The last post, How GM’s Radical 1959 Chevrolet Came to Be generated quite a bit of interest. So to add some fuel to the fire, presented here are several pages from Special Interest Autos, GM’s Far-Out ’59s—When Imagination Ran Rampant.
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
About the last two photos.
The iconic ’60 Chevy (derived from the ’59), looks pretty good in spite of what they went through to get there.
Then there is the car not created at GM, but is somehow vaguely familiar to a certain LeSabre. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I’ve been wanting to publish this image for quite some time, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. I can imagine what the pitch might have been like. An alternative to a Zil limousine for the rising politboro star to drive to his summer dacha perhaps?—Dean’s Garage
Thank you, Dean, for your interesting research!
I LOVE the Russian AK 47 on 4 wheels!
And, so all the projects with “cyclops” lights!
Hervé
That little red Chevrolet isnt a lowrider; it may or may not have bags – probably not – but look at the tyres and wheels – not a lowrider. Plus, its WAY too tasteful for that tag/scene. My guess is that it has aftermarket or late model Corvette suspension and brakes, and probably drives out pretty nice. Sorta ‘Pro Touring’ methinks. A little low for practicality, but hey, sometimes ya gotta suffer for art….
The only other thing here that ISNT hideous is the 2 door buick prototype thingie – actually kinda nice. IMNSHO of course…
very cool, I actually dug up these old SIA issues yesterday. Love the Irv Rybicki sketch of the 59 Olds grille. I only wish their were sketches of the 59 Buick still around like this. I seen a R.G. Macadam sketch of the rear of the Olds also online somewhere on canson, it’s beautiful.
The rendering you’re referring to is in this April 13, 2009 post: Rescued Studio Artwork and Photos—Dean’s Garage
It’s clear it took them a couple rounds of designs to realize the rear end was too tall and massive. That’s why the final designs had those low, sloping trunk lids. Very interesting. I hadn’t realized how important their low rear ends were.