car design and that "feeling" | FerrariChat

car design and that "feeling"

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by fastback33, Jun 4, 2006.

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  1. fastback33

    fastback33 Formula 3

    Mar 8, 2004
    1,851
    I'm on a rant here because well im bored with cars at the moment. Everything i see now looks the same, ignorance is truly bliss. Used to love looking at the Mcl. F1, now it is just boresome. Same with other cars, like the zonda or whatnot, now im bored with them.

    These cars got me into car design and nothing is fresh anymore, it's like everything has been thought of and used.

    It's like trying to push the 100lb. boulder up and over the hill, only we're almost there but not quite just need that one thing to give that extra inch to get the ball rolling.

    I'll admit as much as i like retro designs it's not the way to go, take a few design queue's here and there but i am tired of retro now and also organic car design. I have yet to have felt that "feeling" where a car just absolutely takes your breath away. Like when i was little and saw the countach for the first time, "fecking awesome" i always thought then it went on to become the diablo; then the F1 and now.....Nothing. NOthing is beautiful anymore cool, yes but beautiful it is not. The latest thing to get my engine roaring is that new ducati the desmodecicicicicsicici whatever. Love it fecking gorgeous i must say.

    Now i don't have a favorite anything because ive seen everything and bored by it, i blame part of htis on the internet's capability to help me experience these. I was hoping that new dino design process would produce something very cool and beautiful, exotic, and bring back that excitement as a kid, but the thing just looks like any other car (no offense to you guys working on it; even though i am listed as helping).

    Another thing that bothers me is, there is no class for supercars in the FiA, this has nothing to do with design but while im at it i might aswell. I mean holy **** there are about 10 different candidates with mid-engine and a v8. Why can't we just get a class for them? Who the hell in their right mind doesn't want to see a koenigsegg or a carrera GT duke it out at sebring or at mugello, hell, anywhere.

    End of rant Don't post answers to my thoughts im not after them. Just a bit of frustration from my end.
     
  2. Townshend

    Townshend F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 20, 2005
    6,677
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    Walter
    I sort of started a thread on this a couple weeks ago about how alot of car designs from the 60s/70s are being imitated in todays cars, and if there were any car designs from today that would be imitated in 30-40 years. And I couldn't really think of any. So it's fair to say that while I agree car designs of late haven't been as good, there are still some that really capture my heart (alot of Ferraris do, and I do like the look of a Hummer as well as G500/G55, and the Aston Martins).
     
  3. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
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    #3 No Doubt, Jun 5, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  4. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,579
    Gates Mills, Ohio
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    Overall I agree with the first posts, current car designs aren't the best. But as posted here Aston-Martin has a huge winner in the new V8 coupe. The Mercedes CLS is daring for a sedan. Land Rover's LR3 is very sharp for a truck.

    Lambo is too busy building imperial star destroyers, and Ferrari has gone a bit Japanese. Porsche ran out of ideas in 1998 -- or maybe 1989 -- excepting the CGT, which is technically impressive and new. The Saleens, Zondas, etc., try too hard for shock and awe, and don't really hold together as designs -- they're more like accumulations of extreme details. Jaguar passed on the stunning F-Type and turned the XK into a nice Ford. And I don't know why BMW had to make the 6 series look like a kitchen pot.
     
  5. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
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    HUBBSTER
    Just study a TR, Countach or E type,

    truly divine timeless designs
     
  6. Townshend

    Townshend F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 20, 2005
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    Walter
    You've lost that lovin' feeling,
    Whoa, that lovin' feeling,
    You've lost that lovin' feeling,
    Now it's gone...gone...gone...wooooooh.
     
  7. whammo!

    whammo! Formula Junior

    May 16, 2006
    273
    New England
    Full Name:
    Alexander
    agreed.

    also on the lambo thing, I think they slacked a bit on the murci design. The shock factor isnt as shocking as the diablo's. the murci is still nice but more bland than any other lambo after the jalpa.
     
  8. fastback33

    fastback33 Formula 3

    Mar 8, 2004
    1,851
    The Rebel? Wraith is by far one of the coolest bikes i have seen in a long time, not sure what to call it. IMO it does look like it is trying to be a little too futuristic. The VW GX1 i think it is called is not bad either. The GG50, is stunning as well and im surprised that not very many people like it.

    Another design i'd have to say looks very good is the birdcage 75th. Very good looking car imo but i have a feeling it will seem dated and boring in 10-15 years.

    As of late i have become much more fond of the 80's ferrari's. I'm not sure which one is my favorite as they all look somehwat similar ( being wedge shaped) but TifosiIron has a very cool picture of one as his avatar. I'm assuming that is his own car? Very cool indeed though.

    The one car company that actually seems to produce something wild, would have to be TVR. The sagaris, tuscan, Tamora, all very cool, lovely elegant designs, unfortunately they are about the only original company lately and owned by a complete knob.

    Aston Martin- all of there designs are stunning but they all have that very similar shape to them aswell which seems a bit boring to me now. DOn't get me wrong that AMV8 is absolutely beautiful and if i wasn't in college and had a decent job would try and get on the waiting list for it.

    Porsche - I saw a show on speed with one of the porsche exec's ( possibly car crazy) were he stated that all of their cars have had that very similar line sequence dating back to the 365 speedster. The new 997 is actually pretty good looking, and i wouldn't mind owner one of those either.

    I partially blame car designs on the schools where these designer's come from. They only produce what they ahve been taught at these schools. A la Jay May's and Chris Bengal i think is his name? honestly they need to teach the students how to push the envelope instead of conforming, to this organic drive a plant to work fad. That, IMO, seems to be taking over the car design industry at the mo.

    Great conversation boys keep it going!

    EDIT: just thought of another one. The dodge tomahawk is very cool design wise, wish they would make the damn thing!
     
  9. bounty

    bounty F1 Veteran

    Feb 18, 2006
    7,769
    San Diego, CA
    #9 bounty, Jun 5, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I think the 360 was a damn nice design and so was the marenello 550 imo. I agree with what you are saying but I think you're right about being saturated with pictures from the internet that delute some of that experience. That said, I have a TR, F430,Diablo, and a few 355s that drive around in my neck of the woods and my hair still stands up on the back of my neck.

    Lets see if they make this one...
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  10. passiveoptimist12

    passiveoptimist12 Formula Junior

    Mar 27, 2005
    342
    VA
    Full Name:
    Jon Dough
    You know, it's funny. I was obsessed with 360 Modenas, especially CS's (still find the CS gorgeous), but last week I went to the FCA National concours, and lets just say I was inundated with more 360s than I could bare. The cars that kept catching my eye (other than the smurf-blue f430) were the TRs. Which, oddly, was the car I feel in love with when I was just a few years old, and started my obsession with cars. I guess that says something. It was definitely a radical design at the time, but not a take on past models or anything. New and radical, but not so radical that the point of the car is lost (Saleen S7 anyone?). Ferrari needs this too today, the 599 reminds me of the Lusso, which is one of the greatest cars of all time...but why recreate it? Create something new, that's what I'm getting at.
     
  11. W84ME

    W84ME Karting

    May 10, 2006
    72
    I agree for the most part. For example, I could look at a 275 GTB all day long. It is a natural beauty. The 599 is a good looking car, but its not a natural beauty. Too many lines, curves, buttresses, vents and scoops. All of this adds up to good air mgmt. with out resorting to big wings and such, but it looks too busy to my eye.

    I like the Koenigseggs. They seem to be purposeful without trying too hard. The MBZ CLS is a good looking car. I wonder if it will look good in 10 years? Most of the Mercedes look dated rather quickly.
     
  12. bounty

    bounty F1 Veteran

    Feb 18, 2006
    7,769
    San Diego, CA
    I know this probably doesn't belong here, but I saw a white BMW 8 series the other day and wow is that a nice timeless classic as well. Beautiful.
     
  13. Horsefly

    Horsefly F1 Veteran

    May 14, 2002
    6,929
    How many different ways can you design a 4 wheeled vehicle that has an internal combustion engine in the front or the rear? Designs will change when the engineering changes. Electric power or turbine power will change the necessaties of the powerplant and therefore the surrounding design. What about 4 wheel drive? Or a 6 wheeled vehicle? Or 4 wheeled steering? Get RADICAL and the designs will REALLY change.
    (One of my radical ideas: I've often wondered about eliminating the front radiator opening and circulate the engine coolant through finned heat sinks incorporated into the outside design of the body. The frontal area would be decreased thereby lowering the wind resistance.)
     
  14. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sounds like ebay....
     
  15. WealthBuildR

    WealthBuildR Karting

    Aug 11, 2005
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    Seal Beach/Cypress
    Full Name:
    Wally Da Silva
    each to his own, but in my subjective opinion, there are still many cars that evoke excitement, passion, and emotion. The Challenge stradale, 430, NSX, Murci Roadster, Aston Vanquish, Vantage are just stunning. Granted, they don't look like a countach or a testarossa, they are so fun and gratifying to look at, and more so to drive.
     
  16. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
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    I'd rather use the heat energy. Steam can easily turn a turbine to replace an alternator. Better to use engine heat to run your alternator than to vent it wastefully to the atmosphere, in my book.
     
  17. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 26, 2005
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    The original Miura is a rolling lust object. You don't want a title for the thing. You want a marriage certificate.

    The CAD-born Gallardo is OK but it's a sterile design. You see one and think, "Yes, that makes sense," and then move on to more interesting cars. The Murci, again, looks too much like Lord Vader's star destroyer. The original Countach, before all the wings and flares and bowling ball wheels, is a piece of art. I admit it's still not my favorite, but I appreciate it for what it is.

    Back to Ferrari, I do like the 550/575 a lot. I think it's one of the best designs of the last decade. I'm not as keen on what's replacing it, but happy that a 550 is approaching my price range.
     
  18. fastback33

    fastback33 Formula 3

    Mar 8, 2004
    1,851
    Totally agree on the miura. If only someone would update what is under that body it would look and more than likely perform insanely!!!!!!!!

    The miura design that was at the New York auto show i think? Was undeniably beautiful, unfortunately it was a total rip off of the old miura. If only lambo could create cars like they used too.
     
  19. Artvonne

    Artvonne F1 Veteran

    Oct 29, 2004
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    I probably should put on my flame suit first....zipppppp. I think part of the problem is just what started this thread, boredom. And it seems the younger people get bored the soonest, wanting the next fix sooned than later. I'll be 48 this year. I grew up with old Pontiac GTO's with 421 ci V-8's and still kind of want another one. I owned an MGB-GT at just 17 years old and still want another one. I seen a picture of a early Countach with no wings or flares on the cover of R&T and have always wanted one. I wanted a 308 the first time I ever seen it and now fortunately own two 77 GTB's. As Alain DeCadernet said about a older V-12 Ferrari, they still give me the hot flashes. If I had a million dollars or more I would still want a 308. If there were any car in the last 10 years that has gotten my attention, it would be the Ascari. Ferrari should build it, and keep it a simple car, tube frame chassis, manual steering, manual gearbox, non abs, small bore V-8, maybe turboed or mechanically supercharged. Keeping it well under $100K would be good too. Like $49,999 at your local Ferrari dealer.
     
  20. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Aug 6, 2003
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    Funny enough, I passed an 850 on the freeway last night and kept thinking about them all night. The 90's super BMW... V12... low mileage ones in low-mid $20's... hmm...

    I was checking prices on them just a few hours ago!
     
  21. spcheng

    spcheng Rookie

    Apr 15, 2006
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    CA, USA
  22. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
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    Keep in mind that to cope with passionless lives, a few people resort to a mental trick in which they convince themselves that everything in life is boring and mundane.

    Not everyone lives each day with vibrant passion!

    Examples of beauty and excitement are lost on such people. They are the depressed barflies in the dark corner of the saloon of life...crying in their lonely beers while the rest of the joint rocks on without them.
     
  23. alin13

    alin13 Karting

    Jan 1, 2006
    230
    Yes, they do stir my soul, but it's shock rather and adimiring it's beauty. I personally like the design of the zonda, but it's dramatic and flamboyant, not elegant and classical beauty. Amongst cars today, only the Aston Martins and Lambos are real classical beauty to me. The Astons are elegant and beautiful, there really isn't any fault to pick, except the door mirrors on the DB9, they are ugly, much prefer the ones on V8 vantage. As for Lambos, are murci are dramatic, but not overly done like the zonda, and the Gallardo is small but with great proportions, and some nice details.
    However, the most beautiful cars IMO is still from before 70's, DB4 Zagato, Miura, E-type, tipo33 Stradale (love this little alfa, the design is so advanced for it's time).. etc, they have this timeless elegance that's not found in cars anymore

    just my thoughts
     
  24. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary Owner

    Oct 23, 2002
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    Jim Glickenhaus
    It won't be long...
     

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