Harley Earl, General Motors' styling boss from the late 1920s to the late 1950s, seems to have had a soft spot in his heart for designs based on large-radius curves. That is, highly rounded designs that could range from chubby-looking to bloated.
Perhaps the most extreme examples were styling studies from around 1945-48. Most of these never got further than the scale model stage.
But one exception was the 1946-vintage Cadillac Interceptor design that was modeled in clay full-size and two prototypes were built, one of which was driven at the proving ground.
Below are images of the Interceptor. It was wisely decided not to produce it because of its fat appearance. Nevertheless, the Interceptor is interesting due to its manifestation of a brief period of American styling thinking as well as for some of its features that entered production a few years later.
Gallery
Stylist sketch of an Interceptor variation.
Poor-quality image of an early-1946 clay model -- perhaps not full-scale.
Full-scale clay model from late 1946. As usual, different details were placed on opposite sides so as to avoid the expense of building two separate models -- common styling studio practice. A noteworthy feature is the panoramic or wraparound windshield that appeared on GM production sedans for the 1954 model year. Here we see a split windshield, acknowledging current limitations in production glass forming technology.
Another view of the same model. Wraparound front and rear bumpers featuring extensions along the side were a major style feature. Presumably all that low brightwork would draw viewers' eyes downward, giving the car a lower appearance. Minimally, they help break up the slab fender side.
Rear view. Again some wraparound, this time for the backlight window. A variation on this three-piece design entered production for the 1949 model year on GM's new "hardtop convertible" models for Cadillac, Buick and Oldsmobile. Note the massive bumper and the rounded trunk lid. The latter implies less carrying capacity than a more squared-off design could offer.
Side view. Something similar to the C-pillar design appeared on some early-1950s GM four-door sedans. Lack of full wheel openings possibly enhanced aerodynamic efficiency, but would have made the turning radius large. The wheels on this model are larger than on the prototypes.
Prototype Cadillac Interceptor. It is quite low for its time and less bulky that the clay models suggested. Its aft side window profile is more rounded than that on the model in the previous image.
Another view showing a frontal design that differs from those on the clay models. The hood seems a little higher. Headlights are exposed, but likely would have door covers as seen on most of the clay's photos -- assuming that they could be engineered for production. Note the heavy, rounded fenders and hood. The airy "greenhouse" counteracts that to some extent.
The photos of the full size ones outside are of similar but different cars. The upper side view shows swept back A pillars and vent windows wider at the top than bottom, like a late 50's GM car. The lower one has vertical A pillars and no vent windows. It's really too bad that so many of these kind of things, even actual rolling if not drivable ones were trashed. How hard would it have been to stick them someplace for future display? But then historic preservation of buildings wasn't that big a thing either. New - good. Old - bad, as we aimed at a bright shiny Futurama future. I've seen a one or two of the GM cars that Boortz (?) resurrected for god knows how much money.
ReplyDeleteThis is fascinating!! I love clay styling studies, particularly ones that were never produced.
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