And was there ever a more example of pure excess then a 1959 Dodge Royal Lancer?
I find it a thing of beauty.
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The fins and chrome on American cars of the 1950's were dominant styling elements, reflecting the nation's post-war prosperity and cultural fascination with the Jet and Space Ages. They featured fins and chrome that were not primarily functional, but rather symbols of luxury, speed, and a futuristic optimism.
Tail fins peaked in size by 1959 (e.g., the iconic Cadillac Eldorado),
They were directly inspired by the tail rudders of fighter planes and rockets. They transformed everyday cars into rolling sculptures that suggested movement and forward-thinking design.
Chrome was used extensively, from massive front grilles and sweeping side trim to interior accents, due to advanced, automated plating techniques. It served as a status symbol, with the amount of chrome reflecting the owner's success and the car's prestige.
Together, fins and chrome defined an era of bold, expressive design, making cars a statement of American ambition and technological might.
However, that bold brashness lacked the subtle artistic beauty that American cars had become reknowned for previously. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course, but if I had to choose between that Eldorado and one of Indiana's work of art, it would be the latter every time.
A 1930,s automobile from the production line of: Duesenberg.
