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Beauty in an automobile?

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by cbstd, Aug 28, 2012.

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  1. cbstd

    cbstd Formula Junior

    Dec 24, 2003
    301
    Los Angeles
    #1 cbstd, Aug 28, 2012
    Smoothly flowing sheetmetal, inviting interiors and a suite of entertainment electronics are all components of what we call "beautiful." But what are the less obvious features and functions of a car that makes it beautiful in your eyes?

    For me, the first criteria is: Does the car "work?" Does it function as designed? Does it go, turn and stop? Not just in an adequate manner, but in a way that wakes the senses and sharpens your feel for the road.

    Is the engineering elegant? A simple, direct solution is far superior to a Rube Goldberg series of monkey motions. Does the design of a system that is out of view have the craftsmanship as the obvious bits of the car?

    Does it stir your soul? Is there an intangible emotional response to a the car? Do you remember the first time you saw it? Did it speak to you in an unspoken language? Does the car communicate that it is "fast" or "luxurious" or "exclusive?"

    What makes a car beautiful to you?
     
  2. davidoloan

    davidoloan Formula Junior

    May 6, 2009
    584
    Full Name:
    David
    #2 davidoloan, Aug 28, 2012
    a car without a suite of entertainment electronics.

    compared to an iPad they are all rubbish.

    An invisible system that can play the music in your phone, display the video on your phone, take calls from your phone and display your phone navigation.
     
  3. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,597
    Gates Mills, Ohio
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    Jon
    #3 Bullfighter, Aug 28, 2012
    I concur.
     
  4. James_Woods

    James_Woods F1 World Champ

    May 17, 2006
    12,755
    Dallas, Tx.
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    James K. Woods
    #4 James_Woods, Aug 28, 2012
    I think it should be a Federal law that all cars have a tire inflation warning system which beeps the horn when you are putting air in the tires at the point where you have the right amount of pressure.

    This is vital for automotive functional beauty.

    We waste far too much money on those little tire pressure guages, and many of Gen-Y may not even know how to use them.
     
  5. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,597
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #5 Bullfighter, Aug 28, 2012
    I guess I'm biased toward sports cars, so my response is going to be around flow and speed.

    Some things that draw me to a car:

    1. Iconic styling. Do you know what it is without reading the badge? Is it an original or a collection of required styling elements and compromises?

    2. Mechanical purity. I don't want a plastic engine cover or digital controls. A car is a machine, not a computer.

    3. Form following function. The ornamentation doesn't compromise the purposeful shape of the car. E.g., the Merc 540K has ample chrome, but everything on it is functional.

    4. Nice instruments. I don't know that any car has these anymore, but if you've been in a Daytona, or an early E-Type, or a Porsche 550 or 356 you know what I mean. By definition they're always right in front of you

    5. Nice treatment of the wheels. I don't mean nice wheels, per se, but that the designer acknowledged that cars are based (literally) on wheels and used them as part of the composition. I like how di Silva did the Audi A5/S5, and obviously I think Kommenda nailed it with the 356 Speedster. The 246/308/328 lines hug their wheels nicely. The 360/F430 and recent BMW 3 series never worked for me -- wheels looked like afterthoughts with acres of sheet metal above them.

    6. Beautiful seats. The thin, sculpted Daytona seats (246 and Daytona) are among my favorites. Also any Porsche racing seat from the '50s. Nothing craps up an otherwise nice car more than old man seats.
     
  6. dbw

    dbw Formula Junior

    Apr 3, 2005
    897
    palo alto ca
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    dave
    #6 dbw, Aug 28, 2012
    ...most anything zagato would put a body on in the 60's.....
     

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