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Born in Los Angeles in 1893, Hearley Earl was a great visionary. At the age of 34, he began his career at General Motors, which did not end until 1959 when he retired.
In 1940, at the age of 47, he was appointed vice president of General Motors and at the same time the first designer in the company. In this capacity, he created the study called Corsair in April 1949, which was presented in the then popular technology magazine ‘Mechanix Illustrated’.
While it was considered a sensation at the time that this prototype had its engine located in the rear, it was also the visual implementation that impressed. An elongated glass dome extending over three rows of seats – including the driver seated in the middle – and reinforced with continuous struts allowed an unrestricted view of the passengers, but on the other hand, they could also enjoy the passing panorama completely unhindered. Without really publishing facts, General Motors probably also tested the acceptance of such completely new versions via the print magazine. It was not entirely clear whether there was also a ready-to-drive prototype of it, but the details were well worked out on a 3/8th large model.
A high, central fin at the rear deviated from well-known US vehicle construction, as did revolutionary headlights and bumpers attached directly to the body.
The model most likely got stuck in the design and style elements mentioned were not found on production models. Due to the many new elements, it can still be assumed today that the Corsair was intended from the beginning as a pure marketing study.
Harley Earl died in 1969 at the age of 75.
