A nation of drivers were home bound starting in 1942 with the beginning of the United States involvement in WWII. Automobile production was halted that year as manufacturers geared up to make airplane, trucks and tanks and what ever else was needed for the war effort. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the big three auto makers, GM, Ford and Chrysler began to reinvent the automobile. The 1949, 1950, 1951, 1953 and 1954 Chevrolets received only modest facelifts and were called dull but dependable. However, in 1955, 1956 and 1957 appearance and engineering was changed radically by Chevrolet. Who was responsible for the new Chevy’s? Chuck Jordon, Harley Earl and especially Edward Nicholas Cole, Chevrolet’s Chief Engineer.
In May of 1952 General Motors, Chevrolet stylist and Ed Cole began a three year run on what the old car collectors 50 years later would call the best of the 1950s Classic Cars. The first Chevrolet produced during this new era of low price dream cars, was the 1955 Chevrolet. It was introduced as the “Hot One”. A national love affair was about to began.
When Chevrolet introduced its completely redesigned cars in 1955, body styles were revised annually, giving each model year a distinct and easily identifiable look. The final phase of Chevy’s three year 1955-1957 design cycle concluded with chrome and fins. One Chevy ad described the 1957 Chevrolet as “Sweet, Smooth and Sassy”. The all new styling on the 1957 Chevrolet was sweet, the new turboglide transmission was smooth and the new fuel injected 283 V-8 was very sassy.
The new 1957 Chevy had visible styling changes to the grille, front and rear bumpers, quarter panels, taillights and hood ornaments. Chevy’s 1957 facelift was carefully detailed for a longer and lower look. The front bumper and grille was massive across the front. The bumpers scooped across the front then flared up and out into bomb like guards similar to the 1957 Cadillac. These guards were normally flat faced but could be fitted with an optional rubber tip. In the center of the grille was a long horizontal bar with a Chevy crest and small circular parking lamps at each end. A new lower cowl line and hood increased vision. On the hood were unique twin “Hood Rockets” instead of the familiar “Hood Bird” ornaments used on the 1955 and 1956 Chevrolets. The rear fenders were reshaped into the tail fins that all 1957 Chevy fan love. At the end of the large rear bumper were half moon tail lights and optional backup lamp housings. Concealed in the driver side vertical fin was a fuel filler hinged panel. The 1957 Chevy also gained a sportier stance with the use of 14 inch wheels, instead of 15 inch wheels, leading to a slight height reduction.
Chevrolet planed to keep its remarkable reputation for style, more power and more refinements going strong in 1956. “The Hot One’s Even Hotter”! “Loves to go - and looks it!” declared one 1956 ad campaign. The 1956 Chevrolet was bigger and more important looking. Although the basic body shell that was new in 1955 remained the same, detail changes were made to increase the car’s already large appeal.
Major styling changes involved the grille, tail lights and side trim. The 1955 Chevrolet grille was very clean looking and the lattice work effect remained on the ‘56 but it was widened, parking lights were enlarged and it was raked slightly in on the bottom. At the rear, large chrome plated tail light housings were added. Each housed a round pointed tail light, a rectangular backup lamp and a small reflector. Access to the gas tank was through the driver side tail light housing. Larger front and rear chrome bumpers gave the illusion of greater length. Stainless body moldings were redesigned on all three body styles. The moldings served as a natural division points for two-tone paint jobs that were very popular on the 1955 and 1956 Chevy.