Graham Sharknose and Stepdown concepts

50C8DAN

In my opinion the Graham sharknose, Graham Hollywood (Hupmobile Skylard/Cord 810/812) were some of the most beautiful cars of their time. I was saw this recent article in Hemmings and it reminded me of some of the early sketches for the stepdown. It would been kind of cool to have a sharknose front on the stepdown. Perhaps the poor sales of the Graham design influenced Hudson to not consider this direction?

mrsbojigger

Hi Dan,
Thanks for posting these concept cars.
Question: Are there any other Stepdown Concept Car photos or illustrations out there? I've often wondered why I see other brands of cars having concept illustrations but practically nothing on the Stepdown.
Peace,
Chaz

bent metal

YES! I too would love to see some more concepts and hopefully a different view, or two.

[Deleted User]

I think that the Graham pictured are one of the most beautiful cars. What I'd wouldn't give to have one of those. Just stunning!!!

Lee ODell

Those Hudson concept pictures look good. I can dream about haveing one of those or better yet one of each. I'll let Bettie have the convertable.



They may have had some influence on the Buick Riviera design.



Bent Metal I think you could make one.



Lee

50C8DAN

Here you go, from Automobile Quarterly:



















Note the last three pages are on the next post. Limit is 5!

50C8DAN

Sadly Bob Andrews passed away in 1991 of lung cancer at 68, he was one of the key designers on the Studebaker Avanti as well as the Hudson step downs. Here is part of his obit:



Robert Andrews, 68, Automotive Designer

Published: Monday, April 8, 1991



Robert F. Andrews, an industrial designer who specialized in streamlining cars, died on Friday at the Flower Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. He was 68 years old and lived in Monroe, Mich.



Mr. Andrews died of lung cancer, a family spokesman said.



In the early 1960's, he was the chief designer of the Studebaker Avanti, now a classic sporty car, while working with Raymond Loewy, a founder of the movement toward streamlined design. Mr. Andrews was also a designer of the step-down 1948 Hudson, the Willys Jeepster, a BMW experimental car, the interior of the French Caravelle jet and a redesign of Air Force One.



He was a native of Howell, Mich., and a graduate of Monroe High School. He held many patents and was a contributing editor to Automotive Quarterly and Classic Car magazines. A recovering alcoholic, he gave much of his time over the last 30 years to counseling others like himself.





Here is an interesting interview that was published in 1985:



http://www.autolife.umd.umich.edu/Design/Andrews_interview.htm

bent metal

Lee O'Dell wrote:

Those Hudson concept pictures look good. I can dream about haveing one of those or better yet one of each. I'll let Bettie have the convertable.



They may have had some influence on the Buick Riviera design.



Bent Metal I think you could make one.



Lee

hmmmm, "make one"? Maybe in my spare time?

RL Chilton

Great article, Dan! Thanks so much for posting this. Very insightful.

50C8DAN

One of the interesting notes is that Bob Andrews was a terrific designer and played roles not just at Hudson with the Stepdown but also with Studebaker on the Avanti, working as a member of the Loewy team at the time!