Ugly Cars

[ZippyTheChimp]

Sorry, but cars move through the air. I can't think of a better example of form follows function than auto design.

I suppose the Volvo PV544 may have been endearing in its time. I friend of mine in college had one. Four-on-the-floor, but the stick was about 3 feet long. A blast to drive.



Although produced from the late 1950s to the mid 60s, it looked like a scaled down 1941-48 Ford. The PV544 was an updated PV444, most noticeable change was a one piece windshield.

Here's the PV444, which started production in 1947,


And its inspiration, 1946 Ford
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:1946_Ford_coupe.jpg

Full circle, Ford now owns Volvo.

At the same time the PV544 was in production, Volvo also produced the cool P1800.


While James Bond was cruising in an Aston Martin, Simon Templar drove a P1800.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Saint_%28TV_series%29

And we all know that Roger Moore eventually became James Bond.

[Fabrizio]

The Citroen Ami.

You have to be French:

http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afbeeld..._6_berline.jpg

http://www.delest.nl/media/img/DCP_8309.JPG

Ultra fab:

http://www.citrobe.org/ami62.htm

http://www.dkimages.com/discover/pre...775/563055.JPG


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[ZippyTheChimp]

If it's silver meteor in color, and if the sun is shining on it, and if the background is attractive, and if it's shot at an angle that makes the car look longer and the roof look flatter... then I guess it looks OK.

I haven't seen one in person, but I don't see what you're talking about. The only ugly one so far is the disguised car on the test track.

Here's a level side-view, neutral background, even a garish color.



Not a great design, but ugly?

[Ninjahedge]

The original Multipla does not look that bad. Kind of fat and dumpy (like a VW bus that was off of Jenny Craig).

The Aztec was THE ugliest car I have seen in a long time. I still wonder why ANYONE bought that multi-tiered choppy boxy nightmare!


As for that Citroen, it looks like a car that was beaten up by designers. Squished laterally and having its roof banged back as if some large hand had smacked it into a clope.

VERY impractical and a sheer experssion of form following whatever the hell it wanted to rather than function.


I would not call it stylish more than confrontory. It was a thumb to the nose of conventional design that, in my opinion, ended with more snot on it that what was really needed.

[ablarc]

I think maybe it's a taste that doesn't translate well. I think now it looks too normal.

Yes and yes.

Few Americans are able to admire the aestrhetic quirkiness of such "ugly" cars as the Citroen 2CV, the Ford Ka or the Smart.

Closest we came was learning to love the original Beetle.

[Jasonik]

Citroen's 2CV is back!


Roof options will include panoramic glass or a canvas top that can be rolled back. Clamshell bonnet echoes that of
original, while headlights are now integrated into the wings.


Interior has room for four and lots of modern kit. Seat fabrics and colours can be personalised.

[ZippyTheChimp]

Love the skirt.

[Ninjahedge]

What about the fake spinning wheels in the isometric front rendering!

[Fabrizio]

The ugliness of the 2cv, the Ami, the Multipla... it gave them soul.

My problem with the ugliness of... say a Pontiac G6 or that Grand Prix... is that the INTENTION was to design something attractive and contemporary...yet you can see that it's the result of market surveys and commitee meetings... not the sure hand of a design studio with a point of view. And for me that is truly ugly. GM always seems to be trying to second guess what the public wants rather than designing inspired cars.

[ablarc]

Love the skirt.

Original had it too.

Sorry about the integrated headlamps. Mickey Mouse lamps would have been better.

[ZippyTheChimp]

Sorry about the integrated headlamps. Mickey Mouse lamps would have been better.

Austin Healey Sprite Mark I

The Bugeye, Frogeye, Happy Frog.

Distinctive headlamps were a cost-cutting measure. Original design called for flip-downs, like this.

[Jasonik]

[ablarc]

^ That made me laugh out loud.

[Jasonik]

1946 Gatford (Gatsonides-Ford)





1948 Gatso 4000 Roadster

Designed by Maus Gatsonides, a racecar driver whose invention, originally intended to aid faster driving, has been ironically employed to curb it.

Designed also the undeniably sexy 1949 Gatso Platje. (more photos)

[kz1000ps]

I do not like Subarus, especially ones that have illuminating tumors growing off its hood.

**

While Fabrizio rags on GM for their junk designs (and rightfully so!), I want to turn our attention to their biggest market threat -- Toyota. They baffle me in how they can ever let some of these shapes leave the drawing board.
_____________

The Camry:


Its nose looks horrible in real life (way too bulbous and ill-proportioned), and those droop headlights seem like a weak attempt at trying to create an identity (well nobody else is using that shape, so why not?). They did the same thing with the taillights, but besides them the mid and back sections of the car are ok (I like the greenhouse arc, it's sleek without consciously going for the Audi look).
_____________

The Yaris:


Granted, I chose this photo for how unflattering it is, but damn! It looks like the designers went for an Audi-esque grille on a $12,000 car, threw some bug-eyed lamps on it and got the results you'd expect.

I ask the question: is it endearingly ugly, or what-freakin-insect-is-that ugly? (I can understand how people might chose the former).
_____________

The Highlander:


There's so many awkward lines and angles here, I don't know where to begin.

First, there's no direction to the body, it's just some sort of a mass that looks uncomfortable doing anything, be it moving or standing still. The front bumpers look like they got sanded back at the corners, the headlights do that stupid droopy thing like the Camry, and my god those fender bulges over the wheels.. the designers tried to make them into "character" lines, but ugh no. Bad Toyota, bad!

This one offends my sensibilities the most.