Cars that look dated in 2014

Lots of people try to keep their car modern with body panel "improvements"
In the Japanese collector car movement we call this; Rice.
No thanks.
Give me dated.

 

PS a big shout out to those that have to have the most modern car available that really don't understand what is going on just below the skin.
Trade off all those soon to be clunkers for the latest and greatest.
I'll eventually buy and enjoy them 15 years down the road for peanuts then resell them to you in another 15 when you finally figure out.

 

All of the 360/F430 cars look basically identical to the average onlooker. Yes, the F430 has a lot of upgrades, but style-wise it's a warmed over version of the 360 "amoeba."

I think it's way too soon to make the call. The F430 has only been out of production for a few years. Very few people would be able to identify it as a used car, especially since they're almost all pristine.

Agree, it's usually a disaster. A 308/328 with monster wheels and a painted targa roof... no thanks. I've never seen a classic updated successfully with aftermarket stuff.

 

I think cars go through several stages in aging first they are new and the latest thing then they become the old design then (and particularly radical designs ) may look dated then they start to look interesting then they eventually age into classic and maybe even beautiful ...
but now on the other hand do not confuse dated with just plain old ugly of which many cars are .. certainly not any of the ferraris (well maybe a couple)

 

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Agree on these plus a few obvious such as f40

Funny on the other hand one of my dream cars,clk gtr, has aged horribly (from looks in pictures). I have not seen one in person so can't go that far.

Few other vehicles in my eyes include the Porsche 959, Acura NSX, 288gto, diablos, and let's not forget how long ago zonda has been around.

 

A friend of mine had his kid climb UP the strakes to say goodbye to him....

 

It was a safety idea that became iconic. A U.S. DOT clause stated that no opening on the sides of a car shall be larger as to accommodate the size of a bicycle pedal.

That idea apparently got sent back to US DOT with no return address with the release of the Koenig Testarossa kits.

 

I thought the Testarossa was ugly when it came out, but now I find them charming... in a dated kind of way. The Birlinetta Boxer, OTOH, has always been beautiful. 348's suffer from the strakes, just like the TR. 308 was an instant classic, and still is.

The early, clean Countach looks fine, but the later ones with all the body cladding look completely ridiculous today. The Diablo will never, ever look dated. A monumental improvement over the late Countach. Same for the Murcielago, it's a wonderful design.

Here's a prediction: All cars with LED row lights will be laughable in 15 years. Those lights just scream FAD! I was so happy to see the Lamborghini show car that was designed after the Miura didn't have them. Yes, I think people will laugh out loud at the 458 in 15 years, but they will positively double up over the FF (I don't care, I still want one).

The 456M is the most beautiful 2+2 Ferrari has ever made. I don't see that changing. I want a 612, but don't think it's in the 456's league at all, looks wise.

Cheers,

George
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IMHO.... dated = classic = $$$$$$$$$

 

Cute, always gets old.
Exotic, depends location.
True beauty is universally recognised and will last for ever.
Dino 246
MB 280SL
Jaguar E Type
Ferrari 456.

 

I nominate the new Vette. It just tries too hard.

 

Good list.
Any car that relies on gimmicks or add ons will not date well. Purity of line endures.
I'll take a slight exception to the XKE. In its original, least adorned iteration it looked great. By the end of its run it had lost its grace.

 

dated is in the eye of the beholder.

there are cars that are truly ugly - aztec, amc pacer, etc

then there are cars that are just appliances, like a toyota camry, and therefore should not really be judged on their design - they are merely functional tools for people who desire nothing more.

then there are cars that a designer actually put some imagination and effort into, and those can then be debated as to their longer term merit.

some cars look dated, but only because of being overwrought by the excesses of the period. think 25 anniversary countach, or matte black murcielago with black wheels. but the underlying design is good - which is why periscopos are going for $750 k today.

i think if you strip back most of these cars to the way the designer originally drew them, almost all have merit.

 

I agree to me the XKE is a 3.8, Before Jaguar had to meet US safety rules.

 

Dated, heck no, just timeless in any era...
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Perfect when introduced perfect now.

Interesting to compare it with the 328 which is stylistically as well as mechanically an "enhanced" 308. While a better car I think that design wise it's compromised visually. It lacks the lithe, spare lines of its predecessor.

 

I like the 456 looks as well - very timeless.

However, the 612 is a vastly superior car, with all-aluminum design, rarity for a modern Ferrari, and performance that betters a 360. In terms of looks, I believe time will be very kind to the 612 - a sort of modern Lusso. Like the 456, it looks better in darker colors and you really have to see it in person to appreciate it.

 

All aluminum a rarity for a modern Ferrari? Try the opposite, all except the LaF (CF) are aluminum now. It wasn't the first, either, that distinction goes to the 360. Basically all Ferraris except the Enzo and LaF made in the last 10 years are aluminum.

 

You misread my statement - I meant rare for a modern Ferrari in terms of numbers; not materials. I believe about 3025 were built - about the same number as there are Boxers.

It is the First all-aluminum V12.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

There is a red/tan Daytona 2005 612 with shields here in San Antonio, and I've seen it at the dealership being serviced a couple of times. I may buy it when the current owner is ready to sell. Unlike most, I guess, I like both the 456 and 612 in red best (All front V12's EXCEPT the FF). Unfortunately, the later ones with the black glass roof don't look good to me in anything other than... black.

I know all about the 612, and sure, it's a big evolutionary step ahead of the 456M, but it is still not as pretty. Vastly better looking than the FF though!

Cheers,

George

 

That sums it up nicely...

 

I think the 650S looks more dated than the MP412C, and it's the newer car!

timeless understated elegance vs fashion forward, I guess.
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We should start a "Women who look dated in 2014" thread

 

+1 George, as much as I can appreciate the enhanced technology/performance of a 612 I like also better the lower body line and nimbleness of a 456 it is more "svelte" with perfect body proportions for a 2+2. Plus the added bonus of easier to find manual transmission.