Car design evolves alongside the technology that’s under the metal. Each era of car design can usually be defined by a type of style. The cars of today are often angry blobs while trucks, crossovers, and SUVs have lots of sharp edges, bulging bodywork, and hoods taller than the Sears Tower. As styling evolves, many cues get lost along the way. What styling cues would you love to see make a comeback?
If you haven’t noticed, I’m a huge fan of past car design. Sure, all of my cars are modern rides, but I drool over what used to be. I love classic British motorcycle design and I live for the aircraft carrier deck-length metal and the sharp fins of the 1950s. I adore how the country was so obsessed with the jet age that cars got afterburner-style taillights and the model names made references to rockets, jets, and space.
I mean, just take a look at what a modern Chevrolet Impala looks like:
And what you used to be able to get:
You know what? I’ll take that cute dress, too. It’s amazing how far some nameplates have come from their origins. It’s also really neat how the modern car tries to nod to the past, just look at the beltline in the rear there. But, I bet they could have gone a step further; add a bit of space.
The 1950s traits of huge fins, dazzling lights, miles of chrome, and bold colors capture every bit of my heart. Some of this stuff, like massive fins, might not work well in the modern day. But I’d love to see that space-age enthusiasm again. Give us cars that look like they were formed at Mach 1 and with lights that look ready to blast you off into space. Oh, and please give us bold colors without ripping us off for them!
Another era I love is the 1930s and early 1940s, when automakers experimented with streamlining and touches we would call Art Deco today.
Cars looked like teardrops flowing through the wind and they were adorned with elaborate, but classy brightwork. Automakers even put in a huge effort in the cab with relatively intricate door panels and dashboards that were as functional as they were beautiful.
I have no idea how any of this stuff could be implemented in the modern day. I suppose the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a good example of a modern streamliner. I’d love to see Art Deco with a modern twist.
How about you? What’s a design era or some styling cues that you’d love to see on a modern car?
(Topshot: GM)
I know it will never happen for safety reasons, but I wish we could have narrow pillars again. It’s really something to be able to see out of the sides and back of your car.
Also, I have a soft spot for two-tone paint.
I know it will never happen for safety reasons, but I wish we could have narrow pillars again. It’s really something to be able to see out of the sides and back of your car.
Also, I have a soft spot for two-tone paint.
I liked the convertibles with the cover over the back seats, like the 60-62 Thunderbirds had…
I liked the convertibles with the cover over the back seats, like the 60-62 Thunderbirds had…
Actual, functional aerodynamics e.g. rear wheel skirtsSidewallSliding doorsMore “scrappy, happy” styling, less angry faceColorsVisibility all around
I’m curious what you mean by this.. I’m under the impression that aerodynamics are as engineered and influential now as they ever have been. Low drag aero for fuel economy – especially EVs, and really impressive active/passive performance aero on halo sports cars.
I’m not the resident armchair expert on aerodynamics – that would be Toecutter. However I’m under the impression drag isn’t as low as it can be or has been:
Making a car with a very good drag coefficient is actually rather easy. The 1939 Schlörwagen hit a Cd of 0.186, better than anything on the road today! However, just like anything in engineering, you’ve got to make compromises. Sure, there’s got to be a few fights with other departments (like the greedy rust loving cooling engineers wanting all the flow to keep the engine cool), but the constraints also come from the aerodynamics of the car itself. See, another aspect of vehicle aerodynamics is lift/downforce, which matters for planes and cars alike. But that’s a story for another time!
https://www.theautopian.com/im-a-french-aerospace-engineer-and-im-going-to-teach-you-about-car-aerodynamics-drag-coefficients/
(The good news here is the greedy rust loving cooling engineers won’t need nearly as much flow to keep the motor cool in an EV. Even a REX should be happy with less flow)
And it matters (same rules apply to kWh as gallons)
Less frontal area would help a lot too. SUVs and trucks may be practical but they are not great on aero.
Max Schenkel, technical fellow of aerodynamics for General Motors, told Edmunds that a change in the drag coefficient of just 0.01 changes the combined fuel economy of a vehicle by 0.1 mpg. If you drive 150,000 miles with a vehicle, that one-tenth of a mile per gallon adds up quickly. At $3 per gallon and 30 mpg, you could save up to $1,000 driving that 150,000 miles.
https://www.thompsonsales.com/how-do-vehicle-aerodynamics-change-gas-mileage/
Some yes, however trucks and SUVs tend to be pretty lousy on aero and that’s what people in ‘Murica buy the most.
My point is I’d like to see more REALLY slippery, hopefully pedestrian friendly cars on the road than enormous, angry faced bruised ego compensators.
Actual, functional aerodynamics e.g. rear wheel skirtsSidewallSliding doorsMore “scrappy, happy” styling, less angry faceColorsVisibility all around
I’m curious what you mean by this.. I’m under the impression that aerodynamics are as engineered and influential now as they ever have been. Low drag aero for fuel economy – especially EVs, and really impressive active/passive performance aero on halo sports cars.
I’m not the resident armchair expert on aerodynamics – that would be Toecutter. However I’m under the impression drag isn’t as low as it can be or has been:
Making a car with a very good drag coefficient is actually rather easy. The 1939 Schlörwagen hit a Cd of 0.186, better than anything on the road today! However, just like anything in engineering, you’ve got to make compromises. Sure, there’s got to be a few fights with other departments (like the greedy rust loving cooling engineers wanting all the flow to keep the engine cool), but the constraints also come from the aerodynamics of the car itself. See, another aspect of vehicle aerodynamics is lift/downforce, which matters for planes and cars alike. But that’s a story for another time!
https://www.theautopian.com/im-a-french-aerospace-engineer-and-im-going-to-teach-you-about-car-aerodynamics-drag-coefficients/
(The good news here is the greedy rust loving cooling engineers won’t need nearly as much flow to keep the motor cool in an EV. Even a REX should be happy with less flow)
And it matters (same rules apply to kWh as gallons)
Less frontal area would help a lot too. SUVs and trucks may be practical but they are not great on aero.
Max Schenkel, technical fellow of aerodynamics for General Motors, told Edmunds that a change in the drag coefficient of just 0.01 changes the combined fuel economy of a vehicle by 0.1 mpg. If you drive 150,000 miles with a vehicle, that one-tenth of a mile per gallon adds up quickly. At $3 per gallon and 30 mpg, you could save up to $1,000 driving that 150,000 miles.
https://www.thompsonsales.com/how-do-vehicle-aerodynamics-change-gas-mileage/
Some yes, however trucks and SUVs tend to be pretty lousy on aero and that’s what people in ‘Murica buy the most.
My point is I’d like to see more REALLY slippery, hopefully pedestrian friendly cars on the road than enormous, angry faced bruised ego compensators.
The wedge. (think Lotus Esprit) And pop-up headlights. Because wedge.
The wedge. (think Lotus Esprit) And pop-up headlights. Because wedge.
Wild sticker packages. The 70’s “Tape specials” with great graphics. or the 80’s Hi-Tech graphics that said things like “TWIN CAM” along the entire bottom of the doors. Big bold stripes down the side of a pickup truck.
We are starting to see these show up a little bit… but we need more of them!
Yes yes yes! Graphics packages are awesome and probably very cheap to implement.
Wild sticker packages. The 70’s “Tape specials” with great graphics. or the 80’s Hi-Tech graphics that said things like “TWIN CAM” along the entire bottom of the doors. Big bold stripes down the side of a pickup truck.
We are starting to see these show up a little bit… but we need more of them!
Small wheels. Huge wheels don’t just feel awful, they look bad too. They’re crass and make otherwise attractive cars look overcooked. As Vee-Dub once said, “it’s time to un-pimp ze Auto!”.
Also, interesting cloth interiors. A torch carried today by just the seat inserts in the Golf GTI and special-order 911 GT3’s, we once had exciting patterns from the headliner to the floormats in everything in between as well. Nobody can convince me that a single-tone, single-texture black interior makes the GR86 a better car.
Small wheels. Huge wheels don’t just feel awful, they look bad too. They’re crass and make otherwise attractive cars look overcooked. As Vee-Dub once said, “it’s time to un-pimp ze Auto!”.
Also, interesting cloth interiors. A torch carried today by just the seat inserts in the Golf GTI and special-order 911 GT3’s, we once had exciting patterns from the headliner to the floormats in everything in between as well. Nobody can convince me that a single-tone, single-texture black interior makes the GR86 a better car.
White steering wheels! I only have them in three of my six cars.
White steering wheels! I only have them in three of my six cars.
I miss those European headlamps that have glass lens with optical diffuser flutes and pattern along with the reflectors and such.
I miss those European headlamps that have glass lens with optical diffuser flutes and pattern along with the reflectors and such.
Restraint. Just bring back restraint.
Restraint. Just bring back restraint.
Late/last model SAAB 900 2-door hatchback. Coupe, wagon & pickup all in one.
Late/last model SAAB 900 2-door hatchback. Coupe, wagon & pickup all in one.
Some one probably already mentioned it, and I am not sure if it exactly counts as a styling cue but I would like to see metal bumpers come back. Minor accidents should not cost absurd amounts to repair. Also we should not have to look at or live with Camry dents.
Some one probably already mentioned it, and I am not sure if it exactly counts as a styling cue but I would like to see metal bumpers come back. Minor accidents should not cost absurd amounts to repair. Also we should not have to look at or live with Camry dents.
Elegance. Period.
I’m tired of the angry origami.
Elegance. Period.
I’m tired of the angry origami.
I’ve got a twofer. More two door cars and two tone paint jobs.