PDA

View Full Version : What was the peak for US car design?



Stephen Cherry
12-02-2013, 8:27 PM
I'm not talking about the practical aspects of the cars, because now is better than ever. I am thinking about the esthetic of the design, and the ability of the design to convey emotion.

1969 or 1970? Camaro and Mustang were at their peak. Chevelle. Corvette. TRANS AM (1970, this car is in capitol letters). Charger, cuda, chalenger. GTO (again in caps).

Proof of the pudding? Look at the current mustang, camaro, challenger.

Any other "Golden Times"?

Frederick Skelly
12-02-2013, 9:10 PM
I agree with you Stephen. Those are great designs. Heres a few more design "eras" to consider.

Various companies did some pretty classy work in the 20s and 30s - Duesenberg, LaSalle, Packard, etc.

To an admittedly lesser extent, GM under Harley Earl did some nice work during the 50s - 1953 Corvette, 55 - 57 Chevy's, 59 Cadillac come to mind.

Fred

Rod Sheridan
12-02-2013, 9:22 PM
1970, those era cars generated lots of emotion, piece of garbage comes to mind (That's my polite non emotional description of those cars)................Rod

David Weaver
12-02-2013, 10:14 PM
Late 20s to early 40s. not necessarily for mechanical design, but for the style. Then again late 40s to 1960.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXzepgUoXhA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itQLkpIrEjo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kkJ4W5mGSU

Auburn, Cord, Hudson, Duesenberg, Cadillac...

Frederick Skelly
12-02-2013, 10:17 PM
Ahhh, how did I forget the Auburn and Cord?

David Weaver
12-02-2013, 10:53 PM
I don't know, but I didn't read your post until after I wrote mine. I have to admit that you have good taste in design!!

Stephen Cherry
12-02-2013, 11:45 PM
1970, those era cars generated lots of emotion, piece of garbage comes to mind (That's my polite non emotional description of those cars)................Rod

Can't you feel it, even a little?

http://media.caranddriver.com/images/media/429317/parnelli-jonesrsquos-1970-ford-mustang-boss-302-trans-am-race-car-photo-429321-s-1280x782.jpg

Greg R Bradley
12-03-2013, 11:28 AM
Even someone like me that prefers European cars can appreciate a Boss 302 Trans Am race car from around 1970. The #15 Parnelli Jones and #16 George Follmer cars were prime examples of what the Americans could do when they combined American and European ideas. The original Boss 302 colors look a lot better with the color toned down in that faded picture above.

As far as the peak of American car style, it was 1920-WWII, which is why the very few Classics that were built after WWII are mostly continuations of 1930s designs. Its pretty easy to see why my 1941 Cadillac 60 Special Series 1 is a Classic as is the very similar 42-47 Series 2. These were prime examples of Bill Mitchell's work while working under Harley Earle mentioned by Frederick Skelly above.

Mac McQuinn
12-03-2013, 11:51 AM
While every era has it's cream, 1929-1939 would be my pick. I think a specific era may be more alluring to people who grew up or started driving during that period although in a pure sense of art, I'll stick with my pick.

Mac

Rick Potter
12-03-2013, 12:19 PM
While each era had it's esthetic winners, when it comes to actual design of cars looks, I would submit that the '50's were probably the where they peaked, stylistically speaking.

In the 30's most of the real classics had custom bodies by coachbuilders. Most production American cars were using 'European influence' and styling departments were just getting started at the major companies. In the early forties the cars were pretty much carryovers till the 1942 models, when production was stopped for the war. Afterwards the 40's mostly continued with pre-war designs.

The reason I chose the 50's is that during that time the Europeans copied our designs. The French Simca looked like a Ford, the German Opel looked like a 55 Buick, the British Vauxhall like a generic GM and was sold at Pontiac dealers, the British Metropolitan was a baby Nash, and let's not forget the Russian (Zil?) that looked like a 55 Packard for years. There are others, but I submit that when the world copied our designs, that was when we peaked esthetically.

Rick Potter

Rich Riddle
12-03-2013, 2:00 PM
It happened in 1896.

http://www.hfmgv.org/exhibits/showroom/1896/quad.html

Malcolm Schweizer
12-03-2013, 2:15 PM
Without a doubt, it peaked in the 1950's- more specifically 1957. I give you the 1957 Chevy (last of the trifecta of awesomeness that was 55, 56, and 57), the 57 TBird (also last of its kind), the 57 Cadillac (although '59 was the better year for Caddies), and the 57 Corvette fuelie. Oh yes, and the '57 Fairlane. I could go on. 57 was the best year overall.

Stew Hagerty
12-03-2013, 2:33 PM
I would say pretty much anything pre-1975. After that they started going down hill. By the 80's all of the cars looked the same. Although they are finally starting to get better again.

Here I am circa 1984 with my little brother up against my '68 Z28. I worked on that rev crazy 302 engine until I had it balanced & blueprinted to near perfection. That car was fast & loud! Cool!!!

276246

Curt Fuller
12-03-2013, 8:56 PM
I would say pretty much anything pre-1975. After that they started going down hill.

I would agree with that. When gasoline prices started affecting the design of cars, they lost their pizaaaz, they lost their horsepower, and they just became transportation.

Jim Matthews
12-03-2013, 9:04 PM
1953-1954 Studebaker, particularly the Starliner.

Reliable, safe, good looking and performed well.
85hp from an cast iron Inline 6.

Ed Aumiller
12-03-2013, 10:25 PM
Depending on your age...

For me, the late 50's
For my wife the late 60's
For my kids the late 70's
for my Grandkids the early 90's

Shawn Pixley
12-03-2013, 11:30 PM
Studebaker Avanti!

Mike Hollingsworth
12-04-2013, 10:35 AM
1931,1932
276277Bugatti
276278Lincoln
276279Packard
276281Duesenberg
and my favorite all time:
http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Lincoln/32-Lincoln-KB_Dietrich_Cpe-DV-09_MBC_01.jpg

Jim Koepke
12-04-2013, 3:33 PM
How about a nice old Dodge found stashed away in an old barn?

http://www.californiaclassix.com/archive/40_Barn-Dodge_c154x.html

I always liked my mom's '39 Packard.

jtk

Jim Becker
12-08-2013, 3:00 PM
There are certainly many eras of outstanding automotive design. Honestly, we're in another one right now, but just don't know it yet. There's some really good work going on in the industry that combines style, engineering, new materials and new methods to product more power economically. Don't underestimate the automotive world!

John Fabre
12-08-2013, 3:51 PM
I'm not talking about the practical aspects of the cars, because now is better than ever. I am thinking about the esthetic of the design, and the ability of the design to convey emotion.

1969 or 1970? Camaro and Mustang were at their peak. Chevelle. Corvette. TRANS AM (1970, this car is in capitol letters). Charger, cuda, chalenger. GTO (again in caps).

Proof of the pudding? Look at the current mustang, camaro, challenger.

Any other "Golden Times"?Between 1968 to 1970.

Ole Anderson
12-09-2013, 11:01 AM
The cars keep betting better and better in both style, quality and functionality. I don't see a peak. Personally I like something very new or something from the time period before I was born. I don't get excited about the cars that seem so popular in the Woodward Dream cruise, those from the 60's and 70's. Unless it is a 1962 Falcon, white with a red bucket seat interior like I learned to drive on (my mom's car, never had a car of my own until I got married).

Rod Sheridan
12-09-2013, 12:38 PM
Great photo, really nice car......................Rod.

Gordon Eyre
12-09-2013, 12:54 PM
Loved my 55 Chevy Nomad but to really get me salivating it took a trip to the UK and this beautiful Austin Healey.

276669

Frank Trinkle
12-09-2013, 1:16 PM
I miss my ultimate muscle car. 1970 Dodge Challenger. 440 six-pac with a 3/4 cam and Hurst transmission. I had it when I was a PFC in the Army. at 90MPH in third gear, it would skip sideways shifting into 4th with the accelerator floored!

At 57 today, I'd probably just scare the crap out of myself with that car....but it was a great car when I was young...and stupid!;)

Bill Cunningham
12-10-2013, 11:25 PM
Ahhh my fav was my 58 Buick Century (50 years ago) weighed over 4000 lbs, and covered with chrome. Mine was metallic Green

276819

Steve Rozmiarek
12-10-2013, 11:47 PM
Some cool cars you guys posted. Had a my first car was a 70 Chevelle, 350 auto car. By the time I had to sell it to support a new family, it was a hot 454 and a four speed. What a fun car, would love to have it back, but it would be a silly use of money for me. At this point in my life, I personally think my 2500HD GMC Sierra is pretty darn good. Its the Allison trans and Duramax diesel combo. You can hit the 96 mph rev limiter when passing a slower car, easily, and it can effortlessly pull 30,000 pounds on the big gooseneck trailer. I even like the looks!

Ok, that was an attempt convince myself I don't need another Chevelle...

Paul McGaha
12-11-2013, 4:27 AM
My tastes would be the muscle cars of around 1970. A lot of them. The Fords, GM's and Dodge's.

I bought one of the new Chargers when they came back out in 2006. It's not a classic Charger but it's been a pleasure to own it.

PHM

Frederick Skelly
12-11-2013, 6:48 AM
Hey Steve - a truck like yours is PERFECT for hauling a race car! Get another Chevelle, buy a trailer and take the family drag racing! Itll be a great way to spend time together!

Just tryin to help you man! ; )
Fred

John Coloccia
12-11-2013, 8:21 AM
Without a doubt in my mind, 1950s. In fact, I think the 1950s were golden years for industrial design in general. If we had kept up, and kept experimenting and innovating, the US could really have been a force to reckon with amongst designers worldwide. I don't think we've ever fully recovered from the dark times of the 60s. It completely sucked the whimsy right out of our culture.

Steve Rozmiarek
12-11-2013, 9:40 AM
Hey Steve - a truck like yours is PERFECT for hauling a race car! Get another Chevelle, buy a trailer and take the family drag racing! Itll be a great way to spend time together!

Just tryin to help you man! ; )
Fred

LOL, thanks Fred, I really need the help... ;)

Drag racing with the old Chevelle was a blast though. My wife LOVED it.... hmmmmm....

Garth Sheane
12-11-2013, 3:04 PM
Interesting thread. I think the vote is age related. My personal favorites were in the 50s. Every year the manufacturers came out with a new design. Bill Cunningham and I are almost agreed on our all time favorite. Bill said a 58 Buick and mine would be a 58 Oldsmobile or 2 door hardtop ... white on white. Mmm-mm-mm.

Speaking of hardtops, why don't they make a comeback? I've heard that it is a safety issue, but how would they be less safe than a convertible? Anybody know?

Stephen Cherry
12-11-2013, 3:46 PM
Interesting thread. I think the vote is age related. My personal favorites were in the 50s. Every year the manufacturers came out with a new design. Bill Cunningham and I are almost agreed on our all time favorite. Bill said a 58 Buick and mine would be a 58 Oldsmobile or 2 door hardtop ... white on white. Mmm-mm-mm.

Speaking of hardtops, why don't they make a comeback? I've heard that it is a safety issue, but how would they be less safe than a convertible? Anybody know?


I'm sticking with 1969-1970, partly because there were a lot of nice cars that were actually acsessable to a lot of people, BUT I do like this one also. I thing that it must have been designed by some alien life form:


http://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=40907&stc=1&d=1285720467

Bill Cunningham
12-11-2013, 7:55 PM
Interesting thread. I think the vote is age related. My personal favorites were in the 50s. Every year the manufacturers came out with a new design. Bill Cunningham and I are almost agreed on our all time favorite. Bill said a 58 Buick and mine would be a 58 Oldsmobile or 2 door hardtop ... white on white. Mmm-mm-mm.

Speaking of hardtops, why don't they make a comeback? I've heard that it is a safety issue, but how would they be less safe than a convertible? Anybody know?

Ahh but my 'first' car was embarrassing.. a (well) used 57 Renault Dauphine.. Someone painted it with a crinkle white paint. It looked like ice! It would get 75miles to the quart of oil and almost had brakes..



http://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=MAVeuFx-hKO3YM&tbnid=rv-toASRCJEOXM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommons.wikimedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFi le%3ARenault_Dauphine_DE-89-92_pic3.JPG&ei=qgepUtKlHoSWrgHB6IGIBw&bvm=bv.57799294,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNH3HE048nUXmv_GpMu4B-GzWlUULg&ust=1386895407481433