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1939. "General Motors exhibit, Golden Gate International Exposition, San Francisco. Girls on Oldsmobile convertible coupe." A showcase for the latest in body and chassis developments. 8x10 Agfa film negative. View full size.
1939: Nadir fashion year for ladies' footwear!
I think we're seeing theatrical-type makeup; there were staged events, both as entertainment as well as commercial, going on all the time at the Exposition. And these are obviously professional models or entertainers made up and garbed for the job.
Two details: First, the Oldsmobile has a tarp suspended under the engine, perhaps to thwart industrial spies -- or maybe just stop oil drips. Second, the two ladies on the right have an interesting makeup treatment, a sort of silvery under-eye wing.
I'll never understand fashion and makeup
Were those eyes supposed to keep the evil spirits away? Young people have not changed much in all these decades. The Olds is wearing a diaper to keep the floor clean.
Looks like they've wired a tarp to the underside, to prevent those telltale drips and stains.
Perfectly-timed appearance on Shorpy... New York Auto Show just opened!
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