Where's Rodney Dangerfield when you need him?

[TG57Roadmaster]

Yeah, I know he's gone to that great Comedy Club in the Sky, but some cars just can't get an even break. Case in point,

Airflows and '50 Buicks; are they gorgeous rolling sculpture or embarassments their designers would rather forget?

At an AACA National show in Hiawassee, GA, a few years ago there was a stunning '34 DeSoto Airflow Coupe,

freshly restored. I prefer the Chrysler version because of its added length,

but when I walked around to the back of the car, this is what I saw.

Sleek, curvaceous, almost sexy lines that seemed to say, "Take me...now!"

At the Buick Club's National in Columbus, OH, about 8 years ago, I was walking along the rows of gleaming Roadmasters, Supers, Centurys, et al., and stopped dead in my tracks when I saw this toothy 1950 grille. As we all know, folks usually sit in lawn chairs behind their cars, but these owners had chairs with colorful sunbrellas parked right in front of their baby.

A riot of color and contrast, it was the prettiest '50 Buick grille I'd ever seen, bar none, and provided me with a whole new outlook on the "Buick that needs braces." To this eye, the image is as sinister as it is starkly beautiful.

Perhaps proof of the old adage that beauty, <span style="font-style: italic">truly</span>, is in the eye of the beholder.

What are the cars on your list that, "Don't get no respect?"

TG

P.S. I've <span style="font-style: italic">always</span> liked Airflows and '50 Buicks!

[R W Burgess]

Great photography, Tom!

Wayne

[Rusty_OToole]

The Airflow has to be the most underrated car in history. It was much more successful both technically and commercially than it is given credit for. No other car had more influence on design trends - practically every car in the world designed from 1934 on was a copy of the Airflow in some way.

If you don't believe me look at the typical car of 1933 (pre Airflow) then look at the 1934-37 Airflow, then look at any 1937 - 1947 car (post Airflow). You will soon see that all pre Airflow designs were as dated as the dodo birds as soon as the Airflow came out, while all post Airflow cars are copies of the Airflow silhouette with fatter fenders.

[mrpushbutton]

The Airflow models are also a joy to drive in comparison to many other contemporary cars. They handle wonderfully, and have a good deal of power for their day.

[Bhigdog]

Good eye............Bob

[Ron Green]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TG57Roadmaster</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I prefer the Chrysler version </div></div>

Though both are beautiful, I prefer the DeSoto version. There is a 8,200 mile original DeSoto Airflow Coupe in the area and it truly is a piece of art, in my opinion.

[Reatta Man]

This discussion sounds like the lack of appreciation for the '58 Buicks!

Great photos.

[Guest AlK]

The 58 Buicks were the gaudiest cars ever made. The chrome was not attached in the usual fashion, it was poured on with a ladle while still molten until every possible space had chrome on it. Yet if you want to make a spectacle of yourself and let people know that you are on the scene I don't think you could ask for a better car to do it in.

[Reatta Man]

See what I mean?

[mrpushbutton]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AlK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The 58 Buicks were the gaudiest cars ever made. The chrome was not attached in the usual fashion, it was poured on with a ladle while still molten until every possible space had chrome on it.

</div></div>

Not completely true, the '58 Olds had a little more trim, although the grille was a little more restrained than the Buick.

[R W Burgess]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Yet if you want to make a spectacle of yourself....... </div></div>

I guess that's me, Al.

I've only got a short period of time on this earth and I'm going to make the best of it, bright colored cars, chrome?, darn right, big horsepowered V8's, independent suspensions so I can go around corners fast, yep, dancing, singing, and generally acting like a fool, wait! Who said that? Green, was that you?

Well, I guess ya'll got the message. My dad bought a new bright red '58 Impala that I loved. I was too young to drive it, but despite what everyone else thought, I thought that was the prettiest Chevy ever manufactured.

Sorry, went off the deep end again.

Wayne

[Reatta Man]

Here you go, Wayne. This is something I once heard Zig Ziglar say:

Life Should Not Be a Journey to the Grave ......with the Intentions of Arriving Safely in Attractive and Well Preserved Body,

But Rather to Skid in Sideways, Chocolate in one hand, A Wine Glass in the Other, Body Thoroughly Used Up, Totally Worn Out and Screaming, “Woo Hoo, What a Ride!”

[Rusty_OToole]

Hudson is another under rated car, dowdy bodies but chassis well ahead of their time in ride, handling and road holding.

[TG57Roadmaster]

You're right Rusty,

And though they had to cling to the Step-Down Design far too long, there were some real beauties, too.

Like this first-year '51 Hornet Brougham Convertible...

The whole range of Hudsons had some of the richest-looking interiors of their time, as well.

The sedans and coupes would make awesome tour cars, without making a huge dent in the wallet.

TG