Re: IML: 61 Imperial beats 59 Caddy

[John Corey <jcorey@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Notably, in conjunction with the Eyes on Design show, there was a worldwide gathering of the Broughams (57/58 Caddy Eldo Broughams, that is).  Five showed up.  Nice cars in many details and in construction quality, to be sure - but still totally pre-modern in overall shape and absence of complete integration of form.  That honor is Exner's alone, and the source of all newer designs ever since (neo-classics notwithstanding).  I had a long talk with the leader of the Brougham club.  He noted that they cost so much to build (as 'halo' cars) that, like the Mark ii Continentals, each one was a loss sale.  Apparently, a GM employee asked to buy one at cost, and was presented with a bill thousands of dollars ABOVE the retail price!

jc

On Jun 20, 2007, at 10:52 PM, Isenhour wrote:

Well maybe up against a regular '57 or '58 Caddy but the '57 Eldorado

Brougham 4 door stainless steel top was a real head turner back then and

still is today. 

John;

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful trip and the events and cars with us 

all.  I certainly would have liked being there with you.

I agree that the '61 Imperial has a much more integrated look than a '59 

Caddy.  In '57 when the new body style Imperial was introduced it really 

put the Caddys at the time to shame too.  In my opinion the cars were 

more like 40-50 years ahead of their time in styling.  I liked the 

interiors of the '57-'60 Imperials better than the '61-'63 models.  The 

round gauge clusters just look more appealing than a rectangular shape 

to me.  I always thought the Imperial interior designers were caving in 

to the Caddy dash design when they did the later Imperials.  Of course 

each style has its pluses and minuses.  The Chryslers of the '60-'62 era 

had that fantastic 1/4 dome shaped instrument cluster that always drew 

quite a lot of attention too.

Imperials of the Exner era, especially the '57-'63 models had various 

bumper designs, both front and rear.  I liked the '59 rear bumper the 

best along with the '60 front bumper as having the most integral shape 

to fit with the overall styling.  I do like the separated headlight pods 

on the '61-'63 models, but thought the '58 and '60 front ends were quite 

good looking.

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John Corey

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