Studes in Roadside Americana photos

[christophe]

& the Kurtis sport car / Muntz Jet probably inspired Panhard quite a bit...
I sure could drive one!
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Frankly, the Kurtis was so confidential that I don't think it inspired Panhard. I would have to dig into my old books to be sure but my recollections are that Louis Bionier was mainly inspired by the Nash, especially for the dashboard.

[christophe]

It's very interesting to see a Gallic perspective on a seemingly American dominated issue! I do agree with you that both of these cars are quite lovely. It proves that beautiful, streamlined design is possible if the finance men will allow it!

I really don’t think that a nice looking car would/should cost more than a bad designed car. To be sure, we should ask to the conceptors of the Pontiac Aztec!

In the case of the Dyna Z and the DS19, we have here two cars shaped by two artists (respectively Louis Bionier and Flaminio Bertoni) at a time when engineers were given a “carte blanche” to create cars without any intrusion of the sales department, except maybe for the date of the introduction of the new model. In fact, the press feeded more information to the salesmen than the manufacturer itself. Usually, a sneak preview for the dealers took place only a few weeks before the unveiling of the newborn.

Moreover, for these two instances, these beautiful bodies hid things that cost much more than their exterior shapes.

The Dyna Z was fitted with an all-aluminium body and an engine so technically advanced it was used in race cars for years. Its little flat-twin air-cooled 850cc engine could propel this car to more than 80 mph which was a true performance. A friend has one of these and it’s a blast to drive.

Beneath her beautiful shapes, the Citroën hid an hydraulic circuit that controlled the suspension, the gearbox, the steering and the braking. Moreover, she was built only with detachable body panels, implying a whole new manufacturing logic, then tremendous changes into the production line.

I would say that the bottom line of all this is that not everyone can add charm to an automobile. Special skills are mandatory here and very few have them.

Nice day to all.

[Noxnabaker]

Well Christophe, I reckon 1960-62 Chrysler got their dashboard design from somewhere also...
(Yep, had one of those too

[RadioRoy]

Gaah!! Look what they did to that beautiful back-colored clear plastic dashboard by hacking that ugly modern radio into it! What could be more tasteless?

[DougHolverson]

Well Christophe, I reckon 1960-62 Chrysler got their dashboard design from somewhere too...
(Yep, had one of those too
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Amazing Science Fiction? "In the future, things will be even more Googie!"

[8E45E]

Amazing Science Fiction? "In the future, things will be even more Googie!"

You should see one lit up at night!! (NO incandescent bulbs!!)

Craig

[Commander Eddie]

Are we off topic now? "Studebakers in Roadside Americana".

[Noxnabaker]

Yep Ed, baaad us!

[Stude Shoo-wop!]

Are we off topic now? "Studebakers in Roadside Americana".

We absolutely are, but don't worry, because I can right this ship back on course. Look at all of those S-P wonders (in Washington state of all places!)

[christophe]

Well Christophe, I reckon 1960-62 Chrysler got their dashboard design from somewhere also...
(Yep, had one of those too
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These Chrysler dashboards are one of my favorites. I really love them.

[Noxnabaker]

Back in track again:


(& yes Christophe, so do I & I think it's the coolest dash ever & it was a true winner coming in to the test station; "no stick for the gears or the indicator?"...)

[tomlewis]

I owned one of those upside down bathtub Packards in the late 70's. I had to watch the oil pressure gauge when stopped at a traffic light to be sure that it was still running. What a smooth car. It was my daily driver. It replaced a 1951 Studebaker Champion 2-door sedan that was the previous daily driver.

I was living in Pacheco, CA, east of San Francisco and commuting weekly to my job in Salinas. Once that Packard was in overdrive it was floating on air. What an upgrade from the Champion.

Somewhere I have a picture of the Lewis Antique Auto Collection at the time...1951 Studebaker, 1931 Model A pickup, 1950 Packard 4-door sedan. If I can find it and scan it, I'll post it here.

Tom

[spokejr]

I plucked this from FB. I think that is a Stude engine. Nice rod.

[52-fan]

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I plucked this from FB. I think that is a Stude engine. Nice rod.

It could be a Stude. It does have hold down nuts on the valve covers and other features. Hard to be sure.

[Alan]

That could fool you. Looks like Avanti valve covers, but other things on it like the oil filler cap and distributor position, looks like Olds.