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Top-5 American Automobile Designs

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Ryan, Jan 8, 2009.

  1. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,633

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

  2. DocWatson
    Joined: Mar 24, 2006
    Posts: 10,273

    DocWatson
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Ahh! Yes, another convert to the true beauty of the 38 Ford! I miss my 38....
    Doc.
     
  3. oldandkrusty
    Joined: Oct 8, 2002
    Posts: 2,141

    oldandkrusty
    Member

    Hmmmm, well I guess I have to get in on this one. So, here goes:

    5) 1933 Ford 3-wdw (I prefer the simplicity of the grille over the '34):

    4) 1937 Ford club coupe (could also include the '38 model - I just love the long top and short trunk lid design);

    3) 1933 Buick '90- Series Victoria (the fact that I had one of these luscious beasts kind of taints my choice, but as it is mine, that's my choice and I'm sticking to it!);

    2) Any Duesenberg or any Delahaye, I don't care. They are all just simply gorgeous and make me all weak kneed-when I see one!; and finally

    1) 1940 Ford coupe, either Deluxe or Standard - Just perfect lines everywhere. You can't find a thing to change because it is styling perfection.
     
  4. Not in order:
    '65 Riviera
    '33 Ford
    '57 Chrysler
    '39 Ford Deluxe Coupe
    tie '63 Corvette Stingray/'69 Corvette "roadster"

    Looks like I dropped the Stude coupes for the Riviera from last time... and added a tossup between the Corvettes.

    I think the 67 Eldorado should get an honorable mention, I loves me some Mitchell.
     

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    Last edited: Jan 8, 2009

  5. JohnJoyo
    Joined: Feb 19, 2005
    Posts: 1,381

    JohnJoyo
    Alliance Vendor
    from Austin, TX

    1-1936 Ford 3W coupe or roadster
    2-1938 Lincoln Zephyr (love the 37 too)
    3-1953 Cadillac Eldorado
    4-1932 Roadster
    5-1959 Chevy
     
  6. The original list seems a bit biased, dontcha think? That's okay, I get like that, too, but I'll try my best to be totally objective.
    I can agree with a couple of 'em, like the 65 Riviera and the 36 Ford Roadster, those are just perfect designs, simple and elegant, a great representation of the style of their times.
    I think the Continental is a bit ostentatious. It's a beautiful car, but there are things that could be changed. That's kinda my thought, I'm looking for a design that was pretty much perfect right from the factory, that was proportional, represents its era properly, and that no modifications (other than paint and maybe wheels) could make it look better.
    Here's some of my picks, in no particular order:

    68-70 AMC Javelin, most people would probably say the AMX, but I always thought the Javelin was a bit more proportional.

    1955 Chevy, but it was a tough call between the equally-gorgeous 55 Ford

    1965 Corvair, I know I'll catch a ton of slack for this one, but if you don't think about the sorta goofy-but-loveable first gen. Corvair, the 65 Corvair was just a great design.

    1935-36 Ford, either the roadster or the coupe. The Boattail roadster was extra-nice, but not quite an "every-man's" vehicle the way the others were, but hell, they were all super-nice and just perfect.

    And finally, I couldn't decide between the 1941 Plymouth and the 1966-67 Dodge Charger.
     
  7. Now that I think about it, the '63 T-Bird was also just drop-dead gorgeous.
     
  8. In no particular order...

    - 810, 812 Cord
    - Lincoln Mark II
    - 1961-1964 Lincoln Continental
    - 1937-1938 Lincoln Zephyr
    - 1949-1950 Ford

    Guess I'm somewhat partial to Lincolns.
     
  9. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

    34 ford
    36 ford
    40 ford
    53 stude
    57 chevy
     
  10. Busted Knuckles
    Joined: Dec 1, 2004
    Posts: 1,727

    Busted Knuckles
    Member

    1949-1950 Lincoln 9EL
    1951-1952 Ford F1
    1935-1936 3w, 5w or roadster
    I know its not American, but damn is a 1952 Jaguar Xk120 sexy as hell!
    1960 Cadillac Brougham
    1950 Chrysler Town and Country Convertable
     
  11. fur biscuit
    Joined: Jul 22, 2005
    Posts: 7,828

    fur biscuit
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    for the moment...

    1912 Mercer 35J Raceabout
    1941 GP "Jeep"
    1955 Chrysler 300
    1984 Dodge Caravan
     
  12. Weasel
    Joined: Dec 30, 2007
    Posts: 6,698

    Weasel
    Member

    It all depends on perspective and what I see burgeoning here is a 'personal preference' list influenced by hot rodding and 'everyman' cars.

    How about some of the truly world class American designs, that have influenced styling outside America and spawned imitators and variations on a theme - look at the finned era's influence on world car styling - hell even Ferrari got into the game, as did the Italians - the quintessential automotive stylists. Cord, Duesenberg, Pierce Arrow Silver Arrow, Auburn Speedster, V16 Cadillacs, 1920s and 1930s Packards, some of Raymond Loewy's designs, Virgil Exner's Forward Look, Gordon Buehrig, Harley Earl, Tom Tjaarda, Alex Sahofsky, Alex Tremulis, Amos Northup - to name but a few - the list is huge and hardly a Ford to be seen!
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2009
  13. 63-65 Riviera's (got a '63 and I want to build another...a 2 door hardtop wagon!)
    53 Studebaker (high on my wish list)
    38 Zephyr (outta my price range)
    Shoebox Ford (had one and shouldn't of sold it)
    49-51 mopar business coupes (I have had a couple of them and love their lines)
     
  14. Any list not having a 1957 Ford convertible with the paxton supercharged 312 isn't a good list. However, i love all the ones listed above :)
     
  15. Your list seems good enough, just one question though; "Why do the '65 Riv's always have the headlight doors open?" Kinda spoils an otherwise clean design.(RichardD readin' this?)
     
  16. WildWilly68
    Joined: Feb 1, 2002
    Posts: 1,727

    WildWilly68
    Member

    In no order
    63-65 Rivi's
    mid 50's Buick's ( I can't decide which year I like best 55 or 56)
    59 Chevy
    40 Ford coupe
    53 Studebaker
     
  17. Pscott
    Joined: Jul 10, 2008
    Posts: 244

    Pscott
    Member

    Here's my list for 2009:
    55 Chevy
    53 Studebaker
    49 Ford
    63 Vette
    36 Zephyr
     
  18. Dreddybear
    Joined: Mar 31, 2007
    Posts: 6,084

    Dreddybear
    Member

    1. 1933 Cadillac V16 Convertible
    [​IMG]

    2. 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible
    [​IMG]

    3. 1954 Buick Skylark
    [​IMG]

    4. 1936 Ford 3 Win Coupe (This one will do)
    [​IMG]

    5. 1953 Corvette
    [​IMG]
     
  19. From a great article on the Riviera Owners Association website:
    http://rivowners.org/features/evolution/evpt65.html

    "The first noticeable changes took place in the third year of the Riviera with hidden headlights and a restyled rear bumper. GM's chief stylist Bill Mitchell had originally wanted the headlights hidden in the fenders as shown in the preliminary drawing of the XP-715 project model. However, the engineering had not been completed in time for the earlier models. The ribbed clamshells were controlled by a single electric motor located behind the front bumper, and operated automatically when the headlights were turned on or off. As much as the hidden headlight added to the cleaner appearance they also added to frustration if they didn't work. Most often the problem occurred when the arms out to the clamshells were not kept lubricated and the motor burnt out. The only other GM car with the hidden headlight in '65 was the Corvette Sting Ray, which had a similar motor."
     
  20. 36couper
    Joined: Nov 20, 2002
    Posts: 2,014

    36couper
    Member
    from ontario

    How did that '38 sneak in there! I could never get past the eagle beak nose on the hood. But maybe that's what makes it interesting........
     
  21. 1gearhead
    Joined: Aug 4, 2005
    Posts: 464

    1gearhead
    Member

    I know I will take alot of static over my top five automobile designs as they don't exactly fit the tastes of this forum, but good design is good design. my favorites include:
    1972 Ferrari Daytona Spyder
    1970 De Tomaso Mangusta
    1972 De Tomaso Pantera
    1934 Ford 3 window coupe or Roadster
    1928 Ford Model A Roadster

    Favorites are a matter of personal taste, nothing more.
     
  22. My list includes:
    1940 Ford Sedan Delivery
    1953 Buick Skylark
    1938 Lincoln Zephyr Coupe
    1940 Lincoln Continental
    1941 Cadillac Convertible
     
  23. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,633

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    Exactly. That's what makes it fun.
     
  24. Lee Martin
    Joined: Jun 17, 2005
    Posts: 739

    Lee Martin
    Member

    Pre-1970: '33 Ford 3-window, '40 Ford Coupe, '55 Chevy 210

    Post-1970 I'd say the '93 - '96 Lincoln Mark VIII's. In my opinion, they're still one of America's sleakest:

    [​IMG]

    -Lee
    Atomic Radio
    www.atomicpinup.com
     
  25. Weasel
    Joined: Dec 30, 2007
    Posts: 6,698

    Weasel
    Member

    American?????
     
  26. JeffreyJames
    Joined: Jun 13, 2007
    Posts: 16,628

    JeffreyJames
    Member
    from SUGAR CITY

    A true Custom from the factory. This design got it right before anyone could get their hands on it.
    1937 Lincoln Zephyr Coupe
    [​IMG]

    This is the car that I would drive for the rest of my life and be content. I laugh like a little girl when I see one in person.
    1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
    [​IMG]

    One of the closest designs that we have come to class and poise European designers were, and still are known for.
    1956 Corvette
    [​IMG]

    Just a really nice Post war design that leaves little to ask for.
    1949 Mercury
    [​IMG]

    Even though I would much prefer a '32 Ford as a Hot Rod, there is something about a Bone Stock Model A that always melts me. I woud prefer it to be Black on Black if possible. I don't think that this was the most elegant design through out American History but it definitely had our foots pointed in a new direction which was a catalyst for other designs to be possible.
    1931 Model A
    [​IMG]
     
  27. 2-TONED
    Joined: Jan 31, 2005
    Posts: 1,683

    2-TONED
    Member

    its pretty much self explanatory:D
    1. 32 ford 3 window
    2. 34 ford 3 window
    3. 40 ford deluxe coupe
    4. 55 chevy nomad
    5. 70 chevelle SS
     
  28. 1) 1940 Ford Coupe
    2) 1949 Ford Club Coupe
    3) 1955 Chevrolet Nomad
    4) 1961 Ford Thunderbird
    5) 1970 Cadillac Coupe DeVille

    That's a nearly impossible task.......So many great choices and there are so many more. These are my personal faves.......Centurion9
     
  29. Theo Douglas
    Joined: Nov 20, 2002
    Posts: 807

    Theo Douglas
    Member

    Great list, though personally, I have to differ with you on the Lincoln. Also, I miss seeing the '49 Ford Club Coupe on the list--'cause that's my car.

    '36 Fords, though, are right where they should be on that list.
     
  30. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 18,828

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    40 Ford coupe is just about perfection... though it is several notches down on the list of cars I'd buy if I suddenly started making wads of cash.

    34 Ford sedans are very stylish also. I think even better than the coupes.

    1949 - 1950 Chevrolet coupes, along with 50 Bel Airs are actually my favorites. the shape of the rear fenders, the way the whole car tapers towards the rear.. "the most beautiful buy of all" .. that's what they told us in 1949 in thier advertising.. I have to agree.
     

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