When Did The Term "Coke Bottle" Start?

[Photon440]

Whenever I see the term, I think 1968 GTO.

 

[hammond472]

My guess is that it was probably first used to describe a woman's body but 68 is when it all changed for the Charger. I think the slab side cars were starting to look the same. Manufacturers were probably searching for a new look to stand out from the crowd. 66 and 67 were starting to show more body sculpting but 68 is when the bubble started to grow and boy did it blow up for the 70s.

 

[300]

68 Chevelle

 

[Big Bad Dad]

It has usually been associated with 68 to 70 B Bodies in the Mopar world. But I remember reading my Dad's Motor Trends in the sixties, and they started using it earlier in reference to the full size '65 Pontiacs. (Bonneville, Catalina, etc.)

 

[baracus]

Like the op, I always thought the 68 chargers new body style was referred.to as coke bottle styling. Funny cause I was watching gyc and got the question wrong per them and my girlfriend made fun of me and didn't believe me. I'm showing her this thread.

 

[YY1]

en masse- 66 pontiac lemans/gto.

Lowey design is probably true as is aircraft design.

66 Charger- don't think so.

 

[eldubb440]

but worman is a god....... he couldnt possibly be wrong

 

[furyus]

I always heard it in reference to the 68 Charger. By viewing the car from the side, it looks like a Coke bottle laid on it's side. The 3rd gen Chargers just looked more so. I've never heard anyone referring to how it looks from the top.

 

[Speedbird]

[QUO TE=Budnicks 81 2 10]I alway"s though it was 1968 also

narrower in the front & wider in the rear, like all the 68 B-Bodie's were[/QUOTE]


I vote this the most correct answer. All 68, 69 and some 70 B bodies have a coke bottle ish shape. Look at the flanks and pinched waist lines. That being said, I think trying to pin down some original usage is going to be difficult even with the internet as other than the actual Coke bottle, what authority would one use for such a thing?
My opinion is "if the shoe fits". I would think that amongst the hobby these cars would be recognized as fitting.

 

[Dennis H]

Reading this, did anyone ever see a real coke bottle? Not just the shape, the indentations at strategic locations make it. God Bless Exner, Brownlie, and Herlitz for designing these things out of clay (with no cad) for our pleasure. Best of all, it's American by design. Brawn.

 

[super-bee_ski]

I always thought it refered to the profile of 71+ chargers, but I noticed over the years people used it for 68-69 roadrunners as well as 68-69 chargers.

Yup, for the Mopars...1971 ERA BUT also, the 66-67 GTO was considered a "Coke bottle" as were the other cars mentioned in this thread.

 

[Budnicks]

but worman is a god....... He couldnt possibly be wrong

ilmfao

 

[happyjackdaddy54]

I remember 67-69 Camaro's referred to that way. But, after reading these posts, I guess a lot of cars was referred to it! Who knows?