Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
Though that general shape of rear end was common in late '40s - early '50s cars. Copied from the Dymaxion, or just a cultural thing like tailfins?
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These tails were of interest as early as 1911 (Henninger PATENT Drawing) due to the Zeppelin airship influence.
World War-II killed off 'styling' until late war,when the automakers saw the end of the war coming and they anticipated post-war demand.
Hudson did them.The Ford Lincoln Cosmopolitan fastback sedan (which bombed in the market) had it.Mercury Division had their 'bathtubs'.General Motors had Chevrolet,Pontiac,Oldsmobile,and Cadillac 'Sedanette' fast backs (which did not sell well).Volvo did them.Preston Tucker's 'Torpedo' had it.Tatra.Adler.Burney.M-B.BMW.Auto-Union.HANOMAG.Ford-Werke of Cologne.Chrysler.Adam Opel.Pierce-Arrow.Bugatti.Maybach.
Consumers didn't care for them,just as today,unless they're billionaires.