The Dog Days of Car Design
12-19-2012, 11:56 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
The Dog Days of Car Design
I drive the Los Angeles freeways. Car design is dead. It peaked in the 1950's through early 1970's. Everything from BMW to Buick to Aston Martin looks the same. Don't even get me started about the hybrids.
I'll appreciate the C7 even if it's ugly. It's one of the last cars still being "styled".
I'll appreciate the C7 even if it's ugly. It's one of the last cars still being "styled".
12-20-2012, 12:15 AM
#2
Melting Slicks
12-20-2012, 12:25 AM
#3
I drive the Los Angeles freeways. Car design is dead. It peaked in the 1950's through early 1970's. Everything from BMW to Buick to Aston Martin looks the same. Don't even get me started about the hybrids.
I'll appreciate the C7 even if it's ugly. It's one of the last cars still being "styled".
I'll appreciate the C7 even if it's ugly. It's one of the last cars still being "styled".
12-20-2012, 12:43 AM
#4
Safety Car
I think claims like these date people. Hardly any 20 year olds would pick a C1-C5 over a C6. It's almost always older guys that crave the older designs.
It's true that some new characteristics, like safer bumpers and aero constrain newer designs a bit more but that's about it. I'd say oldschool hotrods are way better than the PT cruiser for that reason.
The Aventador pretty much destroys the Miura or the Countach imo.
The Ferrari 458 also kills any of the previous Ferrari designs.
Some older gens are better looking, for example I like the older mustang over the retro one they are building now. I also like Viper gen 1 and 2 better than 3 and 4. 5th gen beats all the previous ones.
Overall I'd be more likely to say newer designs are better than the old.
It's true that some new characteristics, like safer bumpers and aero constrain newer designs a bit more but that's about it. I'd say oldschool hotrods are way better than the PT cruiser for that reason.
The Aventador pretty much destroys the Miura or the Countach imo.
The Ferrari 458 also kills any of the previous Ferrari designs.
Some older gens are better looking, for example I like the older mustang over the retro one they are building now. I also like Viper gen 1 and 2 better than 3 and 4. 5th gen beats all the previous ones.
Overall I'd be more likely to say newer designs are better than the old.
12-20-2012, 12:47 AM
#5
Burning Brakes
I think claims like these date people. Hardly any 20 year olds would pick a C1-C5 over a C6. It's almost always older guys that crave the older designs.
It's true that some new characteristics, like safer bumpers and aero constrain newer designs a bit more but that's about it. I'd say oldschool hotrods are way better than the PT cruiser for that reason.
The Aventador pretty much destroys the Miura or the Countach imo.
The Ferrari 458 also kills any of the previous Ferrari designs.
Some older gens are better looking, for example I like the older mustang over the retro one they are building now. I also like Viper gen 1 and 2 better than 3 and 4. 5th gen beats all the previous ones.
Overall I'd be more likely to say newer designs are better than the old.
It's true that some new characteristics, like safer bumpers and aero constrain newer designs a bit more but that's about it. I'd say oldschool hotrods are way better than the PT cruiser for that reason.
The Aventador pretty much destroys the Miura or the Countach imo.
The Ferrari 458 also kills any of the previous Ferrari designs.
Some older gens are better looking, for example I like the older mustang over the retro one they are building now. I also like Viper gen 1 and 2 better than 3 and 4. 5th gen beats all the previous ones.
Overall I'd be more likely to say newer designs are better than the old.
I'd take a C1 or C2 over a C6...
I don't like to compare generations to each other. The Miura is one of the greatest cars of all-time. I (quite literally) freaked out the first time I saw one. Same for the F40. Are the respective Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Vettes of today better cars? Sure, but to me, even at my young age, I am still fascinated with the classics. (I think the '60 Vette is the best looking car of all-time)
12-20-2012, 12:55 AM
#6
Safety Car
I think it's a unique design, and that makes it cool. It being rare also makes it cool. But if we were to sit down and talk about ideal sports car design I would never ever agree to something like a C2. The way the wheels fit under the arches, the bubble shaped glass house, the flabby sheet metal. I like carpet cars, sleek, with some muscle showing. The C2 is muscle for sure, but also fat everywhere. It's like a fat man that surprises you with quick motion, still a fat man...
12-20-2012, 01:20 AM
#7
I love the C6, and I love the C1, for different reasons. But those two are my favorite models. The C1 more for nostalgia and sheer beauty, and the C6 for performance, but also beauty. I suspect the C7 will take my vote for performance when it comes out, and I believe I will fall in love with its looks as well...
I agree with SBC_and_a_stick that the 458 kills any of the previous Ferrari designs and his view on the Aventador. Up unitil the current Camero, my favorite always has been the '68, which I dreamed about as a kid but, unfortunately, never bought one. I still have a place in my heart for the '68 Camero though. Nonetheless, the current Camero takes the cake as far as looks. But the current Camero's downfall is its weight, not unlike the Mustang.
I agree with SBC_and_a_stick that the 458 kills any of the previous Ferrari designs and his view on the Aventador. Up unitil the current Camero, my favorite always has been the '68, which I dreamed about as a kid but, unfortunately, never bought one. I still have a place in my heart for the '68 Camero though. Nonetheless, the current Camero takes the cake as far as looks. But the current Camero's downfall is its weight, not unlike the Mustang.
12-20-2012, 01:34 AM
#8
Le Mans Master
It's really hard to take anyone seriously when they say "they don't make them like they used to." Including myself. You're naturally biased toward the things you "grew up" on (which may or may not be your physical adolescence, and may or may not be what was current at the time). At a certain point things evolve outside your zone of familiarity and alienate you. It might take a while, and happen at different times for different areas of interest, but it's going to happen to you.
In the specific case of automobiles, they are much more science and less art than they used to be. They're regulated far more than they used to be -- almost nothing built 30 years ago would even be legal to manufacture and sell new today, nevermind 40 or 60 years ago. And consumer expectations of functionality apply competitive pressure to further narrow the design envelope.
OTOH, there's a greater variety in the packaging than ever before, and autos are objectively better, almost immeasurably so.
If you don't like the way things are today, don't fret: your grandkids think it's all great, we'll be dead soon, and despite every generation's prognostication that the world has reached a tipping point and is shortly going to collapse, things will keep chugging along.
.Jinx
In the specific case of automobiles, they are much more science and less art than they used to be. They're regulated far more than they used to be -- almost nothing built 30 years ago would even be legal to manufacture and sell new today, nevermind 40 or 60 years ago. And consumer expectations of functionality apply competitive pressure to further narrow the design envelope.
OTOH, there's a greater variety in the packaging than ever before, and autos are objectively better, almost immeasurably so.
If you don't like the way things are today, don't fret: your grandkids think it's all great, we'll be dead soon, and despite every generation's prognostication that the world has reached a tipping point and is shortly going to collapse, things will keep chugging along.
.Jinx
12-20-2012, 01:47 AM
#9
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jan 2010
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It's really hard to take anyone seriously when they say "they don't make them like they used to." Including myself. You're naturally biased toward the things you "grew up" on (which may or may not be your physical adolescence, and may or may not be what was current at the time). At a certain point things evolve outside your zone of familiarity and alienate you. It might take a while, and happen at different times for different areas of interest, but it's going to happen to you.
In the specific case of automobiles, they are much more science and less art than they used to be. They're regulated far more than they used to be -- almost nothing built 30 years ago would even be legal to manufacture and sell new today, nevermind 40 or 60 years ago. And consumer expectations of functionality apply competitive pressure to further narrow the design envelope.
OTOH, there's a greater variety in the packaging than ever before, and autos are objectively better, almost immeasurably so.
If you don't like the way things are today, don't fret: your grandkids think it's all great, we'll be dead soon, and despite every generation's prognostication that the world has reached a tipping point and is shortly going to collapse, things will keep chugging along.
.Jinx
In the specific case of automobiles, they are much more science and less art than they used to be. They're regulated far more than they used to be -- almost nothing built 30 years ago would even be legal to manufacture and sell new today, nevermind 40 or 60 years ago. And consumer expectations of functionality apply competitive pressure to further narrow the design envelope.
OTOH, there's a greater variety in the packaging than ever before, and autos are objectively better, almost immeasurably so.
If you don't like the way things are today, don't fret: your grandkids think it's all great, we'll be dead soon, and despite every generation's prognostication that the world has reached a tipping point and is shortly going to collapse, things will keep chugging along.
.Jinx
12-20-2012, 02:22 AM
#10
Drifting
It's really hard to take anyone seriously when they say "they don't make them like they used to." Including myself. You're naturally biased toward the things you "grew up" on (which may or may not be your physical adolescence, and may or may not be what was current at the time). At a certain point things evolve outside your zone of familiarity and alienate you. It might take a while, and happen at different times for different areas of interest, but it's going to happen to you.
In the specific case of automobiles, they are much more science and less art than they used to be. They're regulated far more than they used to be -- almost nothing built 30 years ago would even be legal to manufacture and sell new today, nevermind 40 or 60 years ago. And consumer expectations of functionality apply competitive pressure to further narrow the design envelope.
OTOH, there's a greater variety in the packaging than ever before, and autos are objectively better, almost immeasurably so.
If you don't like the way things are today, don't fret: your grandkids think it's all great, we'll be dead soon, and despite every generation's prognostication that the world has reached a tipping point and is shortly going to collapse, things will keep chugging along.
.Jinx
In the specific case of automobiles, they are much more science and less art than they used to be. They're regulated far more than they used to be -- almost nothing built 30 years ago would even be legal to manufacture and sell new today, nevermind 40 or 60 years ago. And consumer expectations of functionality apply competitive pressure to further narrow the design envelope.
OTOH, there's a greater variety in the packaging than ever before, and autos are objectively better, almost immeasurably so.
If you don't like the way things are today, don't fret: your grandkids think it's all great, we'll be dead soon, and despite every generation's prognostication that the world has reached a tipping point and is shortly going to collapse, things will keep chugging along.
.Jinx
I currently have my 81 torn apart, I have been through every inch of that car, and compared to my 07 it is a piece of junk. Seriously, most of the stuff underneath started to rust immediate after they were released from the factory.
However, I still love the car. As Jinx said, it's the Vette I grew up with.
12-20-2012, 04:53 AM
#11
Instructor
Member Since: Dec 2012
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It is called advances in technology and competition. What you must mean is back then it was more of an art form. I love both and I respect all cars and I am passionate about anything on wheels since I was a kid.
12-20-2012, 08:08 AM
#12
Drifting
I think cars get better each generation. If it weren't for EPA and safety standards I think the designs would be much more aggressive.
I am still impressed with my C6's clean simple design. I hope the C7 doesn't have a bunch of gaudy protrusions on it in the name of performance.
I am still impressed with my C6's clean simple design. I hope the C7 doesn't have a bunch of gaudy protrusions on it in the name of performance.
12-20-2012, 09:23 AM
#15
Burning Brakes
12-20-2012, 11:52 AM
#16
Race Director
..........and, there is a lot of variety out there in car styling today!
Even back when, many cars of the "every day driver" class tended to look the same - 1936 Ford vs 1936 Chevy:
Last edited by tuxnharley; 12-20-2012 at 11:55 AM.
12-20-2012, 12:06 PM
#17
Le Mans Master
I drive the Los Angeles freeways. Car design is dead. It peaked in the 1950's through early 1970's. Everything from BMW to Buick to Aston Martin looks the same. Don't even get me started about the hybrids.
I'll appreciate the C7 even if it's ugly. It's one of the last cars still being "styled".
I'll appreciate the C7 even if it's ugly. It's one of the last cars still being "styled".
12-20-2012, 01:15 PM
#19
The constant change in design so prevalent in the 50's 60's and 70's is called planned obsolesence. It is now implemented in 'technology products' to a degree I could never imagine.
I would call it marketing, not art, even in the 50's.
I would call it marketing, not art, even in the 50's.
12-20-2012, 01:32 PM
#20
It's really hard to take anyone seriously when they say "they don't make them like they used to." Including myself. You're naturally biased toward the things you "grew up" on (which may or may not be your physical adolescence, and may or may not be what was current at the time). At a certain point things evolve outside your zone of familiarity and alienate you. It might take a while, and happen at different times for different areas of interest, but it's going to happen to you.
In the specific case of automobiles, they are much more science and less art than they used to be. They're regulated far more than they used to be -- almost nothing built 30 years ago would even be legal to manufacture and sell new today, nevermind 40 or 60 years ago. And consumer expectations of functionality apply competitive pressure to further narrow the design envelope.
OTOH, there's a greater variety in the packaging than ever before, and autos are objectively better, almost immeasurably so.
If you don't like the way things are today, don't fret: your grandkids think it's all great, we'll be dead soon, and despite every generation's prognostication that the world has reached a tipping point and is shortly going to collapse, things will keep chugging along.
.Jinx
In the specific case of automobiles, they are much more science and less art than they used to be. They're regulated far more than they used to be -- almost nothing built 30 years ago would even be legal to manufacture and sell new today, nevermind 40 or 60 years ago. And consumer expectations of functionality apply competitive pressure to further narrow the design envelope.
OTOH, there's a greater variety in the packaging than ever before, and autos are objectively better, almost immeasurably so.
If you don't like the way things are today, don't fret: your grandkids think it's all great, we'll be dead soon, and despite every generation's prognostication that the world has reached a tipping point and is shortly going to collapse, things will keep chugging along.
.Jinx
