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July 1959. "Detroit's 1960 look. Sneak preview of the new models." This particular example being a Dodge Polara convertible minus some ornamentation. 35mm color transparency for Look magazine. View full size.
The 1960 Dodge Matador also used the polestar trim in the same location, but there wasn't a Matador convertible. The Matador was a one year only model that filled the price gap between the lower priced Dart and the top of the line Polara. Almost 28,000 were produced among four different models (2 sedans, a coupe, and a station wagon). A Matador coupe is below.
Mmmmmm....real factory chrome. Not the "stick-on, bits and bobs",found all over the "dee-luks" dealer add ons these days.
Back when you could identify a car as it passed you on the street.
I know my eyesight is becoming more unreliable, but for the life of me I cannot see the screw holes where the missing tail fin is to be attached.
[There is no "missing tailfin." The tailfin is missing an ornament -- a stylized compass rose pointing way to the car's namesake of Polaris, the North Star. Another aspect of the contemporary fad for all things Arctic after Alaska's admission to the Union in 1959. - Dave]
I worked at Chrysler Canada as a tradesman in the 1960s and got a first hand preview of the new models as we were doing plant "changeovers".
I couldn't tell you what was coming or I'd have to kill you.
As a teenager in the 50's, riding our bikes to the local dealers to check out the new models. Sneaking to the rear of the dealers lot to see the yearly changes, never disappointed.
Not people from Finland either.
I guess the space race had a lot to do with this look!
This 1960 Dodge Polara displays the complete correct standard trim for its model. There was OPTIONAL lower body trim that included what car guys generally call a wide bright stainless "washboard" behind the rear wheel well but again, that was an option. Great color photo. Glad you posted it.
["Correction" correction: It's missing the fin ornament. You can see the four holes where it's supposed to go. - Dave]
Keyword for American Auto Design during this period. Always new and fresh. When showroom windows would be covered with paper during the late fall when next years models were due. And most foreign cars would carry on with no major exterior changes, but often, lots of small internal improvements. VW was fond of such an approach. Same car as last year with 58 changes was a typical VW style advert.
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