I think the debate is worth having. I also believe that many different arguments can made for what year in time can claim the best models of cars. Does one have to look to how many "popular" models of different makes for that year, as the answer to such a strange question? For example, the look of many 1932 vehicles shared a common shape which is very popular and attractive, But the Ford is the only real stand out in the group. 1949 has the shoeboxes and Mercs as shining stars, but can the rest of the class of '49 meet that standard. or would '50 have it? My personal leanings have me thinking that '54 has the quite an exceptional group thru all the GM lines as well as Ford's family. Chrysler... maybe? The late fifties overly chromed years might be considered with the big fin Chevys, Cadillacs, Chryslers, not to mention the little T-birds and Vettes. What about the 60's? Is there such a year with a lot of loved designs? I understand it is all a matter of opinion in some cases. But when you see the cars that really stood the test of time, are there years with more wins then loses as far as over all appeal of the model year? I'm very curious what the HAMB family thinks about this thought. If you don't give a hoot, then ignore it. But if you have an opinion I'm very interested.
Stevie is correct in my opinion. 37 GM cars are the most attractive of all the manufacturers. and, yes, i do own a 37 chevy coupe. THE best looking one of the bunch.
I've always thought that everything GM put out for the 1960 model year hit it right out of the park. Every brand nailed it. The other guys did pretty well that year too. My vote would be '60.
'57 is definitely a contender. Fairlane's best year in my opinion. The layperson who knows nothing of automobile years calls everything a 1957.
I would argue that '59 had bigger stars then '60. But a grip of the 1960 cars were much cleaner designs.
What we're looking for are years where most of us would like to own ANYTHING from that year. (Some years are twin years, where not much changed for the second year.) I'd vote: 1932 1937 1940 1949 1955 1957 1961
I gotta go with 59. Big and bold was in, cars just dripped chrome, fins were all the rage. Some may think they were obnoxious, but I like what the auto makers were doing.
I'm strictly a pre-war guy, but even I'll admit that it's pretty hard to beat 1963/64; Regal, Grand Prix, Galaxie XL, Impala, Corvette...
1957 By Far!! 1957 was a great year for EVERY brand. I can't think of one single car in 1957 that I wouldn't like to own.
This is very subjective, but generally, cars got better as the years passed. The car manufacturers were learning too, and some of the improvements were actually improvements. For example, a 56 Ford was head and shoulders above a model T in sophistication and engineering. The car makers in 1923 could never envision a car being made like they were in later years. Can you imagine the reaction you would have gotten if you drove a 56 Ford down the street in 1923 ? They would have thought Martians had landed. But for our purposes on here the years selected will be what we individuals like from a coolness standpoint. Personally, I like every car made before 1971, that is when I lost interest in new cars. Don
No question on modern cars (am I showing my age by saying that 57 is modern?) the 57 was the teats... my father had a 57 Starchief Pontiac, beautiful car, a few years later I had a 57 ford convertible, very nice.... but I voted for early cars, the 1934... I had a 34 Pontiac sedan and for most early makes the 34 models could not be beat .....
Something about having 4 headlights really lights my fire. From the front, it would have to be 58. From any other angle, 57 was the year for the best looking bodies.
I have to agree that 1957 was a great year. There was more real improvement in cars between 1947 and 1957 than any decade since. In the next 10 years there was not a lot of fundamental change. Even the 1977 cars weren't much improved over the 57s compared to the 47 - 57s. There were some great cars that year. Nearly all car makers had something sensational on offer.
1961. Across the board all, makes looked pretty darn good. Especially the GM cars and I'm a Ford guy. The 1961Starliner was great looking but not as good as the 2dr hardtop GMs. Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
'57. Good looking cars across the board, also ushering in many performance models that were absent previously. ---John
Stutz, as you said...very subjective...but fun to discuss. Lot's of factors involved. Fact is, it'd be so hard to choose just one. I want one of each...lol. Stevie, I tend to agree...especially if we're not just talking style, but also strong construction and function. Even more so if we stay within the pre-war era. I've always thought that the late '30s cars were the best of both worlds...still retaining the early look, with a tall grille, separate headlight buckets, running boards, etc...yet with the benefit of the newer, stronger construction for the body, frame/chassis, and upgrades for the drivetrain and suspension as well. 1937 was the first year that GM offered a full steel turret and independent suspension. The frames and bodies were much stronger than previous eras. And even though Chevy's IFS was a little weird, the larger GM cars used A-arm front suspensions that weren't much different than in later years. I love the early Fords, '32/'33/'34...but if I could have only one, I might likely pick a late '30s GM. I've got a real hankerin' for a 320ci straight eight or Nailhead powered '37 Buick Roadmaster or Century coupe. Or maybe a '37 Cadillac coupe with a warmed-up flathead Cad V8. Or even a '37 Pontiac coupe with a worked-over flathead straight eight. But keep the mohair interior. Lowered a little in back. Open exhaust. That's it. A badass, early, gentleman's hot rod. I have to admit...the cars from '33 had beautiful style...pretty much for all makes. Love the refined early "square" look for '32/'33/'34...before the advent of fat fenders. I prefer the swooped '33 grille over the '34. Who wouldn't want a chopped Ford hot rod coupe of that era...or even a Dodge or Plymouth...maybe even a GM. I'm with ya here. Big changes after 1970. The cars got heavier, styles changed...and not for the better imo. HP dropped big-time, etc. '70 and earlier, I was always excited to see the new cars. After that, I totally lost interest too.
1963 - Split Window Vette, Galaxie, Impala Z11 427, Falcon V8 Convertible, Plymouth Max Wedge 426, etc
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