Car designs that manufacturers 'got right'

[itsnotagsr]

Why have a 512BB when you could have a Daytona or Countach?

[itsnotagsr]

Has there ever been a bad looking Lotus? Even the FWD MX5 Elan looks good.

I present the Elite.

[id]

The BMW e36 coupe had some very well resolved styling, either stock, in Msport or M3 versions

[Marlin]

Why have a 512BB when you could have a Daytona or Countach?

It's not a thread for arguuing, it's a thread for opinions And my opinion is the Countach isn't pretty, but is definately extreme, and the Daytona, I know they're coveted and awesome etc.... but they've just never done the business for me. Not in road car form anyway. I lightweight racer version - Horn.

Now, for 1979, the Rover SD1 was a flippin fantastic looking car.



And re Lotus, I reckon it's always harder, much harder to make a small car look good, than it is a large car. Very easy to get a small car too "busy" looking. Lotus completely nailed it with the Elan in both the original and the FWD generation I think. I think the FWD version really encompassed some beautiful elements. That man again, Peter Stevens.

60's


90's

[spiller]

and lets face it, the Exige V6 is the best looking car under 200K (and its a long way under) currently on offer in Aus

[itsnotagsr]

It's not a thread for arguuing, it's a thread for opinions And my opinion is the Countach isn't pretty, but is definately extreme, and the Daytona, I know they're coveted and awesome etc.... but they've just never done the business for me. Not in road car form anyway. I lightweight racer version - Horn.

Guess it depends if you're a front or mid/rear engine guy. Apart from the 456, I've always preferred the front engineed Ferraris to the mid engined ones.

As for the Countach, I'd rather the first model Countach (ie without the spoilers to a BB.

Now, for 1979, the Rover SD1 was a flippin fantastic looking car.

My Dad bought one new when we lived in the UK. Broke down on the way from the dealership.

I think this thread needs
A) to be split into a new thread for each decades
B) have a vote.

[Marlin]

My Dad bought one new when we lived in the UK. Broke down on the way from the dealership.

I think this thread needs
A) to be split into a new thread for each decades
B) have a vote.

My Dad and his business partner each bought new ones in 1980. Both were unbelievably reliable for many years, Dad loving his and keeping it for at least 8 years. We even lived on 15klm of corrugated dirt road, and the only thing to fuck out ever was the elec window switches.

[spiller]

i think the thread has spiraled way out of control but its great, just a plethora of pics of good looking cars. the only thing that could better it would be lots of boobs but we've also got a number of those threads already :D

[Captiva Fan]

As for the Countach, I'd rather the first model Countach (ie without the spoilers to a BB.

I used to think the original looked dumb & that it sat too high, after being brought-up on pictures of the spoilery ones ... but yeah, definitely changed my mind since then & agree with you.
The rear wheel-arch shape is still fairly out-there; but it works.

My Dad and his business partner each bought new ones in 1980. Both were unbelievably reliable for many years, Dad loving his and keeping it for at least 8 years. We even lived on 15klm of corrugated dirt road, and the only thing to fuck out ever was the elec window switches.

When looking for cheap first cars in the late 80's, they were regulars at auctions & almost always had melted/burned or a 'smoked finish' plastic in/around the centre console.

[itsnotagsr]

My Dad and his business partner each bought new ones in 1980. Both were unbelievably reliable for many years, Dad loving his and keeping it for at least 8 years. We even lived on 15klm of corrugated dirt road, and the only thing to fuck out ever was the elec window switches.

I guess its all relative to the reliability of other early 80s cars!

I used to think the original looked dumb & that it sat too high, after being brought-up on pictures of the spoilery ones ... but yeah, definitely changed my mind since then & agree with you.
The rear wheel-arch shape is still fairly out-there; but it works.

Like my women, I like my cars with less plastic additions.

[Marlin]

When looking for cheap first cars in the late 80's, they were regulars at auctions & almost always had melted/burned or a 'smoked finish' plastic in/around the centre console.

Exactly! To it's credit, it never actually set actual fire so itself. But did "set smoke" to itself on an annual basis.

[TonyJZX]

i think the first version of a car usually is the best, the definitive, the way the designer intended

there are a few exceptions

[tipper]

[QUOTE=spiller;841913041]and lets face it, the Exige V6 is the best looking car under 200K (and its a long way under) currently on offer in Aus


Not a chance.

[Captain_Slow]

i think the first version of a car usually is the best, the definitive, the way the designer intended

By and large I reckon that's right, especially later in a model life when things tend to get wacky new grilles and chrome bits added and strange vents etc just to have some visual difference; but on occasion a later tweak (perhaps by someone else) results in a better looking car.

To use Commodores as an example, I'd argue that the subtle changes from VB-VC to VH produced a much better looking car even though the differences really just came down to headlight/grille shape and slightly different taillights. Similarly the VR has aged much better than the VN but on the other hand you wouldn't say that the VP was an improvement on the VN, just different.

[Captiva Fan]

... and VE > VEII > VF.