Styling at Ford Motor Company 1957

[Jive-Bomber]

I saw this brochure elsewhere online but figured it would be appreciated here. Ford Styling Department made this brochure attempting to show that they could be as hip as GM when it came to exterior & interior design and future concepts. Truth be told...

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

[Magnus]

I'd love to have the seats on page 12. To quote the Cable guy "There's no end to the possibilities"

[STEPHEN FIELDS]

I always thought the 57 Fords looked better than 57 chevys

[Bigchuck]

The artist's rendering of the future cars and beach house are amusing. They talk about what people will be driving in the years 2000-2050. Guess what-no flying cars. Just Kias and Prius', or is that Pria?

[Verminator]

I love the Futura/Batmobile steering wheel speedo gauge setup

[lothiandon1940]

Originally Posted by STEPHEN FIELDS

I always thought the 57 Fords looked better than 57 chevys

....I think across the model line Ford actually outsold Chevy in '57. Maybe someone can elaborate or correct me, but I had an uncle who worked on the L.A. assembly line from the 50's into the 70's and he used to like to rub that fact in. I guess because the '57 Chevy has acquired such iconic status we tend to forget just how much success Ford had in 1957.

[mustangsix]

Have you ever noticed how in the 50's and 60's the vision of the future was bright and optimistic. Now it's all zombies, death, and apocalyptic destruction.

[KCsledz]

Love Syd Mead futurism!

[mctim64]

I've seen some of those images individually elswhere but it's neat to see them all together. As said before the Fords for '57 don't get the credit they're due, the Chevy wasn't the only one out there. You could get 300+ Supercharged HP right off the show room floor.

[gyronaut]

Those futuristic illustrations were the work of Thunderbird designer Jim Powers. He had won the Fisher Body Craftsman's Guild and then attended Art Center with the scholorship. Jim is included as part of the Gyronaut documentary, re-telling his stories of how much trouble the Advanced Studio could cause with their antics. A short bio can be found at: http://www.powersportcars.com/designer/.

His Craftsman's Guild model and award are perfectly preserved and hold a place of honor in his home, as that's what started off his career in styling and adverising. No doubt, you already know his non-Ford work. He designed the packaging for Revell's 1/4 scale "Visible V8" model...

[belair]

Another quality post, J-B. Your stuff is always worth the time. Thanks. Love the futuristic stuff. The Ford designs, not so much.

[loc8tor]

I agree with the above post, the 57 FORD has it hands down over the 57 Chevy, or anything else in 57, and Im a PONTIAC Guy!!!

[typo41]

The only thing missing from the photos was the wafe of smoke from a cigerette!

[Centurion9]

Here's a huge heads up for those of you who may have missed this movie. "Womans World" (1954) takes place in the Automobile Industry and is filmed all over and around the Ford Motor Styling Department. Ford Dream cars galore and an amazing look into the Ford Motor Company circa 1954- Check it out. You won't be disappointed....Centurion9

[4t64rd]

[4t64rd]

[4t64rd]

[57Custom300]

Growing up in the 50's I had always heard that Ford was an "Old Fogy" company. Even most of the dealerships were that way my old man said and he was an old fogy of sorts. Personally I'm very prejudice towards 57 Fords.

[STEPHEN FIELDS]

Virgil Exner and the foreward look was pretty good too. I'd have to say the 57 Plymouth has the Ford beat on styling

[paperdog]

that girl in the interior pic is wondering "how many more of these guys do i hafta "do'" before this pink fabric and thread will be used like they promised....."