Was this ever popular?

to answer your question, Yes....it was popular back in the sixties and seventies. I had a few cars with that look myself, way back in high school. The chevy crowd still seems to think it's cool.... L-60s on the widest rim you could buy, was the first thing every kid wanted to do to his car, along with jacking up the rear with air shocks. Man did those cars handle and ride like crap.....but it looked cool ! well back in the day anyway.