Brooklin Models

Estimated Release Date - January 2013

Estimated Release Date - December/January 2013

Estimated Release Date - October/November

Estimated Release Date - September/October

Estimated Release Date - August

Estimated Release Date - July/August

Estimated Release Date - June

Estimated Release Date - May

Estimated Release Date - April

Estimated Release Date - March

The 1954 DeSotos were well-engineered, solid cars. Their problem was styling which lagged behind their major rivals, and the price war between GM and Ford that helped push DeSoto down to 12th place in sales rankings. The Sportsman hardtop had been around since 1950 and the name would last until 1959, less than two years before the marque's demise.

The 1957 Oldsmobiles were billed as being the most completely changed in over 20 years of the Division. Lower and wider, styling was clean and fairly simple apart from curious ribs along each side of the roof and down the trunk, which divided  opinion.  Most popular of the extensive line-up was the four door sedan with over 53,000 sales, but close behind was the 2 door Holiday with almost 50,000.

This was the last of the traditional 'step-down' Hudsons and the 4 door semi-fastback sedan was the last Hudson to keep the styling introduced in 1948. In deep financial trouble, Hudson would be absorbed into the Nash empire to form American Motors and the following year's Hudson used a Nash body.

The Monarch was a specially trimmed Monterey for the Canadian market. Different grille and side treatment were the main differences with unique lines such as Lucerne and Rideau.

In common with other Lincolns, the Model K had revised frontal styling for 1937. The Le Baron convertible was available in two versions, both on the 145 inch wheelbase. Model 363-B had a disappearing glass partition behind the front seat and model 363-A did not. Despite the purchase price over just over $5,500 a total of 37 cars were built, a reasonable number for this type of vehicle.

When Studebaker took over Packard operations it was intended that the two marques would continue and be profitable. However, there was no money for new Packard designs and the proposals for new models were ditched. Dick Teague was given the job of 'Packardizing' a Studebaker and although the two finished models, the Town Sedan and Country Sedan, looked quite handsome, to Packard traditionalists they were Studebakers. Consequently many went over to Lincoln or Cadillac. To Studebaker afficionados the new models were too expensive so they stuck with Studebaker.

At the beginning of the 1960s Chrysler Corporation were not noted for exciting motor cars. Although things would change rapidly by the middle of the decade, one of the few offerings from any of the divisions that could raise a smile was the little Dodge Wayfarer. Although a business coupe and semi-fastback sedan were offered, it was the Sportabout that caused the most interest, harking back as it did to the age of the Roadster. Although very basic in concept and sparse in terms of equipment it was easy to dress up with every accessory yet still not spend too much cash.

The LaSalle range for 1934 was new from stem to stern. Four model styles were offered of which the 350 Sedan, model 6330-S was one. For the first time Cadillac used a non-Cadillac engine for the new range, the unit being built by GM's Oldsmobile division.

The 'Golden Anniversary Cadillacs', so-called because they marked the 50^th Anniversary of Cadillac, Although little-changed from the previous year in outward appearance there were numerous changes under the skin including more powerful V8 engines. Body styles were down to seven and the Series 62 convertible was the top of the line in this series with nearly 6,500 examples rolling off the production line at just over $4,000 apiece.

The post-war Willys was designed by Delmar 'Barney' Roos who looked after the chassis and running gear, and Brooks Stevens who designed the body. The vehicle was a smash hit with 40,000 sales by the end of 1947. Although two wheel drive only at first, the four wheel drive option became available in 1949. This feature, together with a ground clearance of over 9 inches.

In 1959 General Motors overhauled its entire line-up from Chevrolet to Cadillac, allegedly as a result of a GM executive spotting Chrysler’s new models in a compound a year previously. ‘All new, all over again’ had been Chevrolet’s slogan for 1959. For 1960 things were toned down rather although the basic options remained largely the same. The ‘flat top’ styling of the four door sport sedan, was carried over, although sales figures were a third of the regular sedan. The ‘flat top’ is a much prized collectible today.

1955 was the first real sign of Virgil Exner’s influence on Chrysler Corporation. Whilst 1954 models had been tweaked from the previous year, 1955 saw brand new models across the whole company. Exner’s ‘Forward Look’ was epitomised by the Chrysler range with a new direction that consigned a somewhat dowdy image to history. The Windsor was the entry level range with a choice of sedan, hardtop, convertible and wagon styles. In the Spring Special options list buyers could specify Green Falcon or Blue Heron trim for an extra $66 but very few were made.

The 1954 DeSotos were improved versions of the 1953 range. Better in many respects with revised front end styling, improved interior with a new dash and, best of all, the new Powerflite auto transmission, the omens looked good. 1954 DeSotos were available in sedan, coupe, convertible and station wagon variants.

Estimated Release Date - March/April

Today the 1957 Oldsmobile is a prized collector's item but in 1957 sales were slow. This was despite the new 'cow belly' frame design which allowed a lower slung car. Underpinnings were shared with Buick and both marques had relatively clean styling which took styling cues from 1956. The Fiesta wagon shared its hardtop styling with Buick's Caballero. Sedans and coupes had twin ridges that ran each side of the roofline and onto the rear deck. These divided opinion at the time. Sales figures showed a 25% decrease on 1956 although Olds retained 5^th place in the market place.

Mercury's big news for 1954 was its first new engine since 1939. The short block V8 shared some components with Ford and Lincoln units and ensured that Mercury was well up in the performance stakes. Front ball-joint suspension was new and followed Lincoln practice. Bodywork was a development of the design introduced in 1952 with revised front and rear bumpers and grille as well as new side trim. Inside the dash was new and more luxurious materials were used for seat and door facings.The Monterey Sport Custom Convertible sold for just over $2,500 and nearly 8,000 examples found buyers.

Willys found fame a degree of fortune during World War 2 with the ubiquitous Jeep. This iconic vehicle saw service with the Allied forces in virtually every theatre of land-based operations. Taking its name from the first letters of 'General Purpose' or 'GP', it was also built by other companies to meet the huge demand, and spawned copies world-wide, culminating in the present-day vast 'off-roader' market.

Mercury was a brand new name for 1939 and the brainchild of Edsel Ford. Intended to compete with the likes of Pontiac, the Mercury was more than just a luxury version of the Ford range. Wheelbase was up four inches and the dash and interior were unique to the new arrival. Initially four models were offered with the Convertible Coupe being the most expensive at just over $1,000.