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Old vs new American car design

What American car design do you like better?

  • New

    Votes: 12 40.0%
  • Old

    Votes: 18 60.0%
  • I'm not sure

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    30
That first one is of course a 1967. How did your '66 look like that?

Lol. Good catch. I googled "Arcadian Blue 1966 Mustang" on 3" iPod screen. I saw that picture as the best color example on a thumbnail and linked it to the post. Full disclosure, I did that with all the car pictures in the post, just searched model, year and color then posted the one that looked best.

I didn't notice the scoops and grille until I actually saw the picture on my PC and it was too late to edit. Grats for being the first to catch it though.
 
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Are you serious with this?

Yes

Car and Driver took a bunch of car to Virgina International Raceway, the Mustang Gt 2011 beat the Nissan 370Z and quite a few other cars (Camaro SS) around the track by a few seconds. It also cost 3-5 grand less new then a comparably equiped 370Z
 
In the vette, yes they could have done far better then they have. It is a poor interior in a car with one of the worlds best engines, and great sports cars

Per interiors - absolutely, today's classy cars have crap interiors. I've test driven so many supposedly decent ones for my husband this summer - they're ALL boxy and smothered in plastic and nylon. But they don't seem to *cost* less because of this *shrug* - they'll tack on a few thousand to have a GPS system and a sunroof . . . with the same **** interior surround.

Take, for example, the VW GTI - my husband really wants one of these to drive to work in place of his Nissan - but it FEELS like the Nissan when you sit in it - like a Nissan with a juiced up contorl panel . . . woooopie, not worth our 30K there at ALL.

The GTO - when new - cost $30K and it has full leather and plushness and is finely sculpted on the inside - nothing boxy about the interior. *shrug* They just couldn't make something nice happen at all these days.
 
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Would yo prefer the design of an old American 50-60's car or the contemporary American car?
Let me underline, this thread is about design, not efficiency and safety.
Please share your thoughts. :usflag2:


IMO, all cars are now "world cars"....No more American car....this was inevitable.
But, I think that there is much to like about the oldies....a nostalgia" thing.
And, as Bob Dylan was prone to say and "sing" - "The times, they are a-changing".
 
Yes

Car and Driver took a bunch of car to Virgina International Raceway, the Mustang Gt 2011 beat the Nissan 370Z and quite a few other cars (Camaro SS) around the track by a few seconds. It also cost 3-5 grand less new then a comparably equiped 370Z

The Mustang is the vehicle to own if a man does all his driving on a race track.
I'd drive/buy the vehicle that does best in the real world...5 O'clock traffic, the gas pumps, the repairs and service, the first 100 feet from the driveway in a blizzard....the pot-holes....the rainstorm....
 
Oh but she evolved in just two short years...

0901phr_21_z+third_annual_photo_contest_hot_rods+1965_ford_falcon.jpg
Compare the Falcons styling to any Euro or Japanese vehicle of the same era.
IMO, its damned good !
Maybe even "golden age" level.
 
The Mustang is the vehicle to own if a man does all his driving on a race track.
I'd drive/buy the vehicle that does best in the real world...5 O'clock traffic, the gas pumps, the repairs and service, the first 100 feet from the driveway in a blizzard....the pot-holes....the rainstorm....

I bet you have sex with the lights off, socks on and in the missionary position too.
 
YOu could have put the MUstang in the place of the '64 Flacon, as that is what that '60 Falcon evolved into.

The falcon had radically different lines and a wider wheel base. Similar power plant. The Falcon stayed more 'boxy.' I ownd both the 66 mustang and later the 66 Falcon...loved em both. I would think the closer comparison for the Mustang was the Merc Cougar.

127_0212_09z+1969_Mercury_Cougar_XR7+Driver_Side_View.jpg
 
No sense of style and boring. Like being in a WWII fighter cockpit, lol.

Did you just say that an AC Cobra, even a replica like that one, is boring and has no sense of style? I'm afraid we can't be friends... Even though the car has already been posted twice in this thread, I'm going to do it again.

1965_factory_five_cobra_re-creation_roadster_m.jpg


One of the greatest pieces of automotive architecture ever, in my opinion. Style doesn't even begin to describe it, and there is nothing boring about putting your right foot to the floorboards. :mrgreen:
 
actually, you asked about "style"
since we are discussing looks only, i'm in for a '63 split window vette
just don't make me drive it at speed other than in a straight line
and please do not require me to stop quickly
and can you source the leaded fuel required to keep the cylinder walls sufficiently hard

my 2002tii, after driving American made barges, convinced me that domestic cars were built for people who didn't know any better
Sad, but true, but, why is this ?
I think my last "barge" was a '66 Pontiac Temptation station wagon with a huge rompin' stompin' V8....
 
I like muted style, so many are "over the top" that they are garish. Style should not be cluttered with gadgets and gizmos, especially non-functional gizmos.
Of the older cars I liked, most were soon modified and changed to the point that there seemed to be little connection to the original design.
And I can forget all about style as long as the car handles well. A tight, firm suspension is the most important thing....
What were we talking about again?;)
 
Did you just say that an AC Cobra, even a replica like that one, is boring and has no sense of style? I'm afraid we can't be friends... Even though the car has already been posted twice in this thread, I'm going to do it again.

1965_factory_five_cobra_re-creation_roadster_m.jpg


One of the greatest pieces of automotive architecture ever, in my opinion. Style doesn't even begin to describe it, and there is nothing boring about putting your right foot to the floorboards. :mrgreen:

IMPOSSIBLE to post those photos too many times
like having too much sex or money
 
IMPOSSIBLE to post those photos too many times
like having too much sex or money
I see you are speaking from experience....using the OR instead of AND. If you have too much sex, it is unlikely you will still have too much money for very long.
There is a car ad/joke? going around on line showing 2 pics, a sexy car, and a sexy girl, and the caption is something like "Which do you think will give you the most fun at the least expense?
 
Who voted for new cars?

Show of hands?

With style alone as the guide, how can anyone say a new car, any of them, are better?

The '50's and '60's cars were designed by teams for a certain purpose. New cars can't hold a candle, but we won't have to worry about new cars being classics, they fall apart too easily.


I have a 2000 Durango with very few miles on it but for the life of me I can't stop all the plastic parts from breaking on the interior making it look worse than all my '60's and '70's cars put together.
took a while to find it mason; thought you might appreciate the design aspect:
dodgetrucksemblem.jpg
 
Did you just say that an AC Cobra, even a replica like that one, is boring and has no sense of style? I'm afraid we can't be friends... Even though the car has already been posted twice in this thread, I'm going to do it again.

1965_factory_five_cobra_re-creation_roadster_m.jpg


One of the greatest pieces of automotive architecture ever, in my opinion. Style doesn't even begin to describe it, and there is nothing boring about putting your right foot to the floorboards. :mrgreen:

I was talking about the interior you mook, lol. The Shelby Cobra with the 427 is one of my favorites of all time. I was talking about the interior on that kit car.
 
I was talking about the interior you mook, lol. The Shelby Cobra with the 427 is one of my favorites of all time. I was talking about the interior on that kit car.

That interior was not that far off from the original. :2razz: Guage placement was just a little off.

era327interior.jpg


Personally, I love it. That interior is complete! Who needs a stereo? You shouldn't be able to hear music over the sound of your sidepipes anyway. Who needs climate control? You've got all the wind in your face you need. Who needs a cup holder? You'll need both hands on that wheel at all times! Comfort is secondary to feeling the rumble of that motor under your butt and smelling the fuel burning when you open it up.

That is something that no modern car will ever be able to capture correctly, imo.
 
You'll need both hands on that wheel at all times! Comfort is secondary to feeling the rumble of that motor under your butt and smelling the fuel burning when you open it up.

In this case, I'd rather have the White Zombie. :)
I don't like loud cars and convertabes anyway. But that's just me. ;)
 
That interior was not that far off from the original. :2razz: Guage placement was just a little off.

era327interior.jpg


Personally, I love it. That interior is complete! Who needs a stereo? You shouldn't be able to hear music over the sound of your sidepipes anyway. Who needs climate control? You've got all the wind in your face you need. Who needs a cup holder? You'll need both hands on that wheel at all times! Comfort is secondary to feeling the rumble of that motor under your butt and smelling the fuel burning when you open it up.

That is something that no modern car will ever be able to capture correctly, imo.

Again too me it has no sense of style and is not much more than functional. I like some style from an interior, the Shelby just does not have it. I do however love the body style, and being a rag top man, love it just the same.

PS got to have a stereo! Mine has the shaker 500 and I love it!
 
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Would yo prefer the design of an old American 50-60's car or the contemporary American car?
Let me underline, this thread is about design, not efficiency and safety.
Please share your thoughts. :usflag2:



There are certainly few classic designs since the era of the wedge (aerodynamics). It's why companies are reaching back to retro-artful designs, and it's not just American companies; Fiat and VW have done it with great success. Alfa Romeo would be wise to do it too with a couple of their designs... the GTV and Sud.

.
 
That interior was not that far off from the original. :2razz: Guage placement was just a little off.

era327interior.jpg


Personally, I love it. That interior is complete! Who needs a stereo? You shouldn't be able to hear music over the sound of your sidepipes anyway. Who needs climate control? You've got all the wind in your face you need. Who needs a cup holder? You'll need both hands on that wheel at all times! Comfort is secondary to feeling the rumble of that motor under your butt and smelling the fuel burning when you open it up.

That is something that no modern car will ever be able to capture correctly, imo.

I gave our kids, and 2 of their friends, a ride to school one morning in a Mopar car with a V8 and a Carter Thermoquad carburetor. That carb has small primaries and huge (trash can lid) secondaries. When you get on it a little, and the secondaries open up, you can hear a roar from the air entering the air cleaner and carb. One of the neighbor kids asked about the noise, thinking there was something wrong with the car.:shock:
 
I gave our kids, and 2 of their friends, a ride to school one morning in a Mopar car with a V8 and a Carter Thermoquad carburetor. That carb has small primaries and huge (trash can lid) secondaries. When you get on it a little, and the secondaries open up, you can hear a roar from the air entering the air cleaner and carb. One of the neighbor kids asked about the noise, thinking there was something wrong with the car.:shock:

Yep...I ran a 454 with an aluminum head, racing cams and quad carbs in a dual rear wheel pick up. Pretty awesome when you can break tractionat 75 on the highway when you lay into the pedal. Then again...NOT awesome when you can watch the gas gauge go down almost as fast as the speedometer goes up! (thank goodness for twin fuel tanks!).
 
I wanted to mention that I love the 90's American smooth and round style.

grand-cherokee-oldnew.jpg


I find it much better than the new flat, boxy, toy vehicles of the 21 century.

2008_jeep_grand_cherokee_srt8-pic-30845.jpeg


:cool:
 
My 4 favorites. I don't think Copos came convertible (wish), I'll take the vet either way.


Had a 69 Camaro (ex-6banger) with a 400sb 4bolt, th350 and posi (red with sidepipes, the pipes were a pain with unibody) in highschool. Had an 85 Mustang GT black convertible with all the options in the army. Not sure which I liked best.
 

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Would yo prefer the design of an old American 50-60's car or the contemporary American car?
Let me underline, this thread is about design, not efficiency and safety.
Please share your thoughts. :usflag2:

For practical everyday cars, the best were made in the mid to late 1970's.

They got excellent fuel economy and were built to last. Many could ram a solid object, like a tree or wall at 5 mph and suffer NO damage. Today's cars will crush like a paper cup.

They were also a lot simpler and easier and cheaper to repair and maintain. Today's cars have too much crap on them, like air bags, electric locks, computers that die on the middle of the highway, etc; much of it is imposed by government.
 
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