[exit82]

Thanks, Swordmaker—didn’t know about the Italia either.

Interesting how so many car makers looked to Italian stylists in the 1950s for inspiration and ideas.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Interesting how so many car makers looked to Italian stylists in the 1950s for inspiration and ideas.

We had a friend in the 1970s in TX who made it big in oil trading and came into a LOT of MONEY. He bought a really fancy red, Italian sports car. Can't remember the name -- something unpronouncable -- but it was a head turner. He took my husband for a spin (which was terrifying) and told us a story. The car was in the shop ALL the time. When he complained to the mechanic (Italian, of course) he was told, "Theess eess Italian car. You wanta precision? You getta Cherman car. Lika washing machine. Precision, precision, precision. Butta Italian car mayka LUFF to you." We moved away shortly thereafter so we do not know what happened to Gary and his love-making Italian sportscar that was always in the shop.

[Celtic Conservative]

Italian style was all the rage. The grille on the '55 chevrolets was inspired by The look of early ferraris. The American public didn't get it , though and a more conventional grille was used for '56.

CC