...That there was a time back in the 1950s and '60s when automotive manufacturers introduced a new body style every year for every model in the product line up? It boggles the mind to think that an all new design and the required tooling to make it was introduced every September in new car showrooms across the country. It was always such a big deal and very exciting. Most dealers would receive the new car at night, roll them into their showrooms in secret and cover the showroom windows with either newspaper or shipping paper. The reveal was sometimes by invitation only for VIPs. As a kid, I did everything could to get a sneak peek, usually with little or no success.
All that changed shortly after the Japanese manufacturers started importing cars in the mid-60s and decided they didn’t want to try compete with the domestics for the spotlight in September and started introducing their new cars early and mid-year. Smart call, but it sure ruined the fun.
The Japanese also realized they couldn’t afford new body styles every year and went to three or, in some cases, five year body cycles. It didn’t take the domestics long to figure out that they too needed to go to five year body design cycles. In some cases, the Ford Crown Victoria and the Chrysler 300 come to mind as models that went even longer. It took a lot of the excitement out of the game, but I have to say there now seems to be a new model and body style being introduced all year long.
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