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Customs Five Favorite Fins of the Fifties (and early 60s)

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Jive-Bomber, Apr 22, 2014.

  1. Jive-Bomber
    Joined: Aug 21, 2001
    Posts: 3,754

    Jive-Bomber
    MODERATOR

  2. Flamed48
    Joined: Apr 19, 2011
    Posts: 683

    Flamed48
    Member

    That's easy the 56 chevy ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1398180243.063478.jpg


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  3. Alleycatgarage
    Joined: Apr 21, 2014
    Posts: 12

    Alleycatgarage
    Member
    from So Cal

    Think of the guy drawing this ,was he high or very creative ,when I was young did not like these ,maybe cause most were lowriders now I am feeling lucky![​IMG][/]
     

  4. T&A Flathead
    Joined: Apr 28, 2007
    Posts: 1,985

    T&A Flathead
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    My favorite is the '59 Buick.
     
  5. Tom davison
    Joined: Mar 15, 2008
    Posts: 6,042

    Tom davison
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    from Phoenix AZ

  6. syxxstring
    Joined: Dec 30, 2010
    Posts: 37

    syxxstring
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    The early 60's comets had some great fins too.
     
  7. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,390

    Squablow
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    60 Plymouth is my favorite. It's like a bad Popular Mechanics cover drawing come to life.
     
  8. FrozenMerc
    Joined: Sep 4, 2009
    Posts: 3,093

    FrozenMerc
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    Definitely one of the most iconic periods in American automotive design. The tailfins seemed to define the excess of the post war years.

    In the immortal words of Homer Simpson: "You know that little ball you put on the aerial so you can find your car in a parking lot? That should be on every car! And some things are so snazzy they never go out of style; like tail fins! And bubble domes! And shag carpeting!"

    [​IMG]

    How about the dual stacked fins on a '57 Packard:
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: May 27, 2014
  9. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 7,723

    George
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    yup
     
  10. Hyfire
    Joined: Jun 18, 2004
    Posts: 1,232

    Hyfire
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    The '57 Cadillac is a great first choice.

    The 1957 Cadillac line actually had 3 distinct sets of fins available. The standard reverse-leaning fin, the Eldorado shark-fin (shown) and the Brougham which previewed what the '58 would look like. All looked completely different.
     
  11. miky2001
    Joined: Nov 9, 2006
    Posts: 939

    miky2001
    Member
    from houston

    gotta love the 59 chevy
     

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  12. RainierHooker
    Joined: Dec 20, 2011
    Posts: 2,031

    RainierHooker
    Member
    from Tacoma, WA

    By far my favorite...

    [​IMG]

    '57 Studebaker Hawk. Love the fins. Love the shape. Love the contrasting color scheme. Love the chrome 'louvers'.

    ...and the rest of the car ain't bad to look at either.
     
  13. leocad
    Joined: Sep 7, 2007
    Posts: 306

    leocad
    Member
    from LA, CA

    Nothing will ever beat this in my eyes.
     

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  14. jcmarz
    Joined: Jan 10, 2010
    Posts: 4,631

    jcmarz
    Member
    from Chino, Ca

    The 57 Chevy has the most iconic fin there is. Anybody who sees one knows it's a 57 Chevy and it's a pop culture symbol of the 50s.
     
  15. catdad49
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 6,401

    catdad49
    Member

    And just when you thought it was safe to go into the water, Fins...Fins... Everywhere!! I like most of them now, maybe not when they were new, but I always liked the Hawk fins for what they added to an old design( not dated by any means). Even after I found out that they were bolted on, I thought they were still Cool. Thanks Bomber.
     
  16. I may be a bit biased, but my "Favorite Fins of the Fifties" are the '57 Chrysler:

    [​IMG]
    Our '57 300 C (now owned by HAMBer johnl)

    Most recently, "our" 300C was part of the "FINS: Form Without Function" exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum (February 2013 - February 2014):

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2014
  17. Rusty O'Toole
    Joined: Sep 17, 2006
    Posts: 9,657

    Rusty O'Toole
    Member

    Love the DeSoto (second from left in above picture). They had a great fin, and integrated it into the tail lights and bumper better than anybody.

    "Fins form without function" not true in the case of Chrysler. Their bodies were wind tunnel tested and the fins definitely improved straight line stability at high speeds and in cross winds. Important on the new interstates which allowed cruising speeds up to 70, and were built for speeds up to 100.

    This was confirmed by independent tests. Andy Granatelli set Bonneville records with Chryslers and he said the 61 was definitely more stable than the 62. The only difference, the 62 was shorn of fins.

    59 Chevs were accused of getting airborne at speed because of their fins. This was a myth, their horizontal fins did nothing.
     
  18. Ulu
    Joined: Feb 26, 2014
    Posts: 1,775

    Ulu
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    from CenCal

    Except attract car buyers like fleas.
     
  19. Ulu
    Joined: Feb 26, 2014
    Posts: 1,775

    Ulu
    Member
    from CenCal

    I saw one of these ('59 Caddy) at the Autorama maybe 12 years back. It had the fins completely shaved from the body and it looked wonderful. Wish I could remember the name.

    It's just amazing to me that I liked that car both with and without the fins equally well. One of my favorite bulgemobiles of all time.
     
  20. INTMD8
    Joined: May 13, 2011
    Posts: 82

    INTMD8
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    from Il.

  21. autobilly
    Joined: May 23, 2007
    Posts: 3,123

    autobilly
    Member

    Me too. Iconic.
    [​IMG]
     
  22. I'm a big fin fan. I don't recall any I don't like,although I am sure there is probably one out there I am not thinking of. The 59 Chevy I think is the worst but still its a good looking car.
    I agree the 61-62 Caddy is one of the most tasteful and the 57 Chevy is the iconic fin winner to me.
     
  23. autobilly
    Joined: May 23, 2007
    Posts: 3,123

    autobilly
    Member

    Another I'm quite partial to. Subtle and well integrated.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  24. Arekusu
    Joined: Nov 3, 2008
    Posts: 34

    Arekusu
    Member

    1957 Coupe de Ville fin
     

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    Texas57 likes this.
  25. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 7,723

    George
    Member

    Saw Mopar literature claiming they made it better in a crosswind. No, increasing "sail area" hurts in a crosswind. dolts.
     
  26. rprice76
    Joined: Jun 4, 2011
    Posts: 441

    rprice76
    Member
    from Palominas

    My uncle bought the 60 convertible. As he was signing the paperwork the sales guy said "Are you married?" My uncle replied "nope!"

    Well.....


    Final signature.....done wraps up all documents and eyes my uncle.

    With this baby, you will be soon!.

    Very right!. Maried my aunt a year later. The car was captured in video at their wedding. My aunt found the video and had it turned into a DVD. I should rip it and post it here! Big, Red, and fins for miles!
     
  27. Here's my "Three Favorite {Italian} Fins of the Fifties" ... the Alfa Romeo "Berlinetta Aerodynamica Technicas" (BATs) designed by Giuseppe "Nuccio" Bertone:

    BATcars.jpg
    left to right: 1953 BAT 5, 1954 BAT 7, & 1955 BAT 9
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2017
  28. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 7,723

    George
    Member

    That would be cool, at www.forwardlook.net also!:)
     

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