Re: DESIGN IMITATION?
Posted by Mahoning63 On 2010/11/10 11:37:49
Great assessment. Not sure how a vertical grill could have worked after the 1947s without being retro but am sure a good designer could have figured it out. Teague was on to something with the narrow grill motif coupled with hidden headlights although the grill seemed to protrude too much in side view. 1940 to the late 50s was a tough transition time for front styling. Always thought the 51 Hudson was a great attempt. 1951 Packard was as you said but the overall body contours and grill theme did have potential with lower height a la the Pan American; wish Packard had kept and refined the idea. Second generation Cadillac CTS is much improved over first because the designers had time to mull things over. Cadillac mulled over and sweetened the same theme all through the 40s and 50s.
The original Clipper's more classic Thirties shape, with its pinched-in body forward of the B-pillar, rear pontoons, V-windshield and tall hood might have made a great final go around for the vertical grill and front pontoons. Kind of like how the 1933 Dietrich Sport Sedan capped off Twenties styling in its final glorious form. Packard rarely did breakthrough body shapes first but it often did them best; problem is these were usually customs and semi-customs. Packard would have helped itself greatly had it mass produced the custom look with the same consistency and fervor it poured into its engineering.
Top 3Q view gives a better look at the trimmer pinched in sides and traditional front.
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The original Clipper's more classic Thirties shape, with its pinched-in body forward of the B-pillar, rear pontoons, V-windshield and tall hood might have made a great final go around for the vertical grill and front pontoons. Kind of like how the 1933 Dietrich Sport Sedan capped off Twenties styling in its final glorious form. Packard rarely did breakthrough body shapes first but it often did them best; problem is these were usually customs and semi-customs. Packard would have helped itself greatly had it mass produced the custom look with the same consistency and fervor it poured into its engineering.
Top 3Q view gives a better look at the trimmer pinched in sides and traditional front.
Attach file:
(81.87 KB)
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