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Joined:
Mar 08
Posts: 4892
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:
Oooh shiny!
Sep 06
Posts: 1547
kubrick says:
Ah, Mercedes' ribbed rear lights... is it pure coincidence that the last Benz to feature them in their proper shape (the R129 SL) is also arguably among the last to have been designed adhering to the "old" ethos of engineering excellence at any cost?
Joe, don't express your liking of VW's current design in public, or you'll be considered a lethal bore! Needless to say, I'm with you - the recent facelifts (the Passat's in particular) have been executed sensationally well. Apart from that I harbour a well-documented penchant for the Polo, which, in two door guise, is a flawless piece of styling (rendering both the Golf VI and the Up(!) somewhat redundant). As for the Toyota... well, let's just say I'm not a big fan of ham-fisted "flourishes" aimed at distracting from what is essentially a truly uninspiring piece of design.
Posts: 1316
-Joe- says:
I'm going to have to express some more VW liking. It's the very simple surfacing of some of their small vans. The pictures I can find don't look half as good as they do in the metal though.
Now I think it's one of these; look out for one when out and about as they do look rather loverly with out all that unessary fake window hu ha that most vans have.
"I am an admirer of Jonathan Ive's work and I like to take it as a compliment." Dieter
What you also have to think about is when the vinyl goes on for the compnay it must make it so much easier and better when they are applied rather than having to try and fold it into all the crevces.
-Joe- said: I'm going to have to express some more VW liking. It's the very simple surfacing of some of their small vans. The pictures I can find don't look half as good as they do in the metal though. Now I think it's one of these; look out for one when out and about as they do look rather loverly with out all that unessary fake window hu ha that most vans have.
------ End Quote ------
Joe,
As someone who is involved in the metal fabrication industry that flat side of the van is hugely impressive. That fake window in the sides breaks up what is otherwise an enormous piece of metal spot welded to the stiffening ribs of the structure. That little fake window means that the engineers can add stiffness to the panel through the folded recesses and makes it far easier for the the product engineers to have a repeatably flat side. It is exceedingly difficult to keep sheet steel flat and bonded, and the larger the area the harder it is. That the VW engineers have managed to do so on a mass production scale is simply incredible.
I've often meant to mention it, but I thought it too nerdy for even this forum, so thanks for noticing it!
Feb 07
Posts: 4536
bertandnairobi says:
Joe: I wish I´d spotted that. I am afraid my stupid reaction was to wonder what had happened to the fake window recess. A few Ups! have been parked in my neighbourhood. They look rather smart and awfully well resolved. It really distracts from the essential spartan nature of the machine. They´ll wipe the floor with their competitors as many people will love the tight design and overlook the lack of toys and much by way of interior trim.
Oct 06
Posts: 3048
Online
Sam the Eagle says:
Batty said:
Joe, As someone who is involved in the metal fabrication industry that flat side of the van is hugely impressive. That fake window in the sides breaks up what is otherwise an enormous piece of metal spot welded to the stiffening ribs of the structure. That little fake window means that the engineers can add stiffness to the panel through the folded recesses and makes it far easier for the the product engineers to have a repeatably flat side. It is exceedingly difficult to keep sheet steel flat and bonded, and the larger the area the harder it is. That the VW engineers have managed to do so on a mass production scale is simply incredible. I've often meant to mention it, but I thought it too nerdy for even this forum, so thanks for noticing it!
Now that is interesting - have a thank
Hell is other people.
Joe, like the rest I'd like to thank you for highlighting an inspiring detail I'd have overlooked. There's much pleasure hidden in the mundane.
Bert, for some reason I'm somewhat cynical towards the Up. I loved the original concept, which looked striking in the metal, but to my eyes the product design look doesn't quite work on the production version, despite the changes being few and minuscule. And then there's the plain fact that I consider a bulletproof appearance hardly essential in the small car class. It may be a stereotypical viewpoint, but small cars used to be French or Italian and, ideally, quirky, charming and/or original. The Up is neither of those, which is why I'd prefer the Panda (even though my inner nerd would love to call it Gingo Due...), which is more honest in an unashamed and slightly cheeky way about its bargain basement roots. So says the self-proclaimed Polo V enthusiast.
It's been a while since I've posted in here, but since it's summer again I think I will give it my time again. It never came to about structural strength, more the fact that it wouldn't 'shock' people as it's rather different to the standard window blanks (I believe they're back to recesses now).
I'll start by adding this the windscreen of the Kia Sportage. I guess very few people notice this, but it's integral to their 'Tiger Mouth' language.
I'll also add the rear airvent from the MB F800 Style concept. A lovely casting with some turbines in the centre.
Last is the central airvent of the VW IROC Concept. I think it's rather lovely and much neater I guess than the standard two pronged attack.
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