I'd like to start a little exercise to stimulate our minds in this Covid isolaltion period. I have picked this time period because a new wave of auto styling was coming out of Detroit, getting away from the stogy post war styling of most boxy cars. 1955 seems to mark a real transition year and it quickly morphed into chrome and fins, By 1965 vehicles had become huge, thus bringing on the popularity of the mid size. I think that is another story. Right now, let's just concentrate on one of automotive's most prolific design times. My choices
1955: A tough call, but I think it has to be the Bel Air
1956: Vastly overlooked in favor of the Nomad, the Pontiac Safari was just different enough to be a real stand out.
1957: Growing up, we had a family friend who had a 57 Chev sedan delivery which I always wanted, but as I matured, I found the Ford sedan delivery more tasteful.
1958: The Mercury Turnpike Cruiser, both 57 and 58 showed that luxury could still be a bully.
1959 I was in grade 6 in 1956 and one day the best looking teacher ever showed up at school in a Dodge Royal Lancer. It knocked my socks off. By 1959 it's garishness had surpassed all expectations.
1960: Perhaps the most beautiful muscle car ever built, flowing body lines, luxurious interiors and that long ram manifold, what more can I say.
1961: Styling had started to settle down and nobody captured so quickly as Pontiac. Crisp lines, perfect flow.
1962: Ugliness reared it's head this year. A corporate decision based on bad info resulted in some bad Chrysler designs but I love the Dart wagon.
1963: I have always liked the 61-63 Skylark, Cutlass and Tempest. They really started something. Loving wagons, this was the best especially with the 421.
1964: The factories woke up to the youth market and the one that started it all. GGRRRRRRRR
Not that I don't like any of these, I was just picking my fav one from each year. I am definitely a pre 65 guy and I love all those styling quirks especially from 57 to 61. But this is what I want to see. A list with pictures of your favorites. Helps fill the down times.
If you go over to the Mecum Auction, page 4 Friday, there is the best of all worlds. A 1961 Pontiac wagon, 389/tri power. Just missing the third pedal. Sold for 45K
I once had a 1964 Rambler American with a Ford Econoline truck suspension, Dodge interior, 283 engine chained in. Sounds crazy I guess but I loved that car. So did the cops but being 18 only comes around once. Those were the days.
I just had a 65 American 2 dr pull up beside me in Vineland yesterday. It was in terrific shape, I forgot how small the 2 dr's were. Cuddles, was that a straight axle suspension? I once traded my Falcon to a friend who had a 65 Fairlane with a straight axle for a day. I pulled out onto the street, punched it ( he built engines) and before you could say " what the ...." I'd covered both lanes and was 3 rows deep into an orchard. I took it back, parked it and waited for him to bring my car back. Nice looking car but handled like a rubber ball in a puddle of snot.
My dad used to have a 1955 Chevrolet Belair, I will try to check if he has a photo of this car once I go home. I will try to update this post and attach a photo if I got it.
