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Streamlining: The 1930s...

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Jive-Bomber, Sep 23, 2010.

  1. Jive-Bomber
    Joined: Aug 21, 2001
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    Jive-Bomber
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  2. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
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    George
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    Keep in mind when Mitchell tried it people said the designer must have been drunk, resulting in the model being called The Drunken Mitchell. Things don't always go over as well as some think they will.
     
  3. BeatnikPirate
    Joined: May 21, 2006
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    from Media, Pa.

    Interesting subject and cool video, Jive-Bomber. Here's a few pictures of early attempts at streamline design, some more successful than others. Seems like streamline design found it's way into everything from Gran Prix race cars, to trains, boats, planes, motorcycles, trucks, etc
     

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  4. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
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    I sure liked streamlining back when they did it by eye....the Lincoln Zephyr is a great example. This modern crap done in the wind tunnel makes for some ugly cars.
     

  5. johnny bondo
    Joined: Aug 20, 2005
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    from illinois

    i honestly dont understand why highways are so slow here. you drive the 55 speed limit here in IL and you nearly get ran over! this isnt 1955 anymore, they need to up the speed to about 80 or 90 at least. left speed lanes, no one under 60 can get in them. people will drive at the speed they feel comfortable.
     
  6. BeatnikPirate
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    Some of my favorite examples of 1930's streamline style.
     

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  7. Steve Hedke
    Joined: Sep 28, 2005
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    Too often automotive writers confuse streamline moderne with art deco. Streamlining was far more influential from about 1932 onwards than deco ever was. Basically a lead sled chop and channel job was enhancing streamlining. In a way so too was stripping the fenders, using filled hood side panels, and a DuVal on a deuce.

    '30's streamlining is just plain cool.
     
  8. Jive-Bomber
    Joined: Aug 21, 2001
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    This (out of print) book is a killer Streamline design resource as well- I just didn't have time to scan any of the pages:
     

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  9. BeatnikPirate
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    Yup, I like it too!
     

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  10. 50Fraud
    Joined: May 6, 2001
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    What car(s) of Mitchell's are you referring to?
     
  11. pimpin paint
    Joined: May 31, 2005
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    from so cal

    hey,

    I don't know 'bout the " Drunken Mitchell'' , but in '29 or'30 Buick came out with a bit of a design blunder that became to be known, via the public, as the " Pregnant Buick". This came about when Harley Earl wanted a different design for that years Buick, one that did away with the beltline moulding/swageline, and belled out the body below the beltline. This resulted in a kinda squashed look to the design, hence the pregers moniker.

    " All great truth begin as blasphemies "
     
  12. six pack to go
    Joined: Aug 2, 2008
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    six pack to go
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    from new jersey

    WOW, they sold me!!! Great film!
     
  13. Excellent video! I like how he keeps saying "modern motor car." And the elevated super highway! Damn, that's cool.

    BeatnikPirate, what is that on the left picture in your post? Now that is stream lined art deco beauty.
     
  14. Road Runner
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 1,256

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    Taking it to the extreme with Streamline Elegance.
    Talbot-Lago and Delahaye extravaganza from the late 1930s.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  15. 50Fraud
    Joined: May 6, 2001
    Posts: 10,101

    50Fraud
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    I've heard of the pregnant Buick, although I don't really know what it looks like. I don't think Mitchell was working at GM early enough to have influenced the '30 Buick, and I still don't know what George was referring to as a streamlined "Drunken Mitchell".
     
  16. BeatnikPirate
    Joined: May 21, 2006
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    I believe that it's a concept drawing by Bill Mitchell who was Design Chief for G.M. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Mitchell
     
  17. BeatnikPirate
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    from Media, Pa.

    Quote from Jive Bomber's post:
    " Streamlining. An attempt at an aerodynamically efficient design to lessen wind resistance, with the often pleasant side effect of a car that looks graceful and dynamic when its sitting still. This pre-war pursuit of cheating the wind for greater speed is what eventually gave hot rods the dropped axle, the channeled body and the chopped top. Streamlining was Style and Purpose, Form and Function. "

    Here are some examples from 1930/31.
    Grandfathers of the hot rods and customs we love today?
     

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  18. pimpin paint
    Joined: May 31, 2005
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    pimpin paint
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    from so cal

    Hey,

    As I understand it, the "Drunken Mitchel'' had nothing to do with Bill Mitchell or General Motors, but refered to the Mitchell automobile of the 20's. The 1920 Mitchell had a tilted radiator core and shell to create a faux streamlined look, and much like the Chrysler Airflow some fourteen years later, wasn't a sales sucess.

    " Meanwhyle, back aboard The Tainted Pork "
     
  19. 50Fraud
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    50Fraud
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    Ah Hah! Thanks, Rex, I'd never heard of the Drunken Mitchell before.
     
  20. Abomination
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  21. 50Fraud
    Joined: May 6, 2001
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    50Fraud
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    ^^First streamlined VESSEL, maybe; there were certainly some streamlined vehicles before the Kalakala. Count Ricotti's Alfa from 1913, for example:

    [​IMG]
     
  22. Jose85
    Joined: Jun 16, 2007
    Posts: 56

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    Some Czechoslovak:
    Wikov 35 Kapka(drop)-early 30s
     

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  23. Jose85
    Joined: Jun 16, 2007
    Posts: 56

    Jose85
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    Aero 1000-body by coachbuilder Oldrich Uhlik
     

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  24. Jose85
    Joined: Jun 16, 2007
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    Jose85
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    Aero 30 racecars
     

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  25. Jose85
    Joined: Jun 16, 2007
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    Jose85
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    Jawa 700 racecars
     

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  26. Jose85
    Joined: Jun 16, 2007
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    Jose85
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    Praga Super Piccolo "vorvan"(whale)

    and a racecar
    [​IMG]
     

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    Last edited: Sep 24, 2010
  27. Jim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 224

    Jim
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    [​IMG]

    these look pretty aerodynamic from the rear, not so much from the front!;)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 1, 2014
  28. Jose85
    Joined: Jun 16, 2007
    Posts: 56

    Jose85
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    Skoda 935 rear engined prototype-water cooled flat4
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
  29. Road Runner
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 1,256

    Road Runner
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  30. Those concept cars are amazing!
     

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