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Topic starter
13/06/2020 5:15 pm
Curiosity, opinions on styling of American cars 1950 to 1972, per the big 3 manufacturer’s.
Name the 2 years for each manufacturer across their complete line that in your opinion the styling was great/beautiful?
Best 2 years in my opinion:
For GMC were 1957 & 1962 their entire line looked great to me, other years at least one model line did not look very well to me. Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Chevrolet. Honorable mention '61 & '64.
FoMoCo were 1956 & 1966 entire line up looked great to me. Lincoln, Mercury, Ford. Honorable mention '61 & '69.
CC were 1966 & 1968 entire line up great. Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth. Honorable mention '57 & '70.
What years do you think each manufacturer hit styling home runs with their entire line up if any?
13/06/2020 6:33 pm
Well this tough, as there was usually one brand in a company line-up that tested the ugly scale.
But following your criteria, here are my choices:
GENERAL MOTORS
1956 & 1958
Honorable mention
1955 & 1957
FORD MOTOR CO.
1954 & 1956
Honorable mention
1957 & 1959
CHRYSLER CORP.
1956 & 1961
Honorable mention
1959 & 1963
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
14/06/2020 2:39 am
1957 - all manufacturers. 1963 Ford, GM. 1970 Mopar.
14/06/2020 4:13 am
I'll pick 2 years from each decade: Chrysler for '55 & 57; GM for '67; back to Chrysler for '69.
Barry Levittan
Long Island, NY
14/06/2020 4:23 am
I think virtually everyone got it right in 1955, apart from Studebaker...
who did that in 1953. I also would pick 1954 for Packard but I'm aware that not everyone likes Packard from this year.
14/06/2020 4:53 am
I love it that there is always someone who doesn't follow the directions as given. John, did you read Bruce's criteria?
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
14/06/2020 5:33 am
For me the 59 and 60 Edsel was really bad in every way.
photo no longer available
I think the 61 Studebaker Lark was bad, the side trim didn't even follow the body line and the top looked strange to me.
photo no longer available
14/06/2020 6:04 am
Yes I did...but thought I'd say it anyway!
14/06/2020 6:12 am
OK - still 1955. Loved all models from all the major players...
but then 1955 is my favourite style year anyway. Second choice would be 1956 when a lot of the fresh and new '55s were tweaked with varying degrees of success.
14/06/2020 6:21 am
For GM..1955 & 62; Ford...1956 & 65; Chryco...1955 & 68 (muscle car factor)
GM honorable mention: 1956 & 57
Ford " " : 1955 & 67
Chryco " " : 1956 & 67 (mid size factor)
14/06/2020 6:34 am
I agree totally with this John.....and 57 was mainly good as well.
14/06/2020 6:49 am
1965 and 1966 for all Big 3, followed by 1955 and 1956.
Retired in Dunedin, Florida.
14/06/2020 7:28 am
Dick, Bruce's question didn't ask for what was BAD about any car or year.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
14/06/2020 8:08 am
I think Dick was responding to your "one in a company line up" comment.
14/06/2020 8:59 am
Thanks. I think I read it wrong.