Ford's "Checkmark" Side Trim

Mid-1950s top-of-the-line Fords had a curiously-shaped chrome strip on each side.  Difficult to describe with one word, but I'll call the shape "checkmark."  It served as a demarcation line for two-tone paint scheme colors, though was present on cars painted only single-color.

The checkmark first appeared on 1955 Fords.  It was retained on 1956 models, but reshaped slightly. There were vestiges of it on 1957 and 1958 Fords.  And a bold variation appeared on a 1955 dream car.

I never liked it.  About the best that can be said was that it was distinctive.  But it seems that Ford's stylists and sales managers liked it enough that it was used as long as it was.  So maybe the car-buying public liked it too.

Gallery

1955 Ford Fairlane Fordor Sedan - for sale photo
The initial checkmark trim.

1956 Ford Fairlane Victoria - factory image
For '56, the downward curve is more relaxed -- the break-point is towards the after part of the side door, not below the A-pillar.

1955 Ford Mystere Concept Car - factory
Work on the Mystere began mid-1954 when the '55 Fords were about to enter production.  So its purpose was to hint at 1957 model year styling that called for canted tail fins.  The checkmark seen here therefore acts as a transition to the 1957 production design that was beginning to gel in 1954.

1957 Ford Fairlane 500 - for sale
The checkmark shape is retained, but flipped horizontally.  Because the stronger curve blends into the tailfin, it no longer seems strange or arbitrary.  That is, it is an important part of the design theme and not a tack-on.  I was always fond of 1957 Ford styling.

1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Victoria - factory
But Ford styling became weird again with the 1958 facelift.  The side trim is not related to the tail fin, the reversed checkmark morphing into a Buick-like SweepSpear.  The anodized aluminum swath is garish, but normal for late-1950s American car styling.