Cars that you think are good looking

fotofrank

Enzo Ferrari said the XKE is one of the most beautiful cars ever built. I have to agree. This is a 1971 XKE.

 

Beat me to it!

Of course I think Enzo was talking about the MK 1 E-type.

Also, the Sunbeam Tiger MK 1.

My dad had an early production one, with a hard panel that covered the top when it folded down.  I thought it had backseats, but later found out that was a package shelf.

His had the high top speed gear ratio (125 MPH at redline in 4th).  I was about 8 year old, sitting back there with my 2 years older brother in the front seat.  There was a section of divided highway that hadn't been completed to a nearby town.  

Never any traffic out there, except when the IH factory was changing shifts.  And not a good chance of seeing a cop.

He put it down, we were really moving and he said "THAT'S IT!  THAT'S ALL SHE'S GOT!"  Later he said he didn't go quite to the 4500 RPM redline, but just to 4000.

At that point that engine was 25 years old, and he didn't want to break something.  Even though it was far from stock- race cam, gravel strainer, bigger 4 barrel carb, polished aluminum heads and headers.

1955 Chrysler 300 coupe was pretty handsome.

And of course the classic 911.

1958 Impala had the prettiest rear end I think.

My mom bought one new, dark blue though with a white top.  She was 19 working as a secretary at a Chevrolet dealership.  Someone had ordered a 348 tri power with a powerglide, but then couldn't buy it.

The salesmen convinced my mom that would be a good car for her, gave her a good deal on it.

6 months later she had worn out the rear tires (she said "those bias ply didn't last as long as modern radials"- said she didn't know anything about cars, her parents never had a car, her brother was in the Army and she had to have the people at the dealership tell her the tires were shot), and I'm sure she showed that gullwing rear facia to plenty of people in the city.

Only new car my parents ever bought, and when they got married my dad hated that car.  Said you'd pull out to pass someone, put the accelerator down and that big engine would just rev.

There is one particular automobile I fell in love recently visiting the Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich, NY. It is a two-tone light purple 1958 Oldsmobile 88 Stationwagon. The amount of chrome and the complete restoration is incredible. I'm talking chrome roof rack, chrome trim - including trim on roof, sides, front and rear. Talk about love at first sight. Cupid certainly hit my heart dead on. LOL!

mustang1989

For me I just simply cannot get enough of the mid-50's F-100's. Especially when they are fixed up just right...

Hi,

I have a kit of the Revell/Monogram 1955 F-100 and the F-100 based Panel Van in my stash just waiting to be built (and a ton of images that I have downloaded off the internet to give me paint color ideas for them )

Pat

For me I just simply cannot get enough of the mid-50's F-100's. Especially when they are fixed up just right. One of these days I hope to have one parked in my garage so I can take a weekend cruise in it.

Then there's one that doesn't pop up in just everyone's mind but is a major player with just a few mods. The 1990 Chevrolet Silverado 454 SS trucks. I would DEFINITELY have one of these as well.

The Franklin automobile line are gorgeous. 

Pat ;

 I have to add this .The Imperial was supposed to be the line above the Chrysler New Yorker , Fifth Avenue series . Needless to say it didn't work out that way !

 Many companies have come and gone and most folks don't know they even existed .Winton , Durant and many others  like Willys Overland etc . Stanley and the ubitiqous Steamer in , get this , three different models ! 

Talking about the " Edsel "

 This car although loved by some , and reviled by many was a first in many ways for Ford

 First and foremost it was intended to be a step up from Mercury and just below Lincoln . It didn't work out that way . Many were priced out and sold at a higher price than the base Lincoln .

 It had a Push - Button Ford Automatic with the buttons in the Steering Wheel Hub ! You could get it with an Edsel version of Lincoln's " Level Ride ". The Pacers were the most common with , are you ready ? Eighteen trim and equipment levels !

 I once was given a Buick ! It was my neighbor's car . He was a second Banana Comedian , Retired . His name Wally Vernon .He transitioned from Silent to Talkie Movies and lasted until the late fifties . 

 Wally , although funny all the time was really funny when he hit the sauce . Sadly it killed him . Mrs. Vernon didn't drive . She knew I liked his car so eight days after the funeral she came over with the title and said . "I know Wally would want you to have his Buick ". So , Here I am Driving a licenseable wreck and trying to get to the base on time and this Buick falls into my lap .

 1948 Buick Butterfly Hood Roadmaster Four Door Sedan  Straight Eight and the top of the line Automatic for the day . Loaded for it's day . You shoulda seen the guys in the  Motor Pool when I drove up for the inspection for a base sticker ! I thought they gonna croak ! Just think in 1968 , an E-5 drives up in this new looking and sounding old Buick .

 I will say Wally took care of her . She went to the Dealer for service only ! No independent garage ever touched her . I kept that up too ! 

 When I moved back home after my service I still had her . After fifteen years I didn't want to part with her either . A friend of mine made me an offer I couldn't refuse . A  brand new Mercury Grand Marquis fully loaded and title free and clear in my name . and $10,000.00 bucks ! !

 My littlest daughter had her college fund start with Wally's Buick ! 

Hard to beat the coolnes of Jeep Rubicon 

Tanker - Builder

Hi PFJN;

 You know that the Mercurys were Discontinued because they were actually hurting Lincoln sales ? Why pay 18 to 24 thou for a Lincoln when you you could get it's fully loaded cousin , Same equipment for 12 to 16 thou . Sure if you want and can afford luxury that's the way to do it .

I have , as I have said , a KIA Soul , six speed , four cylinder in black now .But my all time favorite as I have aged and gotten involved with museums and such was my KIA Sedona !

 In my younger years I had some "Hot-Rods" ? But those were out of curiosity more than a love of speed . Today they would be looked at as very mild " Street -Machines "

 As my body got pummeled by life and My income increased I drifted toward the Luxury Cars because I didn't like the pain of driving 600 miles in an Austin - Healey . It hurt so much it wasn't fun anymore !

 I thought one time of getting a 56 Cadillac Coupe De-Ville and restoring it and upgrading the suspension and drive train to more modern standards including hidden creature comforts .

 Just think  , Cruise fine and classically ! 

Hi,

Thanks for the info. I had heard a little about Mercury's demise, but hadn't really followed the whole story.  The more I learn about the history of car companies though, I have been amazed about how some brands have come and gone.

Specifically, I thought it was interesting when I first found out the Pontiac was formed in the 1920s as a cheaper companion brand to GMs Oakland brand, but eventually ended up kind of replacing Oakland a few years later.  And I also thought it was kind of interesting how Chrysler tried to spin off the Imperial line as a separate make for a few years in the 1950s (with Ford trying to start a new "Edsel" make a few years later).

Its kind of interesting to see how the industry has ebbed and floed over the years.

Pat

PS.  I do have my 51 Buick right now that I have faint hopes of trying to get to run again and I also am a fan of Kia's

Hi PFJN;

 You know that the Mercurys were Discontinued because they were actually hurting Lincoln sales ? Why pay 18 to 24 thou for a Lincoln when you you could get it's fully loaded cousin , Same equipment for 12 to 16 thou . Sure if you want and can afford luxury that's the way to do it .

I have , as I have said , a KIA Soul , six speed , four cylinder in black now .But my all time favorite as I have aged and gotten involved with museums and such was my KIA Sedona !

 In my younger years I had some "Hot-Rods" ? But those were out of curiosity more than a love of speed . Today they would be looked at as very mild " Street -Machines "

 As my body got pummeled by life and My income increased I drifted toward the Luxury Cars because I didn't like the pain of driving 600 miles in an Austin - Healey . It hurt so much it wasn't fun anymore !

 I thought one time of getting a 56 Cadillac Coupe De-Ville and restoring it and upgrading the suspension and drive train to more modern standards including hidden creature comforts .

 Just think  , Cruise fine and classically ! 

quote user="Trabi"]

PFJN, May I correct a little bit? I´ts AWZ P70 "Zwickau". (Automobil Werke Zwickau, AWZ) And yes, that coupe version is a beauty (My wife told me to say that I´ts her car )

[/quote]

Ooops, thanks 

PFJN

 Hi,

Interestingly enough, some sites suggest that another (kind of similar) eastern European car the AKW P70 may have been a design inspiration for the Figaro..

 

PFJN, May I correct a little bit? I´ts AWZ P70 "Zwickau". (Automobil Werke Zwickau, AWZ) And yes, that coupe version is a beauty (My wife told me to say that I´ts her car )

My favorite beauty, however I´m not a big fan of Fords is Ford RS200:

I've always enjoyed looking at the CCCA true classics - Dusenbergs, Pierce Arrows, V-16 Cadillacs, etc. but my favorites are still the brass era Model T's. Sticking with the Ford theme, also any Model A or early V-8 Ford. Finally the humble wartime Jeep.

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

I love cars from Model T’s through the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and early 80s. I love the old vintage imports as well.

Today’s American cars I view them as everyday driving and modern. Sure, who doesn’t want to own the new Mustang, Camaro or Dodge Challenger Hellcat or Demon ( I do :) ) ... 

Hi,

Just as a silly aside, since I know your comment above was more or less meant as a retorical question, but I think I might be one of the few who really doesn't want to drive a new Mustang, Camaro, Hellcat or Demon .

Its not that I don't think that they are interesting or good looking or anything, because I do find them fascinating, but rather I think its in part because I am a very clumsy person, and as such tend to shy away from "powerful" things.  (In fact I tend to be kind of the same around weapons - I can really appreciate the artwork, craftsmanship and abilities of various guns and knives and such, but am much more comfortable seeing them on display, rather than holding, firing, or using one in part because I fear I may drop and break it, or accidently hurt myself or someone else with one, etc.)

Anyway, with respect to cars like those above, I can really appreciate their looks and engineering and handling and such, but don't have any real desire to sit behind the wheel of one.

One the other hand though, as an engineer by training, I do find myself drawn to understanding the "comprises" inherent with any design, and as such I tend to find myself more drawn to "people movers" than "power symbols" or exotic sports cars, which I guess in part explains my fascination with stuff like the FSO Syrena, Wartburg 311-313, Japanese Kei-Cars, and other similar vehicles. 

I guess to me, seeing an attempt at a simple car to "help motorize the masses" is more interesting for me than a lot of the higher priced perfomance, luxury, or exotic cars really targeted "for a limited few" 

I love cars from Model T’s through the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and early 80s. I love the old vintage imports as well.

Today’s American cars I view them as everyday driving and modern. Sure, who doesn’t want to own the new Mustang, Camaro or Dodge Challenger Hellcat or Demon ( I do :) ) Today’s Corvettes are just too damn wide compared to the classic Vettes.

As far as modern imports, I love the Bugatti Veyron and Alpha Romeo Guilia.

Ferrari 330P4

Lola T-70

McLaren F1

DeLorean DMC12

The last one is just me. I am a fan of Ital Design, and the DeLorean is the only car that elicited a strong love at first sight reaction in me.  That was in 1982, three years before it became a pop icon in Back to the Future. 

Pawel

Hello!

That Nissan Figaro looks like a Syrena tribute car!

...

Hi,

Interestingly enough, some sites suggest that another (kind of similar) eastern European car the AKW P70 may have been a design inspiration for the Figaro.  Overall I can see a lot of similarities between the Figaro, the AKW P70, the Syrena, and even the Trabant, as shown below 

Figaro, AKW P70, Syrena, & Trabant

I certainly agree with the Mercedes 300SL as topnotch styling.  It was my dream car when I was a teenager.  However, I think the all-time best Mercedes for styling is the 540K.

Pat ;

 I apologize for no pictures , but I think you'll see them when I start .

 1956-57 Chevy Bel Air two dr hardtops .

 1953 Studebaker Starliner Coupe .

 1963 Studebaker LARK Convertible  ( in RED ) Very neat looking package . With a V-8   of course !

 1965 Cobra 289 " flat fendered " roadster . ( Nuff said here )

 1968 Mustang Fastback ( Ala  "Bullit ")

 1955 Mercedes 300-s Gullwing coupe ( silver Naturally )

 1977-1982 - Mercury Grand Marquis Brougham ( big , comfortable , and a Lincoln in     disguise ! ) 

 1972 T-Bird Landau in Butterscotch and Chocolate brown .Fully Loaded .

 1955 Austin - Healey 300 ? or is that 3000 ?

 1960 Cadillac El-Dorado Convertible .

 1959 Buick Invicta Convertible .

 1957 Buick Roadmaster Four door sedan 

 1953 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible in Baby Blue . 

 1964 - 1978 Buick Rivieras , any color any trim .

 Last  , But not least and a surprise to everyone ! A Minivan , Yes ! The 2003 KIA Sedona - LX fully loaded . Best looking and equipped Mini-Van I've ever had the pleasure to own !

 Oh , and one more a 1963 Jaguar XKE ( Non) 2 plus 2

 OOps , I forgot a 1970 Firebird and a 1934 Mercedes 400 with body by Sindlefingen .Very similar to the picture Don showed later .

 Oh! and one more I should not forget . A 1985 Honda Qualude ( Oops , I meant Prelude )It was so relaxing to drive it had that effect on me . It belonged to a sick friend of mine . I would drive him to his doctor appointments !

Okay , Ooh ! Oo! because of my age I forgot two . The beautiful Lincoln Furura ( Before "Batmobile Sickness " and a fully loaded 1957 Ford Fairlane Five Hundred two dr. Hardtop !

The Gen I Vipers are probably my favorite. Smooth aerodynamic bodies that are so aesthetically pleasing to look at but hide engines packed with gut wrenching torque. 

   While I profess to be a "Blue Oval" guy, about the only cars by Ford I like are the 60's Galaxy 500, and the new offering of the Mustang.

    I really like the sharp lines of an 84-86 Chevy Monte Carlo SS, 86 Buick Regal "T" Type, little brother to the 87 GRAND NAT.( GNX). My ultimate car would be a Buick "boat tail Riviara", and ALMOST ANY rear wheel drive Cadillac.

Any Cadillac! Specifically from 1954 to 1966 (except the '57 and '58 models). I'm old enough that I don't need to get there fast. I'd rather get there in comfort and style!

Enzo Ferrari said the XKE is one of the most beautiful cars ever built. I have to agree. This is a 1971 XKE.

I've always been kind of a Ford guy. So pretty much any year Ford I will like. My dad had a 1954 Ford Crestline Skyliner just like this car.

Trading the old for the new(er). Three years ago we traded my '91 5.0 convertible for a 2012 V-6 convertible. I like Mustangs because nothing else looks like a Mustang.

BMW E39 LCI:

BMW E46 LCI coupe:

BMW E90 LCI:

Mazda RX-7 FD3S:

Porsche 944:

Tough question - there's so many!  Of course I love my cars:

2009 Dodge Charger - Pic at Barona 1/8 mile drags

2013 Boss 302 Laguna Seca - Pic on Chuckwalla Valley Raceway

My 2011 Dodge Challenger 392 Inagural edition (sold) - Pic on Streets Of Willow

So there's a theme here yes :)  Late model muscle cars

But to be honest my list would flood this forum, so many great cars.  60's muscle cars, 60's Forumla 1 cars, GT40, Ford GT, anything Mclaren, most Lotus and handful of Ferraris. 

If I had to pick the best looking car of all time I'd say 69 Boss 429 Sports Roof