car design and that "feeling"

i think the problem is its so easy to jump on the net and look at thousands of pics of any given car. i used to get excited to see even a slightly exotic car on the road, now its 'yep, seen 100's of pics of those.'

same deal with new cars. first time i saw a 355/360 on the road was an amazing experiece. but first time i saw a 430, just wasnt AS exciting

 

And the Maser looks like a CGT at an angle. Anyway, there's no cohesiveness to any of the ones photographed above, just a bunch of jarring elements thrown together.

I wouldn't say any of these "stir my soul". They grab my attention, kind of like a Viper does. They're all a sort of visual fast food run instead of a memorable feast.

 

That is a beautiful cars. I like the low waistline and flowing lines of these old cars, not really fan of the high waistline favoured by most car designers today.

 

with few exceptions, the cars today just don't do anything for me, especially all those rounded, bulbous ones, ugh!

 

You want different, this is a bit different:
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Looks like something from War of the Worlds.

 

Probably a reflection of my age, but the 365/512BBs just seem to have the perfect lines, and you'd never mistake them for anything other than what they are. They are far from perfect cars, but I could look at them all day long!

 

Theres alot of cars that give me "that feeling"

examples

6-series
Z4
350Z
599 GTB

They may not be completely original or new ideas but thats doesn't neagte their beauty.

 

Your concept of "that feeling" is obviously at a polar opposite from mine.

 

I think I kind of see what your getting at. I do admit that those cars while beautiful (in my opinion) don't absolutely astonish me. They don't really make a huge statement as say the countach did when it came out. They are beautiful cars but not awestriking in every sense they don't really break any of the norms they just refine them.

 

QUOTE "Lambo is too busy building imperial star destroyers"QUOTE


i LOVE that line. i keep getting a chuckle out of it every time i read it. no offense to Lambo. i dont like ANY of the new cars designs.

guess ill be stuck with old , slow carb cars.

 

I suppose I was a bit harsh with my previous comment - but I don't get very enthusiastic about the current "modern" cars. Actually, I like the Z4's silhouette and the tail, but I still can't get over the side 'flame' sculpting. The 599 is the same - from the side it looks fine, but the venting and many of the smaller things disappoint. Then again, I haven't seen that in person yet but the 612 was just as disappointing in person.

For me, it's Aston Martin that is producing the most beautiful cars right now.

 

I agree in many ways. I find it very difficult to find a car with design that moves me, that creates a deep desire, and that just makes me smile from every angle.

Lambo is lost in cubism. Unique but not beautiful by any stretch... just aggressive.

BMW has completely lost their way (this coming from a person who owns an M3).

Mercedes is stuck in a rut for the most part.

Lotus is stuck in the 80's with all of the slats.

Porsche has not created a unique design in over 50 years.

Bentley is boring.

Putting flame suit on................. Ferrari is hit and miss. The 430 is an odd looking update to the 360. The 612 is hideous. The 599 looks promising (holding judgement until I see it in person).


The only cars that are absolute stunners in MY EYE are the Aston Martins. Yes they look a bit similar but when you get close and really spend some time with them they have a very distinct character, stance, and appearance.

So I went out and bought a Vantage... and will never look back... except when I park it and have trouble walking away without taking a glance

 

I haven't liked many car designs from around 1999 and up.

I don't find the new Ferraris that much attractive. They look Japanese like previously mentioned. The F355 and 550 (include the 575, too) was the peak for me imo. I prefer the F50 and F40 to the Enzo, too. The 612 front end still hasn't grown on me and the 599 just looks terrible, nothing sleek about it with too many vents.

 

Ditto!

Nothing new, just nondescript updates of already nondescript designs.

Design is going from bad to worse!

 

The Elise is unique and (IMHO) very nice looking, slats and all. I like the Mondial front slats. The 599 I just adore and would be my Ferrari if I had the buckage. But I hear a lot of griping without much thought about what you're asking for.

There's no question why wind tunnels help design cars! Efficient body designs go faster with less energy. Yes, you can make a sleek car that's aerodynamic but forget about 308's, Testarossas, Boxers etc. Ain't gonna happen until we all stop complaining about how chains are too much rotating weight! You can't have it both ways. A Miura is an aerodynamic nightmare compared to even a 360. And a Testarossa or 308?? Pulllease!! Yet all are amazingly beautiful cars.

If Ferrari made a really cool body that was beautiful and unique, but cost 50 HP in drag, would you buy it? Or more to the point, would the people who buy new Ferraris buy it? Most of us here are just lookers, not buyers of the new models. But I still say the 599 is the best looking new Ferrari since the 360.

Ken

 

I still stop and stare at Porsche Boxsters... I saw a black F430 on Friday morning and was surprised I didn't hyperventilate... I think the 360 Spider is one of the most beautiful car designs ever to come to fruition... The Enzo, in my opinion, is the pinnacle of automobiles...

Nowadays, I'll stop and pull into a parking lot or whatever if I see an old American musclecar - something I've never done before... My taste - my lust - for cars seems to be expanding as I grow and learn, and not decreasing or waning as it seems to be with some other people... I'm happy to find myself interested in new and different things; I like the direction the general automotive world is going in, despite some of the quirks (Bangle, etc.)... Ooh, there goes another Boxster; damn I love those things...

Since I'm so very Ferrari-biased, it doesn't even make sense for me to comment on their current line-up... I think the 612 is engineering brilliance and I like it's styling as well... The 599 has a mix of looks to it, all evoking different emotions; I anxiously await seeing one in person... The F430 took a minute to grow on me - I was so well-adjusted to the stunning voluptuousness of the Modena - but even now, the F430 tugs at my heart strings ...and to hear one roar, jebuth...!

If nothing else excites you, I think you're in store for a very special treat when P 4/5 is unveiled... You've got a little more than a month to go...

 

I saw a 599 at the Galleria Ferrari last month. I thought it looked good in the pictures I had seen but in person it looked even better.

 

I think the new Boxsters look good, and the new SLK, and the 997 looks nice,but I certainly don't get heart palpitations and feel the hair rise on my neck, etc., when one goes by.

The problem is partly with safety regulations, and partly with wind tunnels (as Ken said above). Cars like the Miura, Boxer, 308/328, TR, Countach, etc. have dramatic proportions and exotic details. They're all extremely low - much lower than the modern exotics. And they're all cohesive originals. You can actually identify any of these with a photo of any part of the car. Miura honeycomb grille, Countach tail light, Boxer deck or turn signal, 308 tail light or intake scoop or door handle -- the list goes on.

The Enzo and 599 lose points in my book because they aren't cohesive -- lots of neat ideas, but there's nothing aesthetically that ties the nose to the tail. However, I have not seen the 599 in person, so maybe it all works better in real life. The 612 is fine, but too normal-looking.

 

The first Porsche I ever drove - and one of the first sports car I ever drove - was a Porsche Boxster S... So that's probably the reason they make me stop and stare... They're truly great machines...

The Enzo, I suppose, is subjective to each person's opinion... There is nothing, as far as I'm concerned, that comes even close to an Enzo... Nothing.

 

I can appreciate the OPs feelings, but there are some great designs out there aesthetically... even on the domestic, low-rent end.

the Chrysler 300c (esp the SRT-8) is an awesome interpretation of the traditional american sedan, complete with monster-motor.

the new Mustang, while derivative, is a refreshing and attractive design.

some of the design elements of the 599GTB are fascinating, and I like pretty much the whole car.... not so on the F430 or Enzo.

teh V8 aston is quite good, as mentioned before, and actually, as much as I hate the BMW Z4, it IS interesting.

Audi and MB (and most of BMW) are boring me to death, and the Jag XJ looks good, while the S-type in the right color is still one of the 20 most beautiful modern designs, and will remain a standard for a good number of years.

it seems that there is a lack of vehicles designed around their purpose... the Jag S-type is a car that is meant to be elegant and beautiful, and it does so well.

the 300C is just as described above... pure american excess.

honestly I think that if we saw a push toward lighter-weight vehicles, we would see some very interesting designs again... big is easy and boring... no one needs a 2-ton ferrari

 

No doubt. I drove an S the first year it was out (a Microsoft buddy had one of the first), and it made all the right noises.

Yes, most cars now are overweight. That's OK for a Rolls-Royce Phantom, but cars like the BMW 6 and Jag XK need a month or two or three at Jenny Craig.

I hate to be the minority voice on the 300C, but I think it's about as timeless as the Scion Xb (square-ish mini-wagon). Low brow, gangsta-looking and destined to sit next to the Cadillac Seville (humpback species) and ovoid Ford Taurus. At least I can tell it apart from whatever GM/Ford sell in that segment.

Mercedes CLS isn't boring, but it's a standout in a line that, to your point, isn't the most memorable.

I like the F430, but I saw a black 246GTS this weekend parked near one and that Dino really commanded attention. It's just iconic and beautiful from nose to tail, the way it was sketched out in someone's notebook.

 

I feel - and I don't think I'm the only one - that all the current Ferraris stand a bit too high. They should come much more "lowered" from the factory, that'd give them more aggressive stance.

 

This original post is applicable to most "things". cars, boats, airplanes, women (ok, not a thing, they are a ...well I dunno) skis, fishing poles, beer...Ok, I guess I don't need to actually list every thing. But I could try,...no, I really shouldn't. Anyway, grasshopper...the more you strive to find the perfect thing, the farther you wander from that which you really want.... you know that one thing (remember Billy Crystal in City Slickers). The fact is that "car" will never be made. You know the car to end all cars, that car that will stop any bar stool racing, any further discussion of bestest, fastest, coolest, anythingest. And that is a good thing. I think that is why God didn't tell us that in the end we will just end up in line at Disney World or something, just ruin all the fun and wonder and anticipation. So, take a break, you answered your own dilemma - ignorance is bliss. Go find a 68 VW bug and buy it, drive it around the rest of the summer, watch the oil leak, the paint fade some more, and leave the windows down when it rains. Drive to the local Ferrari dealer and ask him what he'd give you on a trade...You will be quite happy.

Now, if only my iPod was a little smaller, and held just a few more songs...