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Joined:
Mar 08
Posts: 4886
Batty says:
I was looking at a list of cars that were judged to be beautiful and on it was the Miura (of course). Now despite the controversy about the father of the design, there is one element to me that is breathtakingly integrated and beautiful. The door handle. A seamless integration into the engine vent, such a thing of joy a real detail delight. It is a little hard to see in the photo, but you can just make it out. (Photos from the wonderful ultimatecarpage.com)
That got me thinking about other little details that prove a designer's worth. So I put it to the learned forum users, what do you people see the beauty in?
Attached images:
Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha.
Aug 07
Posts: 3693
AReader says:
Yeah, love that Lambo!
Do postcards count as details? I like the artistry and graphic design of period auto postcards. Here is one for the Fiat 600. I like the simplicity and the bold use of shapes and colors.
Feb 07
Posts: 4496
bertandnairobi says:
I´m turning into a fan of the Audi A5 sportback. I think the little crease along the shoulder line is lovely. On the BMW Z4 the little roundel that doubles as an indicator is sublime. This is my favourite BMW from the Bangle era. It´s nothing short of brilliant. On the Jaguar XJ6 is adore the little crease running from the C-pillar to the upper tip of the rear lamps. It´s baroque in the most charming way possible. The entire effect creates a pleasing "eye-feeling."
On the Volvo P1800 there is crease running from the door pillar into the bodywork. On the Lancia Kappa there is the ornate chrome surround on the rear light panel and the small raised edge outlining the bootlid. The chrome window surround is one peice of material so it´s expensive but looks really delicious. And finally, the rear lamps on the Peugeot 607 are excellent. The negative surface on the bootlid and the rear window strike me as highly visually enjoyable. I don´t suppose there are many who will sing the praises of the 607; that job has fallen to me, it seems.
[This Reply has been modified by the Author]
Sep 06
Posts: 1542
kubrick says:
bertandnairobi said: On the BMW Z4 the little roundel that doubles as an indicator is sublime. This is my favourite BMW from the Bangle era. It´s nothing short of brilliant. On the Jaguar XJ6 is adore the little crease running from the C-pillar to the upper tip of the rear lamps. It´s baroque in the most charming way possible. The entire effect creates a pleasing "eye-feeling."
On the BMW Z4 the little roundel that doubles as an indicator is sublime. This is my favourite BMW from the Bangle era. It´s nothing short of brilliant. On the Jaguar XJ6 is adore the little crease running from the C-pillar to the upper tip of the rear lamps. It´s baroque in the most charming way possible. The entire effect creates a pleasing "eye-feeling."
The XJ's crease actually starts on the front wings, above the outer headlight. It's very subtle, but it actually runs the whole length of the car. Callum and his team did something similar on the XF's shoulder line (it's this understanding of the finer points of Jaguar's styling heritage that make me a Callum enthusiast).
I think I've already stated what a big fan of Anders Warming's Z4 I am. To me this is the car that defined modern styling for the past decade, even if there are some details that are less well-resolved than others. It's a great achievement, and I expect more good things to come from Mr Warming.
Posts: 1316
-Joe- says:
I too agree that the Z4 is a true piece of great modern deisgn. It's not just that indicator it's the whole line/crease that runs down the side(slightly like on an original mini...). It's just stunning. Also don't forget the 90's Alfa GTV. That crease/more like a gash that runs right around the back of the car and down the sides. One of my favourite pieces of design ever. And also I know alot of you probably don't like the car but look at the side crease and the way it intergreats itself into the rear lights. Just awsome detailing.
"I am an admirer of Jonathan Ive's work and I like to take it as a compliment." Dieter
Aug 06
Posts: 2262
lokinen says:
I am obsessed with seat design. My all time favourites are Recaro from the 70's-80's. To me these are pure seat sex. First off is the tennis racket/fishnet recaro's found in RS Fords to begin with but eventually in unworthy 2.8 sport Granadas. Also, the now very rare shark skin recaro's from the RS1600i Escort.
But....Heaven would be the interior of an s2 Lotus esprit Turbo. Often thought that if i had one. a middle of the night drive in just underpants would have to be done. Got introduced to a car guy who had one of these and admitted to this behaviour. Any stories of us in mutual enjoyment were but a silly, silly rumour
Beep Beep
AReader said: Yeah, love that Lambo! Do postcards count as details? I like the artistry and graphic design of period auto postcards. Here is one for the Fiat 600. I like the simplicity and the bold use of shapes and colors.
------ End Quote ------
Definitely! I love some of the car related posters and brochures. I will post some up when I come accross them.
bertandnairobi said: I´m turning into a fan of the Audi A5 sportback. I think the little crease along the shoulder line is lovely. On the BMW Z4 the little roundel that doubles as an indicator is sublime. This is my favourite BMW from the Bangle era. It´s nothing short of brilliant. On the Jaguar XJ6 is adore the little crease running from the C-pillar to the upper tip of the rear lamps. It´s baroque in the most charming way possible. The entire effect creates a pleasing "eye-feeling."
I emphatically agree with all those suggestions B&N. I especially like the A5 coupe's crease along the sides, it arches and dips to add definition and motion to the car and is an artful touch.
I admire you B&N, you see the beauty in what I too easily dismiss as prosaic.
kubrick said: bertandnairobi said: On the BMW Z4 the little roundel that doubles as an indicator is sublime. This is my favourite BMW from the Bangle era. It´s nothing short of brilliant. On the Jaguar XJ6 is adore the little crease running from the C-pillar to the upper tip of the rear lamps. It´s baroque in the most charming way possible. The entire effect creates a pleasing "eye-feeling." The XJ's crease actually starts on the front wings, above the outer headlight. It's very subtle, but it actually runs the whole length of the car. Callum and his team did something similar on the XF's shoulder line (it's this understanding of the finer points of Jaguar's styling heritage that make me a Callum enthusiast). I think I've already stated what a big fan of Anders Warming's Z4 I am. To me this is the car that defined modern styling for the past decade, even if there are some details that are less well-resolved than others. It's a great achievement, and I expect more good things to come from Mr Warming.
It must be of great encouragement to Callum and his team that owners and enthusiasts of Jaguar recognise the subtle efforts he is making to link the past models with the present without resorting to a collage of disconnected trinkets that others have done.
-Joe- said: I too agree that the Z4 is a true piece of great modern deisgn. It's not just that indicator it's the whole line/crease that runs down the side(slightly like on an original mini...). It's just stunning. Also don't forget the 90's Alfa GTV. That crease/more like a gash that runs right around the back of the car and down the sides. One of my favourite pieces of design ever. And also I know alot of you probably don't like the car but look at the side crease and the way it intergreats itself into the rear lights. Just awsome detailing.
Always nice to have you come into the forum Joe (though how did you change your name?). I really like the Alfa, it came from a period when pininfarina was experimenting with sectioning the volumes of its designs. The Ferrari Mythos concept car of 1989 was another exponent of the idea.
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