[77CDV]

Longer lower wider is a product of the 1950s, esp. post-1957. Before that, cars were pretty tall and relatively narrow, most with short front and rear overhangs. That's why the "step down" Hudsons were so revolutionary in the early 1950s. A lower floor meant you could lower the roof and still maintain excellent headroom. It also gave a lower center of gravity for greater stability, one of the things that made those Hudsons such great stock car racers. Compare a 1951 Hudson Hornet to a 1951 Chrysler Windsor or even a 1951 Chevy and you'll see the difference.