Poll: Which '59? (1/23/2024)

Although neither is a favorite of mine, The Pontiac gets the nod.

It's a rare tie for me; both are equally great examples of late 50s flair.

Back in the day, it would have been Pontiac all the way. But, the Chevy has grown on me. It's outrageous, flamboyant, and so representative of the fifties. But it also has a unity of design that keeps the eye moving along its flanks until you arrive at those "wings" where you expect it to carve through the air cleanly and smoothly. The Pontiac is definitely no slouch in those areas. For me, it doesn't come together quite as slickly as the chevy does.   

I have always looked at 1959 as a down year for GM. Styling was not then, and not now to my taste. That said, my father had that 1959 Pontiac.

It was a true gas guzzler and hard to turn in heavy rain or snow, but it was comfortable and drove well otherwise.

I voted Chevy. Just a touch too much styling elements for my taste on the Poncho.

@david-green, I can appreciate your perspective. To me, it was a great way for the Big Three to end the fifties, making bold statements on the trends of the day. I like most of the designs of the following year. But, to me, it looked like they were dribbling into the sixties, having exhausted every nuance of the fifties and not quite sure what to do next. It was a transitional year, priming the pump for the seismic shift that occurred (for everyone except MOPAR) in 1961.

@jkuvakas 

Well stated!!

@jkuvakas 

Excellent points John.

Pontiac for me. It's exciting to look at. The company was in its takeoff roll that led to it being the highest flying American marque for much of the '60s.

For me, the 1959 line-up for General Motors (with the exemption of Cadillac) has always been incredible to the eye.  It was out there!  Flamboyant, over the top styling, yes, but never a doubt at what it was.  I loved them all (again, with the exception of Cadillac, which way, way to over the top for me) I think the differences between each brand that year, made them all forever classics.  This said, I can't choose between today's choices, so I VOTE TIE..  

@ed-glorius, well stated!

The 59 Chevy is my all time favorite Chevy.   The 61 Pontiac is the first year of Pontiac that I like. 

@grockwood, that '61 is a great place to start!

'59 a year I disliked GM & Ford styling, but the Pontiac is the only one from GM I could happily live with like the T-bird is the only Ford.

I agree totally, 1961 was a fabulous year for staying at GM & Ford.