Instead of relying on computers to calculate aerodynamic efficiency designers of the '40s and '50s used a bit of slide rule
link science and a lot of imagination. In the automotive world boxy carriage-like designs gave way to sweeping body lines and pontoon fenders. This evolution of design happened in tandem with the aviation world as well. The Supermarine Spiteful made use of an elliptical body and narrow cross-section much like the LeMans-winning Jaguar D-type
link that came a
link decade later.