The Shoebox
In 1949 Ford led the pack in breaking away from the bulging fenders that had been the traditional, long standing look on most all cars of the prior years. The slab sided look, also affectionately known as the "shoebox" was a first to break away from that long lasting design style of the previous years. And it would start a trend that ultimately would be followed by all US auto manufacturers in the years that followed. It was a first for Ford, and I believe a first for all the automobile manufacturers. You might say they were the trend setter. Chevrolet, Ford's main competitor, however, was a bit of hold out and did not fully embrace the slab sided style until 1955, whereas most other car companies had already done so by that time.
The Shoebox
In 1949 Ford led the pack in breaking away from the bulging fenders that had been the traditional, long standing look on most all cars of the prior years. The slab sided look, also affectionately known as the "shoebox" was a first to break away from that long lasting design style of the previous years. And it would start a trend that ultimately would be followed by all US auto manufacturers in the years that followed. It was a first for Ford, and I believe a first for all the automobile manufacturers. You might say they were the trend setter. Chevrolet, Ford's main competitor, however, was a bit of hold out and did not fully embrace the slab sided style until 1955, whereas most other car companies had already done so by that time.