Bet you never saw this version of the 57ish truck, the "Daytona".

[MARTINSR]

This is from a very cool Facebook page on the great Harley Earl's work with the GM design studio.

This is a model in the studio where they were tossing around ideas, some made it to you local dealers showroom, some didn't.



If you don't know who Harley Earl was you need to brush up on this amazing man who not only shaped the cars of the fifties at GM but was an influence in all of auto makers. Checkout the page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harle...10134269031472

His grandson Richard Earl has made this page to honor him and he has posted some awesome stuff!

Brian

[broey]

its a 58-59

[MARTINSR]

Thanks, I don't know those years very well. (insert red faced smilie)

Brian

[Highsider]

This very well may have been photographed in '57 while in the brainstorming stage.

My Grandfather owned a '58 like this.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by broey

its a 58-59

No, you're thinking of production vehicles.

This was a design exercise; obviously, as we not only never saw it in production but I don't THINK it was ever on the show car circuit either.

It certainly looks exactly era-correct. I think it would have been a polarizing design for a truck. Imagine how in demand they'd be now if these had ever gone into production?

I can't imagine it selling well with those fins in an era when most truck buyers wanted their truck for work. Trucks then were only JUST beginning to be seen as possibly stylish. They'd have probably sold fewer of them than the '58-'59's we know and so would be more rare today. Interesting.

[1Bad 37]

That is pretty neat! I'd have to see a better picture of the whole thing to have an opinion.

[Russell Ashley]

That Chevy is neat, looks like a mix of 57 Caddy fins, 57 Chevy car chrome, and a Cameo bed. It looks like it would have been a relatively easy project for GM if they had decided to build it. I like it.
The Dodges like that one shown were not actually an assembly line truck. They were built by a group at Chrysler called The Special Equipment Group using station wagon quarters and taillights on a stock cab and chassis. They were only built for a year and a half and each one was hand built.

[whitedog76]

I saw that truck on Hot Rod TV awhile back. Someone is trying to restore/re-create it.

[Highsider]

Thanks, Russell for the insight.
Grandpa was a full time carpenter and bought it used in '59 as a work truck.
So, happened it had a deluxe, cab-over slide-in camper, that Grandma really liked

[_Ogre]

wasn't grampa's dogge called a sweepside? it's very cool.

that daytona that martinsr posted looks nice; i may have to redesign truk's bed
they should have kept the fin height the full length of the bed
i always thought the tf bed sides were a little too low.
the bed sides would look right if they went up to the rear and door glass
thanks for posting those

[NW Task Force]

Originally Posted by 1Bad 37

That is pretty neat! I'd have to see a better picture of the whole thing to have an opinion.

Noticed that you are from Stanwood........think I saw your truck @ Arlington Drag Strip Reunion.

[1Bad 37]

Originally Posted by NW Task Force

Noticed that you are from Stanwood........think I saw your truck @ Arlington Drag Strip Reunion.

I was there alright! I won the "I did it all myself" plaque there! 2nd show ever!

[broey]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

No, you're thinking of production vehicles.

This was a design exercise; obviously, as we not only never saw it in production but I don't THINK it was ever on the show car circuit either.

It certainly looks exactly era-correct. I think it would have been a polarizing design for a truck. Imagine how in demand they'd be now if these had ever gone into production?

I can't imagine it selling well with those fins in an era when most truck buyers wanted their truck for work. Trucks then were only JUST beginning to be seen as possibly stylish. They'd have probably sold fewer of them than the '58-'59's we know and so would be more rare today. Interesting.

its still just an altered 58-59 truck based on the dual headlights and use of the fleetside bed for starters.. its cool. but if it was 57 then it probably would have started being designed in 55-56 and featured the single headlight still since duals were nowhere close.

[Russell Ashley]

My guess would be that it started out with a Cameo bed, based on the chrome on the front edge of the bed, the rear bumper, and the tailgate treatment. There were some four-eyed Cameo's so it could have been a design model for those. Since it appears to be a model and not an actual production truck I think it must have been earlier than 58. It has 56 Chevy car wheel covers which could mean that it was done in 56.

[1Bad 37]

Either way, that would look neat parked next to the corner drugstore!

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by broey

its a 58-59

A styling exercise most likely done in 56 or 58 with some of it ending up on the 58.59's. One of those "Hey what if we did this?" things. It probably never got past that model but with a back half of a Caddy it wouldn't be all that hard for a guy to make his own version.

[OrrieG]

Cab and basic bed is probably steel/fiberglass, rest maybe clay?? since it is sitting on blocks (no frame running gear???) Front clip is pretty much what was produced except for the hood. Tail fins are over the top in my opinion and probably would not have sold that well, except maybe as a GMC option...

[msaintg]

I saw this at the car show last night and it made me think of this thread....

[MARTINSR]

I am not real fond of Dodge trucks but I have seen one of these and it's pretty cool.

Brian

[Low Elco]

Looks like 56-57 ish Olds Quarters. Neat truck.

[VTX-Black]

I knew that I was on to something a while back when I posted these two separated at birth!

[Highsider]

msaintg - thanks for posting the old "Dog" photos.
Grandpa's was turquoise and white. A good SW combo, eh?