Register now to get rid of these ads!

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. The Continental
    Joined: Aug 23, 2011
    Posts: 363

    The Continental
    Member
    from Texas

    So besides Cadillacs 1957-61 minus the regular 1957s, you've got the other GM 1959s minus Olds. Add in the 1960 Chrysler and 1954 Skylark.
     
  2. Special Ed
    Joined: Nov 1, 2007
    Posts: 7,967

    Special Ed
    Member


    And yet someone still felt the need to embellish them! Only a few handfuls were ever built, but the Chevrolet El Morocco took Chevy's fin design to a new level ... :)


    [​IMG]
     
  3. flamingokid
    Joined: Jan 5, 2005
    Posts: 2,200

    flamingokid
    Member

    '59 Chevy...those cars always looked like they would take flight.
     
  4. SuRfAcE_RuSt
    Joined: Sep 22, 2010
    Posts: 608

    SuRfAcE_RuSt
    Member

  5. edwardlloyd
    Joined: Aug 2, 2003
    Posts: 2,072

    edwardlloyd
    Member
    from Germany

    My favorites are the 1957-59 Dodge fins. The Forward Look body was the sleakest of the late fifties and Dodges styling was just a million dollar look.
    1st picture found on the internet from Holland.
     

    Attached Files:

  6. edwardlloyd
    Joined: Aug 2, 2003
    Posts: 2,072

    edwardlloyd
    Member
    from Germany

    And my second favorite are the 1960-61 Dodge Polara. The 61s were pretty ugly up front but the super rare ones with the Plymouth front look way better. So really it's Dodge from '57 to '61 who takes home my trophy.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Apr 23, 2014
    Texas57 likes this.
  7. BurnoutNova
    Joined: Mar 30, 2011
    Posts: 135

    BurnoutNova
    Member
    from USA

    Agreed. Them fins command respect!
     
  8. PunkAssGearhead88
    Joined: Jul 9, 2006
    Posts: 1,788

    PunkAssGearhead88
    Member
    from So Cal

    I'm a little biased to early Comets..

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    And '59 Chevys, but I'm pretty sure everyone knows what those look like..
     
  9. PunkAssGearhead88
    Joined: Jul 9, 2006
    Posts: 1,788

    PunkAssGearhead88
    Member
    from So Cal


    That looks perfect!
     
  10. GRX
    Joined: Mar 28, 2014
    Posts: 68

    GRX
    Member
    from MD

    :cool: '59 Biscayne, always been my favorite of the fins. Bottom of the line big car with simplistic styling. And that cat-like rear stance. Gotta love it ... or hate it. To me the front portals coupled with the tail lights provides a symmetry which many other finned cars lack. In '60 they bent the rear fins like gull's wings and changed the tail lights. Ruined it for me.
    [​IMG][​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  11. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

    I'm a 57 Chevy guy all the way, but the Forward Look Mopars are so right.
     
  12. I stand corrected.
     
  13. Gotgas
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 7,175

    Gotgas
    Member
    from DFW USA

    There are a lot of nice fins out there, but IMO the '57-58 Chryslers and DeSotos were the cleanest and best. For me the runners-up are '59 Buick and '60 Cadillac.

    Here is a photoshop of the car I'm building...
    [​IMG]
     
  14. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 7,723

    George
    Member

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

    jcmarz
    Member
    from Chino, Ca

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

    RainierHooker
    Member
    from Tacoma, WA

  17. 54Buick48D
    Joined: Jan 25, 2013
    Posts: 208

    54Buick48D
    Member
    from Maryland

    1960 Imperial fins

    [​IMG]
     
  18. 50Fraud
    Joined: May 6, 2001
    Posts: 10,101

    50Fraud
    Member

    I'm not a big fin fan, but I agree with your preferences.

    According to aerodynamicists, stability is enhanced when the center of pressure (the center of the side plan view area) is behind the center of gravity. Tailfins move the center of pressure aft, and would improve that relationship.
     
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2014
  19. oldthudman
    Joined: May 12, 2010
    Posts: 85

    oldthudman
    Member

    Agreed the Hawk was one of the best.........
     
  20. mixedupamx
    Joined: Dec 2, 2006
    Posts: 513

    mixedupamx
    Member

    that 59 is incredibly beautiful! I'm in love:D
     
  21. imperialman67
    Joined: Dec 29, 2008
    Posts: 42

    imperialman67
    Member
    from minnesota

    Contest over!
     
  22. Ulu
    Joined: Feb 26, 2014
    Posts: 1,775

    Ulu
    Member
    from CenCal

    Not quite. They move the center of pressure aft.
     
  23. 50Fraud
    Joined: May 6, 2001
    Posts: 10,101

    50Fraud
    Member

    Thanks for the correction. I misspoke, and have since corrected what I wrote above.
     
  24. Logjammin
    Joined: Jan 28, 2014
    Posts: 7

    Logjammin
    Member
    from Colby, KS

    Mine is and always will be the 57-58 desoto... Why not start the fins in the middle of the car?
     
  25. Logjammin
    Joined: Jan 28, 2014
    Posts: 7

    Logjammin
    Member
    from Colby, KS

    59 Buick for sure wins front end... Mean looking... Too bad all that petered out... Think fins will loop back around? That'd be cool Christine was always a neat Plymouth and I don't think enough recognition goes to those fins
     
  26. PunkAssGearhead88
    Joined: Jul 9, 2006
    Posts: 1,788

    PunkAssGearhead88
    Member
    from So Cal

    Nice! It surprises me some of the Mopars of that era didn't get as popular as other makes.
     
  27. pwschuh
    Joined: Oct 27, 2008
    Posts: 2,827

    pwschuh
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    There are very few fins I don't like.
     
  28. Ulu
    Joined: Feb 26, 2014
    Posts: 1,775

    Ulu
    Member
    from CenCal

    The Swedes are OK too, but those Danes are a bit off the wall for my taste.
     
  29. Dave Mc
    Joined: Mar 8, 2011
    Posts: 2,576

    Dave Mc
    Member

    isn't this what kickstarted the Tailfin thing ?
     

    Attached Files:

  30. 50Fraud
    Joined: May 6, 2001
    Posts: 10,101

    50Fraud
    Member

    ^ This is several years in, a '53, I think. Cadillac started them in '48.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.