What was the car that Superman lifted in Action Comics issue 1?

[Mr_E_88]

Hi guys

I was curious about the car that Superman lifted in Action Comics issue 1. Does anyone know what it was?

[Güicho]

Seems a pretty generic nondescript late 30's American sedan.Basic Image for " 1938 sedan" - https://www.google.com/search?q=1938...iw=962&bih=601

[Lightning Rider]

Just in case you're not asking about the model, it was some dirtbag who got fresh with Loiis and decided to follow her home after she slapped him.

[achilles]

Yeah, I don't think they bothered with that sort of thing back in that day, like they might today. Just a generic car of the time, whereas today it would have probably been a specific make and model.

[williamtheday]

Superman's first trophy in his Fortress of Solitude!

[Robanker]

It was a damn fine vehicle until that caped menace made it kiss pavement. I tell ya, what's the world comin' to today!

As stated, however, it was just a generic sedan that Shuster probably looked at outside a window and drew. Not to speak poorly of the artists of the Golden Age, but those details weren't in high demand at the time. The visual fidelity was more important than the make of the car.

[Electricmastro]

Seems a pretty generic nondescript late 30's American sedan.- https://www.google.com/search?q=1938...iw=962&bih=601

Probably something like this:

[manwhohaseverything]

Just in case you're not asking about the model, it was some dirtbag who got fresh with Loiis and decided to follow her home after she slapped him.

Cough!cough!clark basically pushed her into that guy's arm with his wimp routine.

[TheRay]

I’ve heard it was a 1938 Studebaker, but I’m not sure how accurate that is.

[Güicho]

Or just as easily.


1938 Desoto seems pretty close. -

1938 Studebaker

I’ve heard it was a 1938 Studebaker,

Could be, (although this model has the split Windshield)

Could be any of those, or just as well the Hudson model indicated above by Electricmastro(nice color and body match, Although also has the split windshield), or the Desoto above is another good match, or the Ford- https://www.the-blueprints.com/bluep...1938-67876.jpg , Dodge or Chevy that year, etc.

And the interior has the rear wheels covered more like this Plymoth model bellow
1938 Pymouth- https://i.etsystatic.com/10799903/r/...74925_ht92.jpg


As indicated it seems pretty much the most generic nondescript sedan look of the time.
I doubt they were trying to convey any one specifically.

[TheRay]

It is also possible that Joe Shuster used an amalgam of different cars as the model for each part depending on which angle he was drawing from.

[marhawkman]

Heh, given how similar the Studebaker, Hudson, and Desoto models are, it's possible the artist simply didn't choose a model and drew what was to him a generic car.

[Zaku]

It's official:

[Stingo]

It's official:

Recently Brian Michael Bendis re-introduced this iconic car in the pages of Action Comics...Has there been any followup on this plot line? Was Bendis leading up to a Golden Age Superman return?

[TheRay]

Heh, given how similar the Studebaker, Hudson, and Desoto models are

Most cars are quite similar in make. It’s possible the artist was just a really big gear head and used what he felt were the most quality parts in any vehicle at the time.