Buick Nearly Launches An Ugly Duckling: See the "First" 1959 Buick Proposal!

Learn more about the originally proposed design for the 1959 Buick, before it was altered after GM stylists saw Chrysler's Forward Look cars.

[@MichaelRoy-hc3lz]

As a boy (l was born in 57) these cars were around and l was obsessed with them. At like 6 or 7 l could identify almost every car on the road. By the early 60s the styling had calmed down but the roads were still full of these gargantuan chrome laden behemoths and l loved them! Thank you for bringing back those memories. I'd set in the back of my dad 63 Rambler Classic station wagon looking out the tailgate to see all the details of the front ends it was a great time to be a car geek.

[@mikeweizer3149]

Michael Roy he3lz yes sir I'm in the same age group and when I was 6 years old My folks had a 1961 Chevrolet Biscayne but I remember that One of my Uncles had a 1959 Dodge Coronet Lancer hardtop that I thought was gorgeous!!!!.

[@joecutro7318]

Same genre for me, born in '58. We had a '56 Buick Special 2-door hardtop 2-tone black/red. By the time I was 5 or 6, I knew years, makes & models and had a huge Matchbox collection of so many of the cars on the road. Great video. Thank goodness some of those Buick's never made it to the dealerships. 😂

[@Dion-rz3fz]

I can totally relate! I was born in '60. The cars then had such personality! Like that beautiful '59 Electra in this video that had that look from the front like it was mad!!! Lol. When I was a boy checking out all these cars on the road, I didn't know they were called fins. I called them "ears!" Lol. I was always fascinated with all the different styles of "ears." I remember as the years went by, being disappointed as I wasn't seeing many "ears" anymore! Still am disappointed, as I wouldn't give you two cents for the body styles of any cars now. It saddens me.

[@ashleygordon3467]

Oh I can relate to this! I was born in ‘58, in Australia. Few of these barges made it here - though plenty of V8 Fords, Chevy and Pontiacs roamed the roads. We lived in the country so long drives were a regular event. To keep me occupied my father invented a game where I had to identify cars as they approached. I’m told I knew nearly all of them by the time I was 4😂 In addition to the American cars, which were very popular with country folks, there were tons of English and local cars and quite a few European marques as well.

[@billolsen4360]

Always test your new car design proposals with a jury of boys age 8 to 17. They know what's gonna go and what won't.

[@vintageflatulence150]

Thank you, Adam. I was one of those who requested this and I appreciate your response.

[@AlexanderWaylon]

It’s nice to see he answers people, in reference to topics. Not sure what’s was incredible about this as he basically produced a rerun but I enjoyed the video. 1950s cars are a moot point the people that bought them new, at peak longevity died 10 years ago. I have more interests in cars I remember.

[@davidmckinney6577]

I love your channel ❤️ you are the best Adam. Your videos are extremely informative and always top notch 👌 👏 👍 😉.

[@jamesstuart3346]

My eternal gratitude goes out to Mr Elwood Engel for ending this nightmare of baroque madness ❤

[@rafaelfiallo4123]

The Corvair also was very clean too and it predates the Continental by almost 2 years. 1961 GM cars are very clean too.

[@althunder4269]

The LSD really kicked in for these designs.

[@Johnnycdrums]

@@althunder4269; They all went to art school and remembered their gothic architecture, apparently.

[@paulparoma]

@@Johnnycdrums Gothic architecture is pretty efficient and far more restrained than so many other styles.

[@incog99skd11]

@@Johnnycdrums Over embellishment was more of a feature of the Rococo period.

[@bretfisher7286]

These convince me that it's a fine line between hideous and glorious. My goodness, what a time in design. Thanks again, Adam.

[@josephquillian2866]

What a beauty the 1959 Buick was! :-)

[@danielthoman7324]

It looked grotesque.

[@glennso47]

Not,

[@robertjackson2663]

Could not agree more.

[@Trefoile]

I agree.

[@incog99skd11]

When I was a little kid in Los Angeles, I'd walk past lots with maybe 100 brand new 1960 Buicks on the way to school. As a kid, at the time, I thought they looked a bit cheap. It might be that restored cars are finished to a much higher degree than the production runs at the time.

[@flyonbyya]

This summer,Everyone needs to go to Gilmore Car Museum near Battle Creek Michigan. Largest car museum in America Stunning Museum !!!

[@josephgaviota]

Sounds like fun!

[@UhOK327]

Really a fantastic museum! 👏👏👏

[@dave1956]

I’ve been there twice. It is by far the best automotive museum that I’ve ever seen.

[@coldwarmotors]

I remember seeing some of the 59 proposals in "Collectible Automobile" back years ago and it was great to get another look! I am a 1959 Buick owner now, after wanting one ever since I was a kid... Love seeing the proposal drawings given a proper in-depth review on your channel. All the very best from Alberta.

[@stephenholland5930]

Looking forward to the full restoration of your '59, Scott.

[@Pauley_in_GP]

Another good video. Harley Earl was a brilliant larger-than-life automotive personality for decades, practically inventing the art automotive styling. But by the mid-fifties, he was beyond his "best by" date. His designers knew it but wouldn't dare disagree with him. Chrysler's '57 line-up helped rapidly move things along - especially because Earl was out of the country when they were introduced, allowing Bill Mitchell to grab the reigns - even before they were officially handed to him.

[@edwardpate6128]

There is a great back story on how the GM design team ended up spotting some of the pre-production 57 Chrysler products parked outside down on Mound Rd and Outer Drive. They raced back to the GM Tech Center to get the rest of the team and some camera's and raced back to get all the images they could before they were spotted and the cars quickly moved into a garage. This the seed was planted for the 59 GM lineup.

[@RareClassicCars]

It is a true story

[@vladtheimpala5532]

Yes. For hint of an illustration of the difference between Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell’s influence, look at the difference between the 1958 Corvette and the 1959 Corvette. It was basically the same car but when Bill Mitchell took over he stripped off a lot of the chrome and doo dads that kind of interfered with the smooth flow of the lines. Most people agree that the 59 was a better looking car. I’m actually a big fan of Harley Earl. Some of my favorite cars were designed by him. But as you said, by the late fifties he was past his prime and I think he was running out of new ideas. More isn’t always better, especially when you’re talking about chrome.

[@user-ph3rb1in6e]

The 57 Chrysler cars got my mother to get my dad to trade in his 51 green 2 door Dodge for a tutone dark metallic blue and white 57 Chrysler Windsor 4 door with push button drive. The Chrysler was a beauty but it was not that good of a car. The 51 Dodge was better.

[@larskars5835]

@@vladtheimpala5532 I don't really see the difference between the '58 and '59 Corvette. I"m more impressed with Mitchell's (among others) 1963 Corvette which is absolute perfection stylistically.

[@user-en9zo2ol4z]

Thanks for the palate cleansing 'Riviera' at the end.

[@therealniksongs]

You said it! Second generation Riviera one of the most beautiful designs in automotive history, IMHO. To me, even more stunning than the original, which is ALSO one of the most beautiful cars ever built. Although I was only 13 when it first hit the streets, I imagine that if I had been a '63-'65 Riviera owner back then, I would have been sorely tempted to trade on a '66. The Mitchell years were the absolute peak of GM styling leadership. There is hardly an ugly duckling to be found between 1961-73. The '71 full sizes were a bit bloated, perhaps, but they didn't REALLY get bad until '74 and after with the awful NHTSA bumpers. The "downsized" '77s were very refreshing at the time, but the bad side was that from here on, there was practically no distinctiveness any more--it was painfully obvious that they were all pretty much the same car.

[@michaelwhite2823]

I love how mopar sent everyone scrambling. I really like you digging up old sketches and clay models. Your friend Ed has some great ones on yhf 69 Mark 3 proposals. Hope you do a video on that.

[@jeremiahboria4512]

Ford was the only one that knew they could sit comfortably in the sales department with all their technology back in 56 and 57

[@jamesglavich1426]

Mopar scrambled a little fast on their 62 models, if you bought one, your neighbors new you had a new car for sure.

[@michaelwhite2823]

@@jamesglavich1426 LOL

[@JohnSmith-rw8uh]

@@jamesglavich1426 and an ugly one

[@tomwiles]

My parents had a Maroon colored 1959 buick that had a very rare-for-Buick three speed manual transmission. I remember spending time outside in the summer laying on the trunk tail fin seams!

[@RapperBC]

Love all the '59 GM designs. Never again would the stylists just throw caution to the wind and create such bizarre, yet in many ways appealing designs. I'm the longtime proud owner of a 1960 Buick Electra 225 convertible, and it's just a thing of beauty and a joy forever. And of course the '57-'62 Exner designs were (mostly) wonderful, the '60 Dodge Polara and Chrysler 300F 2-door hardtops being a prime example, for me anyway. Thanks for all your fantastic videos.

[@issyparrish]

Excellent video Mr. Wade. One an earlier video I commented whether you would be able to do a segment on what the 1959 GM lineup would have looked like absence their reacting to the 1957 Chrysler line up. And you have delivered that with this video. Kudos to the work you do on these videos. BIG FAN HERE.

[@RareClassicCars]

Great suggestion!

[@65bugnut]

I really like the 59 and 60 Buicks that did get built. The proposed models reminded me of the Sci-fi movie Logan's run.

[@Colorado_Native]

My parents bought a 1960 Buick Electra 225 when I was little. We were headed cross country and our Rambler American set a wheel bearing on fire. My dad doused it with water from a nearby stream. Repairs would have taken too long to wait. The Buick was such a nice car. It had an early version of cruise control, and a removable clock set in the dash. It had the most comfortable seats of any car. Real coil springs, not a chunk of rubber like my Jeep Grand Cherokee.

[@kena9595]

This was a great to watch. Thanks.

[@Dangerous_Drivers_of_CA]

It looks a bit like an early sedan version of the Griswald's station wagon in Vacation

[@61rampy65]

First thing I thought myself! Those vents/gills above the grille is what did it for me.

[@lawrencelampke6007]

It looks like the Homer

[@charlesyoung7436]

Yup! George Barris designed the "Wagon Queen Family Truckster" for the film, based on a Ford Country Squire wagon. Did he see the first plans for the 1959 Buick?

[@agostinodibella9939]

That’s what I was thinking!

[@josephgaviota]

My grandfather had a 1959 Buick "Invicta," and I (as a kid) was _not_ a fan of the styling. HOWEVER when seeing the possible alternatives, I agree, Buick made the right decisions.

[@user-ph3rb1in6e]

My parents had a 59 Buick Lesabre station wagon which at the time I was not a fan of. I liked the 60 Buicks better and liked the 61s even more.

[@billolsen4360]

"Invicta" meaning Indominable

[@josephgaviota]

@@billolsen4360 That's interesting.

[@draggonsgate]

The front bumper and headlight "eyebrows" are very '59 Caddy... And that roofline is hideous! The lower side profile isn't too bad, if you dump the headlight eyebrows and bumpers... Glad GM went the way they did... the '59 Buick is a piece of art, imho... I especially like the 'flat-top" models...

[@Dion-rz3fz]

Yes, those "flat-top" models really looked extra sleek! Love the 59 Cadillac flat-tops too! Absolute works of art!

[@emjayay]

@@Dion-rz3fz "Flat top" 1959-60 GM cars means the four door hardtops, basically all glass before the "Thunderbird" style wide blank C pillars took over. Notice everything from Chevys to Cadillacs had the same roofline because for the first time they all shared the same basic bodies.

[@Dion-rz3fz]

@@emjayay I just know I like the ones referred to as "flattops" better. I like the sleeker look of the flatter roofs with the lip extending a bit over the rear windshield. Gives the whole car a sleek rocket look, IMO.

[@briquetaverne]

I love how you describe the 1958 Buick in a vocal tone of fatigue, distaste and repugnance. They say one man's poison is another man's treasure. Having been alive during the 1950's, I recall the Buicks, the Oldsmobiles and the Chryslers very well. They were fabulous in looks, power and dominance. Buyers felt as though they actually got value for their buck. For 1958, in the Chrysler lineage, I particularly liked the DeSoto line but in the GM line that "bloated" "over chromed" beast you dislike so much would swing my garage doors wide open for the chance to receive them. This car's style was far more precious in appearance than even Cadillac. I particularly loved the top model Roadmaster Convertibles and the holy grail of Buicks; the Limited 2 door hardtop. I always loved the 50th anniversary 1953 Buick Skylarks and this full bodied trend followed through right to the '58 Buick line. They were all beautiful with the exception of those that were fitted with "B" pillars. Those models although perhaps stronger, were made ugly by the vertical "B" pillar line. So, the 1959 Buicks may have changed the course of Buick's overall looks but it's only because GM needed to escape the larger than European sized car looks which were beginning to replace the American buying tastes. Had GM built those large cars to get better MPG mileage, better safety standards and improved handling, the down sizing of many GM models may not have occurred

[@TomSpeaks-vw1zp]

Ha. I was alive in the 50’s also and actually owned some of these cars. I own a 58 Buick Super and a 59 Invicta. both 2 Dr hardtop. The 58 was by far the better of the two. The 59 though futuristic in design was cheaply made with mechanical problems. I’ve owned many Buicks. The 59 was the least reliable of all.

[@richardkev3077]

I always loved the 59 Buick. So glad they did not go with their original, massive chromemobile.

[@TomSpeaks-vw1zp]

I agree. That design shown here was an ugly brute. Looks like they took parts from multiple cars. Even though I wasn’t a fan of the 59 it’s sure better than what could have been.

[@fearsomebeard4290]

Those 1958 Buicks are stunning! I Love both those and the Oldsmobiles. I do adore the final 1959 line up, but those ‘58s were still amazing. Chrome kings!

[@pfitz4881]

I love ALL the chrome and the great look of the 58's !!

[@jonperkins8696]

they used to say you could put musical notes on the backside of a 58 oldsmobile....where the chome strips are.

[@bobpierce115]

I heard that years ago too, Jon. I almost have to wonder if someone customizing a '58 Olds didn't actually do that years ago! .

[@skinnerhound2660]

It was often referred to as a Treble clef.

[@jaygatz4335]

Informative video. I'd love to see more of GM's original 1959 lineup.

[@user-en9zo2ol4z]

That roofline is reminiscent of the Kaiser vehicles somewhat, but overall, a real dog's breakfast. Every scrap from the evening meal thrown in a bowl and congealed. George Jetson goes to Ancient Rome. Absolutely timeless in its profound horror.

[@timothymcclaire3276]

The front end reminds me of Clark Griswald's "Family Truckster" station wagon from "Family Vacation"

[@billolsen4360]

Eight headlamps. Never know when you're gonna need em!

[@timmcshan3881]

59 were “sinister”. Loved the 4 door flat top

[@fleetwin1]

YIPES!! That poor thing has a bag case of the fuglys. Look at those four horizontal slats in the front of the hood, guess what car that reminds me of.... Yep, the Griswolds family truckster!

[@fleetwin1]

Oh yeah, I knew I recognized those rear tailights from some actual car, the 60 Pontiac

[@donaldstanfield8862]

😆🎯♥️🔥

[@gregt8638]

Another wonderful, thoroughly enjoyable and educational video! Thank you!

[@phitchr]

It is funny, how many of the elements of form were exaggerated in the late 50's, early 60's that turned into such elegant lines that were very subdued in the late 60's and 70's. As a huge fan of the 1969, 1070 Grand Prix, I am now loving the joy of finding a wonderful 70's Mercury on a retired teachers budget.

[@danielulz1640]

I have seen articles and other proposal photos for the 58 and 59 Buicks. Apparently, what we got for 58 was an amalgam of the 58 and 59 proposals. If you notice the front bumper of the car photo that you featured, you will see that it is very like the rear bumper of the released 58 model. Apparently, the released 58 Buick had the proposed 59 front bumper and grille. You might notice that 58 Buick front and rear bumpers bear no resemblance whatsoever. I have also read that the proposed 59 Cadillac Sixty Special was to have had even more bright trim than the 58. For the life of me, I can't imagine where they would have put it!

[@Blimpie1000]

Good post. I recall when the '59 GM cars came out. They were wacky looking; particularly the 4 door hardtops with the I do not even have a word for it. The sedans wagons and convertibles were not so bad. In retrospect the Chevy has worn the best even with those weird catseye tail lites. Chrysler 1957 and Ford 1957 started rusting before the first payment was due.

[@jamesengland7461]

You know, it's kind of funny- the 55 Chevy and the corresponding cars from the other divisions and competitors were the first modern styles, without separate fenders. They had a relatively tall profile and upright seating, and yet this really ended in 1957, followed by a dramatic progression towards longer, lower, wider by all the makes. Now, sedans have basically died, having been replaced by crossovers and SUVs, though the new Toyota Crown is a sedan with proportions more like a 55 Chevy than a 59. Seems like people have decided they want to sit up higher again. Food for thought.

[@dicksanders8206]

Good observation!

[@brianhdueck3372]

I am totally on your page Adam. The rear 3/4 cabin view actually bares a striking resemblance to the 57 Mercury to my eye, though you have to get past all the ugly to see that. I have to say I thought the taillights were brilliant and I was glad that Pontiac had them on the 1960’s. Another great post and I thank you, Adam.

[@bobpierce115]

Yes, the taillights were the most attractive part that would lend themselves to use later. Unfortunately, since the '59 Pontiac and Olds were ALREADY restrained from the other 3 GM's, the '60 Pontiac and Olds (also toned down from '59) just looked plain and frumpy; especially the Olds. Pontiac recovered in '61, and Olds in '62.

[@brianhdueck3372]

@@bobpierce115 my sentiments exactly

[@63mrl]

That roofline is the 58 Belair Impala.

[@donaldstanfield8862]

58 Impala is absolutely gorgeous!

[@vladtheimpala5532]

@@donaldstanfield8862 I’ve always loved the 58 Impala. There were a lot of ugly cars in 1958, especially GM cars but the Impala wasn’t one of them.

[@bobpierce115]

@@donaldstanfield8862 Agree completely, Donald. From every angle the styling was perfect. The sculptured, rolled fins also set the tone for the horizonal 'branching out' look of the '59 and '60, then wrapping to the side on the '61, finishing-out the trend. The '58 Impala roofline, windshield and rear windows were already previewed on the '57 Buick and Cadillac. A lot of people have resented the '58 Impala because "it wasn't the '57". I love the tri-5; especially the '57 (and not because I was born in May '57) BUT----everything that could have been done in face-lifting the '55, HAD been done. I saw a design proposal once FOR a facelifted '57 (with the quad headlights) and the '58 roofline/windows, etc. The sides and back end----bad. It was time for a totally new, beautiful model. Thank God that's what happened! A face-lifted '58 (for '59) would have been bad. I've seen those too.

[@siddrajput1029]

@@donaldstanfield8862 You are right. I want a 58 Impala!

[@billolsen4360]

@@vladtheimpala5532 Exactly!

[@ronfisher5259]

@2:43-that picture brought such wonderful memories riding with a cousin in his family’s car and having opening wings on the rear door. I really miss the old wings

[@kaybroughton9004]

This is an amazing video!! Thank you so very much for your presentation of the cars an the comparison of GM designs and Mopar is fascinating!

[@eagleplumber6279]

Dad loved American engineering & style of50's-70's.His favorite 62 ss impala.Took all of us brothers and sisters from the hospital when we were born.Kept it for decades

[@corvettefever360]

That 59 Buick would make an amazing restomod or custom. Wow i see some real possibilities with those very hard lines & shapes. Like one mean badass car. Its actually not bad looking as is, but i see how a few things done right could set it off & have it pop!

[@thomastoler2397]

Thanks for doing this as I had requested several times. If you ever get access to additional what-might-have-been sketches/proposals, I hope you’ll consider making this a running feature.

[@EricCoop]

As for modern cars, I'll say the Chrysler 300s are stunningly beautiful. They evoke, at least in my mind, the 1960s Lincoln Continentals. They look great, except for all those guys who tried to make them look like Bentleys.

[@jeanclaude7018]

Those cars receive entirely too much "pimping"

[@terrymeadows1827]

Yes, thank you, Adam. This was one of the most enjoyable (and educating) of your videos.

[@jeffreybodean7300]

Good post,very interesting history about older cars,thank.

[@don9598]

Great story.These cars were pieces of art from the late 50's and 60's

[@Wurlyscope]

Thank you for showing this proposed model. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder… 😂

[@user-zh4cq4zy1n]

Oh Adam, the '58 Buick and Cadillac was so Gaudy, and so BEAUTIFUL!

[@teddyshepherd2854]

Wonderful and informative presentation. Thank you.

[@MrSdallen123]

1959 Homer Simpson design

[@DavidRoot-jp9gb]

Ha ha ha ha ha 😂❤😂😂😂

[@markbehr88]

Thank god they changed it. Harley Earl’s reign was fast coming to an end as Bill Mitchell was in the ascendancy. Having said that,one of my favourite all time cars is Harley’s Buick LeSabre show car (which I was very fortunate enough to ride in late last year). 🫣

[@mattskustomkreations]

I had to chuckle at the “Ewwww!” reveal. This car is like “The Homer” except this one is “The Abe” as designed by Homer’s pop Abe Simpson. 😂

[@beiderbecke1927]

You've seduced me with my favorite car! Not the proposed '59 Buick, but the one that haunts me, since I nearly bought one 40 years ago, but didn't, since I lacked a garage, and it was in pristine condition, inside and out. I just subscribed, and there is some binge watching ahead this weekend! A truly wonderful channel!

[@RareClassicCars]

Good choice!

[@falcon664]

7:46 The heavy hoods over the headlights are very similar to those on the 59 Cadillac. The Cadillac also used the parking lights in the bumper ends, though reduced to two lights in a smaller pod.

[@tonychasey7990]

Ya know, I'm a Mopar guy. Especially, the 57 to 60 Exner cars. With that being said, I love the 58 Buicks and Oldsmobiles with all the chrome! I can't explain it. But, to me, they exude the loveliness of excess

[@8176morgan]

I once read a while back that Buick spent more than 200 million dollars developing and marketing the 1959 Buick. It is hard to imagine anyone spending that much on a new car design, but back then General Motors was making around a billion dollars in profit every year. So I guess that they could afford to spend that much introducing a new car.

[@angeloavanti2538]

My dad loved his '57 Belvedere Coupe. We drove all over the country and Canada in it. Low, fast and heavy.

[@kathyguinto4585]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.John Guinto

[@markmeachen6927]

I’ve been following you a while. I like the amount of research you do, including interviews with higher ups. I have never seen this series of photos and I’ve been around at 65!

[@RareClassicCars]

I appreciate that

[@j.sayler6330]

Adam, of all the old-car videos on KZbin, I like yours best. They are most insightful. How could any designer bring forth such ugly proposals? Even from the first sketch, he should see that it was unattractive.

[@corinnelaking569]

Very nice automotive obscura. Thanks for sharing this.😎

[@Primus54]

It’s interesting that the ‘57 Mopar lineup had such an impact across the American automotive industry. Yes, it was innovative but I’ve never thought the fins that started just behind the door and raised in a straight line angle to be so tall was all that attractive, and still don’t. Growing up during the ‘60s you’d see the young guys buying up mid to late ‘50s Chevys and Fords to hot rod them, but almost never Mopars from the same period. But I’m certainly glad GM quickly reacted… the ‘59s are such an improvement over the ‘58s.

[@Colorado_Native]

Nicely done video. Keep 'em rolling. Thanks.

[@robertchristie9434]

The car looks like a mid-50s pre-prototype with a lot of GM styling features for the future like the hood looks like it was used for a '58 Buick, headlamps, fender brow & grill for a '59 caddy, glass area for a '57 Chevy & Pontiac, styling feature at the beltline for a '58 Pontiac & hubcaps for a '56 Buick. Ford & Chrysler did the same thing for exec critique & approval. Some of the features were later used on production vehicles.

[@PhilRacicot]

One of my favorite cars! And my favorite 1959 from GM.

[@SuperMAZ007]

59 Buick is a very iconic car that looks not only stylish but is also a very practical car. I have had the pleasure of working with some of them and I really love this vehicle. I'm glad they changed the design not went with the very first concepts. Fun fact the floor pans for the Buick and same year Impala are interchangeable.

[@CLT77664]

Wow! That Buick that ALMOST was... reminds me of what Clark W. Griswald might drive in the original Vacation movie!

[@user-gh4lf2hx4o]

Greetings from Cincinnati, Ohio

[@briandreggors5280]

It's literally a cross between a "'58 Buldgemobile" and a background static car from FALLOUT

[@incog99skd11]

In 1959, even Rolls Royce custom coach builders succumbed to the dual headlamps at a 45 degree angle. They are both rare and expensive today.

[@paulcox2009]

The front end reminds me of the Faniky Truckster from the Vacation movie 🤣

[@user-zh4cq4zy1n]

That '59 Chevy reminded me of a "Jack-o-Lantern"! We had a '59 Chevy wagon, when I was 2 and 3, in 65-66

[@OLDS98]

Thank you Adam. That is scary what GM was planning to come out with in 1959. I am glad they had a big change of heart across all the GM lines. Years later they messed up during the downsized era 1985-1990 they spent the early 1990's correcting that error because so much parts sharing among other things that led to look a like styling. I recall on one of my Oldsmobile videos in my home they called the 1958 Oldsmobiles some of the chromiest cars on the road. You are correct. I liked seeing the design proposals and what they were thinking. It is interesting that Buick proposal end up on a early 60's Pontiac. That is not the first time GM did that. I know from a Buick video I watched here on You Tube a Riviera proposal ended up on the rear of the 1986 Toronado. I saw others like this where a proposal on another GM brand ended up elsewhere. The 1971-1972 Cadillac proposal ended up on the front end of the 1971-1972 Ninety Eight. Thank you again.

[@arnesahlen2704]

Yow! I saw some '59 prototypes in Collectible Auto magazine, but nothing THIS menacing! Henry Ford, Harley Earl, Virgil Exner all fell off creative peaks toward the end. Did it show!

[@eyerollthereforeiam1709]

@7:44 Don't be shy, Adam, tell us what you really think! I fully agree. I'm not a big fan of 50's styling of cars, but that one is grotesque!

[@johnruschmeyer5769]

The front of the proposed '59 Buick reminds me of a Cadillac front end, particularly the grill and the pods below the headlights. I'm also struck by the horizontal slots in the front of the hood which are reminiscent (precognizant?) of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster.

[@therealniksongs]

The word "grotesque" doesn't even approach the horror of this design. I love the presenter's use of the term "sales-proof." That's exactly what these would have been. Thankfully, by the time the '61s were approved, the fever in GM Styling and abated and sanity had returned.

[@teebird94]

The 1959 buick is a favourite of a couple of my car pals,the mean look of the front end is amazing and the fins are the best of the 1959 GM products.I'm partial to the Pontiac moreso myself of 1959.

[@jayweiss4378]

The crazy looking design would make your car stand out even more! Maybe some would prefer that

[@wiiambarnarx8485]

I think the absolute best styling example Buick ever did was in 1971 and 1972 with the Centurian. That was a tuff good looking car and my parents were Buick people and they missed it by 2 years. We had a 69 Wildcat and a 67 LeSabre. Then our next Buick was a 1978 Buick Regal which was awesome. But I wished they would have bought the 71 or 72 Centurian because they were tuff and good looking.

[@RoosterRocket]

The Electra proposal rear end is stellar as well I think!

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! 🍩☕️👀😎👍. Morning ! I have a 1958 Olds Super 88 , Mr. Earl design were Hollywood ‘ish as a baby boomer it was the jet age design and folks were what they were asking for ! Unlike the rolling eggs of today also over regulated industry. The rolling eggs that many are unable to drive ! I agree with a few points you made, but trying to determine what customers need when US auto buying customer gets bored until the next big thing ! Am 71 and have good improvements on vehicles and some were CaCa . Too add vehicles that are made to take in ownership and style. Not easy to build ! I myself have a number of classics I used not show cars daily drivers, made some improvements but easy to maintain. Oh ! Automobile is like horse ride it and hopefully you enjoy your ride if not take a cab ! 🍩☕️👀😎👍

[@MarinCipollina]

Thanks for this one, Adam !.. People that complain about the 1958 GM car styling need to get a load of the rejected 1959 proposals. Once GM turned its sights on the more advanced jet age and space age Mopar styling, they decided to ape that, but in a very typically GM sort of way.. Ford mostly avoided those excesses, with the 1958 - 1969 Lincoln Continentals being a notable exception. The GM production 1959 cars have their admirers, but they lack the artful grace of the Exner designed 1957 Mopars. Too bad Mopar quality was so dreadful. That cost them dearly in subsequent years, and the bizarre styling of the early 1960s nearly sank them entirely. I think one of the 1959 proposals for Buick or Cadillac featured the styling of Harley Earl's personal show car. This is the same Buick that gave us the 1963 Riviera a short 4 years later. Great stuff..

[@fob1xxl]

I thought the 1959 Buick was georgeous ! Loved the canted headlights in front and the swept wing design all the way back to those beautiful tail fins. In 1960 the fins were rounded down, still attractive, but I didn't care for the changed headlight design. The proposed Buick designs for 1959 were really pretty ugly !

[@jonowens460]

Hideous 😮

[@scootergeorge7089]

Legend has it that a Ford stylist sketched the rear quarter/fender of the 1958 Oldsmobile 98 adding a treble clef along with a few notes.

[@Johnnycdrums]

What a led sled. I like the roofline, though.

[@8176morgan]

"There's so much chrome on the back of this Oldsmobile that I don't know how to describe it." How about Chromemobile? 😄

[@mikejohnson5914]

Interesting original 59 proposal. One needs to warm up to it's massive sure bulk and space (jet) craft style. Sure is a stand out car. As an option for a kid or maybe the owner a space helmet as the finishing touch. Thanks for sharing what might of been

[@CSmith-gb1sl]

First thing I thought on that rear was '60 Pontiac'.

[@seana806]

I can only imagine what would have happened if GM actually did end up actually making and bringing those cars to life and trying to sell them. Remember what happened to Virgil Exner after he did Chrysler’s 1962 lineup? Pretty sure the same thing would have happened to Harley Earl since they’d be losing sales to Chrysler and Ford. The 1960 Chevy with the ‘58 body shell would be absolutely welded to dealers since it wouldn’t be able to compete with the all new 1960 Ford Galaxie 500 which was clean and sleek, for sure would have tarnished Chevrolet’s reputation and image.

[@aaronwilliams6989]

Fascinating video.

[@ValdezJu]

I'm always surprised that you don't have more subscribers..

[@stevenikazy2943]

Love your use of "less than pleasing."

[@josephfinleyjr8502]

It’s called unique styling it’s what’s missing from today’s cars!😢❤

[@emjayay]

Even as as a kid I thought a last minute decision (either from the styling section or management) at GM was made to pile the trim on the 1958 models in order to distract buyers from the fact that they represented a now outdated style GM was stuck with. 1957 Ford/Mercurys were not as clean as the Chryslers but were all new, lower and futuristic in their own ways. Unlike the upper models which were facelifts of the 1957s, the lower rung 1958 GM cars (Chevy and Pontiac) were all-new bodies on all-new frames/suspensions which like with the Fords enabled having back seat footwells. Those bodies lasted only one year, then the 1959s were another completely new body on the 1958 frames - clearly an emergency save. For many years GM had some combination of A, B, and C bodies but the 1959s were all essentially the same one. Then in 1960 compacts came out, then intermediates, so there were various sizes and the A, B, C thing was over.

[@madmike2624]

I remember as a child, those styled GM cars were called the "turnpike flip"....At least that is what my dad called them back in the day~

[@haweater1555]

1:40 Every metal joint, Chrome trim overlay, and sharp inside crease, catches water and dirt and is a starting point for rust. It's a wonder any survived.

[@billlewis9740]

Imagine the stamping dies for this stuff. Like the '59 Chevy rear fins.

[@haweater1555]

@@billlewis9740 The tool & die machinist, working with a stack of plywood profile templates and a mountain of measurements from a clay model, had a heroic job to do while lacking any robotic CNC machinery. Tooling the CyberTruck must have been the polar opposite of it.

[@royperry2859]

I enjoy seeing what if videos! I'm glad that some of these cars were not made.😢

[@RoosterRocket]

Oooh, I like the Roadmaster proposal too but the lil taillights on the fins is a little distracting. I like the front end of the Electra proposal too!

[@sprague49]

Now I'm curious about what the original 1959 designs for Cadillac, Olds, Pontiac and Chevy would have looked like.

[@ronfisher5259]

Guess I should just finish watching but 3:53 did me in, again. In 1961 in a white 1959 impala my brother and I got terribly sun-burnt necks going to southern Florida on vacation in July.

[@robh.5242]

Thanks, Adam! Chrysler changed the automotive landscape and inspired a new design direction for GM.

[@joemug4079]

I love all the chrome.