Random Thoughts... [Automotive Edition]

[Labcoatguy]

You're probably thinking of Johann de Nysschen, who worked for Cadillac and Infiniti and introduced the same stupid numbering scheme to both of them.

to further add to the gossip, I had heard that the guy responsible for ruining the Lincoln naming now works for Infiniti which is why they’re all screwed up now.

 

[prizrak]

^koenigsegg

Quite rare, I have yet to see one in person and I see crap like Lambos and McLarens basically daily.

 

[93Flareside]

You're probably thinking of Johann de Nysschen, who worked for Cadillac and Infiniti and introduced the same stupid numbering scheme to both of them.

Probably!

 

[93Flareside]

Damn near all cars look the same these days, it's rare to find something unique.

Is this because regular cars are designed by computer aiding that is basically just doing a "give me the lowest drag coefficient with the *names car brand* styling to it"?

Maybe @gt1750 or @CrzRsn can enlighten us.

 

[gaasc]

Is this because regular cars are designed by computer aiding that is basically just doing a "give me the lowest drag coefficient with the *names car brand* styling to it"?

No, it's that cars have always "looked the same".

80s?

60s?

1939?

 

[93Flareside]

No, it's that cars have always "looked the same".

80s?

60s?

1939?

Were those times also down to due how financially stable things were? 90s cars were less like this. Sure, they were bubbly, but not so identical.

 

[prizrak]

No, it's that cars have always "looked the same".

80s?

60s?

1939?

Good point, I often forget that the only reason we think of older cars as being more unique is because only the more unique models actually survived

 

[93Flareside]

Keep in mind the 50s was just after WW2 and car companies were strapped for cash to make new models hence why very little changed from late 30s-50s. Also know that the reason why so many were sold was because so many people couldn't care what car they could get, just that they got one because everyone had to hang on to an older model for much longer.

 

[prizrak]

Keep in mind the 50s was just after WW2 and car companies were strapped for cash to make new models hence why very little changed from late 30s-50s. Also know that the reason why so many were sold was because so many people couldn't care what car they could get, just that they got one because everyone had to hang on to an older model for much longer.

Yeah but 60s cars by and large also looked roughly the same, same for 70s really. Hell even the more distinct stuff like Mustangs were built on top of first Falcon then Pinto.

 

[Labcoatguy]

Yeah but 60s cars by and large also looked roughly the same, same for 70s really. Hell even the more distinct stuff like Mustangs were built on top of first Falcon then Pinto.

And then all the pony and muscle cars ended up having the same proportions within their classes (short deck, long hood, moderate overhangs) with just differences in details like grilles and arches. More people end up following the leader than innovating; those stifling GM and Ford corporate cultures were already firmly in place by the 50s and 60s.

 

[gaasc]

Were those times also down to due how financially stable things were? 90s cars were less like this. Sure, they were bubbly, but not so identical.

90s you say?

When the Megane is the most distinctive of the lineup, be very afraid.

 

[prizrak]

And then all the pony and muscle cars ended up having the same proportions within their classes (short deck, long hood, moderate overhangs) with just differences in details like grilles and arches. More people end up following the leader than innovating; those stifling GM and Ford corporate cultures were already firmly in place by the 50s and 60s.

On top of that stablemates ended up looking nearly identical with only small differences. IMO Camaro/Trans Am were the worst offenders, I can't even tell them apart at a glance....

90s?

 

[Der Stig]

Y'all can’t skip King and Queen Jelly Bean

 

[93Flareside]

Y'all can’t skip King and Queen Jelly Bean

View attachment 3557020

View attachment 3557021

were these ever sold outside of North America? Seems odd to have amber turn signals if not.

 

[Momentum57]

^ apparently Australia and NZ

But that said I can't think of a car that actually looked like the Ford Taurus in 96. Sure some rounded edges but no other manufacturer went full bubbles like Ford.

 

[Der Stig]

Nothing looked like them, but I think they were the 90s jelly bean design turned up to 11.

 

[Redliner]

^ apparently Australia and NZ

But that said I can't think of a car that actually looked like the Ford Taurus in 96. Sure some rounded edges but no other manufacturer went full bubbles like Ford.

The sedan was sold here, but probably no more than 17 cars.

 

[Perc]

I was at a Saab meet today. Or rather, the finnish Saab club is meeting here the entire weekend and I went to one of the events earlier today to look at some cars. A Cadillac BLS showed up and was denied entrance to the Saab parking. It had to park next to my Opel, a Volkswagen and a Mercedes. I'm assuming the parking attendant didn't know what a BLS is.

 

[prizrak]

To be fair I had no idea either.

 

[LeVeL]

Me neither. Quite interesting to read about it though.