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Friday, March 25, 2022

Glamour Road

There was a time in America that cars (from all the manufacturers) were little more than cookie cutter copies of each other.  Truthfully, it’s hard to tell a Ford from a Chevy from a Chrysler to foreign cars.

While today’s cars are fuel efficient, aerodynamic, packed with extras including lots of safety feature and other goodies, cars manufactured in America in the 1940s to the 1970s had a certain style of their own.

When you bought a car back then it was easy to differentiate from a Ford, Chevy, etc.

Lots of chrome, fins, long bodies, big trunks, plenty of legroom, fancy interiors and a comfortable ride were what you expected in a car back then.  

Forget about gas mileage and the cost of fuel or maintenance, Americans longed for the open road, driving in style and most importantly: looking luxurious as they did so.

During the 1940s to the 1970s a curious phenomenon came about.

Car manufacturers took note that more and more women were entering the workplace, suburbia was on the rise and fashions, along with new gadgets around the house were all the rage.

What better way to sell more cars, especially to women, than by making cars more fashion centered, sleekly designed, luxurious and yes: glamorous?

In Glamorous Road, by Jeff Stork and Tom Dolle and published by Schiffer Books, readers learn all about the color, fashion, style and the mid-century automobile.

Pages are packed with archival photos, promotional material and examples of color swatches, fabric selections and the accessories that made designing autos for women so profitable.

Each of the major American car manufactures had their luxury models and all are showcased in retro-style complete with ads, historical text, interior and exterior photo shoots with gorgeous models in fabulous gowns and dresses and famous celebrities and much more.

Travel back in time when automobiles were more than just a means of transportation.  They were symbols of prestige, social status, fashion, glamour and were an intrical part of any modern home’s color, style and fashion. 

Psalm 34:18 (NKJV) “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

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