Thread: It's in the eye of the beholder.............

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..........but to my eye, 50 years ago the Detroit auto makers were on a roll. As we come to the end of the 2007 model year, I was thinking back on automotive styling. It struck me that in 1957 the then "Big 3", GM, Ford, and Chrysler were in their prime. GM was still working under their long proven theorem of offering a progression of brands to keep a buyer in the family as they moved upscale. Ford was doing well, finally outselling Chevrolet for the first time in a long time. And Chrysler was promoting the "Forward Look", "Suddenly it's 1960", and fins were in!!! Quad headlights began to sneak in to each company. Flash back 50 years to an time when just about every model from these three "biggies" was a styling success.

We'll start with GM.

And of course the Cadillac. Then some Ford Motor products.

Some more Ford product and then some Chrysler iron.

And some more Mopar iron.

Neat stuff Bob!!!! I really want that '57 Ford 2 door wagon!!!!

This (57) was IMO the best year EVER for the Detroit stylists!!!! Must be a lousy job these days, how do you make a little 4 door box look like anything other then a little 4 door box??? In the 50's and 60's the styling department actually earned their money!!!!!

Okay, so not every car maker was on a roll. '57 was the last year for the Hudson nameplate, though by then it was a tarted up (moreso) Nash. And the Nash pictured for comparison. Packard was on it's last leg, '57 would basically be a Studebaker with Packardesque ques, but it too would die in '58. And the Stude itself was pretty much a rehash for another year. Ho Hum!

great cars with style , i agree with dave everything looks the same these days , motorcycles included..

Ahhhh ............. the good old days ............. at least the cars showed some character .............. for me that was a great time to be young and in love with cars .............. thanks Bob for the trip down memory lane

beautiful cars Bob. now everything today looks like it was made to be put in cubby holes. They realy took their time back them to design a work of art.

From the early '70s on for more than 20 years, there wasn't a car out there that I really wanted. It got worse when they went to the "Eurobox" styling. I immediately tuned out any commercial or ad that started - or mentioned - "European styling." That's what got me back into muscle cars and street rods.

That's why I was glad to see the Mustang go a little retro. The proposed new Camaro has some potential, also. However, GM should be ashamed for hanging old marques like Impala, Malibu, GTO, Grand Prix, etc., on the mundane boxes they produce today.

Jack
- Cars aren't just about transportation . . .

[QUOTE=Henry Rifle]From the early '70s on for more than 20 years, there wasn't a car out there that I really wanted. It got worse when they went to the "Eurobox" styling.

Amen Jack. I honestly can't tell one new car from another today, yet I can see an old car and immediately probably tell you the make, model, and year. Nowadays a Lexus looks like a Chevy that looks like a Ford.

Remember when the unveiling of the new model year cars was a big deal? Families would actually go to the dealers in anticipation of what Detroit had turned out that year. I worked at a Ford Dealership in 1963-64, and when the trailer truck pulled in with the new MUSTANGS on it people crowded around as if the second coming had just happened. They were actually fighting to get a spot in line or to buy one.

Thanks for the cool pictures Bob, I even enjoyed the less stylish ones. ........or to be politically correct, "cosmetically challenged."

Don

To my way of thinking, 1957 and 1958 model years were the most stylish years ever, for all makes of American cars. Sure, there were other years that were somewhat remarkable in one variety or another, but those two seem to be the most memorable in my mind.

Ahhhh Fins, What a marvelous piece of styling...

'59 seemed to be the end of the sharp fins!

I'm a Chevy guy, but I can see why Ford outsold them in 57......much prettier car. If Chevy didn't have that 283, I think it would have been much worse.

Ah, how nice. The 50's. I remember them like it was yesterday. Ah heck, who am I kidding, I am only a 20 year old kid wishing he lived in the 50's. One day, one day, I promise. As soon as Bob, Denny, Brian, Tech, and the rest of you come up with a time machine. And if I use it and go back to the 40's then make sure it breaks so I can't come back.