timf
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| posted on 27/1/04 at 04:38 PM |
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my dad had a maxi,
you could drop the rear seats perfectly flat the same size as a double bed
absolutly shite car apart from that feature
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 27/1/04 at 06:06 PM |
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strangely, thats the only thing people remember the car for.
wish my dad had one I could borrow when I was 18.
One of those wheelchair vans would be more appropriate soon  
atb
steve
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pbura
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| posted on 27/1/04 at 07:07 PM |
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Indeed, what makes ANYTHING beautiful?
With cars, a big chunk of beauty is in integration of form with function, IMO. Notice that when people criticize cars, the comments are along the
lines of "rear lights look like they were stuck on", "windshield has too much slope", stuff like that. They're aware of
inconsistencies that are contrary to the essential nature of the car.
That's why sports cars of the sixties look so good to us old-timers, and not so hot to the younger generation, I think. The cars were built to
the then-current state of the art of aerodynamics. To us old guys, nostalgia pre-empts reason. Nostalgia's a big factor, too, and I think
it's the card the US automakers are playing now, just in case their form vs. function takes a shit.
There's a little more than form vs. function at work, though, because there are a bunch of way you can package components. That's where
pure art comes into the picture. An artist knows that certain forms are satisfying, and plays them for effect like a composer uses certain chords or
rythm to produce emotion. A lot of these shapes come from nature, therefore all the comparisons to animals, faces, women's bodies, etc.
A prevailing theory about art is that it's the creation of reality from an idea, so keeping the theme consistent throughout is very important to
maintaining the illusion of something that could have been created in nature.
Una más cerveza, por favor.
Pete
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Peteff
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| posted on 27/1/04 at 08:03 PM |
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strangely, thats the only thing people remember the car for
The thing I remember first about the Maxi is it was the first car with a true fifth gear, and the inner sills were guaranteed to rot away from the
front floor, doddle to weld though and a nice easy job for a tenner.
yours, Pete.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 27/1/04 at 08:06 PM |
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now this is a great looking car with curves - dont look like any girl I know 
can anyone name it?
atb
steve
 
Rescued attachment Image3.jpg
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JoelP
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| posted on 27/1/04 at 08:14 PM |
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i dunno, but one to avoid is those bloody morgans...
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 27/1/04 at 10:20 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by JoelP
i dunno, but one to avoid is those bloody morgans...
its a tiny bit morganish....... one of the reasons I chose to do a morgan replica is that the curves dont look too hard to do....and at the time I
thought sevens looked like bathtubs with wheels.......changed my mind a bit about that tho - except the big luego - thats a whole jacuzzi
atb
steve
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sgraber
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| posted on 27/1/04 at 10:53 PM |
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Gusterson, I think it looks like a late 30's Delahaye. But the bumper gives it away as something newer. Is it a reproduction?
The lines are certainly beautiful and elegant.
do tell.
Graber
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
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Metal Hippy
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| posted on 27/1/04 at 10:58 PM |
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I maintain cars don't need curves.
Just a pair of moulded tits on the front.
Cock off or cock on. You choose.
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GTAddict
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| posted on 27/1/04 at 11:17 PM |
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Hobby-horse warning...
Proportion, proportion, proportion... and simplicity.
For long bonnet FR cars, compare and contrast: Jaguar E-type (S1/S2) vs Ferrari Daytona. One is curved, where one is a combination of curves and
edges - but both are perfectly proportioned. Even the 'tuckunder' wheels of the E-Type look right, because those wheelarches droop down
*just*enough*. Both simply drawn and executed cars, with just enough sexy detail - the vast majority of it functional.
Many people consider the Aston Martin DB7 to be a very, very attractive car. I won't disagree, but the new DB9 is an altogether simpler (and
IMHO more attractive) design. Now compare the DB9 to the DB6 - see the simplicity of line shared between the two? If you want a good laugh, compare
the DB9 to the Mercedes SL500 (AMG if you like) and tell me which you'd buy with your $150k.
For middies, try Lambo Muira, then look at the Countach, it's successor. Both 'wow' cars, but for diametrically differing reasons.
I couldn't describe a Countach as having any element of female anatomy in it whatsoever, but doesn't it sit there and yell 'I am
flipping fast and as funky as heck, so come drive me like you stole me!'?
Now contrast the 365GT4BB, with it's successor, the Testarossa. See what I mean about simplicity? Even the Boxer isn't the best
proportioned mid-engined Ferrari - try the 246 Dino, or 250LM. I still think the 308GTB is prettier than all of it's successors.
I think the Lotus Europa is one of the most attractive cars ever made - many people say that about the original Lotus Elite. Such low clutter design
is just fab.
And this simplicity is why the Japanese don't do classical pretty so well. Oriental design is all about attention to detail... and thus focus
on detail. Look at the NSX. A reasonably attractive and efficient design, but lacking in clear form and fluidity found in spades in the Ferrari
308.
Compare and contrast - mkI MR2 with its inspiration, the Fiat X1/9. No curves on them, but doesn't the Fiat look prettier, cleaner, less
'fast-food'?
They can do it - the original Toyota 2000GT - top marks. Even the late model Toyota Supra has it's butch bulldog charm, and I drive an
interesting example of Japanese design - the '94 Mitsubishi FTO. It's strengths are more packaging than styling, but its still one of the
prettiest small coupe's for the money - better than an Integra or the new RSX.
[/hobbyhorse]
I enjoyed that. Now I'm going to bed.
M.
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 28/1/04 at 12:01 AM |
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Mr graber
GT addict got it right in a u2u
its a 1938 talbot lago T150SS
atb
steve
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pbura
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| posted on 28/1/04 at 01:02 AM |
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Next car, Mr. G??
It's a beauty
Pete
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 28/1/04 at 09:37 AM |
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yeah - i wished I was building one when I discovered it a few months ago. However, there are a fair few complex curves in the wheelarch areas....the
pic doesnt give justice to quite how big the front wings / fenders are!
atb
steve
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mackie
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| posted on 28/1/04 at 09:55 AM |
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GTAddict sort of hit the nail on the head a bit I think.
But beauty doesn't have to be the sole preserve of expensive coupes and supercars. Particularly with cars I think beauty can be found in the
execution and elegance of it's entire design and packaging. Humble cars like the mini, it's a fantastic looking car that pretty much
everyone loves and it still looks the same today (although twice the size ).
Aston Martin do it very well, although they had made some duffers (Lagonda anyone?) they have made some simply gorgeous cars in their time, and they
seem to be getting better. I don't think any other maker can boast such a beautiful lineup as the Vanquish, DB9 and AMV8, all stunning.
However I think my fave supercar design has to be the Ferarri 288GTO, it just has a perfect balance of sensual curvyness and hard edged agression. It
was also voted Evo magazine's favourate Ferarri hypercar of all time so that helps too
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Alan B
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| posted on 28/1/04 at 02:18 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Metal Hippy
I think Alan should have a moulded pair of tits on the front.
It will add an enormous amount of class to it.
Right .. ...that's the last time I share my upcoming designs with you...
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GO
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| posted on 28/1/04 at 02:41 PM |
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Alan,
it'd solve your problem of where to put the lights anyway...
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flyingkiwi
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| posted on 28/1/04 at 06:56 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by GTAddict
and I drive an interesting example of Japanese design - the '94 Mitsubishi FTO. It's strengths are more packaging than styling, but its
still one of the prettiest small coupe's for the money - better than an Integra or the new RSX.
My wife wants to have your baby's. She's got a 96 FTO GR and thinks it's (and this is a quote straight from her gob) "Sex on
F***king wheels, and would have married it if I could"
It's just a shame its a bit under powered and the immobilizer doesn't like me and leaves me stranded in a Tesco's petrol station for
an hour, in the snow, before suddenly bursting into life.
My fav car would have to be the Tiger with the twin motorbike engine's in it. Just to see the look on the faces of the local boy racer's
when I woop their arses at the traffic lights, then start the other engine at the next set down!
It Runs!!!!! Bring on the SVA!
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timf
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| posted on 29/1/04 at 12:45 PM |
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one for hippy and alan b
 
Rescued attachment mini cooper paint1.jpg
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Metal Hippy
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| posted on 30/1/04 at 09:24 AM |
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Hoorah!
Cock off or cock on. You choose.
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kingr
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| posted on 30/1/04 at 04:16 PM |
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In my view there are several things that make a car beautiful - visual interest, proportions and continuity, design in keeping with function,
purity.
Smooth curves are more likely to produce looks with longer lasting "beauty" due to their increased visual interest - a flat sheet of metal
requires no real though, there's nothing to process or consider, it's easily sumarised. Too many/too complex curves can go too far though
- the shape must be able to be considered as a whole, all of the parts must appear to act as a single unit.
Often, very simple/flat designs hold their beauty in singularity of purpose.
In my view, the most beautiful car on the market is the Lambourghini Galardo - it strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and interest. It has
relatively few details, but those is does have are in keeping with the cars character. It is at the same time striking, memorable and simple.
Kingr
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GTAddict
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| posted on 30/1/04 at 08:59 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by flyingkiwi
quote:
Originally posted by GTAddict
and I drive an interesting example of Japanese design - the '94 Mitsubishi FTO.
My wife wants to have your baby's. She's got a 96 FTO GR and thinks it's (and this is a quote straight from her gob) "Sex on
F***king wheels, and would have married it if I could"
It's just a shame its a bit under powered and the immobilizer doesn't like me and leaves me stranded in a Tesco's petrol station for
an hour, in the snow, before suddenly bursting into life.
I have a manual GPX Mivec that's been 'breathed on' by its former Japanese owner. With HKS exhaust and filter, uprated dampers,
cut springs, no cat and heaven knows what in the ECU, it moves a little more smartly than the average Futoh. I've had 155 out of it (safely 
), and the feeling as the valves pop more sedately over to full lift at 115 in top is just fab.
It even behaved itself in the snow this Wednesday. I like my little batmobile.
Mark.
[Edited on 30/1/04 by GTAddict]
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steve m
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| posted on 31/1/04 at 01:38 AM |
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My fav car of all time has got to be the E-type 4.2 fhc
nothing in my view (distorted) has or will come close
It is also the first car I ever drove (at 16)
A friend was rebuilding one, and before the respray let me drive it down our road
up to then it had been bsa bantams and suzuki ap 50's
I seem to remember my dad would not talk to me for days , as he had never even been in one
I did buy a "us" spec 3.8 flat floor convertable several years ago, that was a rust bucket but when my wife found out, she made me sell it
to pay the overdraft !!
The new owner spent 30k rebuilding it
and sold it back to the us for just under 50k 14k profit what a bugger
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Alan B
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| posted on 31/1/04 at 03:17 PM |
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Steve.....funny that, the E-type...I know many people love it too, but personally I don't...
IMO, the windscreen is too high and upright...
Am I the only person who doesn't care for it so much?
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Mark18
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| posted on 31/1/04 at 06:16 PM |
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I never understood the infactuation with the e-type either - sure it's a nice car, but nothing to get excited about (just my 2 cents).
Mark
"I don't know what I may seem to the world. But as to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore and diverting myself
now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than the ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me." -
Isaac Newton
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 31/1/04 at 10:11 PM |
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if i won the lottery, id rather have an open top pristine series one jag e type than a ferrari any day
atb
steve
ps - I had a bsa bantam D14 once - but never an E type
[Edited on 31/1/04 by stephen_gusterson]
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