Tailfins & Innovation: Bill Mitchell and the Rise of American Car Design

[@henrystowe6217]

When this was made, a Model t was 50 years old. The 1964 Mustang is 60 this month. Something to think about.

[@Romiman1]

So much glory and beauty. Bill needs to come back, to heal the streets from that currently sad era of ugly trucks and SUVs... And Thank You for that great matching (non clickbait) thumbnail!

[@billbickner7751]

I started by reading your comment, and then watching the video. I found myself mostly agreeing with you. But that said, I consider the '63 Sting Ray and the '66 Buick Riviera to be two of the best-looking cars of my lifetime.

[@wmalden]

Those days are gone. Now, most drive look-alike SUVs, CUVs and crossovers. Interior color is black - take it or leave it. Individuality?

[@henrystowe6217]

The homogenous cars had its origins in the popularization of government regulations pushed by Ralph Nader and someone no one has heard of, William Haddon.

[@henrystowe6217]

The 1976 to 79 Seville was Bill Mitchells finest work. Too bad they didnt have an engine to match the looks. Government regulations.

[@desertbob6835]

Bill Mitchell...meh. He was responsible for some of the ugliest cars ever to turn a wheel.. When Harley Earl retired during the '56 model year, Mitchell went to work turning Earl's 1948-56 P-38-inspired Cadillac design into a B-47, complete with "blast detector" tail and backup lights, which Earl allowed. But the '59 Cad disaster, along with the '59-'60 mess across the entire GM range, was all his doing. He straightened things out starting in '61, and his "coke bottle" body form on the Riviera and the Pontiacs were a big success. Politically, he was a whack job.

[@henrystowe6217]

I dont think so.

[@seana806]

If Harley Earl had his way for 1959 and 1960 (since the ‘58 body shell was supposed to be used from 1958 to 1960), he probably would have had the same fate as Virgil Exner since he got fired for Chrysler’s ‘62 lineup since they weren’t selling. People make fun of Ford’s styling from the 1950’s, but Ford was right all along since over the top styling came to roost in the early 60’s.

[@threeriverswrench]

Yeah. Because cars today are so much better looking. 🙄

[@seana806]

@@threeriverswrench modern vehicles are better, when you are demented.

[@TimGi1]

Everything that was said in this movie is true to this day 👍✌️🇺🇸🫶😎