<VV> Corvair v. everyone - Did Chrysler rule "Style Wars" ? 2c worth
ScottyGrover at aol.com
ScottyGrover at aol.com
Sun Jan 4 00:45:47 EST 2009
In a message dated 1/3/2009 6:03:11 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
Chaz at ProperProPer.com writes:
The '58 Ford was a gratuitous modification that ruined the beautiful (albeit
ostentatious) finned wonder of the 1957 Fords, especially the Sunliners.
Sticking 4 headlights into what so beautifully housed the single lamps in
1957, and doing the same for the rear lamps, ruined a nice car, just for the
sake of change?
Wasn't it Chrysler that led the way with styling? GM lost a lot changing
from the 55-57 models, which were basically similar, to the 1958, the first
year for the Impala, and a complete re-tooling, followed by the winged
wonder of the 1959 Chevy Batmobile.
So, in three years, GM had three complete tool jobs to do. Was that because
of Chrysler, keeping in mind that the 58's were being machined when the 57's
were being introduced.
So Chevy (and B-O-P) could see that the 58 models would not compete (image
being everything at that time)
Never mind the Euro-Valiant, but after monumental expenses for all that 1959
re-tooling, they had their checkbooks open, and plunked down more for a
completely radical design!
Glad they did, and whether it was a sound decision or not, someone liked the
Corvair concept, and we all benefited !
OK with me.
The '58 models from GM were supposed to be the start of a cycle of"new body
every year" styling; the '59's carried that on--but the recession of '58 put
an end to that expensive thinking and GM went back to keeping their bodies for
3 years.
The hassles caused by Nader (and others--calling themselves advocates of
safety) regarding any "radical" changes in car design caused the Big Three to be
very conservative about introducing mechanical changes to American cars;
witness how long it took to get OHC engines.
Scotty from Hollyweird
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