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Topic starter
28/09/2023 11:59 am
I have long beleived that Harley Earl keenly followed the work of Joseph Figoni, as indeed I am sure he followed much of the design world’s inovators. In his book ‘From Passion To Perfection’ Richard Adatto tells us that General Motors approached Figoni in the post-war years to work for them, (I think we may assume this was on Earl’s command) but that he turned the offer down.
This last, supports my own conviction that in ‘pinching’ the top edges of his Narval’s rear fenders, Joseph Figoni was the true originator of the 1950s tailfin! And more; that Harley Earl knew it. Further, I remain convinced that the highly influential Le Sabre, owes its lineage to the same Narval.
Seven Narval were produced between 19(46)47 and 1950 with its pointed nose at its most extreme in the earliest two examples up to 1947 and with the front end flattening-out and becoming graphically ’squared’ with their light configurations by 1948. The central fin on the rear decklid disappeared after the first example, leaving only two prominant tailfins in 1947. These details concern the Narval however, and I would like to post my limited take on that subject at some future point.
For now, I would like to draw attention to the relationship between the Narval and the Buick Le Sabre and from there, two celebrated scions of the Le Sabre, (if indeed they were) Raymond Loewy’s 1950 Studebaker line and Valentin Rostikov’s 1951 Zis 112S. As ever, all opinions and /or corrections are welcome.
Delahaye 135 Narval #3 Rita Hayworth 1947 MA Collection
Delahaye 135 Narval #6 1948 Miniatures Du Chateau, Heco Models
Buick Le Sabre 1951 Great American Dream Machines
Studebaker Commander 1951 43rd. Avenue / Milestone Miniatures
Zis 112S 1951 DIP Models
28/09/2023 1:12 pm
Very cool and informative post. 👍
Frank Reed
Chesapeake, VA
Topic starter
28/09/2023 1:46 pm
@frank Thank-you Frank. The Narval style is among my favourite automotive statements - as one writer put it, "for its baroque charms". And I have spent years tracing its development. I am waiting for a model of the first to arrive, hopefully before Christmas (!) and will post my take on the Narval when it does.
Karl Schnelle reacted
30/09/2023 12:43 am
Here is another similar model just for fun
- 1947 135m Narval Figoni & Falaschi by CMF (CMF43040)
Dave Gilbert
Nashville, Tennessee
Topic starter
30/09/2023 3:43 am
Thank-you Dave for posting this, which is the first of Figoni et Falaschi's seven Narvals and is the closest to the original concept which is based on the Narwhal whale that grows an horn from the centre of its head. I am waiting for my own copy of this model to arrive so am pleased you were able to add it here. Thank-you.
Dave Gilbert reacted
30/09/2023 8:24 am
Thanks for the comparison write-up. These were mostly all familiar to me but that Zis is crazy! Thanks for all the pics!
Charles Rockett reacted
30/09/2023 8:29 am
@charles-rockett I just sent you a diecast.org message...
Charles Rockett reacted
30/09/2023 9:01 am
Great informative post Charles. These designers definitely learned from each other as your models clearly show. What a fantastic set of models these are. Thanks Charles!
Charles Rockett reacted
Topic starter
30/09/2023 9:10 am
@karl @david-green Thank-you David and Karl for your kind words and observations.