Re: [Chrysler300] Interesting article on the history of fins on cars

["Don Warnaar" <300country@xxxxxxx>]

John and All,

The Forward Look definitely began in '55, but may have been thought up by the advertising agency after some of the literature was printed.  The television shows, "Climax" and "Shower of Stars" which shared the same time slot on CBS (alternating weeks), were introduced by announcer Art Gilmore as he announced the name of each car line and ended with "the cars of The Forward Look".  That began in the fall of 1956, so it was early in the model run.

The "100 Million Dollar Look" was the line used exclusively for the Chrysler.  It was not used for Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto or Imperial.  Just as in 1957, "Suddenly It's 1960" was only used for Plymouth.

Always found this type of trivia very interesting.  Glad it was brought up on the Listserver.

Don Warnaar
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John Nowosacki<mailto:jsnowosacki@xxxxxxxxx> 
  To: Don Warnaar<mailto:300country@xxxxxxx> 
  Cc: list server<mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
  Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2010 7:44 AM
  Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Interesting article on the history of fins on cars


  I purchased some 1955 literature back when I had my 55 C300, and there are many references to the "100 Million Dollar Look", touting the amount of money spent on the total redesign of the 1954 lineup, but I didn't see any reference to the "Forward Look" on the 55 advertising.  Perhaps the Forward Look started a bit later than 55?


  On Tue, Dec 21, 2010 at 7:35 AM, Don Warnaar <300country@xxxxxxx<mailto:300country@xxxxxxx>> wrote:

      
    There were a few subtle errors in that Wall Street Journal article about fins on cars. Nothing unusual about that of course. Happens all the time.

    They did get it right that The Forward Look began in 1955. Often publications mistakenly say '56 or '57. But the article states that Virgil Exner started his finned era at Chrysler in '55. Even though it the '55 Chrysler had what could be thought of as small fins with the addition of the chromed taillights, I never thought of them as actual fins. They were simply elongated taillights that were quite attractive. The Dodge had very small chrome extensions on its top line models, but the DeSoto and Plymouth had none at all. And the Imperial's unique taillights that topped the rear fenders were not fins. Now 1956 was an entirely different story. All the lines had definite fins. And of course, the '57s literally reached new heights.

    The article also incorrectly talked about the GM stylists getting a look at the new 1958 Chrysler creations in the late summer of 1957. It should have said the new 1957 cars during the summer of 1956.

    I do agree with Mr. Jordan that the 1960 Cadillac fins looked a lot better that the 1959 fins. the '60 fins were quite graceful compared with the "cartoonish" ones in '59.

    Don Warnaar
    New Jersey

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Dave Schwandt<mailto:finsruskw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:finsruskw%40iowatelecom.net>> 
    To: list server<mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:Chrysler300%40yahoogroups.com>> 
    Sent: Monday, December 20, 2010 8:11 AM
    Subject: [Chrysler300] Interesting article on the history of fins on cars

    OK, I'll confess!!!

    I stole this link from the Forward look site

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704694004576019463520583944.html?mod=WSJ_Autos_LS_Autos_7_1<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704694004576019463520583944.html?mod=WSJ_Autos_LS_Autos_7_1><http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704694004576019463520583944.html?mod=WSJ_Autos_LS_Autos_7_1<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704694004576019463520583944.html?mod=WSJ_Autos_LS_Autos_7_1>>

    Dave Schwandt

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