Much agreed!.. 1936 3 window is my favorite 1932 3 window 1950 Merc 1960 Cadillac coupe And of course, one of the main reasons I like you Ryan: 1965 Riviera
yep... 1936 ford 3W Coupe... sexiest EVER! 1960 starliner/impala.... cant make up my mind 1932 ford roadster... duh. 1965 Buick rivera 1963 corvette stingray
39 Zephyr coupe 41 Buick convertible 36 Ford roadster 59 Buick Invicta 34 LaSalle Series 350 rumble seat coupe
'58 Cad Coupe Deville '55 Ponti Star Chief '36 Ford Three Window Coupe Deuce Highboy Roadster (Hot Rod Ford) '27 Miller 91 (if American race cars count too) That was hard!
For me in no particular order & subject to change at any time: 1. 57 Ford Fairlane 2. 36 Ford 3-window 3. 56-57 Continental 4. 49-51 Ford Sedan 5. 65 Buick Riveria
Cord 810/812 36 Ford 3 window coupe 63-67 Corvette coupe 53 Studebaker Starlight coupe Stu Hilborn's lakester
ok, its time to weigh in on the top 5 as I see them 1963 corvette 1953 studebaker 1940 chevy master deluxe (almost bought one twice) 1960 caddy 1961 chrysler 300 conv (in red, of course)
1. 32 Ford Vicky 2. 55 Chevy Nomad 3. 62 Chevy Bel Air Bubble Top 4. 40 Ford Coupe (standard) 5. 29 Ford Roadster
Weasel, i note you refer to " American " fins influencing Italian styling - , i disagree and to set the record straight, I recall pre-war German Grand prix racers such as the Auto Union had fins , but it was the Italians that put Fins on the rear fenders of the Cisitalia D46 chassis at least a couple years before Harley Earl incorporated them into the 48 Cadillac design. My list of 5 Notable American designs includes: 1936 - 37 CORD 1957 - 58 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham 1953 -55 Corvette 1953 - 54 Studebaker Starliner Coupe 1963 - 65 Buick Riviera The Kellison J4 Is another notable design that deserves credit. Mike
My list would have to include '35 Studebaker convert., '53 Buick Skylark, '56 300B, '53 Studebaker h'top, '39 Ford convert.
the early 30's and early 50's were great years for designers the early thirties cars look like the designer's only tool was the french curve, beatiful flowing lines then the early fifties designs were all fresh and advanced after the total lack of new designs during the war I don't think I can put a finger on any five specific cars, but I'm glad to see so many Studebakers make the list(s) and for sure one of my all time favorites are the '53 coupes
i think many people don't include the engineering of a car in the design... well i have to cause what is a car with out thinking about the motor, or tanny or suspension...ect. just junk for your yard. late fifties fuel injected desoto, and its electronic not mechanical... 67 chevelle cord 810, they were front wheel drive too, it was cool then, not now... tucker's, maybe a little odd but still cool as hell 63 superduty wagon, yea its a pretty much one of a kind car, but watever, it had a 4-speed that was mounted in the ass, independent rear, and a 421, yea thats the kinda thing i want in all my cars.... and as far as a euro car, what about a vw karman ghia, hell you can actaully get those and there buetifull....
My list is more general. Pick 1 each category. Can't go wrong!; '32-'34 Ford, any body style; '40 Ford, any body style; '60 and earlier Corvette; '53-54 Studebaker hdtp or coupe only; and just for contrast to the smooth and round '50's Corvettes: '59 Chevys! any body style but 4 doors. (What were they thinking?!!! The management that OK'd them into production HAD to be on some SERIOUS MEDS!!! I truly LOVE these! -made to be lowered, flaked & scalloped!!!To me, the '59 El Camino is the WILDEST!! Completely off the page!)---OK, I'll calm down now. Good night.
1. 63 Lincoln Continental 2. 1959 ford p/u ( I just love em) 3. 1954 & Early 55 chevy p/u 4. 40 ford 5. 66-77 Broncos
I see some common thoughts on here. Some I'd have to agree. 1. 34 Packard 1108 Custom Dietrich Stationary Coupe 2. 36 Ford 3W coupe 3. 41 Packard 180 Darrin Conv. Victoria 4. 61 Cadillac 2dr H.T. 5. 41 Lincoln Continental Conv. The Continental is pretty weak with regard to it's "exotic" aluminum headed V-12. That and it's overgrown Model T suspension don't realy inspire, but the lines on that car are pure sex appeal. Much cleaner than many of the customs of the time, it took until 41 for the Packard Darrin to catch up to the same build level. We're doing one in the shop and I could look at the lines of that car all day. You need to experience a Dietrich Stationary Cpe in person. I can't even express the balance, the clean and striking proportions on a 147" wheelbase(!)...screw it, here's one:
me too: '53 Studebaker HT coupe '49 Buick vert '34 Ford coupe '62 Thunderbird vert '63 Studebaker Avanti
I would like to point out that there is a mistake in the list. Number 5 is not a Lincoln. It is a Continental. At that point in time, Lincoln had not aquired the Continetal division. Sot it is just a Continental. I have been corrected on this point many times by my neighbor who owns 2 fully restored 1956 Continentals. One white, one black. They are a fun car to drive and ride around in. We took it out on the highway and were doing 95mph and the car just glides along, quiet and smooth.
53 Stude h/t 57 ford fairlane h/t 40 ford coupe 32 ford coupe 64 Rivi 64 Caddy 35 Indian Chief (thought i'd throw a curve with a bike) also a mention to the designers responsible, ET Gregorie, Bob Bourke, Oscar Hedstrom and i'm not sure who claims the 57 ford, Rivi, or Caddy.
No particular order, but just neat designs I like. 50 Plymouth Business Coupe 63-65 Rivieras 66 Chevelle 38 Ford coupe 63 Valiants 50-54 GMC trucks
Well you dropped the shoebox for the Mark2, having one of each not sure if I would've done the same. Your #1 choice has been mine for about 45 years. fell in love with 36 roadsters when i was just a kid,IMHO prettiest production car ever built.
The key to these lists are to not read others posts before you write down what comes off your mind right away, other wise , you may be swayed.... here are mine that I know will probally raise a few eyebrows... 1) '61 Pontiac Bonneville - just the prettiest car ever built.....ever. period. 2) '61 corvette (1st year with stingray back, but still remain are the coves with spears) 3). '59 El camino (also toss in the other impala models, but the '59 elky is style and grace matched with form and function - just a beautiful car/truck!) 4). '32 ford 3w with 2.5-3" chop. (there isnt much prettier than this car chopped correctly. A great design stock, but the chop does it all for me and thats why Ive got it at 4 and not 1. --- If Henry built these "chopped" it'd be #1 all day). 5), '71 Buick riveria - boat tail -----say what you will....I almost wrote down '66 AMC Marlin, so THERE! Neat list to take part in here. I hadnt done this before, but am curious if I'll change my mind after reading the other posts......
I think the cars you could buy back in the day that if you had a real limited buget once you got one. If you just got them into the right stance w/the right wheels & tire combo it could pass 'til you could afford more mods. 1) 32 Ford 3 or 5 window coupe (well any model) 2) 36 Ford coupe 3) 38 Chevy coupe 4) 40 Ford coupe 5) 49 Ford coupe
My 5 favorites in no order , stock from the dealer and without getting too exotic : ALL 32-36 Ford 3 windows (sorry for cheating , can't pick just 1) ALL 41-49 Cadillac sedanettes (" ") 1938 Lincoln Zephyr 3 window 1939 Mercury convertible 1939 Ford deluxe wood wagon
1- '59 pontiac bonneville 2- '54 buick skylark 3- '57 chevrolet belair 4- '63 corvette stingray 5- '57 cadillac eldorado convertible honorable mention 1978 Mustang II COUPE
The Jalopy Journal
