Next Year's Models

While auto dealers grumbled of troubles past and present (see below), the talk among producers last week was of the future. What will the 1955 models look like, and how will they affect sales?

Last week the Wall Street Journal tried to scoop the industry by coming out with a dope story, illustrated with sketches of the 1955 models of Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge. Those who have seen the new models thought that the Journal had picked up some old blueprints of the Chevrolet; there have been at least two new designs since that model. Ford executives were frankly surprised at the sketch of the front end of the Ford: it looked like a Studebaker, bore little resemblance to their 1955 model. The most accurate sketch was of the Dodge, with a flat hood and rear deck, high fender lines, and a wrap-around windshield with the window post slanting back, instead of being perpendicular as in G.M. cars. But there was no doubt that next year will bring the greatest spate of major restyling in postwar auto history: a total of nine completely revamped models (1954 total: three).

To nobody's surprise, almost every make will shift to the wrap-around windshield pioneered this year by General Motors (TIME, Sept. 28, 1953). In the continuing horsepower race, the most powerful engines will be boosted to around 260 h.p. (current top: Chrysler's 235 h.p.), and the switch to V-8 engines should be completed in 1955. The new Chevrolets and Pontiacs will probably be introduced in early fall, the Fords in November--all earlier than the 1954s. But Chrysler, which had little success with its early announcement last year, will probably not be ready until December.

The rundown: General Motors, which completely restyled its Buicks, Oldsmobiles and Cadillacs this year, will only face-lift those makes for 1955. Cadillac's engine will be jacked up from 230 h.p. to nearly 260 h.p.

The big model changes will be in Chevrolet and Pontiac, which will generally resemble the Olds, have wrap-around windshields and, probably, visored headlights. Chevvy will also have a new V-8 engine with about 150 h.p., v. its present 125-h.p., six-cylinder power plant. Pontiac will probably get a 150-h.p., V-8 engine to replace its present 127-h.p straight-eight.

Chrysler has given Designer Virgil M. Exner, a former Raymond Loewy assistant, a free hand on its 1955s--so free, in fact, that even last week minor changes were still being made on the new models on the test track. Chrysler, which has run against the trend to long, low styling, has reversed itself. Dodge and Plymouth will both be longer and lower. Chrysler's most powerful engine will be raised from 235 h.p. to 245 h.p. or better.

Ford will have a new body for Fords, the first complete change since 1949. Lincoln's body will be basically unchanged but three or four inches lower.

Packard will bring out its first fully restyled car under President James J. Nance's management. It will have a wraparound windshield and a V-8 engine that Nance says "must be as powerful as any in the industry," i.e., 260 h.p. To build the body, Packard last week leased a Chrysler body plant. It will not only build a V-8 for its own cars, but is also planning to build one for Studebaker in expectations of a merger of the two companies (TIME, May 17). Packard also expects to make a V-8 available for such other independents as American Motors and Kaiser-Willys.

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