1960-1964 Super Stock Drag Racing in Vintage Colour

James Kraus

1963 Plymouth Belvedere. Image: George Klass Collection

As colour film ages, a phenomena known as curve crossover frequently occurs as fidelity of the three colour dyes age at different rates. This often results in an evocatively ethereal colour palette. Such is the case with these photos from the heyday of Stock Car drag racing in the U.S.

In the 1950s when 1/4-mile drag racing was gaining legitimacy, there was little interest in racing the family sedan. No official records were kept, nor was elapsed time recorded; the winner was the car with the highest trap speed. 

1967: End Of An Era

James Kraus

Opened in Montreal Canada on 27 April, Expo 67 proved to be the most popular World’s Fair of the 20th Century

1967 proved to be the pivot point in the 1960s. Around midyear, during the Summer Of Love, the decade began segueing from the elegance and avant-garde aesthetics of the early years to the more tumultuous cultural and stylistic trends associated with the end of the decade.

Image from the Past

Publicity photo from Come Imparai ad Amare le Donne (1966). Race driver portrayed by Elsa Martinelli strips to the bare essentials to shed weight from her Lancia Fulvia HF while racing a Porsche 356 C.

The 1960s New Look

James Kraus

The New Look: 1960 Chevrolet Impala

In the early decades of motordom, front grills stood tall and proud, reflecting the proportions of early radiators. Headlamps, originally housed in separate housings, began being integrated into the cars design in the late 1930s. Nevertheless, grills and headlamps remained separate elements with the exception of Peugeot, which placed the headlamps near the centre of the car, behind the grill. 

Life in the Jet Age

Today Auto Universum unveils a new tabbed page that examines the exciting and glamorous world of the Jet Age 1960s, from its roots in the mid-fifties though its gradual demise in the waning years of the decade.

It’s a lengthy 2800-word treatise, so don’t try and take it in now. Wait until tonight when you can pour yourself a Manhattan, Martini or Old Fashioned, slip into your smoking jacket, cue up some Mel Tormé or Tom Jones and savour it at leisure.

Access it with this link, or via the permanent new tab on the menu bar.

Colours, Colors, Colori & Farben

Auto Universum launched a new Page today: ’60s Star Colours, You can access it with this link, or just hit the permanent tab on the menu bar above.

Jet Age Design: The Aurora Clock

James Kraus

Aurora Clock. Kirsch, Hamilton, Corchia, and de Harak, 1970

Mankind has been using light to tell the time since the days of ancient Egypt. While early shadow clocks and sundials utilized light and shadow, a new clock was developed in 1970 that displayed the time using coloured artificial light generated by rotating polarization filters. 

Art and the Automobile: Conmemorando el SEAT 600

James Kraus

Monumento al SEAT 600, 2008

While many nations have seemingly all but forgotten specific examples of their automotive heritage, Spain is a notable exception.

Spain’s SEAT 600; a licensed duplicate of the celebrated Fiat 600, was the second automobile to be manufactured by Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo. 

Deutschland Über Alles

James Kraus

Chart by Statistica/Dalia Research

A survey was just published indicating the “Made in Germany” label is the most coveted by consumers worldwide amongst all possible “Made in …” labels.

What made it this way? The Volkswagen. 

Things Go Better With Coke

James Kraus

Vintage scale model Coca-Cola cab-over delivery truck

The Coca-Cola Company adopted Things Go Better With Coke as their new advertising tagline in 1963. It then became a jingle, performed by leading pop acts of the decade including Jan & Dean, Tom Jones, Petula Clark and The Supremes.

At the same time, automotive designers were thinking that maybe things went better with a Coke shape. 

New Crop of “Luxury” SUVs Miss the Mark

James Kraus

Bentley Bentayga

The staff ensconced here atop Auto Universum Tower has no love for SUVs; they are clunky, ill-proportioned and have to be climbed into. Once ensconced, one’s melon is tossed left and right, forward and back like a bobblehead doll due to the vertiginous seating position. When parked, they block pedestrian sightlines, turning sidewalks into tunnels. Nevertheless, when we gaze down upon the busy streets far below, they seem quite common now, and have recently been cause for mirth here at the office. 

Image from the Past

Plymouth Barracuda colour choices, 1965