Around the mid-1930s, American carmakers launched new designs incorporating (in most cases) all-steel tops and all-steel framing. And where these features were not in place, competing designs had similar appearances to those that did.
Presented below are views of 1938 models that had bulbous kinds of bodies with windows that featured noticeably rounded framing. An important reason for this kind of styling had to do with sheet metal stamping and automobile glass forming states of the art in those days. And of course, there was a fashion component, where other brands made use of style-leader General Motors cues.
I selected the 1938 model year because most mid-priced brands were using such styling at the time -- just before GM redesigned some models for 1939 in a less-rounded manner.
By "mid-level," I used 1938 Oldsmobile list prices for four-door touring sedans as benchmarks -- $995 for the Six, and $1107 for the Eight. Competing sedans had list prices within about ten percent of that range.
Brands are pictured below in alphabetical order. Unless noted, photos are of cars listed for sale.
Gallery
1938 Buick 40 Special
General Motors redesigned some of its models for 1939, and were less rounded than this '38 Buick. Car glass panes were mostly flat in those days, accounting for the two-segment backlight window on that curved passenger compartment. Note that they are set quite high -- not very useful for viewing to the rear. The trunk is somewhat blended into the main lower body, but still a distinct element. The same can be seen on the cars pictured below.
1938 Chrysler Royal Touring Sedan - BaT Auctions photo
As can be seen in the Chrysler side-view in the first post of this series, Chrysler cars were even more rounded than GM's. For what it might be worth, note the similarity of the trunk opening, the tail light placement, and that of the gas filler-cap on this car and the Buick above.
1938 Nash Ambassador 8
Nash window outlines were less-rounded than on the Buick and Chrysler. The backlight window is placed lower, making it more useful.
1938 Packard Six Touring Sedan
The passenger compartment profile is very high towards its rear, creating an awkward relationship to the side windows. The backlight is high. Ditto the Chrysler caption regarding the trunk lid and placement of the tail light and gas cap.
1938 Pontiac DeLuxe Eight
Another GM car.
1938 Studebaker Commander Cruising Sedan
Extremely high backlight. Side window framing is less rounded. Interesting that all cars shown here have door latches on the B-pillars.
Brands are pictured below in alphabetical order. Unless noted, photos are of cars listed for sale.
General Motors redesigned some of its models for 1939, and were less rounded than this '38 Buick. Car glass panes were mostly flat in those days, accounting for the two-segment backlight window on that curved passenger compartment. Note that they are set quite high -- not very useful for viewing to the rear. The trunk is somewhat blended into the main lower body, but still a distinct element. The same can be seen on the cars pictured below.
As can be seen in the Chrysler side-view in the first post of this series, Chrysler cars were even more rounded than GM's. For what it might be worth, note the similarity of the trunk opening, the tail light placement, and that of the gas filler-cap on this car and the Buick above.
Nash window outlines were less-rounded than on the Buick and Chrysler. The backlight window is placed lower, making it more useful.
The passenger compartment profile is very high towards its rear, creating an awkward relationship to the side windows. The backlight is high. Ditto the Chrysler caption regarding the trunk lid and placement of the tail light and gas cap.
Another GM car.
Extremely high backlight. Side window framing is less rounded. Interesting that all cars shown here have door latches on the B-pillars.
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