OK, so I've found out that in 58 most American brands turned to quad headlights. Was that only an American thing? And why were quad headlights that popular. IMO, cars from 55-57 looked better with their single-units. For example, I prefer the 1957 Chevys to the 1958 ones. What do you think?

Some 1957 models, particularly higher-end models did introduce the quad headlights. It's similar to 1975 with the switch from round to rectangular headlamps, which was much more of a downgrade stylewise than the double to quad headlamps switch. I feel that the change was to make it look more futuristic, as this switch coincided with the dawn of the Space Age. The switch also happened as cars got lower and longer.

Seemed like when the 58's came out, the automakers kind of just slapped the quad headlights on there just to have them so they could keep up with each other. In 1959 they began doing a better job of integrating quad headlights into the overall designs of their cars, and by about 1962-63, once they had cleaned up their styling and got rid of all the excess chrome and tailfins and other weird doodads, most medium-to-full size American cars looked better with quad headlights then without.


Some 1957 models, particularly higher-end models did introduce the quad headlights. It's similar to 1975 with the switch from round to rectangular headlamps, which was much more of a downgrade stylewise than the double to quad headlamps switch. I feel that the change was to make it look more futuristic, as this switch coincided with the dawn of the Space Age. The switch also happened as cars got lower and longer.


Nash and Chrysler were the first 2 makes to introduce quad headlamps in 1957, though apparently they weren't legal in all states until 1958.

1957 Nash
http://www.velocityjournal.com/images/full/2004/126/na1957ambassadorcustom1265385.jpg


1957 Chrysler
http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/1957-chrysler-new-yorker-1.jpg

I think that was mostly an American thing.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3598/3606270967_400b669429_z.jpg
This is a Ford Anglia, produced in UK in 1959-1968 (!), but it looks like an American car from 1955-1957.

Quad Headlights
http://www.theflyinggoose.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/181556_10150091178906784_47779131783_6886652_3697886_n.jpg

In general most of the four headlight designs of '58-'60 were a bit awkward, if not plain awful. It always takes stylists a few years to get new elements like that right.

In general most of the four headlight designs of '58-'60 were a bit awkward, if not plain awful. It always takes stylists a few years to get new elements like that right.


Arguably the first automobile to successfully integrate quad headlights into its overall design would be the 1959 Pontiac.

http://autocognito.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/1959-pontiac-bonneville.jpg

1959 was also the first year for the split grille and "Wide-Track" (where they moved the wheels out slightly, making the car lower and wider), both of which were hallmarks of Pontiac styling for decades to come.

I think the 1957 Chevy looks way better than the 1958 one. When I think of 50's cars I always imagine a 1957 Chevy or a 1956 Chevy. ;)

I think the 1957 Chevy looks way better than the 1958 one. When I think of 50's cars I always imagine a 1957 Chevy or a 1956 Chevy. ;)


The '57 Chevy is one of the greatest classic automobile designs of all time, but 58's were cool in their own right too.

I always liked Ron Howard's '58 in American Graffiti.

http://www.imcdb.org/i007736.jpg