About this episode
The hosts dig into early GM design history, starting with Harley Earl and clarifying the difference between a guessed “Y model” and the “Y Job,” Earl’s personal custom car. They connect the styling landscape to how coach builders worked—buy a chassis, then choose from different body styles—leading to thousands of coach builders in America. The discussion also touches brand positioning, including how LaSalle fits as a subsidiary brand of Cadillac.
Emily learns where the name 'Chevy' came from. Rose uncovers the car that got Harley Earl a job at GM
Recorded @iapdx
Recorded & mixed by Emdognightmare & Queen of the Vans
Editor: Emdognightmare
Production & research Queen of the Vans & Emdognightmare
Find us: Car Krush
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Hugs, thank you & high fives to Greg Meleney for the killer tunez!
Chevrolet
"William liked the m- him and co-founder William Durant founded Chevrolet, and William liked the melodic quality of the name Chevrolet, so he said, "Let's call it that.""
Chevrolet is a well-known American car brand. Here, they’re talking about how the founder chose the name “Chevrolet.”
Chevrolet is a major American car brand founded by William Durant. In this segment, the hosts connect the brand name to Durant’s decision to use the “Chevrolet” name for its melodic sound.
Y Job
"Now, I was thinking of the Y Job, which was Earl's personal custom car-"
The Y Job is mentioned as a famous custom car associated with Harley Earl. The hosts bring it up to correct or refine the earlier “Y model” guess.
The Y Job is referenced as Earl’s personal custom car, distinguishing it from the broader “Buick Y model” guess. In the story, it’s used to connect Harley Earl’s custom design work to his reputation and eventual GM role.
Tesla Y Model
"...just being nice enough Tom, Tom guessed the Buick Y model. He said, "I think the late '30s, but I may be wi..."
The Tesla Model Y is an all-electric SUV made by Tesla. It’s meant for normal everyday driving, like commuting and errands, using electricity instead of gasoline. People bring it up a lot because it’s a common Tesla model.
The Tesla Model Y is a compact electric SUV built by Tesla, known for combining everyday practicality with an all-electric powertrain. It often comes up in conversations about modern EVs because it’s one of the more widely used Tesla models and is designed for daily driving rather than just show or performance. In a podcast, it may be mentioned as a reference point for what people think of when they hear “Tesla” and “Y.”
General Motors
"My Years with General Motors, very original title. "I was so impressed with Mr. Earl's work that I decided to obtain the advantages of his talents for other General Motors car divisions."
General Motors (GM) is the large automaker discussed as the employer and organizational context for Alfred P. Sloan’s decisions. The segment quotes Sloan’s book about setting up a special department to study art and color combinations in GM products.
LaSalle Roadster
"And there's some cool photos of LaSalle in a, or of, uh, Earl in a, a LaSalle Roadster, and it is just, it's a lovely car. I mean, it is really"
They talk about the LaSalle Roadster as a notable GM-era car. It’s used to illustrate how Harley Earl’s design work influenced GM, and they mention there are photos of Earl with one.
The LaSalle Roadster is discussed as a key example of Alfred P. Sloan-era GM styling and Harley Earl’s influence. The hosts say there are cool photos of Earl in a LaSalle Roadster and frame LaSalle as a standout product tied to Earl’s work.
coach builders
"And back then, you have to understand, there were- You know, in the early aughts of, of, uh, America, there were like 2,500 coach builders in America, and that's because you could buy a chassis, and then there were, you know, whole posters of all these different body styles."
Coach builders were companies that made the car’s body separately from the basic chassis. Back then, people could buy a chassis and then pick a style for the body.
Coach builders were independent shops that built custom bodies for car chassis, especially in the early 1900s. The hosts explain that you could buy a chassis and then choose from many body styles, which is why there were so many coach builders.
Volkswagen Phaeton
"...o a coach builder and be like, "I want a Model A Phaeton." Rose BB24: Um, it is really cool, and Earl was ..."
The Volkswagen Phaeton is a luxury-style sedan made by Volkswagen. It’s meant to feel more upscale than the brand’s regular cars, with more comfort-focused features. People mention it because it’s less common and more “premium” than typical Volkswagen models.
The Volkswagen Phaeton is a luxury sedan positioned above Volkswagen’s more mainstream models, aimed at buyers who wanted a higher-end experience. It’s notable because it represents Volkswagen’s attempt at competing in the full-size luxury segment with a more understated brand approach. In a podcast, it may be referenced as a “cool” or unusual choice compared with more typical Volkswagen models.
Volkswagen Golf
"...is styling and, yeah, so they supposedly, he was golfing and they had to reach him on the golf course, ..."
The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car made by Volkswagen. It’s built for everyday driving and is known for being straightforward and practical. People often mention it because it’s a very common, well-known model.
The Volkswagen Golf is a long-running compact car line known for being practical, easy to live with, and widely available in many markets. It’s often discussed because it has a strong reputation for everyday usability and has been produced for decades. In a podcast, it may come up in a casual way—like a reference to “golfing” or as a familiar car name.
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