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The fins styling went way overboard near the end of the era. Went way past the Gaudi level! Just wish they could combine today's tech, safety, quality, & comfort with 50s and earlier style. Imagine a 56 Chevy with a moder Camaro engine/transmission, modern wrap around bucket seats in the front, retro looking modern stereo, hidden modern speakers front and rear, 4 wheel disc anti-lock brakes, three point seat belts, four wheel independent suspension, sound proofing materials
Wait a minute... today's comfort?
I find it the opposite. Most modern cars have stiff seats and a too firm ride. And cramped leg room in the front due to the console that usually intrudes on foot space. Nothing comfortable about that!
When I took one of my brothers for a ride in my '66 Plymouth Fury, he found the seat so large and soft, he thought it was custom-made. I told him it is the original seat and back then seats were generally big and plush.
Also, the "trunks" of many modern cars is ridiculous. First, almost all of them have the horrible chopped-off rear end and a mail-slot type opening which is supposed to be the trunk lid. Makes is very hard to put bulky items in which easily fit in my two Cadillacs, my Lincoln and my Plymouth.
I find it the opposite. Most modern cars have stiff seats and a too firm ride. And cramped leg room in the front due to the console that usually intrudes on foot space. Nothing comfortable about that!
When I took one of my brothers for a ride in my '66 Plymouth Fury, he found the seat so large and soft, he thought it was custom-made. I told him it is the original seat and back then seats were generally big and plush.
Also, the "trunks" of many modern cars is ridiculous. First, almost all of them have the horrible chopped-off rear end and a mail-slot type opening which is supposed to be the trunk lid. Makes is very hard to put bulky items in which easily fit in my two Cadillacs, my Lincoln and my Plymouth.
The Mob used to throw bodies in the back of those cars!
415, I didn't buy my cars to race on canyons. As you said, this thread is about styling. But how about a burn-out contest?
Or, let's drive over some rough roads and see which car you feel the bumps less in? Or let's see which car has more chrome and more real metal?
Or, let's see if your car will still be running in 40 years.
They don't want to go there. We gave a them a taste and a virtual reality tour. Of course they would believe us. Suppose we said modern thin high strength steel is very hard to weld on. The use of fastners and adhesives in modern day prove that point. Suppose we spoke of lead filled body lines that never wear out, crack or fall out like plastic filler does now. How about a hood or truck that someone could sit on and not have it cave in and flex because it's heavy gauge steel. Solid and ridgid suspensions that rival modern pick up trucks in durability and wear. That pot hole that just broke the hell out of your CV joints and unibody didn't even phase that old car. You'd blow a tire more than likely instead. I've also seen people speak of not wanting to get into anything too serious on modern cars. Most vintage cars, the engine and tranny can be pulled in under 2 hours. I've set a record with a buddy and did it in 1 1/2 hours before helping him. I could keep flapping my gums, however, all the vintage guys know what I'm saying already.
It all depends. Though some remember the 1960s cars fondly, few remember there were plenty of snooze fest styling cars during that period. Generally I find the cars of the 50s and older to be better styled because at the time they were styled by artist, not wind tunnels and government safety regulations. Personally, I believe around the mid to late 1970s was a serious decline in car styling. The 80s brought about the worst of some cars because the focus was on lower vehicle weight and increased MPG. Sure, sports cars of that era looked good (depending on your preference), but sports cars almost always look good. I don't think today's cars "look" (exterior styling) better than years past. Their build quality, handling, acceleration, safety, and comfort are a huge leap from the cars of the past. But they're hampered in styling by those government regulations and quest for MPG. Ever notice that today's cars have a flatter nose? That's to protect pedestrians in low speed hits. Cars like the sharp nosed Camaro and Firebird of the late 1990s can't be built today because of those regulations.
What are you guys talking about? Cars today are better looking, safer for the driver, more comfortabe with inventions like dual zone climate control, faster and handle better. Sentiments aside automobile techmology went forward quite a bit in the last 50 years. It's like comparing a 1950 race car to Formula 1 bolid
Unless you are some old geezer used to his 1968 Mustangs you have to agree with that.
Last edited by noworneveragain; 09-16-2012 at 02:19 AM..
Are today's cars better- or worse-looking than the ones of decades past? Discuss
There have always been good-looking and not so good-looking vehicles in every era. But currently, in order to achieve better mpg, most cars have a similar aerodynamic shape and as a result lose their distinctiveness. It just seems to me that most current cars are pretty bland, styling-wise.
But in terms of safety, comfort, and efficiency, they've never been better.
What are you guys talking about? Cars today are better looking, safer for the driver, more comfortabe with inventions like dual zone climate control, faster and handle better. Sentiments aside automobile techmology went forward quite a bit in the last 50 years. It's like comparing a 1950 race car to Formula 1 bolid Unless you are some old geezer used to his 1968 Mustangs you have to agree with that.
No, not at all. Some "old geezer" drove his 1968 Mustang Fastback GT harder and faster than most "mall crawlers" ever will in their entire life. He/THEY also jumped them and went airborne.....like FOR REAL.
The muscle cars from the late 60's to mid 70's were awesome looking, after that they went down hill. Today's cars while safer and now as drool worthy as back then.
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Are today's cars better- or worse-looking than the ones of decades past? Discuss
