By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the Stellantis Chrysler Archives
Published 10.8.2025
Vincent Geraci (Stellantis Chrysler Archives)
Vincent Geraci had a great automotive design career with the Chrysler Corporation and American Motors beginning in the 1950s. I was introduced to him when I worked at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum many years ago. He was a perfect gentleman, and he had many interesting automotive stories to tell, like working with the legendary Virgil Exner and his great career at American Motors.
Geraci passed away last month, on September 5, 2025, at the age of 91. He was very talented and contributed to many great automotive designs from the 1960s and 1970s.
A Vincent Geraci design proposal, 1950s (Stellantis Chrysler Archives)
In beginning, Geraci studied design at the Chrysler Institute of Engineering during the early 1950s. Then, he was hired by Exner at Chrysler in 1955. Geraci started in the DeSoto studio, along with the Plymouth and Chrysler Imperial workspaces, introducing new ideas and the design proposals that impressed everyone.
Another Vincent Geraci design proposal, 1950s (Stellantis Chrysler Archives)
Later, Geraci took his talents to American Motors, where he held a number of titles including Director of Interior Design. Geraci had a great and long career with AMC, working with another talented design leader named Richard Teague, a great friend of mine for many years.
Vincent Geraci design artwork (Stellantis Chrysler Archives)
Geraci’s first assignment at AMC was working on the Metropolitan design proposals. Later, he would contribute his talent and skills to the 1963 Rambler Classic and Ambassador models. The 1963 Rambler models received the prestigious Motor Trend magazine’s Car of the Year award. During this time at AMC, Teague’s predecessor Ed Anderson was in charge of design, and he referred to Geraci as the “Skinny Kid.”
Geraci with the 1965 AMC Rambler Marlin design proposal (Stellantis Chrysler Archives)
In 1964, AMC was developing and styling the new sporty Rambler Marlin. At the Detroit Auto Show, the model was very well-received. However, CEO Roy Abernethy wanted a larger design that would accommodate six passengers. Geraci, in charge of the interior design, had to make last-minute design changes to the 1965 Rambler Marlin proposal. The fastback proposal was adapted to the intermediate size Rambler Classic. Only 10,327 Rambler Marlin units were manufactured for the 1965 model year. In 1965, American drivers were more interested in sporty compacts like Ford’s and Chevrolet’s designs.
The 1970s AMC Gremlin with the Levi's denim interior (Stellantis Chrysler Archives)
Next, Geraci was in charge of the new 1967 Ambassador and Rebel models, which later became AMC’s best-looking models. However, the late 1960s and early 1970s proved to be a very competitive and challenging era for AMC. In 1971, Geraci was promoted to Director of Interior Design. A highlight from that era was the popular Levi’s denim interior in the 1972 and 1973 Gremlin models, which appealed to the younger generation of drivers.
The 1970s AMC Pacer design team (Stellantis Chrysler Archives)
Geraci continued his great success with AMC until Chrysler purchased the company in 1987. He stayed on as chief stylist in Chrysler interior studio until his retirement in 1990.
Vincent Geraci
In conclusion, Vincent Geraci was a great automotive designer. His name and contributions to the auto industry will always be remembered for many generations to come. He will be greatly missed!
Bibliography
Foster, Patrick R. “AMC Cars 1954-1987.” Iconografix, Hudson, Wisconsin. 2004.
Ligo, Joe. “Remembering Vince Geraci, Stalwart of AMC Design.” Hagerty Media, October 1, 2025.
Vincent Geraci Obituary. Centerline Funeral Home, Inc. Northville, Michigan.