I was born in 1946 meaning that I grew up in the 50s and 60s. I remember well the tail fins on cars which seemed to peak in 1959. Quite frankly I thought they were ridiculous and so did MAD magazine as they did a feature article about them which I wish I could find today. They showed cars driving down the road with the tail fins clipping off sign posts and garages built to accommodate those crazy tail fins. The video below shows a 1959 Chevrolet Impala which was one of GMs most successful models setting a record sales that has never been beat.

The 1959 Cadillac wins the top award for the largest tail fins.

There definitely is a big difference between designers and engineers. Obviously designers usually get their way.

Well, that is enough of that. I want to switch to bumper design as I have a true story to tell about this topic. Remember the front bumpers that were made so that a portion of it was recessed back several inches from the part that stuck out further? I can’t find any pictures of them nor can I remember what cars had them. Anyway, I was with my family waiting in line in our car to load unto a ferry to cross Lake Michigan over to Wisconsin. A car that was sitting there in line would not start so I went to see if I could help. I found the problem and was fixing it when the car ahead started to back up. He backed right into the car I was working on with me in between the two cars. I suddenly felt his bumper up against my legs and it was getting tighter, but fortunately I was standing in that recessed area and my legs were spared from being crushed. The bumpers touched trapping me in between, but I was okay thanks to that rather weird design. That was certainly scary. I didn’t think much of the driver backing up. It was very careless and downright stupid and irresponsible of him. I could have been crippled for the rest of my life as a result of his actions. I was able to board the ferry and enjoy the ride across Lake Michigan. And so did the driver of the car that would not start. So I am thankful to GM for that bumper design. And I am most thankful to God for His protection and the outcome. The driver that backed up was pulling out of the line to leave. I don’t think anyone missed him.

For what it is worth, I always thought those bumpers were rather stupid and ugly, but I was sure thankful for them that day.