Christine was a 4 door so it kinda works.