Which Ferrari designs have aged the best... | Page 7 | FerrariChat

Which Ferrari designs have aged the best...

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by davemqv, Aug 19, 2018.

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  1. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
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    #151 paulchua, Oct 12, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2018
    This thread is all in good fun gentlemen. There is no wrong answer when it comes to aesthetics. Everyone's opinion is valid since it's an accurate reflection of their perspective.

    Davemqv brings up some interesting things about the Mondial. There is no denying that many (most?) people find the design plain at best and applaing at worst.

    The brainchild of the Mondial's design was Leonardo Fioravanti of Pininfarina, same designer of everything from the Dino to the F40. From the 288GTO to the Daytona.

    When the Mondial 8 first came out, it was an engineering feat. If you can name another production car in the history of the automobile that has four seats, is mid-engined (not rear engined like 911), and accommodated a full cabriolet variant - please name one. Being forced to meet Ferrari's requirements and keep the design with a traditionally Pininfarina aesthetic was quite the task!

    There are modern-day equivalents of the reaction many had. The same comments you hear hurled at the Mondial mirror precisely those today you see thrown at the Ferrari FF/Lusso or say the Porsche Panamera.

    The Mondial's design, however, was not without its admirers, and at the very top of the auto industry.

    John Davis, of Motorweek - the Emmy award-winning host of the 40-year show, pointed out that the original MR2 and Fiero were both directly influenced by the mid-rear side strakes, and were obvious derivatives of Fioravanti's basic design.

    This fact lost as one reason the MR2 and Fiero were often called the "poor man's" Ferrari. This reality had a deleterious effect on the Mondial. If you are familiar with the fashion industry, it is haute couture design houses that introduce new radical trends and looks, that always eventually filter down to Target or Wallmart. It always cracks me up when I see internet commenters point out that the Daytona looks like a "C4 Corvette" or the 412 looks like a "Prelude" - I laugh a little inside.

    This fact did no favors on the Mondial's fortunes as the design looked further 'down market' as the 'look' became ubiquitous with the Fiero in the front lawn on blocks.

    The early Mondial's fate was sealed when the 1980 EPA regulated variant (only represented 2% of the line) was the one furnished to the three automotive publications that provided lackluster performance.

    For detractors of the Mondial's beauty (or lack thereof) - I invite a reexamination in person of a concours quality example. While I doubt everyone will change their minds (and that's fine), I do believe given the history even in my club of Ferrarista, that many do come away with newfound appreciation after experiencing in person first hand. Driving it usually seals the deal. :)


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  2. G. Pepper

    G. Pepper Three Time F1 World Champ
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    The design is just a modernized Daytona. If you like the Daytona, it is illogical to dislike a more modern version that is arguably much better looking. But most people are illogical about Ferraris. :)
     
  3. Laserguru

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    It's okay. Some of us do. And I confess that I don't see the 612 and struggle with the similar snout on the 599 while loving the rear 3/4 of the same car.

    Part of the appeal of the brand is that we evaluate and ruminate on the artistic merits of all of the models of the brand. Endlessly.....over the entire lifecycle of the brand. There are very few brands of anything, no less cars, of which that can be said. Ferrari is the most interesting melange of performance car and design art.
     
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  4. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    My picks are :

    250 California Spyder
    1957 250 Testa Rossa
    308 GTB QV US
    288 GTO
    F355 Spyder
     
  5. 635CSI

    635CSI F1 Rookie

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    That Mondial pictured above looks fabulous!

    I wonder if I have been put off but the fact that most examples I see are very tired with faded paint, greying black plastics and so on.
    Paulchua could well be onto something !
     
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  6. chipbiii

    chipbiii F1 Veteran
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    Never understood the fascination with the 355. To me it just looks like the 348 with the strakes removed. Having said that, it certainly is a better car mechanically with much better performance and, yeah, I'd be proud to own one. ;)
     
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  7. G. Pepper

    G. Pepper Three Time F1 World Champ
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    The improved 40 valve engine in the 360 is even better, and it's in a much better car. I can see the point of those who like how small the 355 is, but I'm 6'2" and fit in the 360 better.
     
  8. crinoid

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    Uhhhhh ok.
     
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  9. raider1968

    raider1968 F1 Rookie
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    The best are what's in your garage
     
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  10. m5shiv

    m5shiv Formula 3
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    I'm going to repeat a few things said by other folks

    Aged well
    308
    288 GTO
    F50
    612 in certain colors
    250 GT SWB berlinetta
    Lusso
    Boxer



    Aged badly
    Enzo - looks like two different cars glued together
    Dino - frog like
    360/430 - mumps
    355 - loved it when it came out

    But the comment that resonated best with me

    Other than the F12 TDf the modern design language does nothing for me. The 812, The FF/Lusso are hideous visually
     
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  11. Casino Square

    Casino Square Formula 3
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    1) Lusso
    2) 206
    3) 308 GTB

    .....the thing I like about the "older" cars is their relative small size. The 308 seems delicate and pretty, compared to what the modern world is now producing. Do love the engine in my friends new Challenger however !!
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  12. Casino Square

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    .....I might add, I believe the entire 308 would fit in the passenger cabin of the Challenger :)
     
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  13. Laserguru

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    Damn! Great picture. That difference is striking.
     
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  14. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    The Mondial design would always have been compromised by its unique requirement, as a mid-engined four-seater of reasonable size. Having said that, I think that Fioravanti did about as well as could be expected, though a kick-up "spoiler" on the rear edge (like the 308/328) would have improved matters. It looks much better than the 308 GT4, a design which I've never been able to warm up to.

    The 365 GTC/4 is actually quite good looking aside from the "clown lips" front bumper. That could be alleviated by getting it in black, or otherwise painting the front bumper body color. GM unabashedly used the styling of its greenhouse in designing the Chevy Monza and its sister cars.
     
  15. Mikael-F360

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  16. Casino Square

    Casino Square Formula 3
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    It's interesting how the 360 is now looking better than I perceived it when new. When I see one on the road now, it just looks "right". Great photo of your car Mikael!
     
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  17. Casino Square

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  18. Laserguru

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    Great comparative picture, Andrew. The Carrera looks a bit....mmm...puffy sitting with that 308.
     
  19. dustman

    dustman F1 Veteran
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    The 308 looks SOOO good.
     
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  20. Rosso328

    Rosso328 F1 Veteran
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    I had posted this in another forum, but thought it complemented your post nicely. My 328 spotted deep in the heart of truck country.

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  21. Casino Square

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    I do love 911's. but the early air cooled cars. Like most brands, they've all "put on pounds" over the years ! The 308 is really one of Fioravanti's great designs. It's aging better than most. It's relatively slow, but has a purity about it's feel and handling that is hard to replicate nowdays. Will never tire of looking at her in the garage....a very pretty car.
     
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  22. Casino Square

    Casino Square Formula 3
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  23. Casino Square

    Casino Square Formula 3
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  24. Casino Square

    Casino Square Formula 3
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    ....308 design feature: look at the curve of the windshield and the thin A pillar. Beautiful.
     

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  25. Casino Square

    Casino Square Formula 3
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    ....sorry for the double post...can't figure out how to delete :(
     

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