<VV> Corvair v. everyone - Did Chrysler rule "Style Wars" ? 2c worth

[ScottyGrover at aol.com]

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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