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Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2011 => Topic started by: Ray B. on December 21, 2010, 09:12:06 AM

Title: Whatsit #510 - Brooks Stevens "Detroit Dilemma"
Post by: Ray B. on December 21, 2010, 09:12:06 AM

Ever seen this ?
Who penned this styling concept, how did he call it, and what did he have in mind?

If you know, please respond below and share your knowledge with us. A detailed answer will be appreciated.

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Title: Re: Whatsit #510
Post by: Vincent Vell Vet on December 23, 2010, 09:07:38 PM
Is this some sort of puzzle in itself?
'55 Olds 88 upper side trim,
'55-'56 Ford lower side trim,
'56 Ford B pillar,
'58 Olds fin,
'58 Olds, Buick, Cadillac D pillar.

Am I barking up the wrong tree here?
Title: Re: Whatsit #510
Post by: Ray B. on December 26, 2010, 12:51:56 PM
Not at all, but you don't answer the question.
Title: Re: Whatsit #510
Post by: Ray B. on January 04, 2011, 05:29:45 AM
Experts?
Title: Re: Whatsit #510
Post by: Vincent Vell Vet on January 04, 2011, 02:40:36 PM
Quote from: Ray B. on December 26, 2010, 12:51:56 PM
Not at all, but you don't answer the question.
Sorry, new here, hould have read the actual question. Now I know better!
Title: Re: Whatsit #510
Post by: tonyola on January 04, 2011, 09:07:54 PM
It was called the Detroit Dilemma, and it was drawn by Brooks Stevens as a parody of then-current styling themes used by American automakers.
Title: Re: Whatsit #510
Post by: mymokke on January 05, 2011, 12:15:18 AM
This looks like a compilation of every kitchy styling gimmick used on american automobiles of the 1950s that Raymond Lowey absolutley hated. He used to take photographs of these details which included his little poodle.
Title: Re: Whatsit #510
Post by: Ray B. on January 05, 2011, 04:08:42 AM
Yes, I have a collection of the Loewy poodle photographs in his book. But Tonyola is correct: Brooks Stevens' Detroit Dilemma it is. Point later.
Title: Re: Whatsit #510
Post by: Ray B. on January 09, 2011, 06:28:03 AM
Quote from: mymokke on January 05, 2011, 12:15:18 AM
This looks like a compilation of every kitchy styling gimmick used on american automobiles of the 1950s that Raymond Lowey absolutley hated. He used to take photographs of these details which included his little poodle.

Loewy may have been rightly ironic about US styling excesses of the late fifties, but he did no better. Take a peek at his 1959 Cadillac, somewhere in this forum. The rear is alright maybe, but the front is truly ugly.

Point added, Tonyola.
Title: Re: Whatsit #510 - Brooks Stevens "Detroit Dilemma"
Post by: Otto Puzzell on January 09, 2011, 08:24:23 AM
Stevens uncorked some wacky, chrome-encrusted designs of his own.
Title: Re: Whatsit #510 - Brooks Stevens "Detroit Dilemma"
Post by: Ray B. on January 09, 2011, 08:58:01 AM
He sure did. But his superiority on Loewy in this matter, in my opinion, is that his were excessive and kitsch, while Loewy's were just plain weird (I mean his 59 Caddy, the Lancia Loraymo or the BMW, not what he did for Hupmobile or Studebaker.)