2026

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of GM Heritage Archive & Special Collections.
Published 5.6.2026

1950-51 Cadillac advertising

In the 1950s, automobile companies worked to appeal to women as buyers of their newest models. At General Motors, Cadillac represented style and glamour for the consumer market. During the early part of the decade, Harley Earl hired several women for the first time to contribute to automotive design at the General Motors Technical Center. These women were called the Damsels of Design.

Many of the women were highly educated professionals who contributed creative and practical ideas to interior design proposals throughout the 1950s. During this time, Cadillac began to recognize women as an important part of its consumer base. Women were also expanding their presence in the workforce as doctors, automobile designers, and other respected professionals. Cadillac advertising reflected this shift by featuring women in elegant clothing within refined and glamorous settings. This approach reinforced Cadillac’s long-standing reputation as an upscale brand in the auto industry.

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1950-51 Cadillac advertising

During the 50s, tailfins became a defining symbol of Cadillac style. Popular colors such as Mountain Laurel in 1956 and Dusty Rose and Amethyst in 1957 helped attract women to Cadillac models. In 1955, Cadillac sales reached a record high. This success reflected the brand’s focus on women’s high-end fashion trends combined with automotive luxury features. Some automotive historians have noted that, in the public’s mind, a Cadillac represented nearly everything a motor car should be.

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1955 "Favorite of All Nations" Advertising

Also, during the same period, Cadillac marketing described each model year as the height of glamour and refinement. These vehicles offered more than basic transportation. They became symbols of status and achievement for many consumers.

Cadillac maintained strong sales throughout the decade, even as the auto industry faced a decline during the 1958 recession. By 1959, the company had returned to a favorable sales position. That year marked the third consecutive release of significantly restyled models.

4 mfile 20151026161833 Cadillac Standard

1956 Cadillac advertising

Many historians consider the 1959 Cadillac to be one of the most radical designs in automotive production. Its striking tailfins became a defining feature. Even with its bold styling, consumer demand stayed strong, and Cadillac advertising underscored innovation and luxury.

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1957 Cadillac ad from France

Cadillac ads in 1959 often featured a mother and daughter in elegant designer clothing. During the 1950s, the brand achieved strong success through its emphasis on prestige, comfort, luxury, and performance. This combination attracted a wide range of consumers, including many women. As one English technical journalist observed, “Cadillac is traditionally the best car in America.”

1959 Cadillac advertising

In conclusion, women were a significant part of Cadillac’s story in the 50s. They contributed to both vehicle design and the development of effective marketing campaigns. Their involvement played a key role in the brand’s sales success and its enduring legacy in automotive history.

Bibliography
Hendry D. Maurice/ Editors of Automobile quarterly. “Cadillac Standard of the World. The Complete History” Automobile Quarterly Publications 1979.
Editors of Consumer Guide. “Cadillac Standard of Excellence” Consumer Guide July 1980 Volume 277.
Mc Call M.P Walter. “80 Years of Cadillac La Salle” Crestline Publishing 1988.

By Robert Tate Award Winning Automotive Historian/Researcher.

Images Courtesy of Chrysler Corporation Historical Collection MMC Detroit

Published 4.29.2026

The year was 1993 and the Chrysler Design team in Auburn Hills Michigan was led by the talented automotive designer Tom Gale.

1Tom Gale Tom Gale/Chrysler Design

Chrysler introduced the cab-forward designs that brought renewed success and profit to the automotive industry. For many years Chrysler had built and manufactured a great automotive legacy that was part of the fabric of the American automobile industry. The 1993 Chrysler products were great-looking automotive designs that most consumers thoroughly enjoyed for their great styling details.

2 CHRYSLER Concorde 2140 2 1993 Chrysler engineering

During the 1990’s, the Chrysler Corporation set new standards for research and development by introducing innovative, great looking vehicles. Tom Gale famously said, “I’ve always believed that good designs add value faster than it adds cost.” This philosophy was evident when the Chrysler Corporation first used the cab-forward theme on a new family of front wheel-drive vehicles in which the firewall, along with the base of the windshield design, were pushed farther forward for a modern styling theme.

3CHRYSLER Concorde 2140 3 1993 Chrysler rear end design

In 1993, the LH platform supplied as the basis for the Chrysler Concorde, LHS, 300 M, Dodge Intrepid and others. The platform created Chrysler’s cab-forward design look and quickly became a hallmark of the brand. The new LH Platform Design team was supervised by Francois Castaing who was responsible for product engineering and development in his previous role at American Motors Corporation.

In advertising, Chrysler introduced its cab-forward designs to the public with huge advertising campaign that many Americans liked and admired. The first generation 1993-1997 were very popular among Americans.

Automotive historians have noted that some of the exterior styling features were heavily influenced by the popular Lamborghini Portofino show car, a concept model introduced at the 1987 Frankfurt Auto Show. The model generated worldwide enthusiasm and gave a glimpse into Chrysler’s future design direction. The Lamborghini Portofino was designed by Kevin Verduyn, who was one of Chrysler’s chief designers. The fully functional four-door sport sedan influenced the blueprint for the popular cab-forward design models in 1993.

4 1987 Lamborghini PortofinoConcept1 1987 Lamborghini Portofino concept model

The Dodge Division launched the new Intrepid models in 1993 to replace the popular K car series. The 1993 models not just offered great styling features but also more interior space for the driver and passengers.

5 Intrepid Dodge Intrepid advertising

Chrysler has built a great image of automotive designs that American consumers respect. According to Ward’s Automotive reports, Chrysler truck and car sales surged 20% in the first two weeks in the year of 1993. I can remember going to the Chrysler Dealership when the new 1993 models were introduced to the public. I was filled with enthusiasm about how impressive the cars looked and how strongly the public responded to the introduction of the 1993 LH cars.

1993 Chrysler advertising

Automotive history will ultimately record that the Chrysler Corporation, under the leadership of Bob Lutz and Tom Gale, created product designs and technologies that will remain an important part of America’s automotive legacy.

Biography
Daimler Chrysler Corporation. “Walter P. Chrysler Museum: The American Heritage of Daimler Chrysler Zenda Inc. 1999.

Dennis Adler Thomas C. Gale. “Chrysler Dodge De Soto Plymouth Imperial” MBI Publishing Company 2000.

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images Courtesy of the Robert Tate Collection
Published 4.22.2026
Originally Published 10.17.2018

By A. Wayne Ferens
Published 04.15.2026

The all new 1957 models were significant for the success of the Ford Motor Company in many ways. The innovative designs not only set the stage for future generations of vehicles, but also laid the foundation for the companies "Total Performance" marketing campaign throughout the next decade.

1Ford Skyliner brochure

Two models in particular that were available in limited numbers that highlighted Fords forward innovation was the introduction of the 118 inch wheelbase Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner and the revised Thunderbird that featured a reshaped front bumper from the previous model and larger grill and tailfins. These top of the line models were intended to accomplish one thing....to bring people into Ford showrooms, and if these models weren't right for them - convince the potential customer to buy another Ford model. Did it work?

2 191078 Front 3 4 Web

Advertised as "The Worlds Only Hide-Away Hardtop" and spearheaded by Chief of Styling George W. Walker the Fairlane 500 Skyliner with its groundbreaking retractable hardtop was the first in the world to be mass-produced. The rarest 17 retractable cars were powered by a F-code 312 cu.in./300hp overhead valve V8 engine. These F-code Skyliners were specially built at the Dearborn Assembly Plant and were pretty much equipped with all available options including the McCulloch/Paxton VR57 centrifugal supercharger, Ford-O-Matic transmission, power steering, positive action wipers, power brakes, power seat, power windows, Town & Country radio, heater, front & rear bumper guards, continental kit and white-wall tires mounted on 14 inch wire wheels. Priced at over $3000.00 they were the most expensive Fords in 1957.

3 191078 Engine Web

The 312 cu.in. 300hp supercharged OHV V-8 was fitted with a 4-barrel Holley 4000 carburetor, mechanical valve lifters and special reinforced 'EBD' cylinder heads to keep the compression ratio at 8.5:1 so it could run on regular pump gasoline. A dual-point distributor was also added. The supercharged engine option was available as a factory performance option on any '57 Ford or Thunderbird. Estimates are that around 974 F-code 312 engines were installed in various size Fords. The factory invoice price was $340.00.

Ford's other major showroom stopper was the restyled 1957 Thunderbird that kept it's two-seat configuration. As stated, the revisions included a reshaped front bumper, a larger grill and beautifully shaped tailfins with the rear of the car lengthened just enough to allow the spare tire to be re-positioned back into the trunk. The instrument panel was restyled using round gauges in a single pod from the full-size 1956 Fords. The T-Bird was available in both standard and automatic transmission.

The Crown Jewel of the '57 lineup was of course the "F-code" factory Supercharged Thunderbird OHV 312 cu. in. V8 using the same McCulloch/Paxton supercharger producing 300 horsepower at 5000rpm.

5 Interior

Note: A 340hp version was made available to select race teams and not to the general public. Ford was dipping it's toe into the NASCAR racing arena in response to GM's new Fuel Injected Corvette.

The F-code Thunderbirds were assembled in Dearborn, Michigan in limited numbers and didn't hit the dealers until mid-June. Only 211 were ever produced. A full line of options were also available that included a variety of power features, automatic and standard transmissions including overdrive, Life-Guard safety equipment, tinted safety glass, windshield washers, removable "port hole" hard top and rear fender shields.

6ENGINE

The only difference in the supercharger installations between the Thunderbirds and the full size Fords was the location of the air cleaner. The supercharger is belt driven and the centrifugal type automatic ball-driven variable speed blower is lubricated with engine oil and operated by manifold vacuum. The VR57 supercharger delivered five pounds of boost. A modified fuel pump delivered fuel to the Holley carburetor fuel bowl.

By the end of the model year Ford was well pleased with Thunderbird sales rising to a highest ever at 21,380 units and Skyliner sales hitting 20,766 units. Total sales for Ford in 1957 was 1,676,449 cars outselling arch rival Chevrolet for the first time in several years. The limited production Ford Thunderbird and the Fairlane 500 Skyliner retractable had done everything Ford intended these new models to do, and they did it with style, performance and innovation.

Bibliography:

1957 Ford sales literature

'57-'59 Ford Skyliner by J.H. Magayne

Automobile Quarterly 1970

Classic & Sportscar Magazine 1988

Supercharged! Design, Testing & Installation

by C. Bell 2002

Photos: Ferens collection

By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian & Researcher
Images courtesy of the Studebaker History Archives
Published 04.08.2026

By A. Wayne Ferens

Published 04.01.2026

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