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Following 1956 sales that were off
somewhat from record-setting 1955, the auto industry managed a modest
rebound for ’57. But disaster loomed by year’s end,
as economic recession knocked at the nation’s door.
In this season of the tailfins, those oh-so-American
rear-end appendages soared taller, but had not yet reached their
zenith. American cars also began a switch to quad headlamps, but
they were ruled illegal (temporarily) in several states. For that
reason, several ’57 makes can be found with either single
or twin lights on each side.
Most domestic cars switched to 14-inch wheels,
several offerd six-way powere seats, and luxury models came with
electric door locks. In some cars. Speedometer buzzers sounded when
a present speed was reached. Several had nonslip differentials.
Stung by criticism of Detroit’s escalating
emphasis on horsepower and performance, the Automobile Manufacturers
Association banned factory-sponsored racing. The AMA also resolved
to eliminate a focus on speed from auto advertising.
All Chrysler products feature Virgil Exner’s
second-generation “Forward Look.” Imperials get a bodyshell
of their own and display curved side window glass—a first
for American cars.
The 42nd National Automobile Show, the first
since 1940, was held at New York’s new Coliseum in late 1956
to showcase the longer, lower ’57 models. Vice president Nixon
spoke at a banquet during the show—the first on to be televised.
An average car sold for $2749, whereas
the average worker now earned $4230 yearly, and median family income
neared $5000. Physicians topped $22,000, while teachers stood a
little below the overall average. Factory workers might expect to
pull in about $2.08 an hour. Economic inflation rose a bit, but
unemployment remained stable—above four percent.
The Soviet Union launched Sputnik,
the first space satellite, into orbit, followed by Sputnik II,
which carried a dog. America’s Viking satellite,
meanwhile, exploded prior to takeoff at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Despite popular acclaim for unceasing
prosperity, a few critics had harsh words to say about the burgeoning
consumer society. Director Martin Ritt made caustic observations
of the suburban lifestyle in a little-noticed movie, No Down
Payment. Joanne Woodward and Pat Hingle had major roles, but
Tony Randall nearly stole the show with his portrayal of a desperate-for-cash
used-car salesman.
All told, it was a fine year for Hollywood,
with such critically acclaimed (and popular) features as Twelve
Angry Men, The Bridge on the River Kwai, and Gunfight
at the O.K. Corral. On a darker note, Andy Griffith shined
as A Face in the Crowd, portraying a wastrel-turned-celebrity
in this searing exposé of media-induced publicity.
Raymond Burr’s Perry Mason
appeared on TV for the first time. So did Wagon Train and
Leave It to Beaver, along with James Garner in Maverick.
Dick Clark launched American Bandstand to capture the attention
of teenagers after school. Half of the top shows were westerns.
Studios could now use video-tape, heralding the demise of live television.
The Everly Brothers sang “Bye, Bye
Love,” but their humorous ditty “Wake Up Little Sussie”
was banned in Boston. Jerry Lee Lewis noted that there was a “Whole
Lot of Shaking Going On,” as Little Richard belted out his
tribute to “Lucille.” Debbie Reynolds hit the pop charts
with her rendition of “Tammy,” and Harry Belafonte scored
with the “Banana Boat Song.”
Charles Van Doren won $129,000 on TV’s
Twenty-One quiz show, attracting a flury of public adoration
that would ordinarily be limited to movie stars and sports figures.
Elizabeth Taylor, then 24, took her next husband, producer Mike
Todd (age 54).
Both the Brooklin Dodgers and New
York Giants moved to california, to the distress of their zealous
fans.
Parents worried about Asian Flu,
while kids played with Slinky and Hula Hoops, and Sony issued a
pocket-size transistor radio.
One-third of new cars, according
to a new study, were purchased by middle-class families, earning
$5000 to $7500 per year. More than two-third of them were bought
on credit. After all, an older car didn’t look proper in the
driveway of a neat suburban house. Not when every other home on
the block flaunted a late-model sedan or statin wagon.
To no one’s surprise, moderate-income
families were even more likely to buy cars on time—as did
nearly 90 percent of young shoppers. Not even the prospect of increased
credit, though, would help the auto industry through the rocky economic
seas that lay immediately ahead.
