Actually, it was found on 1935 and even 1936 models as well. But not on all 1934-36 Hupps. I was confused earlier by Internet images of cars and advertising. Part of that confusion was due to the multiplicity of Hupp models in those years. For example, 1934 Hupmobiles came in five wheelbases, only two of which had "Aerodynamic" bodies (the 421 J 6-cylinder car and the 427 T eight-cylinder car). Other Hupps had conventional early-1930s styling. Model year 1935 Hupps came in four wheelbases, simplified to two for 1936.
The word "Aerodynamic," by the way, was used by Hupp to designate Loewy-designed bodies featuring "panoramic" three-segment windshields and headlights blended onto the car's body. Some models combined those blended headlights with one-piece windshields, creating further confusion.
That said, I recently came across a nice photo of a 1934 Aerodynamic, plus two images in my copy of Volume 16, Number 1 of Automobile Quarterly that I scanned. These are presented below for viewing pleasure.
The long hood and the space between the front door cutline and front fender strongly suggest that this is a Model 427 T.
Like most 1934-vintage cars labeled "aerodynamic" or "Airline" (in England), front ends had little or no actual streamlining. The blended headlights seen here are aerodynamically cleaner than the common free-standing headlights of those days. The three-piece windshield also might have helped a tiny bit. Rear-end curved profiling also was a minor improvement. So these Hupmobiles were aerodynamic largely in name only.
1 comment:
Those are stunning. Thanks for posting them.
Post a Comment