Art & Inspiration REAL HISTORY, OR MYThICAL CREATURE?

I keep seeing this on Facebook. every time its posted, somebody says its a fake. However, the proof they post, is a no where near stock '57. can somebody please put me straight, on the history of this picture. Thank you in advance.

 

I'd have to say it's 'real', but was very likely a factory styling exercise that never saw production.

 

I've seen more than one of those builds online.

 

That was my feeling as well.

 

Look's pretty cool.

 

Hell, I shoulda just ask you! thanks.

 

57? you mean 55?

 

and a 57



from this thread

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachments/757a137fb127413cd155ae808ad15d37-jpg.3862760/

 

I've been to John's house to buy a couple bucket seats. The guy has some of the coolest stuff; big collection of every M/T valve covers made and hoards of other things. He's a '57 guy but was building a '55 two door wagon to sleep in while he attends swap meets. Goes roller skating every Wednesday night with his wife. Oh yeah, he's 85!

 

Yep Johns A trip, talk to him every year at Bakersfield. He owns a hoard of 57s including some very RARE ones.

 

Thom Taylor did a design sketch 30 years ago, The Fleetline back and a 1954 Chevy look perfect. Bob

 

It's a 55..!
As others have suggested, a "design exercise".
Just placed an early (48-50) top onto the 55.
Similar to the 57 in pictures farther down this thread.

I kinda like it.

Mike

 

I will be the outlier that thinks its pretty ugly.

 

^^^I'm with you. The Fleetline roof/trunk does nothing for the 55 or 57. The older, carried over from the late 40's shape is a clash with the mid 50's styling.

 

In the photo there is the name rick atkinson.
He is an author. His name is on the book in the background
of the MODEL.

Nick

 

Here is a little twist on this...there is no question GM was throwing the Fleetline styling onto auto show prototypes and the Vette seemed to have had similar treatment...

We are very clever today with digital technology, can manipulate imagery and fool the masses let alone there being metal wizards capable of same.

That said I am surprised there's only one grainy crappy resolution image of the 55 version shown above.

My twist is since there was many likes for the 57 version and even more dislikes.

I digitally customized the 1 off of the real steel 57 version which is identified as a concept whether it's a Modern or GM concept I dunno...anyways it seems this 55 version is getting similar gag factor from many members...remember at the Hamb we take the fugly and make it wow...

This is what I did to the 57 version of same and I know I changed a few opinions.

Check out the fastback thread below while you're at it there's some beauty's

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-forgotten-fastbacks.1103640/page-3#post-12522842


https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-forgotten-fastbacks.1103640/


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Isn't that a keyboard behind the '55?

 

I think that may be front row seats...with the alphabet and numbers......that's a pretty darn interesting observation.

Maybe that was April 1rst...

 

This is just to give creedence to the possibility that this may have been...interesting the Fleetline Style called a Corvair of which there may have been 2 was shown at Motorama in 54.


https://heacockclassic.com/articles/corvette-concepts-and-prototypes/

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It seems this was an Author who did military related publications which makes the name and the car coincidental...I believe you, @Moriarity are correct with it being a model and @blowby has identified a keyboard...this all said it would make a worthy custom...

I really believed this was a full size car...I know there is a few having a bit of a chuckle but it seemed to have some validity due to similar prototyping by GM proper.

 

The cars pictured, full size or not, are not all that daring. They look clumsy. The attempt to keep them looking like production cars limits the possibilities of a fast back; and, the back widows are stingy even in comparison to the big back window pickups of the same years. I don't see them as being prototypes because of this.

 

I can't lie; I don't find the '57 all that attractive, because the lines don't "jibe". The '57 cues off sweeping lines flowing backwards, and some cues "lunging forward", like the headlight eyebrows. All give the effect of speed. The fleetline roof lines flow in contrast to the '57 lines; they still give an effect of motion but not in compliment to the fenders. I will say that the car itself is a marvel of bodywork and imagination.

 

The Atkinson book is a paperback, there's a hardbound book with dust jacket below it, spine away from the camera.

 

Damn, how did I miss that.

 

nawsir Mr. Moriarity I havn't yet.

 

What about the idiot's here......being as I searched all over for better ink on this one off thinking it was full size......perhaps it was on the Sunday Models thread......I still think the pic sorta has a Motorama tinge to it...

I do believe a Fastback Custom in the 54-57 lineup all could be pulled of in a Hamb friendly Custom flavour and look awesome.

I get it though Fastbacks aren't everyone's cup of tea just like so many other things presented here.