I am curious if any one has looked at the golden ratio for hotrod design? I found this on new cars but have never seen anything for hotrods. https://www.goldennumber.net/carwow-beautiful-cars-golden-ratio/ There are many threads on how much to chop a top. The coolest ones, in my mind, have windows not even close to the golden ratio. In fact they are close to the golden ratio squared. (2.8) And, yes, I do know that my mind is not wired to look at the world in a normal way.
Yes- it comes up in regularly in threads about aesthetics, "the look", stance, etc. Check these search results: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...golden+ratio&t=post&o=relevance&g=1&c[node]=5
Hello, That golden ratio is for designers to create the lowest coefficient of drag for most car factories and not to make the final design too outrageous. The front of a Tesla is supposed to be the smoothest design, but it is a future hot rod, not today's hot rod, as we know it. The speculation of liking a front grille of Ford Coupes and Sedans is an ongoing battle with those in one camp versus those in another. Who likes to mess up a Model A Coupe with a 32 grille? Where is the design factor in that, it throws the golden ratio out of the window. But, there are hot rod people that would not have it any other way. In hot rod history, there are so many factors that make up a hot rod that a simple equation like the golden ratio is just an exercise in writing a catchy slogan for a story. Every hot rod is different, despite some having the same running gear, motor and front/rear look. It is the small things and overall build from the individual hot rod guy/girl's thoughts that make it what it is. There are a lot of hot rods that would not make anyone's top ten in design and functionality. But, they still get built and run on the streets for different road trips in a hot rod. Jnaki So, that is a simple idea for others, but it probably would not fit in the individualistic area of hot rods and cruisers. IMHO...
A very wise man once said "The Golden Ratio is in the eye of the beholder". Yeah, that was me, I said it.
Considering the design geometry, none of the lines correlate to the central when hanging an 'A' shell on the front of a 'T'. Methinks, in retrospect, that Edsel knew proper aesthetics...
This stuff is way over my head. If I see a car or a woman that appeals to me visually I don't think too much about the Golden Ratio. It must be a sub-conscious thing. Your brain must contain all of the parameters that the Golden Ratio consists of. I will admit that there have been certain cars that the designers were either all on vacation (or pharmaceuticals) because there was NO thought given to this Golden Ratio of which you speak.
Edsel was sharp as a tack when it came to design. he was more of a sports car guy though if you look at his early personal cars. Granted @Atwater Mike you and me probably appreciate a sports car more then most of the people we know. I used to be able to spout the golden ratio right on out there. Not any more. I just look at things and try and do what I think works. Sometimes it does.
It's been the task of the original manufacturer's design studio to add as much "beauty" as their limited budget allows. Hot rods are the antithesis of what those designers struggled to create. If hot rods have beauty, it's a beauty of purpose, of 'lesser is more'. Oh sure, you can have your Shaggy Dog Contests and pick some winners. But picking the "best" hot rod is like picking the Pit Bull with the prettiest face. Pit Bulls and hot rods don't care about Golden Ratios. They care about, how fast can you run, and can they catch you?
I have built 18th Century Kentucky Longrifles and have explored the Golden Mean-Golden ratio quite a bit. Mine many others conclusion..... What looks good is good. Trying to live strictly by the Golden Mean in every aspect of design......Is just something else to worry about. Some guys take to the extreme and layout everything with their dividers. Some guys get all kooky with it it and the next thing you know....they’re trying to turn lead into gold. Basically the “Mean” is 3/5 of a measurement. OK....3/5 from where? 3/5 overall? 3/5 from 3/5 between the area that the 3/5 goes. So you can see strictly going by the “Mean” or the “Ratio” you can get far far from it. In the end, what looks good is good. When done, if it looks good, I’m sure a Golden Mean guy can come out with his dividers and tell you why it looks good. What I’m getting at is the Golden Ratio is really found pretty much in hindsight....not foresight.
I’ve read this entire thread and have come to the conclusion that the H.A.M.B. sure has changed a lot over the years. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I am a firm believer of the Golden Ratio of car design, The most powerful engine in the lightest car!
I like all sorts of classic cars. My golden ratio car would be a '39 Ford coupe... But I also appreciate a '50 Studebaker coupe, a '47 Ford, a Hudson pickup, '55 Chevrolets, and lots of others... and who doesn't love an XKE!
Exactly why the modern large wheel, small side wall tires look goofy to us, because they are! The only thing that looks good with an over sized side wall is a drag slick, and even then it has it's limits. Under sized side walls are just plain goofy! The perfect blend of side wall to wheel diameter makes or breaks a car IMHO.
Not to forget E-I-E-I-O I think a car that's pleasing to look at is more like what some Senator or Supreme Court judge said about pornography....."I can't describe it, but I know it when I see it"....or something like that. Lynn
Fortunately, I have no idea what a Golden Ratio means, and I have no interest in learning all about it. Therefore, I am not restricted by its rules concerning what I think looks good. I believe I will continue to build things to ratios that look right to me, weather or not they are correct according to someone else. Some days I just feel like a rebel! Gene
I like most all of the old cars, even some newer cars as long as they don't look like a half used bar of soap. I have no idea about a golden ratio, nor do I care...there I said it...lol
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