@uplanderguy said:
Good point lemko! I remember a car mag goofing on the GM Dustbuster vans' taillights, yet later praising the identical set-up on a Volvo wagon.
The "Predator" front end is even more flamboyant on the IS and on the GX, IMO. And it's not much more beloved than the 61 Plymouth - a lot of people out there shake their heads. Different for the sake of being different - I hope the money not spent on styling goes into engineering.
Not even close IMO Shifty, the '59 Ford was one of the most conservative, best-looking designs of a really bad year. It looked better in darker colors and the wagon, except for the grille, was almost handsome>
Don't like the 1958 Ford at all. It's trying too hard to ape a T-Bird and I hate the taillights. I kind of like the 1959 Ford and the 1960 is cool is sort of a 1963 Plymouth meets 1959 Chevrolet kind of way. I like most of the 1957 Ford except for the bug-eyed headlights.
I actually thought early 60's Chevy, when first looking at the car, which I like, even though they were kind of...umm...ominous. The fins told me otherwise upon closer examination.
lemko, liking '58 Fords is due in some part to it basically being the '57 body, plus my favorite, widowed aunt had one which I remember plainly. It was a Fairlane two-door sedan, which actually resembled a hardtop as the window frames were narrow and covered in bright metal. It was a cocoa brown with a white front-fender cove-like area not unlike a Corvette of that era. Good memories of the car and my aunt and her kids.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
1959 was kind of a weird year, like 58 I guess. Of the "popular 3" 59's I think Plymouth may have done the nicest job, but was hampered by the quality rep of the Forward Look cars. My personal favorite was the Chevy, but Ford had a pretty nice interior and combined with the Galaxie, which I think actually did a better job of incorporating T-Bird aspects than the 58, led them to outselling Chevy. The 57 was my favorite Ford of that era, particularly the wagons and the Fairlane's. I wasn't nuts of any of those 3 for '60. I didn't think 1960 was a very good styling year in general and if I had to pick, I'd probably go with the big Chrysler. But I sure understand how personal things and memories can affect choices. Happens with me all the time! BTW, I can't recall specifics, but it seems to me that 58 Ford's had some mechanical issues, or at least a reputation for them back in those days (57's were rust buckets, but pretty ones).
I think the 59 Ford is absolutely hideous. Whoever designed it should have had their children sent to a foster home
The bumper looks glued on, like to came from a public utility truck or something. The headlights have a sunshade--and when was a handsome car ever made with dual hooded lights? It's cartoonish. The front wheel well flare extends right into the front of the car, making it even more nose-heavy in appearance, on top of the heavy eyelids and industrial bumper.
Worst of all, the car looks "bent" when you look at it head on. It looks like some little kid broke it the day after Christmas.
Never paid much attention, but you're right! I was kind of fascinated with the rear ends of 59's. Plymouth got kind of conservative if you disregard the optional toilet bowl embossed on the trunk. Now don't call me A..man, but think about it - Chevy, Ford, Buick, Olds, Pontiac, Dodge. even conservative Mercury got a little loose with it's triangular taillights that year. Ironically, Edsel went kind of conservative after the controversial '58.
but that "scoop" is on the current model. Profile is almost he same. Just a more sloping and shorter nose, it seems. per the website, seems the powertrains are carryover. Wonder if it will lose any weight.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
@texases said:
Pretty sure the rocket on the right is an Atlas, those side fairings are pretty distinctive to the Atlas.
Texases is right the silver missile is an Atlas, America's first operational ICBM. No one has Id'd the tall, skinny rocket next to the Jupiter C, that's one I built as a scale model but it's remembered as perhaps the most ignominious failure of our early space program.
The Vanguard was a US. Navy research rocket that was pressed into service during the post-Sputnik panic when leaders of the US Space program were desperate to match the Russians by putting our own satellite into orbit. The Vanguard was originally planned to put our first satellite up before anyone realized the Soviets were planning to do it but it proved spectacularly unsuited to the job.
The whole world was watching as the mighty Vanguard blew up on the launch pad, I can still see it in my mind almost 60 years later.
Oh yeah, the cars and rockets are indeed parked next to Smithsonian Institution.
Well it's true. You can pretty much tell what was going on in a country by the design of their cars. Obviously, the 1950s signify 'the jet age" but also "CHEAP GAS HERE".
1950s British cars, the vast majority of them I mean, broadcast the grim economics of postwar England.
so I think that when we look at these "mystery cars" we're also trying to guess the history around them at the time.
@Stever@Edmunds said:
'59 Chevy on the far left. Bel Air? Drove by Wall Drug last year after camping at Custer State Park but didn't even slow down for the exit.
It's a 1959 Chevrolet for sure but I couldn't tell you which model.
We had a used '59 in our family that I think was a Bel Air although I seem to remember more glass so maybe it was an Impala Sport Coupe. Must have had the I6 in it - my brother hated it because it was gutless.
'59 Chevy, '57 Ford wagon, '59 Ford, '60 Ford, '55 or '56 Dodge, VW, '59 Ford wagon, '60 or '61 Falcon, '55 Crown Victoria, '55 or '56 Chevy Bel Air (can't see the taillight close-up).
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
@uplanderguy said:
'59 Chevy, '57 Ford wagon, '59 Ford, '60 Ford, '55 or '56 Dodge, VW, '59 Ford wagon, '60 or '61 Falcon, '55 Crown Victoria, '55 or '56 Chevy Bel Air (can't see the taillight close-up).
That middle front Chev looks like a 56. If it were a 55, more of the taillight lense would show from this angle. On the right in front is a GM product with the curved windshield glass post. Black top makes me think it's not a Chevrolet but a higher model.
What year is that VW? Can they be told apart at all?
G'day
A very early Holden Utility, developed off the 48/215 sedan (although the use has some obscure number 50/something) . they were originally designed as a small Chevrolet but deemed too small for post war American tastes.Australia was the lucky beneficiary.
The utility was ubiquitous on farms and as a business vehicle in rural areas.they had high ground clearance, a relatively powerful engine and only weighed 1000 kg.
Dad had a succession of Holden utes as his work vehicle when I was a child. I recall many trips wedged between mum and dad in thrm .
Comments
Good point lemko! I remember a car mag goofing on the GM Dustbuster vans' taillights, yet later praising the identical set-up on a Volvo wagon.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
The "Predator" front end is even more flamboyant on the IS and on the GX, IMO. And it's not much more beloved than the 61 Plymouth - a lot of people out there shake their heads. Different for the sake of being different - I hope the money not spent on styling goes into engineering.
It's a '61 Dodge Dart Phoenix . It's easy to forget that the Dart, a compact for most of it's life, started as a full-sizer.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
My candidate for ugly:
Not even close IMO Shifty, the '59 Ford was one of the most conservative, best-looking designs of a really bad year. It looked better in darker colors and the wagon, except for the grille, was almost handsome>
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
I never liked the '59 Ford either. I love the '56, like the '57 and '58 a lot, don't like the '59, and like the '60 and love the '61 Starliner.
Don't like the 1958 Ford at all. It's trying too hard to ape a T-Bird and I hate the taillights. I kind of like the 1959 Ford and the 1960 is cool is sort of a 1963 Plymouth meets 1959 Chevrolet kind of way. I like most of the 1957 Ford except for the bug-eyed headlights.
I actually thought early 60's Chevy, when first looking at the car, which I like, even though they were kind of...umm...ominous. The fins told me otherwise upon closer examination.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
lemko, liking '58 Fords is due in some part to it basically being the '57 body, plus my favorite, widowed aunt had one which I remember plainly. It was a Fairlane two-door sedan, which actually resembled a hardtop as the window frames were narrow and covered in bright metal. It was a cocoa brown with a white front-fender cove-like area not unlike a Corvette of that era. Good memories of the car and my aunt and her kids.
1959 was kind of a weird year, like 58 I guess. Of the "popular 3" 59's I think Plymouth may have done the nicest job, but was hampered by the quality rep of the Forward Look cars. My personal favorite was the Chevy, but Ford had a pretty nice interior and combined with the Galaxie, which I think actually did a better job of incorporating T-Bird aspects than the 58, led them to outselling Chevy. The 57 was my favorite Ford of that era, particularly the wagons and the Fairlane's. I wasn't nuts of any of those 3 for '60. I didn't think 1960 was a very good styling year in general and if I had to pick, I'd probably go with the big Chrysler. But I sure understand how personal things and memories can affect choices. Happens with me all the time! BTW, I can't recall specifics, but it seems to me that 58 Ford's had some mechanical issues, or at least a reputation for them back in those days (57's were rust buckets, but pretty ones).
Check out the printed advertisements for the 1961 Plymouth. "Solid Beauty".
I think the 59 Ford is absolutely hideous. Whoever designed it should have had their children sent to a foster home
The bumper looks glued on, like to came from a public utility truck or something. The headlights have a sunshade--and when was a handsome car ever made with dual hooded lights? It's cartoonish. The front wheel well flare extends right into the front of the car, making it even more nose-heavy in appearance, on top of the heavy eyelids and industrial bumper.
Worst of all, the car looks "bent" when you look at it head on. It looks like some little kid broke it the day after Christmas.
Shifty - You don't like that "jet age" inspired rear end
And the air intakes on the front bumpers. It seems to me a lot of design was influence by the "jet age" back then.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Never paid much attention, but you're right! I was kind of fascinated with the rear ends of 59's. Plymouth got kind of conservative if you disregard the optional toilet bowl embossed on the trunk. Now don't call me A..man, but think about it - Chevy, Ford, Buick, Olds, Pontiac, Dodge. even conservative Mercury got a little loose with it's triangular taillights that year. Ironically, Edsel went kind of conservative after the controversial '58.
New>
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
next Charger. Looking too much like the Dart.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I do like the scooped-out trick down the side.
but that "scoop" is on the current model. Profile is almost he same. Just a more sloping and shorter nose, it seems. per the website, seems the powertrains are carryover. Wonder if it will lose any weight.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Cars and Rockets>
Extra points if you know the location and/or the names of those big rockets.
0
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
well, the rocket on the left is a Jupiter C.
cars? at the bottom, a white Fintail Benz next to a corvair and a '67 Barracuda. Looks like a Volvo 144 a few up from that.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
W111 fintail, it and the ~63 Falcon wagon parked to the left of the "Polaris" rocket are maybe the oldest cars in the pic.
Looks like the Mitchell South Dakota Corn Palace got relocated to Huntsville.
I'm going to guess The Smithsonian in DC. The facade of that building looks familiar.
The other buildings do look "bureaucratic". Must be the backside - I don't see a door anywhere.
Is that a Ford Country Squire on the far side of the Polaris?
The missile on the right is an early Titan, I believe, and the next one over is a Polaris (cheat on this one, it is written on the side).
Yep, on the other side of the Polaris is a Squire, 65-66 I think.
Pretty sure the rocket on the right is an Atlas, those side fairings are pretty distinctive to the Atlas.
Here's an Atlas B:
Texases is right the silver missile is an Atlas, America's first operational ICBM. No one has Id'd the tall, skinny rocket next to the Jupiter C, that's one I built as a scale model but it's remembered as perhaps the most ignominious failure of our early space program.
The Vanguard was a US. Navy research rocket that was pressed into service during the post-Sputnik panic when leaders of the US Space program were desperate to match the Russians by putting our own satellite into orbit. The Vanguard was originally planned to put our first satellite up before anyone realized the Soviets were planning to do it but it proved spectacularly unsuited to the job.
The whole world was watching as the mighty Vanguard blew up on the launch pad, I can still see it in my mind almost 60 years later.
Oh yeah, the cars and rockets are indeed parked next to Smithsonian Institution.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Well it's true. You can pretty much tell what was going on in a country by the design of their cars. Obviously, the 1950s signify 'the jet age" but also "CHEAP GAS HERE".
1950s British cars, the vast majority of them I mean, broadcast the grim economics of postwar England.
so I think that when we look at these "mystery cars" we're also trying to guess the history around them at the time.
That green car a jag e type 3door?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
That green car a jag e type 3door?
Yup it is a Jaguar XK-E that I photographed at a car show a few years ago (don't recall the exact year ('65-'67 I'm guessing).
I've never heard of one referred to as a 3-door but it would be correct as Euros use the term. A Brit would call it a FHC (Fixed-head Coupe).
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Needs work>
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
It's a wreck, but at least the tires are new.
'69 or '70 Mustang; I can't tell from the rear.
1969 Ford Mustang.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Wall Drug>
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
'59 Chevy on the far left. Bel Air? Drove by Wall Drug last year after camping at Custer State Park but didn't even slow down for the exit.
It's a 1959 Chevrolet for sure but I couldn't tell you which model.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
We had a used '59 in our family that I think was a Bel Air although I seem to remember more glass so maybe it was an Impala Sport Coupe. Must have had the I6 in it - my brother hated it because it was gutless.
'59 Chevy, '57 Ford wagon, '59 Ford, '60 Ford, '55 or '56 Dodge, VW, '59 Ford wagon, '60 or '61 Falcon, '55 Crown Victoria, '55 or '56 Chevy Bel Air (can't see the taillight close-up).
That middle front Chev looks like a 56. If it were a 55, more of the taillight lense would show from this angle. On the right in front is a GM product with the curved windshield glass post. Black top makes me think it's not a Chevrolet but a higher model.
What year is that VW? Can they be told apart at all?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Yeah, there are ways, but maybe not from that photo. The one piece bumper didn't come out until 1968 for example.
Here's a good page parked at scribd.com - Volkswagen Beetle Spotter's Guide.
I figured the Beetle was a late 50's model due the the bigger rear window. The VW Spotter's guide sez these came in 1958.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
That's correct and in 1965 they made all of the glass a bit larger.
1962 was the first year they came with a gas gauge in case anyone cares!
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Australian Holden; I'll guess early '50's?
G'day
A very early Holden Utility, developed off the 48/215 sedan (although the use has some obscure number 50/something) . they were originally designed as a small Chevrolet but deemed too small for post war American tastes.Australia was the lucky beneficiary.
The utility was ubiquitous on farms and as a business vehicle in rural areas.they had high ground clearance, a relatively powerful engine and only weighed 1000 kg.
Dad had a succession of Holden utes as his work vehicle when I was a child. I recall many trips wedged between mum and dad in thrm .
Cheers
Graham