One such instance was the length of a car's hood. A long hood suggested it housed a large, powerful motor, whereas a short hood implied an ordinary engine. These perceptions stemmed from the 1920s and 1930s when in-line eight cylinder motors (and V-16s) were long and required a long hood. The other extreme was a four-cylinder (or V-8) engine that didn't need a long hood. Of course, some cars had long hoods and comparatively short (straight-six or V-12) motors, the long hood being largely for marketing purposes.
Today's post presents a few examples of American cars that had hoods of varying length attached to the same basic four-door sedan bodies. Images below are of cars listed for sale unless otherwise noted.
1948 Plymouth 4-door sedan
Chrysler Corporation used the same basic body across its entire line during the 1940s and into the early '50s. Above is a Plymouth, Chrysler's entry-level brand using the Corporation's body used 1940-1948.
1948 Chrysler New Yorker 4-door sedan
And here is a top-of-the-line Chrysler New Yorker. The cars are essentially the same abaft of the cowling. Plymouths had inline-six motors whereas New Yorkers had straight-eight engines -- partly justifying differing hood lengths. The Chrysler's wheelbase is 10 inches (254 mm) longer than the Plymouth's.
1950 Packard Eight DeLuxe Touring Sedan
Packard facelifted its 1941-vintage Clipper body for the 1948 model year. The car above has a 120-in wheelbase.
1948 Packard Custom Eight Touring Sedan
Packard's more expensive models such as this featured 127-in wheelbases -- seven inches (178mm) longer. All 1948 Packards had inline-eight cylinder motors.
1948 Packard Super Eight Convertible
Packard appearance differences might be more apparent where convertible coupés are concerned. This short-wheelbase car seems rather stubby.
1950 Packard Custom Victoria Convertible - Mecum auction photo
But the long hood makes this otherwise unattractive 1948-1950 vintage Packard presentable, even impressive.
1950 Buick Super C-body 4-door sedan - Mecum auction photo
Less dramatic are the differing hood lengths for these Buicks.
1950 Roadmaster C-body 4-door sedan - factory photo
The Roadmaster wheelbase is four inches (102mm) longer than that of the Super in the previous image. All Buicks also had straight-eight engines in those days.
No comments:
Post a Comment