What Car Designs Have Stood the Test of Time?

In reply to Chris_V :

E38 is timeless

I am kind of partial to the LM corvair...

Not much to argue with. Although I do find it interesting that the BMW E9 hasn't been mentioned while the e38 and M5 have. IMO the E9 remains the best looking bimmer ever. 

I'm also a big fan of Studebaker pickups. Their styling looks much less dated than other trucks of the period (at least on the outside).

C2 Corvette roadster

Jag E type 

69-70 Mustang fastback

GM bubbletops

Duesenbergs

'32 Fords

early Broncos

square body chevy trucks

62 Thunderbird convertible

BMW M1

DeThomaso Pantera (series 1)

69 Dodge charger

90 BMWs from the 3 series all the way up to the 8 series only excluding the z3

GM pickups from 68 to 98 and the earlier art deco(?) Trucks

C5 vette

FD

Z32

2000GT

F355

550 Maranello

First gen fbodys less 69 firebird (67-68 front end is just too elegant)

65-66 mustang fastback also include upt o 70 fastbacks to a lesser degree.

C3 vettes

Early new minis

I think a design that's going to age well is very easy to spot. I see a new car and may think man that's looks good, but it's a whole different thing to say that's still going to look good in 30 years, and not for nostalgic reasons just because it's handsome and will always be handsome. Proportions have to be right with no element that offends. Plenty of cars match the times or grow on you, but those rarely hold up to time.  For example I wasn't a huge fan of the c8 but it's grown on me. I think it looks good, but I also know it won't age well.

Off the top of my head the only normal car I can think of that may age well from the last couple years is the Kia telluride. It's got classic suv proportions, and no offensive features.

I think GM was real close with the 16-18 Camaro, except for the c pillar/quarter panel is a little too big, don't know how to fix it besides make the car smaller. Full disclosure I just bought one so I'm biased

It's all subjective though so who knows

ShawnG said:

Will never stop looking great:

The highest point in American automotive styling.

I always find it interesting how "cool" cars she over time.  I agree with many posted here, but I'm always surprised at how some cars I like once are now ugly and cars I didn't really like age well.  
 

For one, I think The NB Miata is aging better than the NA or NC.  

Sure, mention the BMW E9, E28,  and E38  (obviously I like all of these) but forget about the timeless 507. Even in the 50's BMW could pull off a large interpretation of the kidney grill in a beautiful way, wtf is wrong with them today! lol

The 507 takes the cake for that era of BMW but the 503 had amazing lines as well.

I wonder how the all aluminum OHC V8's in these stacked up against all of the ones to follow, did they eat timing chain components? Have leaking valve seals? VANOS rattles? Worn cylinder coatings? Eat rod bearings at regular intervals?

A bit biased on the LGT wagon, but I think it still looks great 16 years later. 

Also these.

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

 

Still the best looking car from the 70s.

I agree - kinda like the Corollas too.
 

XK120

'63 split window

DB4

5-window Chevy PU

MG TC

1800ES

TR 3

AH 3000

Datsun 510

Edit - SS100!

Volvo Amazon

P1800

BMW M Coupe

BMW has quite a few designs that have aged very well.  The E28, E31, and E38 were already mentioned.  I'd also include the E24 6 series.  The E34 5 series has aged well, but not quite as well as the others. 

I'm going to throw out the 2nd generation Corvair.  

I will throw in the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale:

Got to see one at the NAIAS when the Giulia came out, drop dead gorgeous.  

In reply to adam525i :

BMW 502,503,507 V8 engines have push rods. Very compact too. My folks had a 503 cabrio for about a year when I was pre-teen. I wish I had some photos of it.

So much Beemer here, correctly so with E9 and E28.  That said, I don't think anyone's mentioned the 1963.5 Ford Falcon or Galaxie.  They are the ideal post-jet age design.  Chevy just couldn't match the style.  Were I allowed to post pictures, I would visually stimulate the opinion . . .

Honda S2000

8 series BMW

M coupe

People's reaction to styling is fascinating. We have multiple references to the Z3 couple but none to the Z4. I think that the Z4 is a prettier car, but the Z3 has more character. And barely a peep about Porsches or the Italian exotics.

Pantera

Lotus Esprit.  The SE still gets me moist.

Many of the GMs of the 60s do it for me, but this is my favorite style.  And thanks to Duke, I own one.

Insert nearly any early 70s American iron as well.

As was mentioned, NSX.

And whoever said it (don't want to interrupt to scroll back)... E38.  I have wanted a 2001 740 iL sport for so many years that my DREAMS have gray hairs.

Jag X308.  Moist again.

I know I'll get crap for this because I don't dig Rad stuff, but part of me always wanted an h-body LeSabre T-type

And who couldn't love the chiseled face of a T5R?

Mk2 Scirocco was always a cool one.  Still looks amazing

MkIII Spitfire.

I know James Bond had the DB5, but for me, the DB4 was SO much better.

Mk1 VW Rabbit GTI and MK2 GTI get my vote. Volvo 850 Wagons still look amazing as well. 

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

And whoever said it (don't want to interrupt to scroll back)... E38.  I have wanted a 2001 740 iL sport for so many years that my DREAMS have gray hairs.

A few of us mentioned those.  Although your picture was a short wheelbase car.  And after 2.5 years with my 01 740i sport, I'd say "just go buy one".  They're not super expensive or anything (although the 740i sport costs more than even some of the 750iL models).  And as good as they are, they have a pretty magic ability to just act like a good handling Camry when you need them to be "just a car" for a bit.  Plus, driving one on the highway is like piloting a cruise missile.  Cruise control is a safety feature, much like the XJ40 Jags (and presumably the X300 / X308 as well).  Without cruise and without other traffic to pace against, it's really easy to end up doing 90 and think you're still not going fast.