The Jalopy Journal

**Jive-Bomber** · 10-20-2011, 07:42 AM

In the 1950s, nobody created new concept cars like General Motors. They flat out ruled the roost when it came to producing opulent, over-the-top prototype dream cars- And they actually designed separate, one-off creations for their multiple divisions...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

scrubba · 10-20-2011, 07:59 AM

You fail to mention REAL MEN Ran General motors in that era . By 1970, G M began using way too many committees , useless and redundant data and knuckled under government pressure . Today, we have Obummer motas . scrubba

WaldorfNomad · 10-20-2011, 05:15 PM

I for one am glad and grateful that GM and Chrysler are still with us and not just a memory like Packard or Studebaker or so many other fine cars from the past. If some had had their way there would be no new Corvettes, Camaros or Challengers. I don't like politics on the HAMB but I just got an opportunity to visit the GM Tech Center and I had to say something. It could have been sold off in bankruptcy. To me, these companies are veterans. If it wasn't for GM, Chrysler, and Ford we might all be speaking German or Japanese in addition to driving their cars.

oldcarfart · 10-20-2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaldorfNomad

If it wasn't for GM, Chrysler, and Ford we might all be speaking German or Japanese in addition to driving their cars.

I disagree, the military veterans are the ones to thank so you need not speak German or Japanese.
Me
DSC(SW) USN, Ret.

Kettleman · 10-20-2011, 06:09 PM

Always loved the Olds, my first new car was an Olds 442.

Hoping to use an Olds powerplant in my coupe.

oldcarfart · 10-20-2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrubba

You fail to mention REAL MEN Ran General motors in that era . By 1970, G M began using way too many committees , useless and redundant data and knuckled under government pressure . Today, we have Obummer motas . scrubba

"Car Guys vs. Bean Counters" (Bob Lutz) is a must read for all gearheads.

belair · 10-20-2011, 08:40 AM

Back when car guys ran the show, not bean-counters. Thanks for the article.

**Bigcheese327** · 10-20-2011, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by belair

Back when car guys ran the show, not bean-counters. Thanks for the article.

How is that book, anyway?

-Dave

belair · 10-20-2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigcheese327

How is that book, anyway?

-Dave

HA - I never heard of it until your link.

50Fraud · 10-20-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigcheese327

How is that book, anyway?

-Dave

It's kinda interesting, but Mr. Lutz is a little too whiny in this book for my taste. He blames many of GM's woes on the liberal press, Toyota, the government, and many others. His message about design management needing to be independent of the bean counters is right on the money, though.

vonpahrkur · 10-20-2011, 09:16 AM

dig the steering wheel!

sololobo · 10-20-2011, 11:05 AM

Oh yeah, I would order one just like the example is fine, yes, I want the same whitewalls. RED HOT!! ~sololobo~

oldthudman · 10-20-2011, 11:28 AM

One of my favorite GM Motorama concepts..........(Others are the Cadillac El Camino and the XP-38 El Dorado Brougham concept).......

Thanks for posting!!!

flamingokid · 10-20-2011, 02:21 PM

I can't remember a GM concept car that I didn't like.

Jkustom · 10-20-2011, 02:27 PM

That speedo in the center of the wheel thing is RAD! Also, did the roof panels open and close by themselves with the door opening and closing? Or did the occupants have to open the panels manually? I'd love to see how the engineered them if they were automatic!

**HEMI32** · 10-20-2011, 03:48 PM

Jive-Bomber Jay - Cool post!

... and just 'cuz a Blog/thread can never have too many pics:

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oldcarfart · 10-20-2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HEMI32

Jive-Bomber Jay - Cool post!

... and just 'cuz a Blog/thread can never have too many pics:

Attachment 1463091 Attachment 1463092 Attachment 1463093
Attachment 1463094 Attachment 1463095 Attachment 1463096
Attachment 1463097 Attachment 1463098 Attachment 1463099

click thumbnails to enlarge

Why did I think of a Karmann-Ghia when I saw those pics, maybe I need to balance my meds better.........

**HEMI32** · 10-20-2011, 03:48 PM

... and checkout the 1:22 mark of this video:

bob-o · 10-20-2011, 04:07 PM

Harley Earl and his team knew a thing or two about style

goetzcr · 10-20-2011, 04:10 PM

Ad line: "Designed to ride right up and over pedestrians...or spear them." To my eye this looks more contemporary than 1956, even by concept standards. The profile and color look great in HEMI's posted pic #10. Nice wheel and tire treatment, too. Anyone know if they made multiple copies or if they just painted the same car different colors?

Why do all the gals in the ads look so cosmopolitan while the poor motorama girl had to dress like a clown?

10-20-2011, 07:59 AM	#2
scrubba Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Richmond Va. for now Posts: 664	Re: 1956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket! You fail to mention REAL MEN Ran General motors in that era . By 1970, G M began using way too many committees , useless and redundant data and knuckled under government pressure . Today, we have Obummer motas . scrubba __________________ See ya on de road folks ..........

10-20-2011, 05:15 PM	#3
WaldorfNomad FNG Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 13	Re: 1956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket! I for one am glad and grateful that GM and Chrysler are still with us and not just a memory like Packard or Studebaker or so many other fine cars from the past. If some had had their way there would be no new Corvettes, Camaros or Challengers. I don't like politics on the HAMB but I just got an opportunity to visit the GM Tech Center and I had to say something. It could have been sold off in bankruptcy. To me, these companies are veterans. If it wasn't for GM, Chrysler, and Ford we might all be speaking German or Japanese in addition to driving their cars.

10-20-2011, 06:09 PM	#5
Kettleman Alliance Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cedar Park, TX Posts: 149	Re: 1956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket! Always loved the Olds, my first new car was an Olds 442. Hoping to use an Olds powerplant in my coupe.

10-20-2011, 08:40 AM	#7
belair Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Brady TEXAS Posts: 4,258	Re: 1956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket! Back when car guys ran the show, not bean-counters. Thanks for the article. __________________ Every knee will bow H.A.M.B. Chapel 322 Naihead and complete stick set-up for sale

10-20-2011, 09:16 AM	#11
vonpahrkur Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 937	Re: 1956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket! dig the steering wheel! __________________ i need: 39-40 lincoln frnt backing plate, 32 ford 3-windo door hinges,1940 Merc parts- frnt seat

10-20-2011, 07:42 AM	#1
Jive-Bomber Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Moraga, Ca Posts: 2,421	1956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket! In the 1950s, nobody created new concept cars like General Motors. They flat out ruled the roost when it came to producing opulent, over-the-top prototype dream cars- And they actually designed separate, one-off creations for their multiple divisions... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

10-20-2011, 11:05 AM	#12
sololobo Old School HAMBer Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South Omaha, NE Posts: 6,642	Re: 1956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket! Oh yeah, I would order one just like the example is fine, yes, I want the same whitewalls. RED HOT!! ~sololobo~ __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

10-20-2011, 11:28 AM	#13
oldthudman Newbie Join Date: May 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 54	Re: 1956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket! One of my favorite GM Motorama concepts..........(Others are the Cadillac El Camino and the XP-38 El Dorado Brougham concept)....... Thanks for posting!!!

10-20-2011, 02:21 PM	#14
flamingokid Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Olathe,Kansas Posts: 1,056	Re: 1956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket! I can't remember a GM concept car that I didn't like.

10-20-2011, 02:27 PM	#15
Jkustom Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: west seattle, wa. Posts: 1,554	Re: 1956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket! That speedo in the center of the wheel thing is RAD! Also, did the roof panels open and close by themselves with the door opening and closing? Or did the occupants have to open the panels manually? I'd love to see how the engineered them if they were automatic! __________________ "where you goin', city boy?" "Thanks for the big burnout you done leaving JCustom,they heard it on the third floor." - Hambandy

10-20-2011, 03:48 PM	#16
HEMI32 Alliance Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 3,789	Re: 1956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket! *Jive-Bomber* Jay - Cool post! ... and just 'cuz a Blog/thread can never have too many pics: click thumbnails to enlarge __________________

10-20-2011, 04:07 PM	#19
bob-o Grenade Inspector Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Arizona Bay Posts: 280	Re: 1956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket! Harley Earl and his team knew a thing or two about style __________________ RIP Larry Watson ♠Los Boulevardos♠

10-20-2011, 04:10 PM	#20
goetzcr Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 108	Re: 1956 Oldsmobile Golden Rocket! Ad line: "Designed to ride right up and over pedestrians...or spear them." To my eye this looks more contemporary than 1956, even by concept standards. The profile and color look great in HEMI's posted pic #10. Nice wheel and tire treatment, too. Anyone know if they made multiple copies or if they just painted the same car different colors? Why do all the gals in the ads look so cosmopolitan while the poor motorama girl had to dress like a clown?

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