Best Automotive Design... [Archive]

Lionheart

11-21-2003, 04:04 AM

Ryan, that was no RIV, it was an Electra if i remember right.
Best Automotve Design----Man, thats a tough one. They're like a woman http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif, I like mine the best, but there ALL worth lookin at.
You could argue this till the end of time and NEVER come up with an answer that the magority would agree on.
Thats what makes the world go round. We all look at things through our own eyeballs, and some of us are CROSSEYED. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Thers a little beauty in all of em. Can i have one of each?

gettingreasy

11-21-2003, 04:46 AM

1. 63-64 Rivi(hey it's a classey car)
2. 59 Elky(my dream car...truck....whatever)
3. 61 bubble top Impala(love that ass)
4. 60 Austin Healey(with a sbc/4 speed)
5. 62 vette(first 327)
6. 63 Ac/Shelby Cobra(narrow fender, and a 260)
7. 67 Gt40
These are all beutiful cars and my goal is to own as many as possible through out my life(so far haven't owned any).
-Jesse

lowsquire

11-21-2003, 04:46 AM

1/1936 Delage D8-60 le mans coupe(only made one...disappeared
in the sixties, my dad is building a replica of it.hence the bias,but it IS an AMAZING design.)
2/Ford GT 40 MK II
3/1964 Maserati 3500 GT
4/Edsel fords 1932 alloy boat tail roadster
5/MY 31 RPU http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Skate Fink

11-21-2003, 05:00 AM

I can't believe I got to add this one....

1953 Studebaker Coupe!!

this is a chopped '55......
http://www.weirdtrip.com/Ruby/stude4.jpg

DrJ

11-21-2003, 05:03 AM

'33 Ford Roadster, with fenders and bumpers!
Type 57 Bugatti Roadster
'38 Ford Standard 2dr sedan
'39 Packard convertible
'40 Buick convertible
'41 Mercury coupe
'49 Oldsmobile Sedanette
'53 Oldsmobile 88 2dr ht
'56 Ford Crown Victoria
MGTF
'57 TR-3
'57 Desoto 2dr ht
'57 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
'59 Chevrolet Impala 2dr ht
'59 or '60 Corvette
'61 Cadillac Coupe Deville
'61 Oldsmobile Starfire
'63 Jaguar XK-E Convertible, Red, Tan interior
'64 TR-4
'67 Corvette 427 coupe
'67 Ford Econoline, short wb, no window cargo van
'67 or '68 Buick Wildcat 2dr ht

guess I got a little carried away.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

scarliner

11-21-2003, 05:11 AM

Very tough subject cause everyone has thier own taste and wont change for anyone else.All I can say is there were and still is some very nice designs by americans,europeans,ect.This is what I call my working mans list of best designs.1.53 Studebaker coupe-this thing was like light years ahead of anyones design at that time and still looks great today.
2.55 Chevrolet, sedan or hardtop-it was and still is the poormans hot rod.A car that has been done by everyone in everyway and has stood the test of time.
3.57 Ford hardtop or 300 series sedan-a lot less trim than a 57 chevy and a very well executed design,a 57 ford tailight,can be reconized at 100 yards,love the small fins.
4.33-34 plymouth or Dodge-looks like its already had a 2" chop.
5.63 Thunderbird-love the car-hate the the roof-looks like they had some extra 59 ford roofs and stuck them on an otherwise perfect design.
6.37 Ford- to be considered such an ugly duckling in the past-you sure see a lot of its styling cues on all kinds of rods.
7.Model T Fords- you say What! Yea its a square box,but what a cool square box-its the car that started it all for HENRY,and what a great basis simple design,its so simple it hurts!
8.57 Buick-she looks fast sittin still,love that rear roof view and the quarters.
9.53 chevy business coupe-this thing with some minor dechroming and lowering becomes instant cool.love that short roof and long trunk.
10.60 Ford starliner-Of course!This baby looks like,someone let the local custom car club design the new fords and BATMAN STOPPED BY TO HELP!

oldandkrusty

11-21-2003, 05:50 AM

OK, this is a very easy one. As I see it any car that I have ever owned certainly fits on this list. For instance, who could argue with putting a '37 Chrysler Airflow up there with the styling beauties of all time? And what about a '48 Anglia, a '67 Chrysler Imperial (a car I should NEVER have sold), a '41 Olds fastback featuring a real styling adventure grille treatment and on and on and... Seriously, I liked them at the time I bought them and still like them now.
Mty list also includes on a more beliveable scale, a
1) 1948 Cadillac, any body style except the holdover limo;
2)1956 Lincoln coupe and convert;
3)1940 Ford, any body style
4)Any Delahaye ever made, they had more style and my drool meter goes completely off the top every time I see one;
5)Any 1930 -1936 Packard;
6)'49-'51 Ford or Merc coupe or convert;
7)Any '32-'39 Ford;
8)1955-1956 Chrysler;
9)1962-1964 Dodge or Plymouth; and
10)1940-1941 Willys.
As others have said, ask me tomorrow and I'm sure my answer will change.

Sailor

11-21-2003, 06:01 AM

I like kustoms, but somehow the best kustomfodder needs to be changed to look their best... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif I dig 53-54 BelAirs, but in stock configuration they are nowhere near my toplist. Ditto on 49 Mercs, 49-52 Chevy Fleetline, 57 Ranchero and the rest of the bunch.

63-65 Riviera on the other hand really needs nothing. Its an extremely wellbalanced design, which unlike most other designs was improved during its lifespan (65s hidden lights).

67-69 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado (the 67 is the nice one, all the changes done to i later cluttered it up and the 69 has lost much of the 67s crispness. Got to add that 67 was a nice year for Cadillacs in general.

66 Olds Toronado. A car that took balls to present to the public and in my opinion its underrated today (like the 67 Eldo).

(Most GM had to ofer in the mid-sixties really. 1964 is a good year.)

Aston Martin DB4 probably the worlds best car when it was new in 58. It could do things no other closed production car could at that time. The design by Touring of Milan is also so clean it doesnt have anything "too much" like most cars in these years (yeah, the 58 Impala may be one of my absolute favorite cars, -but not with the stock stance and chrome...).

Citroen DS / ID. Its a wild and not a very harmonic design, but probably the technically and designwise raddest car compared to its context to ever be presented. When it was new in the mid fiftes it basically made all other sedans OLD, -they were half a meter taller, had thick posts and rode on leafsprings. The DS rode on hydraulics had slim sixtiesstyle posts, an unpainted glassroof (with a dim light coming through) etc. etc. That Citroen managed to massproduce it and sell them to all kinds of buyers all over Europe for 20 years and even win Rallys with it is one of carhistorys great mysterys... Only car that could touch it when it stylewise when it was new, was the Studebaker. Techwise it was way out front.

Auburn and Cord. Anyone who has been close enough to a Cord 812 to touch it knows what Im talking about..

The best sixties italian design was really great. I have mentioned the Aston DB4, but Alfa Romeo Giulia, Giulietta and GTV, Maserati 3500, Ferrrari 250LM and the Chevypowered Iso Rivolta are all personal favorites.

Bentley Continental (the fastback aluminiumbodied one from the early fifties). Nice lines, low stance and speed to back it all up.

Jaguar XJ6, the first sixties one with short wheelbase. A very timeless and wellbalanced design. One of extremely few cars that looks way better as 4door than as 2door hardtops. Jaguar cluttered this one up bigtime over the years. The eighties one with huge bumpers etc. has lost it all. Jaguars 6cyl inliner (used in most Jags over many years) is among the best looking engines in the world, -especially when sitting in one of the racecars like the C-type.

In general the sixties was a good decade for cardesign. Finding good designs in the seventies is hard. Most of the nice then cars were drawn in the late sixties (like the XJ6). The best looking american cars were in my book the boattail Riviera and then maybe the Cadillac Seville (both the standard sedan and the bustleback). Citroen CX and Alfa Romeo Alfetta were also good designs from the era, -but all of them looks best from a distance. Up close all the magic is gone.

The only carmake that produce good designs today is in my opinion Alfa Romeo. The 156 sportwagon is a nice little car. So is its larger sedan-brother.
Buick is the biggest dissapointment. Just think of it. Buick allways had among the best looking cars in the late 30ies, 40ies, 50ies (1957 Special is great), 60ies and early 70ies (boattail). These are very different eras, with very different schools of design, but Buick was allways among the best. Look at them now... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Sailor

11-21-2003, 06:06 AM

I like DrJs list.

Moriarity

11-21-2003, 06:54 AM

Heres mine, not in any particular order
1. 40 ford coupe
2. 49 chev fleetline
3. 55 chev ht
4. 56-62 vette
5. 61 impala ht

Jester

11-21-2003, 06:59 AM

1.1958 chevrolet
2.1958 Cadilac
3.1958 Ford
4.1958 Plymouth Fury
5.1949-51 Mercury

james

11-21-2003, 07:37 AM

all good ones. I know, wrong place, but I always thought the late 50's Karman Ghia was one of the sexiest car designs ever. And no one mentioned the new ferarri enzo?

Petejoe

11-21-2003, 07:55 AM

1. 33-34 Ford coupes
2. 37-38-39 Fords
3. all the early Vetts
4. 65 Gto
5. Early T-Birds
6. 59-60 Impala's
7. Anything with a bed attached to it
8. 56 chevy
9. long legs...beautiful hair, great smile, perky..
opps wrong list.

RocketDaemon

11-21-2003, 07:55 AM

in no particular order and the first i came up with
are tons more but these are a couple of my favorites
so this list sure aint fair i love alot more cars and designs... for example the ghia chryslers from the early and mid fiftes... chrysler 1957, etc, but these are some of my favorites...

* studebaker 1953 coupe both ht and post.
* ford 1933-34 5w coupe
* studebaker 1950-51 starliner
* buick 1939 coupe (i just love em)
* kaiser sungodess
* 1930 buick coupe

hatch

11-21-2003, 07:59 AM

How about the best automotive design that makes for the easiest conversion to a hot rod.....my choice would be a 1939ford deluxe coupe....add a dropped axle, bigger back tires and hit the road.

beatnik

11-21-2003, 08:31 AM

Not necessarily best design, but my fav's.

27 T-Coupe
31 or 32 Ford Roadster (fenderless)
35 Ford Cabriolet
40 Ford Standard Coupe
41 Willys Coupe
60’s Jaguar XKE
50’s Austin Healey
55 Thunderbird
50’s Henry J
54 Chevy
54 Pontiac
57 Olds
59 Impala or El Camino
64 Riviera
71 Roadrunner (my first car and I love that Coke bottle design)

choprods

11-21-2003, 08:48 AM

any car I dont like,already and a new skilsaw with some spare blades.......Oh and I need a roll of mig wire!

Fat Hack

11-21-2003, 08:57 AM

How many choices do we get?? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

My Top Ten:

1932 Ford 3-window coupe
1933-34 Ford 3-window coupe
1935 Ford 3-window coupe
1928 Model A roadster
1940 Ford pickup
1933 Willys
1949-51 Chevy 2 door
1932 Ford Vicky
1962 'bubbletop' Chevy Bel-Air/Impala
1956 Olds 2 door

The above cars are ones that I think are styled "just about right" as they rolled off of the assembly line. No major customizing need be done to make any of them look killer.

Would LOVE to build any one or all of 'em someday!

286merc

11-21-2003, 08:58 AM

And everyone has forgotten the 49 Hudson which was the first step down body which set the stage for everything that followed.

Others Ive admired for body design and not necessarily what was under the hood:

Jag XK120
Jensen Interceptor
40 Cad 60S
38 Cad V16 (art deco)
39 Merc convert sedan
40 Ford coupe and pickup
51 Ford Victoria
53-4 Buick Skylark
57 Buick ElCabalero wagon
55 Ford Crown Vic
37 Cord
53 Kaiser Darrin

Bugman

11-21-2003, 09:15 AM

My list, in no particular order
Daytona Cobra Coupe
'65 427 Cobra
GT 40 Mk II
Duesenberg SJ
'49 Beetle(split window)
'38 Ford coupe
'98 Viper
'32 Ford coupe
'56 Bel Air hardtop

11-21-2003, 09:16 AM

My list would have a lot of the same cars that have already been listed. I think the 53 Stude would be high on the list. I did realize there would be a lot of Buicks on my list. I don't have a preference for Buicks but they had a lot of well designed cars. Cars that looked good without touching them. Like the 53/54 Skylarks,the 57 Cabalero and the 60s Rivs.
One that wasn't on other people's list was the 40 Merc but they do need a chop to look right.
Clark

30roadster

11-21-2003, 09:30 AM

26T roadster
30-31 roadster
evilfordcoups "evilfordcoupe" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
49-53 mercs - chopped and channeled just right
55-57 crown vic's
55-62 buicks
67 RS/SS Camero - peek-a-boo headlights...no rear spoiler....vinyl roof...Deluxe interior...i'd love to get the seats and console for a rod..... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

4t64rd

11-21-2003, 09:31 AM

33-34 Fords - every model, every part, looked like it was designed by the same person.
39-40 Ford Opera Coupe - if you chop one of these, you should your goodies "mechanically separated"
53-56 Ford pick up truck - perfect
Riviera 63-65 'nuf said, 66-67 what can be done with the pony car look on a big palette.
Corvette 62, 63-67, 68-72 luv that ducktail, later ones just looked like what they were, the American sports car, big, bold fenders, accenting big tires, shark nose, Kamm rear with big, purposeful round tailights. I just like 'em.
55 Chevy - Simple, it's when Chevy caught up to...
51 Ford - Club coupe. Bullet nose kinda dated it IMHO.
Ferrari Daytona Coupe - Can anyone find a sports coupe that was designed after it that didn't have part of it imitated?
73 AMC Matador Coupe - remove the headlight "pods" and the bumpers and you have a big Ferrari Daytona.
Jaguar E-type Con'v. - sex on wheels
57 Chrysler Windsor 2 dr hardtop - Virgil Exner's moment of clarity.
61-63 T-Bird
67 Cadillac Eldorado, 'cept those gawdawful FWD wheels.

bits
67 Buick Electra hubcaps
58 Edsel tailights, just the curved ones on the decklid.
Studebaker Avanti bumpers and outside mirrors
36 Auburn front clip - Swept back leading fender edge
70 Riviera side trim
58 Buick Grill pattern
32 Ford grill and frame
60 Ford Starliner roof
Studebaker Lark headlight rings
55-57 Nomad Tailgate
41 Studebaker front fenders and taillights
79 Mustang rubber moulding that tied the back 5mph bumper to the front 5mph bumper
93 Buick Riviera taillights
Front bucket seat trim, 65 Impala SS
63-65 Riveria rear seat speaker grill
69 Camaro front under bumper valance and turn signals
99 Mitsubishi Eclipse coupe rear window

Smokin Joe

11-21-2003, 10:03 AM

The question is wether you mean best from the factory or best after it's customized. I don't mean lowering, I mean changing body panels and major trim. Mercs look great after they're chopped and the grill and trim are swapped out, but there's a reason they all get that treatment. Without it, they're kinda lame. Same thing for Model A coupes. A little off the top and they go from grandma's car to rip snorting badass. My list would be the cars that don't need the body mods to make them right. So, in no particular order

1: 58 Pontiac 2 drs. The bonnie, super and star chiefs.
2: 49-52 Chevy fleetlines
3: 55-57 Chevies, especially the Nomads.
4: 38-40 Ford coupes
5: 59 El Camino and 2 door Impalas
6: early 60's Chevy and Pontiac 2 door bubbletops
7: 70 Chevelle and G.T.O.
8: 59 Caddy
9: 55-57 Chevy Pickups
10: 63 Split Window Vette

Funny, I've owned all of these except the 38-40 Fords and the 63 Vette. These were all cars that didn't need body mods to be cool.

modernbeat

11-21-2003, 10:23 AM

#1 all time favorite - you could only have one car for the rest of your life - easy:

'57 Lincoln Mark I

Runners up, assuming you can own more than one car:
'53 Stude - stock.
'28-29 Full fendered Model A hot-rod - lowered
'63 Studebaker Avanti - round headlight only please
Citroen CM - That's the futuristic one with the Maserati engine.
'53 Cadillac convertible. '54 is close, but too many add-ons and the body was dated for '54.
'67 Cadilac ElDorado stock or Dan Picasso version. Dark Green please!
Ford RS2000 - all hail group B! What is it with England and race cars?
'70 Dodge Challenger - not the overstated 'Cuda.

Would you look at that - still haven't named a Chevy! Guess it's time for pickups.

Advance Design Chevy pickups - standard model - the curved corner windows detract
'67-'72 Chevy pickups - all models. Easy, utilitarian, cheap, and still handsome.

Rocket88

11-21-2003, 10:53 AM

36 Ford
40 Willys
41 Plymouth
Lincoln Zephyr
33 Plymouth

truth

11-21-2003, 10:56 AM

The only thing that I didnt see others post that I really dig is a 59 buick electra - just one evil looking motherfucker right out of the showroom!

48_HEMI

11-21-2003, 11:02 AM

The best designed cars never sold well! like the air flows, studebakers 46 and 53 are still timeless designs avanti could be on the list. hudsons,kaisers, Buick Rivera's 63 and 71. 49 merc and ford the same year all great designs.general public can't stand something new and different. the manufactures know this and are leary of bringing out radical and different design, I think thats why they came up with futuristic dream cars to warm the public up several years in advance
I was suprised at my list, because first and foremost I am a hot rodder
this is always fun, my dreams include about 6 cars that i've sold over the years all hot rods! and 3 that I still have.1 hot rod and 2 kustoms?
my future would be brighter if I owned

1965 Rivera GS 425 dual quad http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

1953 stude chopped with a front mounted 671 on a 392 HEMI with double overdrive for those little cross country cruises http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

a 99 point D Jag would also look good if it was british racing green like the brand nrw one that I slobered on in Frank Monise's shop in pasadena when I was still riding bicycles http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

a 32 ford 3 window full fendered http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

there are a couple of early mercedes 300sl's that I've worked on that would look good in my garage

after that I'd be the road tour king and never look back http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Rix2Six

11-21-2003, 11:43 AM

[ QUOTE ]

3. '63-'65 Buick Riviera (not only a great design, but it plunged itself over a bridge in NH and saved America from having another Kennedy in office)

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm pretty sure it was an Oldsmobile that took the plunge with Teddy.

11-21-2003, 11:46 AM

1. 32 Ford five window coupe, full fendered.
2. 40 Ford coupe, standard.
3. 40 Ford coupe, deluxe.
4. 32 Ford roadster highboy.
5. 30-31 Model A on Deuce rails, highboy.
6. 32 Ford roadster, full fendered.
7. 28-29 Model A roadster, full fendered.
8. 50 Ford coupe, custom. Custom as in Deluxe or Custom from the factory.
9. 49 Ford coupe.
10. Jaguar XK120 convert from the mid-50's era.

gman

11-21-2003, 11:52 AM

49 Ford Tudor. Nicer silhouette when chopped.

metalshapes

11-21-2003, 12:04 PM

Any Ford Coupe From '32 to '34 ( as long as it is chopped and fenderless )
'53 Studebaker Coupe.
'64 Cheetah.
And if I can include the Euro Trash,
'64 Alfa Romeo TZ 1.
'57 Lotus Eleven.

36couper

11-21-2003, 12:08 PM

1935 Ford 3w coupe
1936 Ford coupe
1968 Mustang
1969 Camaro Z28
Chrylser Crossfire

Otto

11-21-2003, 12:23 PM

Top 5 cars

39 Ford Deluxe Coupe
32 Ford 5 window
40 Ford Deluxe Coupe
32 Ford 3 window
32 Ford Roadster

Top 5 trucks

41 Ford
55 Chevy big window
59 El Camino
32 Ford Roadster p/u
35 Ford

Pretty vanilla, I know.

cleatus

11-21-2003, 12:28 PM

1. 36 Ford roadster
2. 39 Lincoln Zephyr coupe
3. 36 Ford 3 window
4. 41 Buick convert
5. 48 Chevy Fleetline
6. 59 Buick Invicta

All built into customs of course.

daign

11-21-2003, 12:45 PM

A common demoninator in a lot of your lists and my own, the 1938-39 Lincoln Zephyr. They ooze class and showroom custom in my opinion no matter how you do em.
http://www.daign.com/hamb2/096%5b1%5d.jpg
http://www.daign.com/hamb/08100207resized%5B1%5D.jpg
http://www.daign.com/hamb2/lincolnfront-vi%5b1%5d.jpg

I'm also very fond of the 37-38 Ford Coupes. Maybe I just like that era of design as a whole... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
-Dane

Jive-Bomber

11-21-2003, 12:53 PM

Most folks hitting the same thing: Lots of ET "Bob" Gregorie designs..
He was THE MAN when it came to late 30's Ford design. Did Speed boats too... Gregorie, with Edsel's guidance, designed every Ford, Mercury, Lincoln-Zephyr, Lincoln and Ford truck and tractor produced between 1935 and 1945. Amazing.

FoMoCo I love (in cronological order):

1. 32 - 36 Ford coupes, roadsters

2. 39 Ford DeLuxe and Mercury coupe and convt.

3. 1949 Ford and Mercury coupe- Ahead of its time.

4. 52 - 54 Lincoln and Mercury HT models

5. 56 - 57 Lincoln Mark II

6. 1960 Ford full size, 60 - 63 compact

GM I love:

1. 1949 all hard tops

2. 1953 Cad Eldo, Buick Skykark, Olds Fiesta, and 53 - 57 Corvette

3. Any early 50's Olds hardtop

4. 1960- 1961 all hardtops

6. Pre 65 Corvairs

7. I won't say 63 - 65 Riv cause its obvious.. But I just did.

Other Makes:

1. 55 Chrysler 300

2. Nash bathtub bodys

3. Kasier Dairren

4. Nash Healy

5. Porsche 550 Spyder

6. Any early Ferrari 250 - Pinin Farina

I know I'm forgetting too many cars!

jay

MIKE-3137

11-21-2003, 12:54 PM

My personal favs from old to newer,quite a mix
32 Roadster -Will always be my #1
33-34 Roadster full fendered
31 Roadster on duece rails (biased here)
okay almost any Ford roadster
37 Ford (more bias)
29-33 Duesenburgs and Auburns- awesome
33 Plymouth tudor (bodys have very little wood for that era)
38-40 ford coupe
55-57 Nomad,belair
57 Corvette 270HP (first car I can remember my dad owning)
63 Split window vette -first stingray, first irs rear
67 RS/SS Camaro Convertable- sold mine recently- red/red M21/350 powered,factory 12 bolt/traction arm setup,power top, etc, and now I want it back.
69 Z28-RS the 302 screamer with crossram
some foreigners..
Lamborghini Miura
70 Ferrari Daytona Spyder
70 Maserati Spyder
also
70 302 Boss Mustang
70 Hemi Cuda Convt
80s Vector-Donovan 350 with twin turbos
and probably a dozen more.....

hemi

11-21-2003, 12:58 PM

The best automotive design was the Volkswagen Beetle. Period.
Concieved in the early 30's and in production until this year with practically little change.

THAT's good design.

and the Model T, the 57 Chevy, and the 71-74 mopar B-bodys.

redpunk

11-21-2003, 01:04 PM

It is really hard to break it down to just a few cars for me. But I would have to say these are for sure

32 Ford Roadster
40 Ford Coupe Deluxe
71 Cuda
70 Chevelle

toledobill

11-21-2003, 01:11 PM

Right now, it'd be a 1927 T highboy, a 1940 Chevy sedan, and a 1949 Ford coupe -- but that's only 'cause that's what I have in the driveway/garage. You can never leave 1940 Fords off any list, and the 1954 Studebaker hardtop I had back in 1959 is still one of the most beautiful cars I've ever owned.

BTW -- checked on the Chapaquiddick ride. It was a 1967 Oldsmobile Delta 88.

reefer

11-21-2003, 02:11 PM

`39 deluxe coupe
`32 highboys(any body style,`cept fordor)
`59 impala
`57 chevy pick up (big back winda)
`36 roadster(chopped)
`55 210 chev.(race styled)
`34 5 winda coupe(chopped)
`40 ford truck(chopped)
no particular order.

Mel

11-21-2003, 02:47 PM

Just to name a few...

39 Mercury
56 X-M Turnpike Cruiser (Mercury)
36 Desoto
57 Desoto
39 Chrysler
49 Buick
59 Buick
47 Cadillac
47 Pontiac
56 Plymouth
59 Dodge (ok, so I'm biased on this one)

~Melissa

Paul

11-21-2003, 03:27 PM

took a while for '57 DeSoto to come up, one of my all time favorites, I would specify Convertible though.

I don't think anybody said 1937 Studebaker Pickup or '39 Studebaker Coupe yet either.

Of all the cars listed so far there is not one I would turn down.

Paul

RPW

11-21-2003, 03:52 PM

Impossilbe, but just a few to show my direction of taste:
53 Studebaker Starliner ht cpe
42 Clipper 2-d fastback
Bentley Continental fastback
64 Buick Riviera
Jaguar XK 120
36 Ford 3-w cpe
36 Cord 810 Sportsman cpe
Facel Vega Facel II 4-d ht
Mercedes 300 SL (the early gullwings...)
56 Ferrari 250 GT Europa Series 2 Pinin Farina
24-30 Bugatti T35B
just to mention a few...

gowjobs

11-21-2003, 05:25 PM

Hemi,

You tryin' to stir some shit up, 'er what?

-another closet VW nut.

Landmule

11-21-2003, 06:13 PM

Ryan - If I'm not mistaken - Uncle Teddy took Mary Jo for the ride in an Oldsmobile 88.

1.) 40 Ford - any one of them
2.) 36 Ford 3 window
3.) 65 Shelby Mustang GT-350
4.) Duesenberg Model J
5.) Cord - all models
6.) 63 Corvette Split window
7.) 57-58 Cadillac Brogham
8.) 63 Riviera
9.) 63 Lincoln Continental Convertible
10.) 40 Lincoln Zephyr
11.) 33-34 Ford Roadster
12.) Ferrari 265 Dino
13.) Jaguar XK120
14.) Jaguar XK-E
15.) Porsche 911
16.) 53-56 Ford F-100
17.) Studebaker Avanti

and I could probably go on all day. Like most of you my list will be different tomorrow.

Rix2Six

11-21-2003, 07:23 PM

[ QUOTE ]
BTW -- checked on the Chapaquiddick ride. It was a 1967 Oldsmobile Delta 88.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess I win the useless trivia contest!

shoebox72

11-21-2003, 07:36 PM

There are some great cars on this list, but dosen't anyone like 55-56 Mercury 2dr Hardtops? They're my FAVORITE.

Billy

Revhead

11-21-2003, 07:43 PM

I like too many of them but... here's what's on the top of my head.

GT40, MKIII and the new one.
1963 Ferrari GTO
1988 Ferrari 288 GTO
1969 Alfa Romeo Stradale
Lamborghini Muira SV
Cobra S/C 427
Porsche 907
'49 Cadillac Sedanette
'56 Cadillac 4dr hardtop
'67 Corvette
'35 Ford Roadster
'36 dodge humpback
'32 Ford 5 window
BMW Z8
Saleen S7
Cadillac "Sixteen"

There's a million more I like, but I'll stop here.

Roothawg

11-21-2003, 07:50 PM

1.74 Gremlin
2.81 AMC Concord
3.82 Pacer Hatchback
4.74 LTD II 4 door
5.81 Aries K

Hackerbilt

11-21-2003, 08:04 PM

The BEST automotive design...
That's tough! What cars are so extreme in design that they reshaped the auto industry...? Hmmmm....

1) Model T...In construction/parts standardization and the assembly line.

2) VW Beetle...Did you ever REALLY look at the bare chassis? (WITHOUT thinking...Kit car...Kit car etc that is!) Those things are incredible in design simplicity.

3) Deuce...just for the V8 alone.

4)Lotus...For proving the small car/small engine formula over the heavyweights of the 50's.

5)GTO...say MUSCLE CAR!

6)Ford GT-40...Just because.

7)ORIGINAL Mini...Loads of design originality...that worked.

Thats enough for me...I could go on and on... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bill

mr57

11-21-2003, 08:08 PM

My favorites:
1. Mid forties Packard Clipper
2. 48 or 9 Stepdown Hudson, before the goofy little bubble taillights
3. 1957 Chevy - Nomad first, then two door hardtop.
4. 53 Studey coupe, not hardtop
5. 59 Buick Electra rag
6. Hupp Skylark
7. 62 Chevy full size, any model.
8. 57 Olds 98 two door hardtop
9. 51 Mercury Monarch (kinda biased here, though)
Last and certainly not least
10. 1961 Canadian Pontiac Laurentian bubble top

Horoable mention to 53-6 Ford panel trucks, early 30's REO Flying Clouds, and Wilhelm's Chrysler, the only cleanup needed on an ideal design.

AHotRod

12-30-2005, 11:49 PM

It will be interesting to see your list for '06

metalshapes

12-31-2005, 12:16 AM

It will be interesting to see your list for '06

Still the same...

Junkyard Jan

12-31-2005, 12:21 AM

1939 Deluxe or '40 Ford Standard coupe...Ford got it perfect here
1937 Ford Flatback Tudor sedan....nothing says 'race car' like these
1950 Ford Tudor.....can anybody say "Thunder Road".?
1951 Ford Vic hardtop....perfect stock or custom material
1950 Olds 2-dr.....always liked the look
1953 Pontiac 2 door hardtop..no reason, just a purdy car
1955 Ford Crown Vic....another case of Ford getting things just right
1958-'63 Thunderbird....they all look sweet
1964 Galaxie or Custom......another case of Ford perfection
1964 Pontiac...owned one and like the look plus I have a weakness for Ponchos
1966 Chevy Impala 2 door hardtop....had one in the early '80s, loved the look
1977-'79 Thunderbird....one of the last 'form over function' rides
1988-'92 Lincoln Mark VII LSC...."gentlewoman's factory hot rod

There are many more, but the Coors Light and Valium are taking hold...:D

Jan

PonchoRunner

12-31-2005, 12:36 AM

Well, tough list to make but here we go:

1. Bugatti Type 41 (Le Royale's)
2. Duesenberg J's, including SJ and SSJ
3. Marmon Sixteen's
4. 1955 Pontiac's
5. 1974 GTO (personal bias)
6. 1971 Cuda
...and so many more.

leadsleadolds

12-31-2005, 01:41 AM

Buicks 49's 50's 53's 55's my first 57's one day 59's got two 60's 65's Rivi got one.
Olds 49's 50's 54's 55's had one
Ford 36-38's 40's 56's 57's 60's trucks 56
Pontiac 55's
Chrysler 61's

bcarlson

12-31-2005, 06:26 AM

As I was looking over the postings, I started thinking we've pretty much named every car ever made (other than most late-models) :) Here are two I didn't see on the list:

1. 1964 Chrysler 300 4-door hard top
2. any 356 Porsche ever made

Ben

theHIGHLANDER

12-31-2005, 07:56 AM

This is a tuff topic as many have said. I like the fact some responders mentioned Packards (bias), probably some of the finest work ever from an OEM. Best design?

1934 Packard 1108 Custom Dietrich Coupe. This car is a 147"wb version of what we all cherish in the way of hot rods. A fuckin wet dream.

Duesenberg J series, most any (some were actually ugly!), one of the 1st true hot rods...DOHC, 4 valves per cyl, superchargers, and exhaust cut-outs!!

GT-40. A truely timeless design. Unknowing observers believe it's a new car.

1969 L-88 Corvette cpe. They fixed the 68 bugs and gave us a car that could whip ass on a 427 Cobra.

1970 Eldorado. IMHO, a "clean" version of a kool car with a gargantuan motor...the beloved 500ci 375hp 550lbft version. Came with an aluminum intake and waterpump. Mid 14sec 1/4 mile times were not unusual. I still want one some day.

1967 Shelby Mustang FB, 350 or 500...don't care. Best shelby designed Mustang of all. So clean, no frills really (not like the 68). Gotta have inboard fog lights tho.

1959 Chevy Impalas and Elcaminos. Think about it...that took balls to introduce to the public, dontcha think? An urban legend in it's own rite.

1970 Montiverdi High Speed. Big Mopar motor (440) in a slim and restrained Frua body. It's ultra rare cousin, the HAI, had a 426 NASCAR Hemi...behind the driver!!! What a rush just lookin at it.

1933 Ford. All of them. The best effort from the time. Slender grille, swept hood louvers, just very graceful. Stock or rod, you can't miss.

1939 Deluxe, 1940 Standard, Ford coupes. I think ol Henry saw these in the future as hot rods (I read that earlier from someone and I agree).

1948-53 Hudson coupes. Why chop a Merc? What a kool car.

In closing...anything designed by the likes of Woody Gilmore or the Logghe Bros. Especially if it's skinned by the inimitable Tom Hanna. They were pure, simple, purposeful. See what I mean? Thanx for readin my ramblings, and happy new year.

flatheadpete

12-31-2005, 07:59 AM

Late '50s Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
'62 Bubble top Bel Air (409)
'65 Impala
'28-'29 Model A Ford
'46-'48 Ford Coupe
Hilborne 'liner
'49-'51 Chevy Fleetline
'39 La Salle
'91-96 Chevy Caprice (!)
'84-'95 Ferrari Testarossa

There ya have it.....two Italians and a late model whale mixed with some vintage class.

Jeff Norwell

12-31-2005, 08:03 AM

AMC Rules.

the Matador
the Pacer

286merc

12-31-2005, 08:27 AM

In no particular order

Any 29-42 Packard
37-42 Buicks except for the fugly 39
All 29-36 Duesenburgs, especially the SJ's
40 Cad 60S
41 Cad ragtop
40 Ford coupe
40 Merc Convertible Sedan
32-36 Ford Phaetons
53 Stude coupe
57 Desoto HT/ragtop
57 Chrysler 300C, either body
57 Chevy, especially the Bel Air HT, ragtop and Nomad. timeless design
57 Buick Cabalero
53-4 Buick Skylark
46-48 Hudson pickups
55-6 Ford Crown Vic
30's Mercedes 540K
Jaguar XK120
Cad Allante
All 1st gen Mustangs
48 Hudson, first step down body and way ahead of the 49 Ford and Merc
Nash Metropolitan
53 Packard Carribean ragtop
41-48 Lincoln Continental
55-6 Lincoln Continental

30tudor

12-31-2005, 08:57 AM

in no order:
Lotus 49
Ferrari 250 SWB
V-16 Cad
Porsche 917
Auburn Boatail Speedster

50mercfan

12-31-2005, 08:59 AM

1.57 packard caribean convertable

2.57 chevy

3.56-57 corvette

4.63-67 corvette

5.32 ford

thats my list in stock form

oldandkrusty

12-31-2005, 09:16 AM

Well, I looked at my original response and things haven't really changed that much. I probably would add any Duesenberg ever made.

Other than that, I'm happy with the original list.

tommy

12-31-2005, 09:20 AM

32 Ford roadster...duh
49 Cadillac sedanette
49 Olds coupe
32-34 Ford P/U
53 Stude 2dr post. I had a HT they rattle too much.
39 Deluxe coupe.
36 3W
57 Ranchero wanna buy one?:D
55 Tbird
49 Ford coupe

Spitfire1776

12-31-2005, 09:40 AM

There were alot I previously seen on others list so I won't repeat, but I will add.

'37 Hudson Terraplane
'35 Packard 120 Sports coupe - suicides can't be wrong
Mid 60's Sunbeam Alpine
'37 Dodge truck - especially the humpback panels.

DIRTYT

12-31-2005, 10:19 AM

Not in any order

63-64 riviera of course
71-72 riviera boat tail (some love them some hate them)
61 cadillac coupe deville. one of the the sexiest cars of all time i think.
57 chevy. so over done i know but its timeless and doesnt need any thing.
36-7-8 ford 2 door
39 plymouth coupe

Mike Zenor

12-31-2005, 10:58 AM

I put 1932 Ford 3w coupe at the very top, but in large part because of the hot rods that have been based on it. Stock, it's a handsome car but not all that different visually from a 32 Nash or 32 Chevy. The iconic 32 Ford is not how it emerged from River Rouge, but its incarnation as stripped down lakester. For the same reason I would put almost every Ford coupe and roadster 1930-1940 on the list. To a certain degree, the real 'designers' of these cars were the kids who hotrodded and customized them.

Instead, I decided to rank my fave designs, as they emerged from the factory...

1. 1963-7 Corvette Stingray. The first car to give me priapism (look it up). Completely over-the-top, in a good way.

2. 1952-3 Studebaker Starliner. The Raymond Loewy original vision, before it got all gooped up with fins and gunk.

3. 1951 Ferrari 212 Spider (http://z.about.com/d/vintagecars/1/0/5/8/51ferrari_villa.jpg) holy shit, this car still looks like a fresh concept car 55 years later. Way out of anybody's price range, but why doesn't somebody do a roadrace rod based on one of these?

4. 1963-5 Buick Riviera. Bill Mitchell's first masterpiece.

5. 1966-8 Mustang. Sure, it killed hot rodding; but you can't fault Larry Shinoda's clean timeless profile, especially after it bulked up in 66.

6. 1958 Cadillac Eldo Biarritz (http://www.misterw.com/Cadillac/58CadEldo06b.jpg). Damn, that's a fine ass end.

7. 1955 Porsche Spyder (http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1950-1959/1955-Porsche-Spyder-Front-Angle-nf.jpg). Shitfire, that's a fine looking car... plus all that 'deadmans curve' cachet.

8. 1955 T-Bird. Created 'personal luxury' niche. Still oozes smarmy Palm Springs cool.

9. 1949-50 Ford. The shoebox was the first truly modern postwar car, and must have been startling when it was introduced.

10. 1960 Austin Healy 3000. My favorite brit car ever, the visual definition of 'sports car.'

El Caballo

12-31-2005, 11:03 AM

Mike, 66 Mustang was the same as the 64-1/2 & 65. It goes like this; 67-68, 69-70, 71-73, 74-78, 79-93, 94-98, 99-04, 05-...

Finest auto design, by far....(drumroll)..."The Streetbeast!"

Mike Zenor

12-31-2005, 11:16 AM

El Caballo, right you are...

cornfieldrodder

12-31-2005, 11:34 AM

36-37 Cord 810 and 812 convert or sedan
36 Ford 3 window
32 Ford roadster
39 Ford delux coupe
Bugatti type 35
Austin Healey 100 4 cyl models with the tapered grille
Austin Healey Sprite MKI
260/289 Cobra
Talbot Lago
55 Mercedese 300SL
53 Studebaker Starlight coupe
48 Jaguar XK120 roadster
Jaguar C-type
63-65 Corvette coupe
'11 Mercer Raceabout
MG TC
MG J2
38 Siata Zagato
62 and up Checker Marathon
63 1/2 Ford Galaxy
55 Ford T-Bird
Mack B-61
VW Beetle through 63
23-27 Ford Model T open, closed or commercial
Citroen 2CV

The list could go on, but these are the cars (and one truck) I've enjoyed looking at for years.

Aaron65

12-31-2005, 01:11 PM

1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow
'36 Packard 12 Convertible Coupe
1941 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet
Any 1940-1956 Buick, especially hardtops and Skylarks
1949-1952 Chevy Fleetline, 1950 Bel Airs
1955 Nomad
Any '65-'68 Mustang
Triumph TR-3 (I'm sick, but I love them)
1965 Pontiac Catalina Hardtop
Almost any Auburn, Cord, etc.
Aston Martin DB-4
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale
Lancia Aurelia Coupe
1964-1965 GM A-bodies (personal preference, not necessarily all-out beauty)
Early Rivs
1963 Pontiac Grand Prix/Catalina hardtop
1957 Plymouth Belvedere Hardtop/1959 Sport Fury
1960 Dodge Dart Hardtop
1963 Chrysler Turbine Car
And on and on and on

novadude

12-31-2005, 02:05 PM

SOme of my favorites include:

37-40 Chevy Coupe - Love these for some reason
62-63 Impala - my two favorite years, though 58-67 were all cool
66-67 Chevelle - Love the roofline and the overall proportions
66-67 Nova
64-67 GTO
63-65 Riv

I could go on and on...

Cris

12-31-2005, 02:26 PM

Alfa Romeo 2300 Touring Spyder
Ferrari 340 Mexico Coupe'
Duesenberg SJ Roadster
Miller 122 rear drive (falls under the definition of production, no?)
Ferrari 166/212 Touring Barchetta
Jaguar C Type
Mercer Raceabout
Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato
Ferrari TR59
MG J2
Cunningham C-4
Maserati T60/61
1932 Ford

http://www.dabica.com/posted/carrrrrrs.jpg
Cris

19Fordy

12-31-2005, 02:58 PM

Nothing will ever match the ; PINTO, PACER, YUGO.

evilgenius

12-31-2005, 03:05 PM

in no order and surely not all of them:

57 porsche speedster
62 buick special
72 datsun 240z
61-63 t-birds
26 ford model t roadster
64 dart gt (canadian model, valiant front clip, dart rear)
63 ford galaxie
38 delahaye
37 pontiac coupe
shoeboxes (vicky-style roof)
bugatti type 57s

laloszephyr

12-31-2005, 03:37 PM

36 ford,48 chevy fleetline,61 impala,65 rivi 40 merc 49,50 merc after a chop oh yeah 37 thru 40 zephyr but you knew that already.

Dino

12-31-2005, 03:38 PM

Excluding the classics, here's my list:

1. '34 La Salle
2. '49-'50 Ford
3. '32 Ford
4. '53 Skylark

286merc

12-31-2005, 04:31 PM

9. 1949-50 Ford. The shoebox was the first truly modern postwar car, and must have been startling when it was introduced.
.'

The 48 Hudson was the 1st post war design; IMO the 49 Olds was the best looking from the Big 3

shoebox72

12-31-2005, 06:01 PM

Ya gotta love those 56 Ford & Mercury hardtops & 50's Oldsmobiles. Aunt Jmima can't be wrong. :D

Billy

four-thirteen

12-31-2005, 06:25 PM

'63 dodge was one of the best, and the '30-31 Model A coupes have a damn good look. '32 desoto is another favorite.

fatassbuick

12-31-2005, 06:28 PM

Sorta like my timeless cars thread...

'69 Camaro
GT40
356 Porsche
'53 Stude
'63 Ferrari California
'69 Mustang (recently proven by FMC)
VW bug...?

3wLarry

12-31-2005, 07:11 PM

Man...that's a tough one...:D Happy New Year to all...:)

Roothawg

12-31-2005, 07:47 PM

1. 36 Ford 3 window

2. 59 Chevrolet Impala 2 door hardtop

3. 1970 Dodge Challnger Convertible

flathead okie

12-31-2005, 07:51 PM

Auburn boatail

50Fraud

12-31-2005, 08:47 PM

Looking at my original list (post #6), there's nothing I'd kill, although my affair with '36 Fords has cooled somewhat.

Rather than make a new list with a bunch of retreads, I prefer to think in a "Hall of Fame" mode, and name another bunch of favorites:

- '29 A Roadster, as a full-fendered hot rod
- '38(?) Alfa Romeo 2900B, almost any body style
- '40 Merc 2-door sedan
- '41 Buick Special sedanette
- '48 Olds 98 2-door fastback
- '53 Stude hardtop
- '68 Dodge Charger

Boones

12-31-2005, 09:06 PM

my top 5 american mainstream rides

49 fleetline
34 ford 3W
62 chevy bubble top
47 chevy fastback
62 corvette

worth mentioning (almost made the list)
40 ford woodie
78 2 dr caprice (bubble rear window)
85 montecarlo fastback
66 Riv
58 Corvette

McKee

01-01-2006, 01:29 AM

Deuce roadster.....hiboy, of course.

any Model T.

36 Ford 3 window.....chopped.

any Ford woodie....just cuz!

Bugatti type 35 and 37.....pure racecar.

Miller 91... racecar or jewellery?

Kurtis midget.....statistically the winningest racecar ever built.

49 Ford coupe.....styling breakthrough.

Porsche Speedster....minimalism at it's best .

289 Cobra....so pretty.

Watson indycar....the last of the roadsters

Ferarri Lusso.... as sexy as Salma Hayek!

Ferarri Daytona coupe....172 mph right out of the box....35 years ago.

Mclaren F1 (the road car)....$1million,218mph,BMW V12...just about right.

Hemi Dart...turn key racecar before the age of product liability laws.

running out of room in this little box...how much bandwidth left...I could go on...