My list of car designs that stood out over 30years

[needsducktape]

Just turned 31 (blahhh) and I was thinking about cars that from a design perspective have really stood out at the time they were introduced. (This is NOT about reliability, mechanical breakthroughs or exotic rare cars)

Feel free to agree or disagree and add your own.

-By the way, this is based on seeing these cars ON THE STREET as a really stand out (pleasing) design. Nothing more.

1. 1980s (I was really young but this is what stands out in my memory)

BMW E30/ VW scirocco designs stood out like a hot pepper
Also the Nissan/Datsun 300zx

1990s
The Audi A4 blew me away, it made every other car at the time look out dated. (After owning one, I HATE them now, but because of the reliability not design)

C5 vette - Seemed like GM finally made a car worth looking at !

E46 BMW - Nicest most, subtle design ever.

2000
1st. Subaru 2002/2003 WRX - The bug light beast STILL catches my eye when I see one (as long as it doesn't have the stupid "ricer" treatment).

2nd. Ford Focus -This latest generation really stands out to me. Not sure why, but it seems like one of the most modern designs over the last few years. Note: This could change, as Im still in the novelty phase of looking at it.

Not much over the last 5/6 years is really eye catching to me...

 

[JHZR2]

My picks:

1994 Dodge Ram. While the 93 was a classic in a late 60's kind of way, this design looked great.

BMW E30/E34. This is the best of the classic BMW look. This crosses the 80's/90's line and just evokes what BMW lines should be.

BMW E39. Probably the most beautiful BMW ever. just love the conservative yet aggressive lines in a nice package.

MB W123. Technically a 70's car since it was launched in 77, this is the best car ever made, period. Classic MB lines.

MB W211. A 2000's car that finally took the classic MB lines and modernized them for aerodynamics and efficiency. No model since has looked as good.

1994 Toyota Supra. I still have the brocheure. Beautiful car, stoutly made and fast. While my brother has a 3000GT VR4 that is a really neat, similarly powered and awd car, the supra just stands out for some reason.

2000 Audi A4. Agree, the lines were just good, solid and modern. never owned one, kind of wish I did.

2003 Saab 9-3. Regardless of GM underpinnings/ownership, this is a car that really has a beautiful, functional design and has been a pleasure to own and operate.

 

[SLCraig]

Still always at the top of my list is the Z32 300ZX. One of the best looking and just overall best cars ever made in my eyes. It's a timeless design, how can a 20 year old car still look that good?

Ferrari F40, arguably the single greatest car ever made, it simply speaks for itself.

Early 90's Honda Prelude (4th gen I believe) Awesome interior, awesome exterior. A reliable, affordable sporty great looking car.

God if I sat and thought about this I could come up with so many great cars...

 

[mechtech2]

Since you stated "when introduced", I will be different and follow that.

VW bug.
Corvette
T Bird
PT Cruiser
Jaguar E type
Mercedes gull wing

 

[Scotty59]

66 Fleet side Chevy Pickup, 65 GTO, 70 Datsun 240Z, Ferrari 599, 55 Chevy 2 Door Bel-Air Tu-tone; Aw' just send me one of each, like the auto journalists get for the rest of my life.......

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: needsducktape
C5 vette - Seemed like GM finally made a car worth looking at !





I think all the Corvettes are beautiful from '53 to '12+.

Of course, like you said, this is all opinion and preferences.

 

[Trav]

My picks, i limited it to 10.

1st 60's generation Buick Riviera
Toyota 2000 GT
Ferrari Daytona
MB 300SL
Volvo P1800
Bentley Continental S2 coupé James Young body
Jag E Type
Citroen DS
62-64 Facel Vega Facel II
Austin Mini Cooper S

 

[dwcopple]

Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Originally Posted By: needsducktape
C5 vette - Seemed like GM finally made a car worth looking at !





I think all the Corvettes are beautiful from '53 to '12+.

Of course, like you said, this is all opinion and preferences.
I'm gonna hafta agree with ducktape...

 

[MrRPM]

what about the Jeeps, everything from the WW2 jeeps and CJs all the way to the 2012 wranglers.

I have always wanted one since i was a very little kid, i now have one and everyone always compliments me even though its basically stock. kids think its so cool and with the top and doors off its a head turner.
the model is so loved that owners of them wave to other owners as they drive pass eachother on the road (jeep wave). the only other group that does that is motorcyclists

the ability to drive topless and doorless is also a big part of its image.
i guess between its history and unique look and legendary reputation its a design that has and always will stick out.

 

[mpvue]

in no particular order;

last celica- only toyota I kind of like
early Mazda MX-6
'94 Mazda 626
'93 RX-7
'70 camaro
mid '80's Shelby Charger (I know, I know...)
early datsun pickups
'73 cuda (I like the round taillights)
'73-'76 Chevelle Laguna

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: MrRPM
what about the Jeeps, everything from the WW2 jeeps and CJs all the way to the 2012 wranglers.

I have always wanted one since i was a very little kid, i now have one and everyone always compliments me even though its basically stock. kids think its so cool and with the top and doors off its a head turner.
the model is so loved that owners of them wave to other owners as they drive pass eachother on the road (jeep wave). the only other group that does that is motorcyclists

the ability to drive topless and doorless is also a big part of its image.
i guess between its history and unique look and legendary reputation its a design that has and always will stick out.


True but Corvette owners wave too. I have a Corvette, Jeep and Harley so I tend to wave a lot LOL!

 

[eljefino]

The Taurus/Sable were revolutionary. I remember seeing a wagon and being beside myself over the slanted/tilted rear side windows; everything else was boxy in comparison. They were also among the first cars with non-sealed beam headlamps.

Audi beat them in styling by a year or two with the 5000, but the Taurus sold way more around where I lived.

When the saturn s-series came out in 1991 I thought, jeez, looks like a pontiac grand prix, what a rip-off!

Chrysler LH in 1993 also looked pretty sharp for its time.

Also the 1993 Ram restyle that looked like a mini big rig. Common now, but incredible then.

In the early 2000s when cadillac came out with the all-angles design that was sharp.

Even the neon was cute and somewhat unique in appearance.

 

[Kiwi_ME]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
My picks:
BMW E30/E34.

and the E32 had the same lines.

Quote:

MB W123. ... this is the best car ever made, period...

I would agree with that, quality wise. The earlier series was very good too, we owned both while in Germany.

 

[artificialist]

Honestly, I feel that the styling of the 'Vette changed little since 1984.

There are some car styling I still like
1993-1998 Toyota Supra
R33 and R34 Nissan GT-R, and NISMO limited editions of those cars
Any Datsun Z
1998-2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6
MKV VW Jetta
1992-2001 Dodge Viper
Gen 1 Camaro
Any Lamborghini
Any Ferrari
The kind of Dodge Charger seen in Dukes Of Hazzard

 

[dishdude]

'84 Cherokee
'86 Accord
'93 Grand Cherokee
'93 Ram P/U
'93 LH cars
'84 Chrysler Minivans
'94 Mustang
'77 Caprice/Impala
'84 Fiero

 

[MCompact]

Jaguar E Type
Jeep CJ-5/CJ-7/Wrangler
Lamborghini Miura
1968 Mustang Fastback
1970 Camaro RS
1970 240Z
1973 Cutlass Salon
1976-1989 E24 6 Series
E39 5 Series

 

[ls1mike]

From the past 30?

Since 1981?

Are we just talking looks?

1991 Corvette, was the first C4 with rounded tail light section.
1993 Cobra
Viper any year
Last Gen Supra
Last Gen RX7
ferrari 360 modena
88 Dodge Daytona Shelby
1998-2002 Trans Am WS6
Current Z06/ZR1
Current Mustang
Oh Yeah how could I forget the 1988 to 1998 Silverado/Sierra. They started a huge market for aftermarket parts.

 

[G.Frost]

Originally Posted By: Trav
......................

Citroen DS

..............


WooHoo, top of my list.

Timeless design on both the first and last day of a 20 year production run. (1955-1975)

 

[hattaresguy]

Porsche 911, nuff said.

 

[morris]

best looking car. 1959 chevy