Dream Cars and Nightmares From the Clay Studio

[Guest Magoo]

Here's another installment in our Dream Cars and Nightmares miniseries -- this one on the critical modeling phase of automotive styling/design. A car is often won or lost in the clay studio. Here's a big photo gallery with nearly 60 examples, including some real winners and losers...enjoy.

Dreams and Nightmares -- the Clay Studio Edition | Mac's Motor City Garage.com

[Guest Rob McDonald]

Clearly, the design fraternity despised Edsel and Pontiac, in the late '50s. It's a miracle that Pontiac survived these outrages and went on to become a very handsome car by 1965, also shown here.

[NTX5467]

One thing to remember is that the stylists were trying different looks and such, plus how certain other "geegaws" might really look in real life. Some were rather extreme, but when appropriately toned-down, seemed to make it into production. More of a "what if" situation in many cases. Admittedly, there ARE many which would bring the "WHAT were YOU thinking????!!!!" response from both those molding the clay and management, I suspect.

Considering how "inexpensively" vehicles seeming HAVE to be built in more recent times . . . styling shapes (and related stamping costs) and with very few optional equipment possibilities, very few color combinations, and such . . . with all of the expenses the companies went to "back then" to do the clay models and such, it's a wonder they ever made any money (at least in the "modern business model"), but we all know that was not really the case.

Might be interesting to see how the modellers dress now compared to back then.

Thanks for the link to another great article at MCG!

Happy Holidays!

NTX5467

[Rusty_OToole]

It was the policy in some styling studios to go wild with new ideas... then tone them down for the production cars. For production cars they were given a "package" of dimensions and parts to use, plus there were legal requirements like headlight height, there had to be room for chains in the rear wheel wells etc. For idea cars or dream cars the sky was the limit.