Here Are Some Of The Worst Styling Trends In Automotive Design

"Blake Noble" (no-bull) 04/19/2014 at 14:45 • Filed to: Automotive Design

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When I was but a wee lad, I dreamed that one day I would grow up to be a great automotive designer. Posters of Lotus Elises, Chevrolet Corvettes and Lamborghini Countaches didn't just litter my walls because I wanted to someday own one — I wanted to be the guy responsible for penning the next one.

My nine year-old self even went so far once as to draw up the billion ideas I had for what GM should do with the next Corvette and mail them off to the Corvette Museum. Unfortunately, no one explained to me the Corvette Museum wasn't directly affiliated with GM, nor did anyone mention GM probably wouldn't hire a nine year-old to begin with. So I can only assume my package of a billion drawings wound up in a Warren County landfill. (For the record, if you worked at the Corvette museum around the turn of the millenium and are reading this: a simple return letter with a polite " fuck off, kid " would've been nice.)

Although I'm told the jury's still out on being "grown up," I'm sadly no longer nine years-old. I am, in fact, an adult and that means at some point I abandoned my childhood dream of designing cars in pursuit of... well, whatever it is I'm trying to do now. Something with writing, I think.

But, underneath my tall frame, deep voice and full beard, that nine year-old kid is still hanging around somewhere, yearning to design Corvettes and Lotuses. So I decided I would let my inner child take over for today and share with you five terrible and very fake styling trends that makes him pout and scowl. (Don't worry, I'll still be writing and editing this.)

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5.) The "single frame" grille

Now, before I start ripping into these stupid looking grilles, let me say this first: I like the VW Group. I like Audi. I like Volkswagen. I have a secret fetish for SEATs and your occasional Skoda (the support group meetings aren't going well, though). If I could buy a SEAT Leon 1.8 TSi here in Freedomland, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

With that said, I also hate the VW Group for kicking this stupid design trend off. The fifth-generation Golf GTi and third-generation A6 (both introduced in 2004) were some of the first cars to feature the barren wasteland of black plastic known as a "single frame grille."

Now Dodge, Toyota, Mini and even Ford (I'm also sure I'm forgetting !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! here) are all guilty of ripping off VW/Audi's stupid looking design. Newsflash, guys: It doesn't look good, it doesn't look cool. Please just stop already.

Photo credit: Toyota

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4.) Fake hood scoops

Some cars have huge engines powerful enough to move entire mountain ranges and slay ancient gods. And with such great internally combustible power comes the basic need to breathe in massive amounts of air. By blistering, punching and shaping domes and holes in a car's hood to form a sort of inlet or scoop, that titanic beast of a motor is granted additional fresh cold oxygen to feed upon.

Some cars, however, do not wield power capable of moving mountains. In fact, some cars can barely manage to move their own weight around. But, in order for you believe the contrary, designers will sometimes tack on a set imitation hood scoops in the same way Kandi from "The Club" will stitch in a set of falsies in order to make empty promises to lonely forty-something businessmen.

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3.) Fake fender vents

Like the hood scoop, many serious performance cars and supercars over the years have had fender vents cut and gouged into their front quarter panels in order to help expel any excess heat generated by the front brakes as the car slows down from the speed of sound.

Somewhere along the way, a brilliant (that's sarcasm, if you couldn't tell) designer had the brilliant idea of using them as "bling" on nondescript sedans (not looking at you, 2005 Buick Park Avenue Ultra) and giant five million ton four-wheel drive land whales. Then JC Whitney and even Walmart exacerbated the problem by selling them individually wrapped for the price of a six pack of good beer.

I vote we all keep spatulas under our seats and start peeling them off of every car, truck and SUV we see, first starting with the Infiniti Q- Whofuckinknows? pictured above.

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2.) Fake rear diffusers

What is a rear diffuser? Basically, because of witchcraft science or physics or something, a rear diffuser generates downforce by using the air moving underneath the car to create a sort of vacuum that makes the car stick better to the tarmac when it's traveling at higher rates of speed.

Supercars, such as the Porsche 918 and Ferrari TheFerrari, have them for obvious reasons. Enterprise-spec six-cylinder Chevrolet Camaros have something that looks like one because... well, you tell me. Contrary to what your eyes might tell you, most rear diffusers you see on average production cars are about as functional as most of Stephen Hawking.

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1.) Plastic rear quarter "windows"

What? Did you expect to see something else at the top of this list? I'm sorry, but it's a universal truth: If you want to completely ruin the styling of a car, just slap on a piece of plastic behind the rear doors.

Every car that has plastic rear quarter windows !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , undercooked, half-assed. It's one reason why the old Chrysler Sebring (and outgoing 200) looked like shit. It's the one feature everyone is earnestly waiting for Chevrolet to dispose of on the next-generation Chevrolet Cruze (whenever that's supposed to debut, anyway). It's what drags down the new Camry.

Here's another newsflash, automakers: You aren't fooling anyone with these petroleum-based comb overs. Properly design your rooflines in the future.

Photo credit: Toyota

jkm7680 > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 14:48

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Couldn't agree more! Fake anything that's stock on a car is a No-No.

RMudkips > jkm7680 04/19/2014 at 14:57

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It's a shame that automakers are giving cars too much Botox. Audi and Volks are pretty good at minimal styling, but most others are just going overboard with everything.

jkm7680 > RMudkips 04/19/2014 at 15:00

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I agree. Audi and Vw aren't overdoing, or overly decorating their Cars. In the last couple years, Audi has improved the looks of their Cars, without adding useless design features or excessive, or money saving bits and pieces.

AthomSfere > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 15:20

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On #2: I believe these have another purpose, they break up the air leaving the rear of the car increasing fuel efficiency...

On #1, I am OK with those, they mean we don't have massive C pillars which rarely look good.

Seitz > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 18:41

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I don't know why these piss people off so much, I mean the side vents look cheesy. but other than that, it seems like you're all hating for the sake of hating.

osmosis123 > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 18:51

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"functional as most of Stephen Hawking."

Yawn..Jeremy Clarkson wannabe.

Please Stop.

The End.

jalop1991 > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 18:52

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You have standing to criticize ornamental bling only if you yourself do exactly nothing to ornament yourself to try to make yourself more attractive to the ladies, for example.

In other words, you have no standing here to criticize any of this whatsoever.

I would love to see a blog of women you've dated, all criticizing you and the way you dress.

dauntlessrkf > Seitz 04/19/2014 at 18:52

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Hating for the sake of hating is 99% of Jalopnik.

dauntlessrkf > Seitz 04/19/2014 at 18:52

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Hating for the sake of hating is 99% of Jalopnik.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 18:55

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Skinny...

v8corvairpickup > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 18:55

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I hope the squashed roofline and high door panel look goes away. I don't like feeling like I'm sitting in an old clawfoot bathtub when driving a car because the bottom of the window starts at my shoulder. The Camaro is guilty of this look.

Another look that can go away is the gigantic spoked wheel with a tiny brake rotor (or worse a drum brake) behind it.

desertdog5051 > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 18:56

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#2. "Contrary to what your eyes might tell you, most rear diffusers you see on average production cars are about as functional as most of Stephen Hawking". That is cold. At least he has something to teach you. Humor accepted.

Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter > jalop1991 04/19/2014 at 18:59

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There's a difference between "bling" and "bling that is pretending to be race car parts."

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > RMudkips 04/19/2014 at 19:01

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This, a thousand times this. As good as their current lineup is, Ford's design language is way too overdone for me, but everyone seems to love it, so I guess I'm just crazy.

Art > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:04

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if you call that a rear diffusser, I don't know what to tell you. That's the only one I have a problem woth, other than that, the rest are pretty spot on.

RichardNixon72 > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:08

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Just for the record, blame Maserati for this bullshit fender vent trend with their hapless and pointless inclusion of three(???) nonsensical circles on the side of their Quattroporte in 2004. Ruined Ventiports for everybody. Everyone copycatted a styling cue Buick created and was known for for decades. Buick is entitled to their usage (and they've virtually all been phony, but so what?) because they created them in the first place. Everyone else? Take a leap. Even Maserati. ESPECIALLY Maserati. You already have a trademark design cue - its called the open hood with accompanying open checkbook.

nafsucof > v8corvairpickup 04/19/2014 at 19:13

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the high window sill is unfortunately a safety feature. My focus SVT vs my focus st greenhouse difference is hilarious. What's not is how unsafe the SVT now feels compared to my new car. My wife dds the SVT, I need to make that stop soon. Not that they aren't safe, the perception of safety goes a long way towards comfort. I am trying to get her into a fiesta st.

ranwhenparked > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:14

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I think this is related to current trends in residential architecture - fake dormers, fake stone, fake brick, fake shutters - so why not fake glass and fake hood scoops on cars. Clean, honest, design has been dead for a long time.

Ger > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:14

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2 tone spoked wheels do it for me. Why even bother?

FRS

Ftype

protodad > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:15

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"Supercars, such as the Porsche 918 and Ferrari TheFerrari"

I believe this should read "the Porsche 918 and the Ferrari TheFerrari"

Also, the hood vent one bugs me to no end. I don't care if it is a freaking Toyota Camry. If you are going to put a scoop or vent on the car, make it function. I am ok with a factory hood scoop on a Yaris if it actually pulls air through the radiator or uses a ram air effect. Just don't make them fake.

JuanDJ > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:15

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So, my car may fulfill your SEAT fetish?? It is a 1.8TSi DSG7 León 1P + APR Stage I (237HP, 410N.m) + Cupra suspension kit. (Or is your fetish the 5F version??)

Here is a short video of the car. (my whole fault on the stop sign at 1:16).

And regarding number one, the León does have a plastic quarter window, and for me it doesn't look cheap or half cooked. It is plastic due to the shape requiered to accommodate the door handle.

Sadly, it is three and a half hours away from the closest airport in freedomland (MDE-MIA)

PeteRR > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:16

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Hunched-up roof lines that make the car look like Quasimodo.

LTIROCKS > jkm7680 04/19/2014 at 19:18

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I think my '13 GTI Autobahn's styling is "right on."

Alan Gale > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:20

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#5 should be #1. All cars with #5 styling look like they all hit the same tree head on. I actually refused to upgrade my GTI to a 2006 model (back in 2006) because of how stupid it looked. Audi's used to do it for me, now they're all just plain UGLY (in the front). I wish someone in Germany would cut down whatever tree is responsible for Audi's front end styling.

TheKarMann > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:22

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I studied automotive design, and all I have to say is this: Agree, agree, agree, agree, agree.

ranwhenparked > nafsucof 04/19/2014 at 19:23

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It really isn't just for safety. I'm sure it makes things somewhat easier to engineer, but J. Mays has admitted that Ford could easily do low beltlines if they wanted to, but that small greenhouses are just where industry trends are at the moment.

PQ44 > jkm7680 04/19/2014 at 19:23

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Audi has the massive gaping single frame grills, exhaust tips and fake diffusers on RS models, and fake chrome miffor caps on S models. The world would be better without these.

bbutle01 > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:24

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hmmm, reminds me of sterling HD trucks...

http://imagehost.isoftdata.com/phpThumb.php?p…

472CID > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:27

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5) Can work for some cars. I think the Evo looks better for it, the Eclipse on the other hand..

Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter > nafsucof 04/19/2014 at 19:33

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Shitty visibility leads to higher likelihood of getting in an accident, so that's pretty damn ironic.

jkm7680 > PQ44 04/19/2014 at 19:33

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Fake Tips? Well, I don't see a problem with the grills.

The mirror caps are supposed to be a brushed finish. There really isn't anything wrong with the diffuser.

I've got a B7 A4, I see no problems.

Biodegradable Wiring Harness > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:43

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No such thing as a fake diffuser. If the underside of the car rises up at an angle, then it's reducing the pressure underneath the car and it's at least reducing lift, if not creating downforce. Very simple device that exploits Bernoulli's prinicple. Doesn't matter if it's made out of plastic, steel, carbon composite or unobtanium. The aerodynamic effect is the same.

Doctor-G-and-the-wagen > Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter 04/19/2014 at 19:44

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Which means more safety features (cameras, extra airbags, sensors/monitors, etc) which adds bulk to a car, which affects fuel economy, which makes for more pushes for better economy, which means finding ways to shave weight, which then makes the cars "less safe" again, and the cycle continues.

ENJOY.

mikeluscher159 > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:46

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#1 has a big boy work for it

Its called a "DLO fail"

Doctor-G-and-the-wagen > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:47

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I'm kinda okay with the fake hood scoops and vents (KINDA) so long as they do a good job of looking functional and not completely tacked on/shallow. The Challenger up there does an okay job, and I give Buick a slide on the vents because they've always done them off and on for ages so they tend to do a good job on them.

annajsavage > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:54

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my best friend's step-sister makes $78 /hour on the laptop . She has been out of a job for ten months but last month her paycheck was $17511 just working on the laptop for a few hours. visit the website

http://maxjobs4all.com/

Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter > Doctor-G-and-the-wagen 04/19/2014 at 19:54

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Or they could skip all the self-fulfilling bullshit and just make cars with good visibility.

But apparently that's too much to ask for.

IDesigner is the realfake Tanner Foust > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:54

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News flash: These actually bring in air on the Challenger.

dariof01 > RMudkips 04/19/2014 at 19:55

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true..but audi's/vw's are boring.. but then again boring cars are best left looking, well, boring.

A. Kobza > protodad 04/19/2014 at 19:55

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I completely agree. Even if your car puts a thunderous 57.5 horse power to the front wheels, if it functions, its better than the 300hp RWD car with plastic where they could have easily punched a hole.

Misterfu02 > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:56

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The black wheel fad can also fuck right off.

Planktron > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:57

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The one thing that bugs me more than anything is the C or D pillar triangle, especially the upside down variant.

patman > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:57

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the problem with the single frame grill is that everyone other than Audi is executed terribly. I pointed this out in the new Charger post but the Audi grill has the bumper cover disguised behind the grill slats and it appears as one unified grill. The others have upper and lower grills separated by the bumper cover with everything painted black to try and hide it.

Whether the single frame grill is good on its own merits is another question. The Audi has grown on me but not everything needs giant gaping maws. They're not really necessary either as most cars can get enough air from under the bumper for their induction and cooling needs. We're kind of seeing a front end styling war like in the 70's - will these look any less tacky in a few years?

pnazzle > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:58

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Not that it's the fault of the designers, but I'm seeing waaay too many crap boxes rolling around lately with stick on hood scoops. Sometimes 2 or more. I don't know where people are even buying these. I don't see them in auto parts stores (at least not the ones I frequent) and the riced out Civic thing died out years ago.

Darwin Brandis > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:58

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The fake fender vents are bad, but the ones you buy at AutoZone and stick on your car with double-sided sticky tape are even more reprehensible.

v8corvairpickup > Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter 04/19/2014 at 19:58

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Yep! I drove a new Camaro and was stunned at how poor the visibility was.

PS9 > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 19:59

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What are they even trying to do with that? Fool people who don't know anything about reskins vs. platform refreshes?

sammyjay > Biodegradable Wiring Harness 04/19/2014 at 19:59

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Does it really do anything if the underside of the vehicle isn't glass smooth? I'd imagine the turbulence caused by suspension parts, the engine, oil pan, tranny, driveshaft, etc would butcher the air flowing underneath the vehicle to the point that a Zonda R diffuser wouldn't be of any help.

Zonda R diffuser for reference

pickardracing > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 20:01

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My MK5 GTI is politely sitting in the driveway, and telling me to let you know you can pound sand for that first one.

Skelbagz > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 20:02

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How dare you dislike single frame grills. They look great. Signed, an Audi fanboy.

Doctor-G-and-the-wagen > Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter 04/19/2014 at 20:02

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But see, if they did that, they wouldn't be able to sell you those mandated cameras! And then if you didn't get that camera, then you might not need that very specific operating system for your car, with that one app!

[/ubersarcasm]

cluelessk > Ger 04/19/2014 at 20:02

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This. The FRS wheels look like a cheap aftermarket from ten years ago.

The Transporter > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 20:02

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Diffusers work using something call the Coand effect . The curved surface of the diffuser drags on the air at the boundary layer, pulling it upward. Using Newton's 3rd law of motion, the air pulled up pushes down on the rear of the car. The same thing happens along the bottom curve of a GT wing or the top curve of an airplane's wing. To work best, a diffuser needs a relatively smooth airflow, which you won't get if you place oblong shaped mufflers across 2/3 of the diffuser. Most cars that use a functional diffuser have a flat bottom for the smoothest airflow. This also helps the front splitter create a low pressure area below the car.

patman > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 20:03

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The Camaro tail reminds me that I don't like exhaust tips integrated into the body work, at least for pony/muscle cars. They should have long, straight and visible pipes exiting below the bumper that disappear over the rear axles. Moving the mufflers from under the rear seats to under the trunk and right ahead of the bumper makes this impractical I suppose but it still doesn't look right.

mazdaspeed2 > v8corvairpickup 04/19/2014 at 20:04

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That right there is the thing I DESPISE most about the new Camaros.

trunk_monkey_ChimChim > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 20:04

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I don't mind it so much. It's nice to see when someone mods their car and removes all that stuff.

Countersteer > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 20:08

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This !!!! They're putting the damn things on EVERYTHING now. Crappy econoboxes, CUV's EVERYTHING. I finally showed my daughter pictures of real diffusers on F1 cars and started pointing out the fake ones on crap cars. A couple of weeks later, we were driving along and she says... "You're right! They're everywhere! I can't unsee it !!!!"

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > ranwhenparked 04/19/2014 at 20:08

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Really? I had always assumed it was because of safety, in fact I'd read that in a few places. It infuriates me that it's unnecessary, lol. At least I had something to blame the high beltlines on my SHO on. You've taken it away from me!!! :P

Aaron Short - PROUD OF LEYLAND > nafsucof 04/19/2014 at 20:13

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The MK1 focus is a pretty damn safe car man, not modern day curtain airbags etc safe but its no deathtrap!

GoliathRex > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 20:16

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Can anyone find a car that has all of these features from the factory? If not- find me one with the most!

sbassen > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 20:20

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LED running lamps. Mainstreamed by Audi, ruined by everyone else.

1995droptopz > IDesigner is the realfake Tanner Foust 04/19/2014 at 20:22

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true story...you beat me to it

Autolegend86 > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 20:24

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Anything fake. Period.

Cars need to have more functional parts from the track that are not only functional but also make the idiots concerned with style to become miserable.

FRSFTW-ActuallyboughtaFocusST > nafsucof 04/19/2014 at 20:25

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This is freaky I too have a PB ST and am trying to get my GF in a Fiesta ST.

scramboleer > v8corvairpickup 04/19/2014 at 20:27

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Couldn't agree more. And the high beltline makes it impossible to cruise comfortably with your elbow sticking out the window without feeling like a trussed-up chicken. Or turkey.

SoichiroFerdinandandEnzo > A. Kobza 04/19/2014 at 20:29

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In the interest of fairness the Challenger R/T and up do use functional scoops. But it is just engine bay cooling.

Chris Zimmer > v8corvairpickup 04/19/2014 at 20:30

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isn't that "window starting at shoulder level" an artifact of 18, 19, and 20" wheels? Without some sort of sides above the wheel wells, the car look stupid. So does a window you cannot properly rest your arm on and dare the sun to give it cancer while you drive, but it looks less stupid.

Doctor-G-and-the-wagen > dauntlessrkf 04/19/2014 at 20:35

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I hate this comment! GRR!

v12mind > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 20:36

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While it may not generate downforce, the rear diffuser of the Camaro is functional as it helps smooth out the air coming out the back end. It helps reduce the drag and ultimately gas mileage.

shirosake > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 20:36

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The front of every new Lexus. overstyled predator mouths.

theotherkiwi > PeteRR 04/19/2014 at 20:36

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We don't call them Quasimodo any more, we call them Stink Bugs :-)

theotherkiwi > sbassen 04/19/2014 at 20:37

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Agree. A new legal requirement that is executed badly by most.

Nisman > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 20:38

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This article has so much win. From the Infiniti Q-whofuckinknows? to the Stephen Hawking gag. I love it.

Garrett Davis > patman 04/19/2014 at 20:38

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I think others have pulled it off pretty well:

I also think that Camry above looks pretty good.

shirosake > Autolegend86 04/19/2014 at 20:38

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I hate having to explain to people (about my STi, MY13') that the side vents, hood scoop and spoiler are all functional additions. All the fake shit in the world has made everyone think most things on cars are fake.

shirosake > sammyjay 04/19/2014 at 20:39

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It does, just less. Obviously smooth, non-turbulent air can exploit it more, but it still works.

jalop1991 > Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter 04/19/2014 at 20:40

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There's a difference between "bling" and "bling that is on the surface making you look like a guy a woman would want to fuck".

Knightly > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 20:44

3

You left off the one that annoys me the most of anything.

6.) Fake "Carbon fiber" trim panels

I'm looking at you 2015 WRX, Subaru has just gotten into it lately with a lot of their cars(which is sad I would have expected better from them), but Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Dodge, and Toyota have all been guilty of making crappy looking fake "carbon fiber" trim pieces. it stupid and ugly, and doesn't belong on any car ever. Either do the real thing or dont do it at all. STOP pretending to be something you're not.

bulkzerkerridesagain > v8corvairpickup 04/19/2014 at 20:45

0

That "design style" won't be going anywhere sadly. because Safety.

ChrisMD123 > ranwhenparked 04/19/2014 at 20:46

1

There's an interesting psychological theory on the high belt lines - We felt secure in cars when we were small children and sat much lower in them. Raising the belt line taps back into that feeling, leading people unconsciously to believe that they are safer while making visibility worse.

Wiggle Puppy > v8corvairpickup 04/19/2014 at 20:47

0

It my dumb opinion that, part of the reason for the high belt-lines is due to the massive amount of huge trucks and SUVs on the roads. I've never felt nervous driving around in my old, 80's-era hatchback back in the day, but I certainly do now.

RMudkips > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 04/19/2014 at 20:48

1

It's a bit "eh" for me. The Mustang looks nice though.

RMudkips > dariof01 04/19/2014 at 20:49

2

The design language is great in my opinion. It follows the humble "Bauhaus" language well in this day and age.

Xxforza11 > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 04/19/2014 at 20:53

4

Seriously those rims are like the rims that the dealership gives you after you don't want to pay the extra $100 for the rim package.

Kayone74 > Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter 04/19/2014 at 21:00

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Im sorry but how short are you? These window lines aren't so high to cut off visibility in normal sized human adults. The smaller greenhoise makes for a less well lit interior and are terrible for small kids who actually have trouble looking out the window and more prone to getting motion sick

TobleroneTunnel > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 21:00

0

I would add the following:

1. The use of the expression "rate of speed" instead of "speed" in any instance, ever

2. The "squashed greenhouse" or "high beltline" look - is visibility overrated?

3. The "smeared" headlights/stoplights - such as those in the Range Rover, Ford Explorer, etc.

4. Unnecessarily large stop light lenses with sculptural forms and/or projecting volumes

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > RMudkips 04/19/2014 at 21:00

0

It does, though they failed in some of the details. The Mustang is the car that design language works for, everything else looks kinda like an oversized fascia tacked on to a stretched jellybean. Even though that doesn't mean the cars themselves aren't fantastic, I know I'm gonna get flamed, but at least I'm honest :p

MrPedantic > ranwhenparked 04/19/2014 at 21:00

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*american architecture. Clean honest design is very much alive in other countries, but has never been mainstream in the US. You'll also notice that most of these design "features" we're discussing are on american market cars.

wombat661 > v8corvairpickup 04/19/2014 at 21:01

1

Totally agree, the poor visibility is stupid. Is NOT because of safety. Notice cars generally have larger driver window (probably by law), but very tiny passenger windows. Don't tell me the tiny passenger window is for safety of the passenger. What about the driver with the larger window? Are they less safe then. Don't buy that at all. The side protection bar in the door is way below the window sill anyway.

Poor rear visibility has trickled to all cars now that I notice people honk less in LA if you cut in front of them. They just assume you can't see them because of those tiny windows. They assume you cannot see out of your window anymore than they can see out of their own windows.

imprezanoturbo > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 21:01

0

How about fake wing windows? I'm looking at you Honda Civic and Subaru Impreza. The wing window is dead. Long live the wing window.

Autofixation > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 21:04

0

I would like to add to the fake quarter window, the "useless quarter window". As on my girlfriend's Pontiac Vibe! Useless! Can't even see out of it.

emjayay > ranwhenparked 04/19/2014 at 21:05

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Residential architecture in the US is generally at a historic low. But sometimes fakeness can be done so well it becomes the Platonic Ideal of fake, like some Hansel and Greta style houses in the 30's and some Storybook Ranch houses in the 50's.

ohio991 > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 21:07

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I don't get the hate for the plastic rear quarter "window". Look at the cars they're put on , "cheap" econo cars, not caddy's , BMW's, or audis . Camry's , Cruze's and 200's. Stop whining

nappingatdesk > Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter 04/19/2014 at 21:08

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One of the worst offenders. WTF is with the C pillar??? You're pretty much driving an Econoline van.

lingenfelter > Xxforza11 04/19/2014 at 21:09

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Steelies with chrome/polished trim is an established look on Camaros. I'm not wild about it, but it works. Those tires do look pretty anemic though.

emjayay > Blake Noble 04/19/2014 at 21:10

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I once worked on the crew of a play, and as often happens if you see a play lots of times you eventually really appreciate some lines and enjoy repeating them. This reminds me of one:

"Fake is shit! I shit on fake!"

Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter > jalop1991 04/19/2014 at 21:10

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I don't think this analogy is working very well.

But let me attempt to make it work anyways: "bling" would be wearing a suit, and "poser bling" would be wearing one of those tuxedo t-shirts and some khakis and pretending that you're wearing a suit. Fake vents/scoops/diffusers/windows are like tuxedo shirts. No matter how you wear them, they always make you look like a tasteless doofus.

ranwhenparked > emjayay 04/19/2014 at 21:11

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You are right, I suppose the distinction is quality. Loads of chrome trim was OK on 1950s cars, because at least it was real chrome, it looks tacky today primarily because its cheapo plastichrome.

lingenfelter > Knightly 04/19/2014 at 21:11

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The alternative being what? Fake wood grain? Fake leather grain? Fake onyx?

ranwhenparked > MrPedantic 04/19/2014 at 21:12

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It was mainstream here, for a brief period after WWII - the only time modernism held mass appeal in the US, then quickly faded from the scene.