Best underrated automotive designs

Ryans post about Top-5 designs got me thinking. sure most of us like 32 fords and 37 zephyrs and so-on. but, what about the underrated cl***ics. cars made in smaller numbers. cars rarely seen. cars that we don't think about as much. not the usual suspects. what are your favorite underrated cl***ics?

heres a few. 38 Studebaker Coupe Express
pinin farina designed Le Mans winning 53 nash healy


supercharged 39 Graham

40 nash special convertable

1938 Phantom Corsair

53 Lowery coup

48 nash truck

 

The '51-'54 Hudson Hornet..... Besides it's racing potential, the Hud had beautiful lines stock. The "Step Down" design was eons ahead of the bIg 3.

The '57 Ford Fairlane. Yeah,I know a zillion have been customized but had anyone REALLY looked at the stock lines? The '57 was truly one of the first cleanly styled modern looking cars and outsold everybody's (now) favorite, the elderly looking '57 Chevy.

Jan

 

i almost posted that. personally i like them better than 49-51 mercs. i think they look good even as a mor-door.

 

I agree with most Studebakers and certain Nashes. I'd add '51-'52 Packards, '65 Galaxies and all years of Mavericks.

 

Call me crazy, but I've always been a ****er for a Nash Statesman or Amb***ador.

 

that 38 stude is an awesome truck.

 

Always have dug that Stude Coupe - here's a quick digital sketch.
Could be real cool.

 

49-51 lincolns

 

Studebaker Coupe express is easily the most beautiful truck ever designed (well, in my opinion). I don't know if its that they are underrated but probably more that they aren't well known. They only made em for 3 years and they didnt really make a whole bunch.

I like the front of the 37 coupe express most of all the years but they are all great looking.

Studebaker had some of the best designs in history. 53 and 54 coupes and the Avanti are my personal favorites that Leowy did.

 

2nd gen corvairs. Almost european body shape.

 

I would say the corvair makes the list too.
But The Corsair is in the Reno Auto Museum and is awesome in person.

 

57 Chrysler windsor 2dr HT - Super clean for Exner design and other 57s


40 Nash Coupe - that IS all the trim.


61-64 Lincoln Continetals - Think about how clean this design was compared to the Cadillac and Imperial.

 

1931 Cord L29 Speedster
1936 Cord 810 Phaeton
Hudson pickup trucks
Kaiser Darrin
Corvair

If they don't have to be American vehicles I would add:

1967-69 Toyota 2000GT
1970's Aston Martin DBV8's

Shawn

 

63 split window corvette

ealy sixties vw karman ghias

59 el camino

57 corvette

but these are so mainstream. thanks for coming up with pics of all those obscure and wonderful cars.

35 auburn boattail?

-85% jimmy

 

im going with tucker!

 

Since theres a Stud vibe going here, the first thing I thought of was Avanti.

 

Hey,

'32 Graham Paige- the one that strated the Deco craze
'34 Studebaker 3 window
'34 Huppmobile , Raymond Lowey design
'39 Dodge coupe hardtop model, Hayes body, looked like '39 Merc.
'62 Plymouth Super Sport, looked like Chrysler Ghia L 6.4

S****ey Devils C.C.

 

Yes...pretty much anything designed by Raymond Loewy..eet must look like zee aeroplane..the 46-50 Packard 2DR.Club Coupes(Sedanettes) any 40s 50s Sedanette/fastback including Mustang...57 Nomad..61-62 Corvettes..as mentioned the Corvair Corsa, beautiful car..the Buick Grand National IMO perhaps being the last cool car to come from Detroit, OK the new Corvettes are pretty slick...

 

36-37 Studebaker Coupes ,clean nose, triangular opening back gl***. I prefer the 36.
AMC Pacer, say what you will, they made sense.
Honda SC2000(?) early 70s, never imported sportscar)
Willys Aero
Henry J (Sears Allstate)

 

here are some

 

The plymouth savoy from 57-58 is pretty cool also.
Jamie of Dead City MC/CC

 

I used to know where there was about four mid-late 50's Angilina's. Always thought they were a pretty odd looking compact. The early 60's Mazda Carol was a pretty awesome looking compact also.

57' and up Chryslers, Four-Door Hornets, Slab-Sided 52-54 Fords, I've seen too many.

 

I agree that the second gen Corvair doesn't get enough love, and the Stepdown-Hudsons are great looking cars, even in a four door.

I think the '57 DeSoto was a**** the best looking cars ever built, yet they seem so obscure and unknown, very few people know what one looks like. Shame really.

 

kaisers
Supercharged '54 Kaiser Manhattan

kaiser darrin

 

I came close to bidding on a Statesman a few weeks ago on eBay. They have such a great Art Deco design. I also like the '53-'54 Pontiac hardtops. These cars look more elegant than the Caddies of the same years.

 

Mavericks????? Really? I'm a lifelong Ford girl but the Maverick bodystyle never did anything for me and I've owned several. I'll agree with you on the Packards and the '65-'66 Galaxie though. I'd mention the '61-64 fullsized Fords, but I don't believe they've been overlooked by restorers, rodders or customizers.

Jan

 

How about this thirty something Hudson,that was in the Suede Palace at the GNRS. Never seen one before.

 

I do and agree. My dad bought a new DeSoto in '57 and other than the puke green color, it truly was a beautifully styled car. But I like the '55s better, even in a 4 door. It'd take little to customize either.

Too many beautiful cars to post or comment on, so I'd better quit this thread..