•))))) Found in a local antique store. (((((•

A new antique store opened near my home and I thought I would visit to see what they had. Lots of the typical stuff, but high up on a shelf all by itself was this plaster styling model. I'm pretty sure it's for a Lincoln. The rear end is a dead ringer for a '61 Continental and the front looks like a '56 Premier. The model is 28" long and 7" high and about 3" deep.
Thought you might like to see it. If anyone has further info on this, please let me know.

 

roof looks kind of Mopar to me, as does the front headlights. how big is it and what is it made of?

 

Everything about that model says 1955 Plymouth to me, with the possible exception of the tail lights.

The roof line, door cuts, front fender, all resemble the 55 Plymouth. The hub caps are a dead ringer for the 57 Plymouth.

Are there any markings on it? You could have a styling model from the early fifties, of a proposed 55 56 or 57 model that never made it.

Another odd thing is that the bumpers, tail lights and wheels are detailed but the windows are not. Furthermore it has no side chrome, not even door handles.

Could it be they moulded a number of these models so they could try out different side chrome treatments and 2 tone jobs?

Is it possible this was a proposed 1957 restyle of the 1955 Plymouth? That was never built because they went with an all new car for 1957? A 3 year styling cycle was common at that time. Chrysler seemed to be experimenting with a 2 year cycle (53-54) (55-56) then went to a 3 year (57-58-59).

 

Looks to me like it was a Fisher Body contest car from the 50's. My two are from 56 & 57 and are about 18" long. I used balsa but most used plaster.

 

The phrase "New antique store" made me laugh.

 

49 ratfink,all answered in the OP

 

cool score

 

must be a custom - Cool, whatever it is.

 

there's probably a set of interchangeable sections to complete that. when i look at it, i see a definite Mopar overall appearance; the roofline looks like a dead ringer for a '55 300; the front like a '56 Belvedere; the rear like a Chrysler or DeSoto. lack of trim definition does point to it's being a style mule. build a shadow box and hang that sucker in your den! it's cool as hell.

 

Antique joints are a great place to find a lot of cool auto related items.

I scored this last fall.............

 

I too see Mopar. On the details, look at those hubcaps, and the taillights look like an early version of '57 Plymouth before the teacher left the room and the stylists chewed off their straightjackets!

 

the size was not there when I replied.

 

You do realize that if you were a woman, size matters.

 

Nice find!

 

The factories made them, to be viewed
against a first surface mirror, down the center line.

That way, you get the illusion of a complete car,
with less effort. Stylists refer to them as a "Clown Suit".

 

'57 Chrysler taillights.

 

I bet you that was a paint sample for the year.. there were probably many of those in different colors as well..

 

That seems awfully big for a paint sample. That must be 1/4th scale.
I've seen pics of the cars against a mirror. I have no idea unless it was a styling exercise ,but It's still cool as hell! Good find!

 

It is Pretty Cool... did you buy it?

 

I'm going with this one .... I forgot all about those design contests .... they were pretty big with the 14 year olds in California in the early sixties ..... mine was out of clay.

 

Yes; I did buy it. I think it was a steal at $10.00.

 

The Exner gang, circa '53? Embryonic rumblings of the Forward Look?

 

.......Bruce, you never fail to amuse me.

 

Sorry.

 

whats the difference between an old tyre and 365 used condoms?

ones a goodyear, the other is a friggin great year.

 

I like the idea of mounting it in a shadow box with a mirror behind it.

On further thought, it might be a proposal for a 1956 Chrysler 4 door hardtop.

 

Well; I'm pretty sure I found out what it was actually used for.

I sent the photos to 'Dean's Garage" where there are as many car design experts
as there are hot rod experts here. They believe it was a paint color sample that was use to see how a color would work on a particular body style. They also believe that it was from Ford/Lincoln and done in the mid to late '50s.

Thanks for your responses. They were all appreciated.

 

Whatever it is, it is cool.

 

Do you have there email addy?

I seen those on a page else where on a wall..there were many of the same but different colors.. thats a pretty cool item you have..