1956 Chrysler Norseman Concept, Lost at Sea

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It was built by Ghia in Italy, but didn't have the Italian-influenced styling of many Chrysler concept cars of the early to mid 1950s.  Rather, it had the look of a potential American production car.

I'm referring to the 1956 Chrysler Norseman that was lost when the Italian liner Andrea Doria sank following a collision.

According to some accounts I've read, it was intended to test the concept of a roof cantilevered from a robust C-pillar -- there was only a "hardtop" type stub B-pillar and no structural A-pillar.  This was probably not a realistic idea even in 1956 and something that would strike today's safety-conscious bureaucrats, engineers and car buyers with horror.

That said, the Norseman -- why was it given that name? -- was a very attractive mid-1950s work of styling.

Due to its brief lifespan, few images of the Norseman exist.

Gallery

Styling staff rendering.

Front quarter view.  The bumper-grille ensemble is more show jazz than practical.  Semi-ditto the clamshell headlight covers.  The body-color section of the roof is likely the cantilever structural element, the light colored panel probably being normal roof cladding.

Rear quarter.  Interesting that the car is a fastback and not a conventional bustle-back design.  Fastbacks were phased out of American production a few years earlier, so this aspect of the design was not practical from a potential marketing standpoint.  Nevertheless, it looks good.  The rear bumper set is more car show jazz.  Plus there are low tail fins suggestive of forthcoming redesigned 1957 Chrysler Corporation line styling.

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