According To You: The Vehicles With The Best Silhouettes
There’s nothing quite like the sleek side profile of a vehicle with a long hood, a fast roof, and a smooth decklid. But there is more to our shared love of cars, because, we should also consider the smooth, singular sideline of a minivan. While that isn’t an answer one would expect when asking about the most appealing vehicle silhouettes, a minivan is indeed one of the many candidates we received here in this latest installment of our According to You series.
So what other vehicles did members of the Hagerty Community offer for this question? Have a look below and tell us what you think in the comments!
Shelby Daytona Coupe
@DUB6: Hard to beat an early 911 in my book, but really, I’m voting for the Shelby Daytona Coupe. It has some of the muscle of the Cobras built in, with the sloped down nose for aero, the long, sleek roofline, and then that striking rear spoiler and chopped-off tail.
It may not be the most beautiful, but to me, it’s the most striking silhouette out there.
Chevrolet Corvette
@Bernard: The first few years of the C3 Corvette. I wasn’t around to see them new, but the C3 has always stood out in the school of cool, IMO, especially the silhouette. I think the crash bumpers and other stuff of the later years softened them up too much, but the silhouettes of the early ones could’ve been used as scalpels.
@Tony: I’d say any modern Corvette. They’re all designed in the wind tunnel these days so they’re all aero-efficient, but the later C4s with the rounded ends I think look great.
@Dave Massie: C3 Corvettes—especially the ’80–82 models.
@C: I agree. I am partial to my 1973 Corvette coupe. It’s a one-year-only design and looks great in silhouette.
@Paul: 1984–90 C4 Corvette. The concave rear bumper is just cool. On the other hand, the convex 1990 ZR-1 bumper and its use on the 1991–96 models are strong candidates. In my C4-centric world, the Corvettes nailed the Silhouette Sweepstakes.
Jaguar XKE
@Ken_L: I am partial to my C3 Corvette, but I must say the Jaguar XKE coupe has been my favorite since I was very young.
@Howard: And its “top-down” sibling, the XKE droptop roadster … great road car.
@Doug: Hands down, Jaguar E -ype coupe (XKE)
@Jeff: Had a ’68 XKE roadster. I was about to cast my vote for it, but you astutely beat me to it!
@Lew: The first Jag E-Types with the worthless bumpers and glassed headlights.
Jaguar XK-120
@Gayle: In ’56, my uncle bought a ’53 Jaguar XK-120 FHC and I have been enamored with that gorgeous profile ever since, especially with the disc wheels and the spats (skirts)!
1963 Riviera
@Snailish: ’63 Riviera … Not sure what got us there, but for decades after, so many vehicles owed it a debt. It would likely still be a cutting-edge design if evolved to today’s construction methods/rules. But it’s also amazing from several directions, not just the side.
Lamborghini Countach
@Shiven: Lamborghini Countach! It absolutely accentuates the ’70s and ’80s realm of excess!
Toyota Previa
@ap41563: Toyota Previa! Turn the lights off and illuminate it from behind and the egg shape still looks fresh today, even at 30 years old.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
@Colton: For the more modern, cheaper cars, I’d say the first generation of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. The car itself was a mixed bag (I owned one for eight years), but the side profile, especially in low light, just highlighted how well that body was sculpted.
MG TF
@T.J.: Without a doubt, my 1954 MG TF is a constant head turner with classic vehicle lines (running boards, smooth curvature in fenders, spoked wheel on the exterior of the gas tank, etc.). A timeless beauty.
1961–63 Ford Thunderbird
@Jon: I have always liked the 1961–63 “bullet” Thunderbirds. There was just something perfect about their profiles.
Third-Generation Pontiac Firebird
@Espo70: Third-gen Firebird/Formula/Trans Am. One of the best designs to come out of GM. Still looks exotic today.
Aston Martin Project Vantage
@George: I might be biased, but the Aston Martin Project Vantage Concept—which became the Vanquish—is the most cohesive and accomplished shape of all time.
1958 Chevrolet Impala
@Don: How about the 1958 Chevy Impala 2-door hardtop? My wife’s uncle thought it looked like a water buffalo!
GMC Motorhome
@Chuck: For oversize vehicles, the 1973–78 GMC Motorhome. Ahead of its time when new, smooth and sleek (compared to other coaches), and has aged gracefully.
@Kent: Still a very sought-after vehicle after all these decades. Would love to have one!
Ferrari 250 GTO
@David: One of the most recognizable, and possibly the most desirable profiles of them all: The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO by Scaglietti.
Fiat 500
@Alex: 2012–19 FIAT 500: Totally unique and unmistakable. You would never confuse it for any other car from any other marker.
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado
@John: Without question for me it is the 1966 (and only the 1966) Oldsmobile Toronado.
Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic
@Tom: So many Ferraris—the Dino, 250 GTO, 275 GTB, La Ferrari, etc., as well as the GT40, Miura, E-Type, and numerous British Roadsters of the ’50s and ’60s. But the granddaddy of all side silhouettes has to be the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic.
2003–08 Mazda Mazda6
@Mike: From a basic sedan point of view I’ve always loved the 2007 Mazda 6 profile with the spoiler.
1956–57 Continental Mark II
@Jeff: The 1956 Continental Mark II is still the most elegant and beautiful production American car.
1984–86 Pontiac Fiero
@Jack: 1984–86 Pontiac Fiero notchback. Best-looking shape of the 1970s and ’80s wedge cars.
Flintstones Car
@Greg: The log car that Barney Rubble drove on The Flintstones … feet and all!
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1972 – 73 Volvo 1800ES
I agree. My 73 orange 1800es is iconic. I get a lot of ‘what is that’.
I also love the 1800 ES as well as the MGB GT as a couple of successful examles of mainstream shooting brakes. I must also mention the much rarer Jaguar XJS based Lynx Eventer, IMO what the XJS should have been.
Jim, I totally agree. I also have an orange ’73 1800ES; my first new car out of college. I dated my wife in this car and we still take it out on Sunday drives. We get a lot of honks, smiles and thumbs-up of approval.
I always loved the wagon version of these svelte Swedes.
+1
No MODERN American car company has made distinguishable designs than Chrysler. I give you: Charger, Challenger, Magnum, PT Cruiser. May be more?
Distinguishable doesn’t mean good. Case in point… AMC Pacer. Pontiac Aztec.
Those Chrysler’s you mention… pretty boring, really. Unless you mean the original Charger and Challenger.
Charger Daytona & Road Runner Superbird.
Those were Mopar’s best “profile” cars, EVER !
Different than every other box you see.
I had a 69 Charger S/E and a 70 Charger R/T S/E. they were both good cars.
I’d love to have a 68 but the prices on them are more then I can spare.
I sold my 69 back in 2017 and I’m sorry I did. It is over in Holland.
Enzo said it all when he said the Jaguar XKE “was the most beautiful car ever made” and who can debate his taste just look at the majority of his cars back then. “Bellissimo”
L.J.K. Setright said it best, “The best crumpet catcher known to man.”
He also reportedly said that the Jeep was the only American sports car😁
Enzo, not Setright
Great addition to the list, especially in dark green.
I almost choked on my tea when I saw the minivan, but to each their own
I could not agree with you more !!!!
Agreed…Uffff! In that case, might as well add the Olds Silhouette to this list for its “Dustbuster” profile.
VW Beetle & Jeep CJ
Not having a water cooled 911 but having a van shows that ignorance is bliss and you are a bunch of happy happy guys.
You got that right. Looks like a giant suppository.
Agreed – it should have been an early-1990’s Olds Silhouette minivan! (All kidding aside, seriously, it should have been – or the related Chevy Lumina or Pontiac Trans Sport).
The 63 Stingray should have been here. Peter Brock and Shinoda craftered a sculpture with it.
No mistake for it vs a GTO or Shelby Coupe that Brock borrowed from the GTO.
I agree, those are a must on this list!
Agreed.
Absolutely! And early Avantis.
Disappointed that Avanti did not make the list, happy to see your post!
I would suggest that all but for some subtle styling ques, the C2 Corvette was in production prior to the 250 GTO seeing the light of day. There were certainly styling influences stretching back to the 1950’s to be sure, but Brock’s original design borrowed nothing from the GTO.
You nailed it the split window coupe is the greatest looking car ever.
Wow, I expected the list to be populated by Porsches! I mean, isn’t Porsche the German word for “sexy silhouette”?
Yup.
911 Turbo (930);
1955 Speedster
1978 928;
And the Muira – hands above the Countach
Nothing above the Countach
Sing it brotha! I don’t care what year it is,the Lambo Countach,is ALWAYS going to be one step ahead of ANYTHING ELSE in the “looks” department! When it first came out,that design was light-years ahead of anything else with 4-wheels!
My jaw is stuck open. These are almost the most beautiful cars ever made and not one mention, except above, of the car that is actually on display in the museum of fine arts. That would be the Porsche 356 Speedster.
For the clean lines in a cluttered world, in the ’50’s, the 1956 356A Porsche Coupe
Without a doubt the 356, especially the A, along with the XKE and Avanti are the absolute most beautiful yet created.
1936 Harley knucklehead
The list can go on forever.. missing early Challengers, Cudas, Porsche 911, mid 70’s Camaro/FireBird/TA, 57 Chev Bel Air.. just to name a few..
mini van???!!
Left out the
Bel Air series 1955, 1956 and 1957.
I have a 60 356B, and agree that any year of the 356s are beautiful. Had mine for over 40+ years and it still garners looks wherever I go… especially now that it’s fully restored. Having to sell it now (I can no longer drive), but have many pictures to keep it’s memory alive!
Wait, so we have the Previa and not the ’68/’69 Charger? Wow.
In total agreement. 🤔
https://flic.kr/p/24BEv73
Exactly what i was thinking or at least any b body mopar should be on the list. Thats why i rarely click these hagerty links it always something stupid. I mean the flintstones, really?
Rey, you are so right. I expected to see a Shelby Cobra, I have got to think maybe the writer doesn’t really know cars. Makes me want to ask what’s the color of the sky in your world.
’90’s Car & Driver seemed to approve of the Z32 bodied Nissan for 10 years running and believe it should have at least an honorable mention for its timeless silhouette.
Maybe you don’t understand how “According to You” works. The “author” was readers – just like you and me – who submitted the examples. For those who “can’t believe x, y, or z didn’t make the list” – question: did you submit it when asked to a couple of weeks ago? If not, why blame someone at Hagerty for leaving it off?
The Daytona coupe was first on the list
Yeah, the Brie-sniffing “little finger in the air as they sip their designer wine” crowd that typically infest these types of articles in Hagerty are a joke. There are any number of other cars that weren’t mentioned that deserve to be here, and most especially the second-generation Charger. While several of the cars that ARE listed are little more than rolling trash cans. But, to each their own…….
Mostly forgotten but the most copied automobile ever : the 1960 Corvair,
Agree that the early Corvairs spawned a lot of imitation designs but the profile of the late model Corvair was perhaps the finest thing out of GM Design Staff in the 60s.
One of the nicest looking automobiles at the time, and still looking good. One wonders how far the pancake engine would (excluding Smog) if GM had not let the bean counters win in 1964.
What “won” in 1965 was the book that that idiot Ralph Nader wrote. “Unsafe At Any Speed”. That was about the swing axle rear suspension that had been replaced in 1965. I had a ’62 Monza coupe in college and, aside from being a little unpredictable in hard corners, was a great little car. Mine was a 4 speed and I upgraded to those trombone exhausts. I’d love to have seen where that car was headed until it was discontinued in 1969. Perhaps an American Porsche?
I agree. When the automotive press first laid eyes on the second-gen Corvair, they reportedly gasped at how beautiful it was. But for me, the greatest in multiple categories was the 1929 Duesenberg SJ Dual Cowl Phaeton. Greatest car ever made!
It was Fred Flintstone that drove that car. Not Barney Rubble. 🙂
True! Barney’s car was a single log that looked as if both ends had been put into s giant pencil sharpener.
Yes…& Fred Flintstone was one of most underrated actors on TV….ever!
What an actor! So underrated WOW!
And that Wilma – va-va-va-voom redhead!
Jackie Gleason!
You Sumbitches
I may be a bit prejudiced…but I like the Avanti
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SB8mQfKxZXUffukYA
Abso – damn – lutely! I have a restored ’77 Avanti II (without the “II” things behind the Avanti badge). It NEVER fails to turn heads. I’m prejudiced, too. I wanted one the first time I saw one (1962, I guess). I got mine used from Avanti Motors in 1982 and have had it ever since.
You left out the very best: the Studebaker Avanti.
What no Iconic Series Land Rover.
Surprised I did not see the Citroen DS21 in your list
Ditto
I completely agree….especially as it was introduced to the world in 1955. Compare the not only the looks, but the suspension system and the other technical innovations this car brought to the automotive world.
You never had to fix one of these French “miracles of engineering”.
I owned and serviced a number of Citroen D’s. They were very easy to work on once you got you head around their concepts.
Last gen RX7 is a beauty
Yes, I was surprised it didn’t make the list….I’ve restored a ’67 XKE roadster, two Austin Healey 3000’s, a ‘Bug eye’ Sprite. They all left……The ’93 RX7 R1 and a ’07 Honda S2000 are still in the garage. The 3rd Gen RX7 is a design work of art, it’s beautiful from any angle. As much as I liked the design of the XKE, it looks dated with the inboard wheels……The RX7 will never age, with a set of 18 inch wheels, its profile is ageless!
The first generation RX-7 is very timeless – I still have my 83 that I bought new… love that car!
I was surprised that the Opel GT did not make the list. It is close to vette but has its own uniqueness.
Agree.
Opel GT is a great looking car and was ahead of its time.
The 1968 thru 1972 Opel GT have to be included
I somewhat agree but I park my 1973 Opel GT right next to my 1955 MG TF 1500. (And if I owned that Fiat it would be parked behind the shed where I park my riding mower. How did that get on this list?)
There seems to be a lot of blind people out there… LOL!
Ha ha, I had similar thoughts. I think this question became “talk about your favorite car in your garage” for several people.
THE 49 FORD CLUB COUPE . AND WHAT HAPPENED NO 57 CHEVY WHAT UP WITH THAT