Apparently there were only two supershort chassis Deusenbergs made, one for Clark Gable (above) and one for Gary Cooper. I found these two images in different books, each said they were an example of the supershort chassis Deusenberg but Gary Cooper's car looks stodgy compared to Mr. Gable's.
4 comments:
The Cooper car appears to have a considerably shorter wheelbase vs the Gable car yet this is still an interesting examination of how subtle styling differences can dramatically change the final appearance. Both have a similar rake to the windshield and appear to have close to the same height measurements, but the closed off fenders and the method of frame covering (below the doors) visually lower the car. The long stripe at the beltline of the Gable car also lengthens and lowers the car while the jarring shadows on the side of the Cooper car do just the opposite. The wire wheels look more sporty, but that can be more noticeable to our modern eyes. In the Thirties cars were still changing over from spoked artillery wheels to sleeker steel wheels but to our grandparents' sensibilities wire wheels may have been associated with lightness due to their use on lightweight vehicles like bicycles. Also fascinating that one car uses front hinged doors while the other has 'suicide' doors. With the visible hinges of the era this choice can shift visual mass toward the front or rear. Wonder who the respective coachbuilders were?
That's a swell analysis. Thanks.
--rats
The exhaust pipe exit angles are different too, as are the radiator grilles, the bonnets and the scuttles. Is the Gable car a newer model? What would be delivered to the coachbuilder would be a complete chassis fitted with bulkhead and bonnet (hood, if you like...), but no wings or running boards. I like the older car better. D.
There were long wheelbase, short wheelbase versions and only the 2 supershorts. It's surprising how different they look.
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