is this even a c body?

[bluefury361]

"Foward look"......defiantly a kind, generous and merciful description,

Virgil Exners finned "forward look" designs of 56-57 are what put him, and Chrysler, on the map as style inovators. GM & Ford were put in a catchup mode. (Chevrolet was caught with their pants down and the 57 design was a revamp of the 55-56 body. People at Chevy lost their jobs over that. It's ironic that the 57 chevy went on to become the cultural icon that it is).
By 61 Exners designs had become exotic and outlandish beyond the public acceptance and Virgil was sent packing.... To make matters worse, he was replaced by Fords head designer.

 

[70NPORT]

Yep pretty much, exner started out well, but when cars started sporting eye brows the party was over.

 

[bluefury361]

Forward look

The 60-61's and even the 62 model Plymouth & Dodge cars were a love it or hate it design it seems.
Sales show they were mostly disliked by the public but they were still head and shoulders beyond in style then the 60-61 Ford & Chevy offerings which looked like old cars in comparison

A quick check of a current value guide will reveal that model to model the 60-61 Plymouth/dodges are more desirable to most collectors then the chevy or Fords.

Me.....I just love them...!

 

[cm23uoc]

IIRC Exner himself was not completely satisfied with these 61 models. They were designed in a period where he was mostly absent from the studios due to his first heart attack, should have been around 1957.

 

[has2bmopar]

Everyone still fails to see the beauty. The world suffers a little because of this....

Don't put me in the mix, I love the finned Mopars. When I was just a little $hit in the early '70s my dad had a '60 Plymouth wagon, a '60 Chrysler Saratoga, '60 Dodge Senaca wagon, '61 Newport and a '62 Newport wagon. I remember riding in the '60 Plymouth and the '62 Chrysler wagons very well, and the '60 Plymouth had the rear facing seat, that I thought was pretty cool. I think in about '74 he got his '68 Monaco, and both the Exner and the slab cars are still the ones that trip my trigger the most.

It wasn't until I was in High School in the mid '80s that I saw some '57-8 Chryslers and Desotos and I had to have one, so as soon as I was able to save up $175 I bought the '57 Desoto that I still have today. Through my vast variety of Mopars that I have had here, more people were most facinated by the '57 Desoto, followed by my '61 New Yorker 2drht, and they are not nice, just project cars.

 

[has2bmopar]

Ugh, fins. Nice condition for it's age but I'll pass, thank you.

I'm uncertain which car you are commenting on, as the '61 Plymouth doesn't have fins.

THESE, are fins....

 

[cm23uoc]

The 57s are about the most radical design changes of the postwar market, and as production numbers show not too far away from buyer reception.
Reportedly they were the cause that Harley Earl lost the undisputed power in GM design unit. It was said that when GM designers took a look at the first 57 Mopars outside the Chrysler plant during lunch in fall 1956, they went back and completely discarded the favored 59 designs by Earl without his consent while he was touring European car shows. Something that was unheard of then as he used to rule like a Czar. He quickly went into retirement afterwards.

Got a soft spot for the "Exner-inspired" 59-60 GM cars as well, favorite would be the 59 Olds Dynamic 88 as a 2dr. or station wagon.

 

[has2bmopar]

IIRC Exner himself was not completely satisfied with these 61 models. They were designed in a period where he was mostly absent from the studios due to his first heart attack, should have been around 1957.

The Chryslers and Desotos still had the fins in '61 while the Dodges and Plymouths got their fins plucked.

How can you not like these?....

 

[cm23uoc]

You're right about the finned versions, was primarily thinking of the Dodge/Plymouths.
I always liked that 61 DeSoto front end despite many find them strange, strong resemblence to the 59-60 Lincoln by the way. But 1957 is the benchmark.

 

[has2bmopar]

Damn I love those....

View attachment 7051

Sweet.... Really liking the color on this also, just needs some polished torq thrusts and a strong 493... keeping the cross ram.

 

[70NPORT]

Ok, fins win.

 

[cm23uoc]

Not the least C-body connection, but something I always wondered about. What do you guys think of the early Valiants. These sold very well, can't understand why. Somehow like the station wagon, but there were several compacts on the market I would have preferred back in the day. The 62 Valiant signet even won a design of the year award.

 

[70NPORT]

One of the ugliest cars Chrysler EVER made.

 

[has2bmopar]

Ok, fins win.

:grin: ... ccasion14:

 

[70NPORT]

:grin: ... ccasion14:

Pic and choose battles........can't win this one on this board.......clearly outgunned.

 

[has2bmopar]

What do you guys think of the early Valiants.

The front end was decent, but from there back..... Nope sorry. This opinion covers the Dodge Lancer as well.

 

[bluefury361]

Ok, fins win.

Damm..... your easy.....:smileinbox:

 

[bluefury361]

Not the least C-body connection, but something I always wondered about. What do you guys think of the early Valiants. These sold very well, can't understand why. Somehow like the station wagon, but there were several compacts on the market I would have preferred back in the day. The 62 Valiant signet even won a design of the year award.

View attachment 7064

I had a friend who stuffed a 440 into one of these back in the early 70's. Good for straight lines only.....
:3gears:

 

[70NPORT]

Damm..... your easy.....:smileinbox:

Nah, just pretty much alone.

 

[commando1]

You guys already know my answer.
Yah, I loved them too. I know you all are starting to think I'm gay.

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