Recently, I came across images of a 1953 505 DF Cisitalia by Ghia, designed by Aldo Brovarone -- one of 10 built. This 505 (unlike some or all other 505s) featured a grille that, to me, evoked the Biscayne's grille.
Those grille designs differ in most details, yet their general feelings seem similar. It's possible that GM stylists were aware of this Cisitalia, because another 1955 Motorama concept car (the LaSalle II Roadster) had a grille with openings fairly similar to the 505's.
Oh, one more thing. Once one considers aspects of grille segmentation, it's hard not to think of Jeep grilles.
These and other matters are discussed below.
I'll try really hard to ignore that bug-eye headlight assembly design and focus on the grille. It's a simple horizontal opening featuring nine vertical chrome bars; one inset at each side and seven equally spaced over the opening. This creates seven open segments -- like Jeep grilles.
1953 Cisitalia 505 DF by Ghia - factory photos
The Cisitalia grille is seven tall, vertical openings trimmed in chrome. Between the openings are thin, chromed strips. Although entirely different (aside, perhaps, of the just-mentioned strips), those seven primary vertical elements for each grille present a visual linking of the two designs.
Now for a few comparison images ....
1944 Willys Jeep - photo via Haggerty Insurance
World War 2 Jeep grilles varied, but Willys-built Jeeps eventually received seven-slot grilles and the firm trademarked that concept. This clearly predates the grilles pictured above.
2014 Jeep Cherokee - factory photo
Compare the grille on this Jeep to that of the Cisitalia shown above. As noted in the previous photo caption, World War 2 Army Jeeps were not consistent in the number of vertical grille openings. Many had nine, others had seven. Jeeps in use when I was in the Army (early 1960s) had seven openings. Recall that the Biscayne featured seven openings -- not quite the same structure -- but numerically the same.
1955 LaSalle II Roadster - Petersen Automotive Museum photo
This is the other '55 Motorama car mentioned in the text above. Its grille openings are similar to those on the Cisitalia, though there are only six of them. This theme is a carryove from the 1940 LaSalle. I can't rule out the possibility that those '40 LaSalles inspired the Cisitalia's grille.
2024 Kia Sorento - factory photo
I recently noticed this Jeep-like seven-segment grille while vacationing in Hawaii. I wonder what Kia stylists and marketing management were thinking. I also wonder what the folks at Jeep are thinking.
The Cisitalia grille is seven tall, vertical openings trimmed in chrome. Between the openings are thin, chromed strips. Although entirely different (aside, perhaps, of the just-mentioned strips), those seven primary vertical elements for each grille present a visual linking of the two designs.
World War 2 Jeep grilles varied, but Willys-built Jeeps eventually received seven-slot grilles and the firm trademarked that concept. This clearly predates the grilles pictured above.
Compare the grille on this Jeep to that of the Cisitalia shown above. As noted in the previous photo caption, World War 2 Army Jeeps were not consistent in the number of vertical grille openings. Many had nine, others had seven. Jeeps in use when I was in the Army (early 1960s) had seven openings. Recall that the Biscayne featured seven openings -- not quite the same structure -- but numerically the same.
This is the other '55 Motorama car mentioned in the text above. Its grille openings are similar to those on the Cisitalia, though there are only six of them. This theme is a carryove from the 1940 LaSalle. I can't rule out the possibility that those '40 LaSalles inspired the Cisitalia's grille.
I recently noticed this Jeep-like seven-segment grille while vacationing in Hawaii. I wonder what Kia stylists and marketing management were thinking. I also wonder what the folks at Jeep are thinking.
2 comments:
The folks at Jeep are probably thinking they need to send their resumes to Xiaomi and BYD. A car company can only run on nostalgia for so long...
The front view is eye watering ugly. The rest of it is pleasant.
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