Ok; I know that exaggerated renderings were commonplace in the fifties and early sixties, making cars look longer and wider, and the humans riding in them downright miniaturized. But this 1960 Galaxie interior takes some kind of prize: check out that rear seat legroom. Yes, it’s a kid back there, but I can assure you that the legroom suggested in this rendering is about two or three times too long. Anybody want to calculate what it would have been? Here’s something to use as a reference:
In the back of the brochure are surprisingly detailed specs, including this one with the interior dimensions. That’s more like it.
images: oldcarbrochures
I cannot believe you think a car manufacturer would exaggerate. That is just a child that has very short legs.
Science says people were a lot shorter in the past.
I wish there were more real life extended wheelbase sedans in North America. I still have a lust for LWB Town Cars and Crown Vics.
How are the driver’s feet going to reach the pedals? Seriously long front legroom too!
Built for people? What were other cars built for?
Built for (little) people.
The Mother’s driving position leaves a lot to be desired. No only in terms of too much leg room.
Mother driving? Thats what the dad standing outside the car getting his driving coat on.
He just stepped out of the car to get a bacon and cigarette sandwich…..
Ha! But he’s not standing, he’s sitting down.
Does the back seat really have deeper wheel wells than the front?
Did Bruce McCall work for Ford’s advertising department? Must link to his 1958 Bulgemobile from the golden age of National Lampoon magazine.
That was my first thought too. We’re way overdue a look at Bruce’s work here.
One of the funniest articles that I read in National Lampoon was an invoice from an auto repair shop that listed charges for “rescheduling the valve train” and “retuning the brake drums”. Anyone know which issue this was in?
At Cars & Coffee this morning there was a 1960 Ford Sunliner with the top down. I looked inside and don’t recall seeing a whole lot of rear seat legroom. My 1988 Olds Touring Sedan did have a buttload of rear legroom as my overgrown sons can attest to (6’4″ and 6’6″).
My Parents had a 1960 Ford Sunliner I was only 5 when it got hit and retired. I don’t remember any lack of rear-seat room.
I’m KT Keller, and I approve of this diagrammatic gentleman’s headwear. 1960 is about the last year he would be shown with a hat, no thanks to that damn Kennedy.
Plainly another case of . . . .
Even after brochures moved to photographs, I saw this sort of thing. Can’t remember which car, but I think it was early or mid-80s Olds 88s that showed this same view with apparently separate photos of the front and rear compartments fused together. At first rear legroom appeared enormous, then you realised the rear door glass was about 4 feet long.
Hyundai fused separate photos in their 1986 Excel brochures too. The rear door trim looked positively enormous…
As a matter of fact, Bruce McCall did in fact work as an advertising illustrator for Ford in that era (according to Wikipedia).
Wow, that’s amazing! Bruce McCall could have been the actual artist here!
Let’s get out our magnifying glasses and do a little commercial art sleuthing.
Bruce McCall gave a short talk at the Art Center College of Design that’s fun to see. It includes a cartoon version of his Ascent of Man on escalators. He points out his authenticity compulsion, identifying the 1953 Henry J in one of his drawings. I think Bruce McCall has the same gene that brought most of us here.
Look at the speedometer and the “Galaxie” script. Looks McCall to me. What do you think?
Looks quite plausible. Wouldn’t that be ironic? I guess this is where he practiced for his Bulgemobiles.
…and also as a matter of fact, my 1960 Lincoln Premiere did have rear seat legroom very similar to the brochure illustration. Maybe they just got their drawings mixed up…?
The Dad also had a few stiff Scotch n Sodas to ‘loosen up’ for the drive!!
We had little people in the sixties here in the UK. too. See original Mini brochure. 2 adults in the back not rubbing shoulders!. Pre advertising standards.