Late night question

"BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion" (pbs) 09/28/2013 at 01:32 • Filed to: None

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Just wondering if anybody knows how the term Shoebox came to be used in automotive design... I've seen it used on Hot Wheels cars, like the Shoebox:

In late 40's cars, like this 49 Ford

And even mid 50's cars, like this handsome 55 Chevrolet

Now, the Hot Wheels Shoebox up there is obviously a 49 Ford by a different name, so the styling is the same, but the 49 Ford, the Chevy and all the other 40's and 50's cars described as Shoebox designs are quite different among themselves, and none of them actually resemble shoe boxes:

So... what the hell?

pdthedeuce > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/28/2013 at 01:51

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I think you need to put yourself in the "shoes" of people back in the early fifties. Compared to the bulbous pre-war cars, the late forties/early fifties cars were quite boxy...hence the term .

pdthedeuce > pdthedeuce 09/28/2013 at 01:56

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rabbitman > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/28/2013 at 02:05

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The "shoebox" design, so named because it was the first Chevrolet to feature streamlined rear fenders.
Because of the smooth, slab-side configuration -ford and Roomy interior.
So out side streamlining and interior room is the jist.
49-51 fords shoe box
55-57 Chevys shoe box
Also seems because they used to use outside design firms. 49 ford design actually brought to Nash first.

webmonkees > rabbitman 09/28/2013 at 02:59

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I found a neat design film on the 1949 Ford s. The narrative seems to admit an initial outside design but insists Ford engineering took over from 'a simple sketch'. Some great concept cars on those drawing boards.

No hint as to shoebox, though. Sorry.

A design engineer attempts to make a shoebox car.

rabbitman > webmonkees 09/28/2013 at 10:52

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well here ya go, its amazing what you can find when you search the right topic I will inculeded the full story so you can see it your self and it links to his source also of this came from "The Shoebox Ford Blog" about the 1949, 50 and 51 Fords. I will save you the reading too. Walker worked under the direction of Harold Youngren, Ford’s Vice President of Engineering.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Posted on 27 de March de 2011 by STGM

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rabbitman > rabbitman 09/28/2013 at 11:28

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just adding this tidbit about my source and his background so there is no question...

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BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > pdthedeuce 09/28/2013 at 12:16

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Yeah, makes sense... These really were the first cars with squared off body shapes, even if they were full of details and rounded corners.

Plus, I believe calling them shoebox beats calling them coffins, which is another squared off, rectangular shape, haha..;

pdthedeuce > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 09/28/2013 at 12:17

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I agree .