Detroit Heritage: The '50s and the '60s

This '51 Frazer recalls the surprising entry of shipping magnate Henry J. Kaiser into the automobile industry after World War II, which Kaiser helped win with his firm's astonishing production of Liberty ships. He was just as successful at first in the auto industry. After introduction by Kaiser-Frazer of its '47 Kaiser and Frazer lines in summer of 1946, observers were confounded by its success. It surprised every one by leading all the independent makers in production in 1947, building 144,500 cars. Of those, 32,655 were Frazers. The Frazer was the upscale nameplate in the lineup, named for Joseph W. Frazer, president of the firm and earlier associated with Graham-Paige. The Frazer was dropped in 1951 after Frazer left the firm. Kaiser gave up the ghost in 1955, after an abortive effort to sell a small car called the Henry J through Kaiser dealers and the Allstate through Sears, Roebuck.

This 1951 Studebaker shows off the "bullet nose" that was one of Studebaker's most distinctive designs in the post-World War II market. Some observers cite that spinner nose as one of the legendary designer Raymond Loewy's few mistakes, but the the two years that Studebaker had that jet aircraft look were the two best sales years it ever had. And the bullet nose was not Loewy's idea, but that of one of his designers who later took a leading role in Ford Motor Co. styling, Bob Bourke.

It is one of the great ironies that the car named after Edsel Ford, one of the greatest automotive leaders, became a synonym for failure. Edsel Ford was responsible for bringing the Lincoln into Ford Motor Co., for the elegant Ford designs of the '30s and for the very successful Mercury car line. The Edsel was the result of the most market and motivational research that had ever been lavished on an automobile and it may be that the experts outsmarted themselves. A long search for the right name was conducted. Poet Marriane Moore, among others, was consulted and suggested "Silver Sword," "Hurricane Accipter" and "Utopian Turtletop." Henry Ford II decided it would be named after his father. The front end was supposed to be "powerful," but one observer said it looked like a toilet seat. Other even less kind assessments were made and the Edsel became a laughing stock. This is a '58 Edsel, from its first year of production.

Through the '50s Studebaker declined financially, but turned out some of the most beautiful cars in America. At left is a '63 Grand Turismo Hawk V-8, which featured smooth, sleek European styling. At right is a '53 Studebaker Champion Regal Starlight coupe, the so-called "Loewy coupe." This body is often cited as Raymond Loewy's best work.