1959-1961 Vauxhall Victor Series 2

"The serene lines of the Series 2 Victor as it stands at rest make an instant appeal to the eye. There's a rightness about Victor design that is unmistakable. But it is only when you take the wheel that you appreciate the all-round efficiency that this long, low, functional form confers. The Victor's smooth stability at speed; the confident way it sits the road; its straightline reaction to braking: these qualities are designed right into the Victor; they make it a happy car do drive — a car in which you can relax and really enjoy your driving."

The Vauxhall Victor was originally designed to win over European customers with glamorous American styling, and was later sent to the States to give GM's Pontiac dealers an "European car" to sell during the compact car boom of the late 1950s.

But the British motor press condemned the Victor exactly for its American styling, while the Americans, certainly not used to "quality" cars, were underwhelmed by the Victor's build quality, and overall didn't really know what to do with a small car that did look no different and was almost as expensive as Detroit's mainstream products. Obviously, the Vauxhall Victor had a character too vague to be appreciated on either side of the Big Pond. Fortunately, British customers weren't that picky, and because the Victor offered a lot of car for a good price, it sold quite well in its home market.

Vauxhall certainly had noticed the Victor's personality problem, and after barely two years, the facelifted Victor Series 2, shown here, was introduced to correct some of the design flaws of its predecessor. The "Dagmar" bumper cones disappeared, while straighter rear doors sans Buick-inspired crease and a flatter bonnet made the car look less baroque and much more angular, bringing it well in tune with the general contemporary styling trends. Under the skin, however, everything remained the same, which made the Victor a pretty sluggish drive for the time's standards. But now the car was out of its teething troubles, and offered a sound and reliable construction.

Vauxhall's venture into the New World should be a short one: by 1962, when the new Victor was presented, GM had its own compact cars ready to sell in the U.S. and there was no more need for the imports from across the Atlantic.

1957 Mercedes 180 D

"The longing of untold Mercedes-Benz admirers for a car of low operating costs, high driving comfort, and interior spaciousness is ideally met by the thrifty Diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz 180 D. In this elegant all-purpose Sedan you will miss neither speed nor comfort, and only in refueling you become aware that the '180 D' is powered by a Diesel engine, for its unmatched miles-per-gallon economy reveals savings which actually help you to cut down traveling expenses."

Long before the oil crisis of 1973 made the Diesel engine an accepted option in passenger cars, Mercedes Benz already had explored the unthinkable. It was a strange mixture that Europe's biggest manufacturer of expensive fine cars presented with the 180 D in 1954: outside it was a representative modern middle class Mercedes, but underneath the bonnet worked an engine that would normally power trucks or tractors. This loud, vibrating and asthmatic engine was a far cry from the refinement of modern Diesel engines, but it offered very economic transportation. Unsurprisingly, Germany's taxi drivers instantly embraced the economic mixture, and soon many future Mercedes drivers should make their first contact with the amenities of these luxurious automobiles via a paid taxi ride.

The current owner bought our pictured car in 1970. "I have a second Mercedes that my son is driving. They look the same, but the other one has a Lada engine installed. It goes faster, but I prefer the Diesel Mercedes. It offers much more economía, and that is what counts today."

Judged by the number of cars still circulating on Cuban roads, Studebaker dealers on the island apparently have been pretty active to promote Mercedes models. Availability of the German cars in the whole of Northern America is mentioned in this 1957 advertisement: "Every Mercedes-Benz inherits a tradition of excellence unrivaled by any other motor car. It is a tradition extending back through 70 years of craftsmanship, knowledge and experience. Mercedes-Benz dealers are conveniently located in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Cuba. Write: Mercedes-Benz Sales and Service, Studebaker-Packard Corporation, South Bend 27, Indiana."

1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Town Sedan

"Every so often a car is born so perfect in proportion that it is internationally acclaimed a classic. Such a car is the 59 Ford  . . .  awarded the Gold Medal for exceptional styling by the Comité Français de l'Elégance at the Brussels World's Fair!"

When new, it had a shiny chrome panel adorning its lower rear fender. This panel disappeared at some point in time, but otherwise our pictured Ford Fairlane 500 is in pretty good shape, considering that this car is more than half a century old.

By today's standards, the Fords for 1959 were not very harmoniously proportioned and thus look a bit odd, but in 1959 their styling was perceived as eye-pleasing and modern. The Comité Français de l'Elégance even awarded a gold medal at Brussels world fair for "proportions exceptionales et la ligne élégante". Arguably, there are better examples for automotive elegance, but back then the tastes were different ...

Evidently, the Ford designers under studio chief Joe Oros took a good dose of inspiration from the angular, cutting–edge Mercury styling when crafting the clay models for the 1959 Ford. Compared to other American cars of that year, the Ford looked reasonably restrained after all. The only part that screamed "excess" was its trunk, sporting dish-sized "Iris-Eye Safety Taillights". The boxy front end, in comparison, looked surprisingly tame and conservative but was in all its treatment a positive departure from the rather baroque 1950s detailing.