In the automotive universe, few elements are as captivating as the interiors and dashboards of cars from the late 1950s. Modernist shapes, the influence of the space age, and unprecedented materials blend in an environment where competition aimed to impress at all costs. It’s the ideal setting to create memorable designs, sometimes extravagant, but always innovative.
A Journey Through Time: Why 1959?
Why focus on the year 1959 for this visual journey? It’s a legitimate question. In reality, this date may seem arbitrary, but it coincides with the full bloom of themes related to the space age, at a time when the world around them had changed. By 1960, some competitors began adopting more conservative styles after a sales drop in 1958, a consequence of an economic recession. Nevertheless, Chrysler’s stylists did not receive this message and continued to draw from the futuristic universe until 1962. Furthermore, 1959 allows us to avoid the arrival of compact models, which would have made comparison more difficult.
Chrysler and Its Brands: A Visual Competition
Before exploring the interiors, a glimpse of the exteriors is necessary. Although I did not find an ideal view of all these models from the same angle, it is essential to analyze how each brand distinguished itself. From left to right, according to their market position, we have Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, and Chrysler, with the Imperial, their high-end offering, below.
For those who may not know, these brands shared many visual (and mechanical) characteristics as well. While Chrysler, under the direction of its design vice president, Virgil Exner, created finished and elegant wonders in 1957, they never succeeded in establishing a specific language for each division as General Motors had done at that time. It’s hard to understand why one would choose a Dodge over a DeSoto, or vice versa.
Exploring the Dashboards
Let’s start with Plymouth, the entry-level brand of the group. The shapes and lines of the dashboard are worthy of the Jetsons, ranging from a trapezoidal instrument cluster to large push buttons surrounded by levers.
- George Jetson, I need heat! (Press the button, pull the lever, and the heat is on!)
The varied colors were also present. And that steering wheel, so “satellite in orbit,” does not go unnoticed. Although the materials are less refined than those of other divisions, the overall impression is striking.
Dodge and DeSoto: A Duel of Glamour
Moving on to Dodge, it is clear that the interior is more sumptuous in terms of materials and presentation. Chrome shines brightly, with brighter instruments and a style that screams 1950s. DeSoto and Dodge present a very close execution, but it is fascinating to note that Dodge’s instruments seem more readable.
A curiosity to note: the sliding speedometer, a futuristic invention where the indicator moves as speed increases. This is called “Indicolor” in Dodge brochures.
The Imperial Distinction
The Imperial, for its part, is a true monster. Its presentation combines elements from the 1930s with a style resolutely oriented towards the future. The dashboard is a bold mix of NASA-like instruments and climate controls cleverly arranged around the steering wheel. The design clearly aims to create a unique driving experience.
Chrysler brochures claimed that the texture of the dashboard was designed to reduce glare. To be frank, I’m not sure they succeeded on that front.
Technology and Ergonomics: A Delicate Balance
Looking at these wonders of the space age, one can’t help but think of the often-unfulfilled promises of certain technologies. Many of these innovations turned out to be too complex or impractical. We are currently witnessing a new phase of technological evolution with modern interiors, often equipped with touch screens. While these technologies are promising, they sometimes lack the user-friendliness we hoped for.
A big thank you to Aaron Severson for his invaluable help in the creation of this article.
