Styling departments had only recently begun to appear in the USA by the 1930 model year. Most high-priced cars having factory-built or contract body-builder bodies were not professionally designed. General Motors had a styling section and Chrysler Corporation was setting one up around that time. Otherwise, "factory" bodies were usually designed by engineers, though some carmakers might have made use of custom body designers to make suggestions or even do some actual design work.
The present post presents some non-custom-bodied sedans from that essentially pre-styling model year. Car bodies were typically wood-framed with metal or sometimes fabric cladding. How appealing are they?
Gallery
1930 Cadillac V-16 - Hyman Ltd. photo
The body seems to be by Fleetwood, a captive supplier. Fisher-bodied V-16 sedans were similar, but had hood louvers rather than doors.
1930 Chrysler Imperial Seven-Passenger Sedan
"Styled" Imperials arrived the next model year.
1930 Lincoln L Series Sedan - for-sale photo
This was the final model year for that series, so the design is less up-to-date than some others seen here.
1930 Packard 740 Custom Eight Five-Passenger Sedan
At that time, Packard was regarded as the premier American luxury carmaker.
1930 Pierce-Arrow Model A Seven-Passenger Sedan - for sale photo
Most Pierce-Arrows featured distinctive (and ugly) fender-mounted headlights.
1930 Peerless
I'm not sure if this is a sedan or a limousine. Alexis de Sakhnoffsky might have contributed to the design.
1930 Marmon Big Eight Five-Passenger Sedan - via Marmon Club: owner's photo
The rounded top and window outlines suggest a designer's touch.
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