In Hindsight, were the Dagmars of the 1950's too, uhm, big?

[BJM]

Especially 1954 to 1957, in some angles they take the eye away from the overall front end profile and seem too much. By contrast, the blunter 51-53 'bumperettes' add a nice touch to the front end without being overwhelming.

Scroll down to photos 8-9 on this ebay auction.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330346399090&viewitem=

[Carl Schreiber]

BJM -

Yeah, they're obnoxious.  I think that's why I'm a sucker for them, especially 1957.  I think there might have been a bit less 'protrusion' with the rubber bumperettes, might have toned it back a notch.

Arlington Green?  Funny, Gretsch used it as a custom color option on its Country Club and Duo-Jet model guitars in the mid-1950's.  Some of the most highly sought-after pieces of the era.  Gretsch referred to it as 'Cadillac Green'...
Sure would make a nice accessory in the back seat.

Carl Schreiber

[Doug Houston]

Didn't yet look at the auction. It's really a subjective issue. The design of the car's front was massive. The bumper guards (which nis what they really are), had to be massive, as they were to match the proportions of the rest of the front hardware. There was a poweful boldness to those front ends that the big Dagmats were an important part of.
It would take just a sketch of smaller "bumperettes" (They used to be called that!), with smaller ones, would probably make the thing look ridiculous.

[John Tozer #7946]

I just love the way lots of people who knew better claimed, straight-faced of course, that the Dagmars were borrowed from (I think) the Lockheed Lightning....

This was also the era of "pencil" bras but nobody pointed that out (no pun intended)!


John Tozer

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

They were just the right size.

Bruce.

[jaxops]

They are proportional for the car [we'll leave it a that].  It was probably a jet-engine looking design...and then the public renamed them.

[BJM]

I tried to locate a 52 Cadillac to compare, where the SIZE was not so large (B cup vs DD cup). I found a 53 and it's not too bad. Don't get me wrong I am a 54-57 Cadillac fan but I wonder if most members, although accepting that we can not chnage the size now, believe they are a detriment to front end Cadillac styling.

[Otto Skorzeny]

Detriment to styling? That IS the styling. Just like the fins, that's what makes the cars attractive.

[Carfreak]

I wonder if most members, although accepting that we can not change the size now, believe they are a detriment to front end Cadillac styling.

Not IMO

That IS the styling. Just like the fins, that's what makes the cars attractive.

YES!!!

[Walter Youshock]

The "TECHNICAL" term was "Gullwing" bumpers.  Virginia Egnor, aka "DAGMAR", will have her nickname forever associated with Cadillacs of the '50's.  I'd like to find a photo of her and Jane Russell together....

Really, Harley took them from his LeSabre and stuck a grille in the middle.  His car didn't have "cleavage", like the Cadillacs did.

Overall, I'd say the '55's were the epitome of the Dagmars.  The rubber "tips" wee added in '57, they said, to prevent damage to other cars.  How would you like to have 2 big dents in your trunk lid?

In any event, we should all be glad those designers had the guts and creativity to create what they did, as well as the greatest car designer of all time for a boss, and the (then) financial power of GM...

That's why old cars are Time Machines--they CAN briefly take you back to the day when GM was #1 and Cadillac was KING.

[Otto Skorzeny]

Here you go Walt.

[Otto Skorzeny]

I've always preferred Jayne Mansfield.

Sophia Loren is the most beautiful woman of all time, though.

[Walter Youshock]

Jayne certainly had "IT"!  Unfortunately, she and cars did NOT have a happy ending...

[Otto Skorzeny]

Jayne certainly had "IT"!  Unfortunately, she and cars did NOT have a happy ending...

Right on both counts, Walt.

As a direct result of her death, "Mansfield bars" are now required on tractor trailers to prevent cars from sliding underneath the trailer in a rear-end collision.

Cars have gotten so small these days, though that they're not always effective. I don't think the NHTSA has altered the height requirements since 1967.

[Walter Youshock]

This list can go to eternity...

Gina Lollobrigeda; Rita Hayworth; Ava Gardner...

Didn't Carole Lombard have a '41 convertible that Clark bought her?

Seems like they don't make cars OR actresses like they used to....

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Apropos of nothing... Can anyone come up with the (complete) and original name for Buick portholes? Hint: "ventiports" is not the complete name.

I found this while perusing the "articles" in Playboy some thirty years ago. Nah, never looked at the pictures...Just read it to improve my mind???

[Rusty Shepherd CLC 6397]

Jayne certainly had "IT"!  Unfortunately, she and cars did NOT have a happy ending...

Walter,
I'm trying to remember what she was in when she was killed; I think it was a '62 Cad. convertible.  Am I right?

[Carfreak]

Walter,
I'm trying to remember what she was in when she was killed; I think it was a '62 Cad. convertible.  Am I right?

No, 1966 Buick Electra.

It was auctioned through Fall Kruse in Auburn several years ago. 

http://blog.cardomain.com/2008/06/28/creepy-ebay-auc/

[Walter Youshock]

And Mariska was in the back seat when the accident happened.

[bill henry]

in my opinion dagmars can never be "too" big