So here’s another shot of the eclectic mix in our electric utility’s parking lot the other night. This time, a fourth member joins the grouping (a 1936 Chevrolet; more on that later). Makes for a graphic representation of how rear ends, as well as cars in general, are reverting to the tall and boxy style once so prevalent. Even so called “sedans” are looking like stubby hatchbacks these days. The long trunk was an evolutionary dead end.
The curvy little butt on that ’36 Chevy makes me want to give it a squeeze. I’d love to see the rest of that beauty – the color combination is just perfect.
In case Sam looks in this thread, here’s a photo of a “Mini” and a BMW 2002 for size comparison. In the parade float’s defense, the 2002 didn’t have all that much more interior room.
This is a business parking lot? It appears to be a neighborhood car show! Those two classics are too nice as daily drivers.
I am EXTREMELY jealous.
It was after hours, in the early evening. I’m not sure why these cars were there, but I suspect it was something a bit out of the ordinary.
The same cars as in 15/16ths Chevy post the other day. See, the Chevy really is a lot longer.
Remember that once a “trunk” was really a wooden trunk hanging from the back of the vehicle.
But for comparison purposes that image above lacks a typical modern sedans…
All cars now seem to have short trunks and “long” hoods. The trunk on my 88 Thunderbird is not that long but compared to modern cars it looks like the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Even large cars like the Chrysler 300 and Dodge charger have short trunks. While they are deep it makes loading large objects a PITA.
Aerodynamics for fuel efficiency is why new cars have squared off out back. Prof. Wunibald Kamm discovered this in the 1930s, and built a series of prototype sedans. This is his third model, the K-3 of 1938, based on a Mercedes Benz 170V chassis. From a good little article at Auto Design.
Called the Kammback when it appeared in 1960s production cars, the general shape of the rear half of the K-3 resembles lots of today’s cars. Best for low drag and lots of interior room. The old long trunk develops lots of draggy turbulence aft of the rear window.
The hatchback-like look of sedans is why I got my V50 wagon over an S40 sedan. The sedan looked like the last 1-2 feet of the trunk were unceremoniously hacked off with a chainsaw. Why have a trunk lid when it’s only a foot long?