What Was the Best Year for Car Design?
Perhaps it can be seen in the decadent tail fins of a 1957 Chevrolet. Or the streamlined modernity of the 1936-37 Cord. There’s even a case for the over-the-top engineering of the 2019 McLaren Senna, as beauty comes in many forms. So its now time for us to ask you, member of the Hagerty Community, what was the best year for car design?
I have a curveball to throw you, and here’s my rationale for doing so: Cars can be beautiful, functional, and affordable. Sometimes we get really lucky and one car hits the trifecta, becoming a combination of all three.
Yes, my suggestion is initially half-hearted, but becomes stronger the more I marinate on the concept. Cars in the 1990s came in unique sizes, shapes, and colors (i.e. not just black, white, silver, gray, and the occasional red and blue), and their implementation of computer-assisted design and plastics ensured better performance and superior reliability.
The Dodge Neon is one of those sweet spots that covered the aforementioned trifecta. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the Neon was able to appeal to a variety of needs in a fun-to-drive package. The last bit is actually an understatement, as the Neon’s career in SCCA races should not be summed up in just a handful of words.
And the Neon was awfully functional, with plenty of room with its cab-forward design. The $12,000 starting price meant it was great design available to every motorist, but 15 grand got you a Neon that provided performance (ABS brakes, fully independent suspensions) and luxuries (power everything, sport bucket seats with multi-function console, etc.) that vehicles from previous generations would absolutely kill to possess.
With the debut of the Neon and its successful execution of a truly holistic automotive offering, 1995 is the year I’ve chosen for this thought experiment. There are other, perhaps less dark-horse choices (just about any year in the 1960s, for example), though there are plenty of moments across the history of the automobile that could make a good case. With that, what say you, and why?
What Was The Best Year For Car Design?
I agree on two points. Functional and affordable. The other point will be left to the eye of the beholder.
The Neon was a better than average small car for its class. It is a shame it was killed as it may have helped Chrysler avoid the Fiat sale. But the Daimler folks killed it
Considering the PT Cruiser was also based on it this showed it was flexible.
As for SCCA racing, It was a spec series that really was a mess. 2/3 of the folks in the series should not have been there. My buddy raced in it and was one of the top drivers in points. He got to the end of the year and got taken out by a back marker. Totaled his car. Then he barrowed one and was crashed again by a back marker that rear ended him. Bought a Lancia and went vintage racing. No Crashes since.
As for best era there are too many variables to bring it to just one car.
I would recomend some models of their era.
32-33 Ford Coupe
32 Duesenburg
The Worlds Fair Cadillac from the 30’s
55 Chevy
The Lesabre Project X Harley Earl
1959 Stingray
Now for all three of your points the one car in all of the history that stands out and is over looked do to the media is the 1965 Corvair Corsa coupe Well priced, styling the you not just see but feel and the car was very functional. It things had been different in a number of ways this car would have really been held up as a high point. The Bad press, the coming pony cars like the Mustang and Camaro and emissions killed this car.
Yes, I would have to agree on all of your picks. I’m only speaking from a design standpoint, but they represented a shift in styling that ushered in changes and influence by other manufacturers. I would say that the ’32 Ford coupe (just my favorite of all of that era), the 55 Chevy, and the early ’60’s Corvettes are at the top of my list for this influence.
You guys are living too far back. The best year is this year. Take a look at Apterra, an efficient stylish car that is getting close to coming to market.
Ehhhh…….nope. Looks like a kid’s pool float.
Early Corvetts are also on my list… but I liked the 57 Cadillac best ….a real machine
Laughable ! They talk about design and then show a new car that tries to be a Volkswagen Jetta wannabe with NO design qualities at all. Very early 1950s car were mostly too plain. Mid-’50s were sometimes fantastic, but some late ’50s cars started getting gaudy. How about a ’40 Lincoln or Mercury, the mid ’60s Stingrays, Studebaker Hawk, Avanti and for early cars – the art deco design of some early ’30s luxury cars.
The 1953 – 1954 Studebaker Commander Starliner.
Hands down the best looking designed car in America that still stands the test of time.
Totally agree on the Corvair. My knee jerk reaction to the title of this article, since you were asking about a year, was 1965 and the Corvair was one of many incredible designs from all of the Big Three as their product offerings expanded to fill showrooms with a wider range of transportation options.
The article ask best year— and I submit 1965 – at least for General Motors. To your point, 1965 corvair, fantastic upgrade – add other ‘65s including GTO, Buick Riveria, Implala, Chevelle, Corvette (new front styling and mechanical upgrades), Wildcat, 442… even the truck line. And the mustang and falcon weren’t bad either – it was the banner year in enduring styles.
I second that statement. Love those Rivieras, they keep drawing me in. Older brother had a ’65 Wildcat.
Under the heading of “I wish I still had that car”, was a 1963 Riveria. A beautiful blue with matching interior and full power. I traded it in on a Boss 302 Mustang. Now that’s two cars I wish I still had.
1965-66 popped in my mind as well. GM created some of the most timeless designs. 1965 Rivera for example. I love the lines on my ’66 C20.
And Ford wasn’t shabby either
Then there’s the 1966 XKE, and the Lamborghini Muira.
Yup. ’65-’66 for sure.
My dad had a ’65 180 Corsa in dark green. Really cool design.
Then there’s that Stingray
Absolutely! 1965 was the year that almost everything looked great. Clean body lines and good performance made it the year of my choice. And as for the Corvair – think of Porsche’s new 911 for that year vs the Corvair Corsa Turbo. What the Corvair might have been today if GM hadn’t caved in to the Nader rhetoric and safety nazis.
Another vote for 65-66!
There was no production Stingray in 1959. The Sting Ray made its appearance in 1963. Although the Corvette Stingray Racer debuted in ’59.
Also the Morgan 4/4 series V
For muscle the year to remember was 1969 when the 1970 model cars were released. All of the muscle cars attained their peak performance in the 1970 model year. I was fortunate to own a 1970 Olds 442 W-30 with the wing on the trunk lid. Detroit went over a cliff after the 1970 cars and it took 25 years to recover.
I agree with you on the 1970 442 W30. I wanted one terribly but due to my military service I was unable to purchase one as I was out of the country and in Vietnam. However, I did purchase a new W30 in 1972 which I still own. I am a veritable Olds 442 fanatic.
My hard-loaded 1970 Top Banana ’70 Challenger R/T ragtop and I wholeheartedly agree with you
1970 Was the high point in design for all of the top 4 American brands. Especially the muscle cars. Love my 1970 340 Top Banana Swinger.
i bought a 1996 neon what a piece of junk i traded it in after 6 months the cars dash board panel would go off and the ac never worked. my best car design was my 69 barracuda coupe
I used to do A/C work in a body shop in 1995. Iremember an almost new Neon SRT 4 ,that had been rear ended. The technician replaced the complete rear of the car ,from just forward of the back seat. He picked up a piece of the floor pan and ripped it in half with his bare hands. Like a piece of tinfoil Very poor quality.
The ‘40 Ford coupe. Timeless elegance. Graceful lines. The drivetrain and suspension left a lot to be desired, but enterprising folks took care of that.
1940 is an excellent year to choose: first year of the Cadillac Series 62, year many headlights moved to the fenders.
Any of the Delahaye’s, Bugatti’s, Mercedes SS, and Hispano Suiza’s. They were works of hand-made art, and had balls for large heavy cars
1965 and 66 were peak design years for GM, and especially Chevrolet, in my humble opinion.
The Corvair Corsa is a flawless and timeless design viewed from any angle! An incredible design team headed by Ron Hill with inspiration from Larry Shinoda!
What year…? It’s a silly question. Comparing cars of different eras to each other in terms of industrial design is ridiculous. They all had very different parameters in terms of what was achievable, doable, for one. Not to mention what the publics appetite for what was acceptable and could make it in production form. In -well known works- terms you can’t compare Michelangelo’s ‘David’ to Picasso’s ‘ Guernica’ except from a historical perspective. The impact they had relevant to each other in that period in time. Even landmark classics had successors that never saw the light of day because they were too far ahead of their time and have since been forgotten altogether. Engineering is a evolutionary process. Where would we be today without the screw. Even the wheel was not invented , the axle was. A small but significant step from a rolling log. The “decadent tail fins” of the 57 chevy weren’t earth shattering in relation to a 55. Only a bit different but still safe enough. “Sterilized For Your Protection”. The Neon is an economy airport rental car. Fine and appreciable in that way but not worthy in terms of -Top 10 designs that changed the world.
True, but aren’t most of the questions I pose pretty silly? That’s pretty much what I enjoy about this series.
Not silly just kind of open and that is what draws posts. Smart.
1958. Think Buick and Oldsmobile. Enough said.
1958 for sure Jack. But not quite enough said. Besides Buick and Oldsmobile, there’s also Pontiac, Chevrolet, and Cadillac. Each of these divisions had several major hits right out of the park. And that’s just GM. Then there’s Ford, Chrysler, Dodge. And OMG, who could forget the Edsel. A banner year for sure.
The 1958 designs were called “chrome cans” in the old days, and their design was heavily derided in retrospect, back in the 1970’s. Somewhere along the way, some started to look with more favor on them. I still feel that the 1958 Chevy is one of the worst-styled full-size cars in Chevy’s long history (along with the 1953/54 models).
Even GM realized the 58’s were out of control as evidenced by the dramatically different 59’s and especially the 60’s with their much more restrained styling and ornament
So, GM realized the 58’s were out of control? So they brought out the ’59 Chevrolet?
I’ll say 1967. Peak C2 Corvette year in my opinion, the Mustang matured and looked properly muscular, the first-gen Camaro debuted, GTOs had the right amount of coke bottle to their lines, kept those awesome stacked lights, and improved on little details… I could go on. The list is mostly American, but Detroit cranked out the hits and deserves the recognition.
Agree -Hard to narrow it down to 1 year, but if I had to, ’67 is it. The GM- A bodies, the B- Bodies, Ford Mustag and Galaxie. ’67 “Cuda and GTX – All winners
1967 is my favorite as well. Almost every GM car for 1967 was great! There are several that I. wish I still had; ’67 Malibu w/ 327/ 350 hp and 3 speed and a ’67 442. Then there is the list of those that I always wanted…
1967 cars started to look aggressive but 1969 was the peak year for aggressive. 1970 was the beginning of less aggression probably because of cost
What is a muscle car without an aggressive look?
Well … umm … that would be my 1969 Swinger 340
Less aggression in 1970? Surely you jest. Winged MOPARS, AAR Cudas, other MOPARS with high impact colors and an array of stripes and other decals – most of which reflected light, the Buick GSX in that crazy yellow with black stripes, Z-28 and Chevelles with Ralley Stripes, the Judge, winged W-30 442s, Boss Mustangs in high impact colors, Cougar XR-7, the Trans Am with that big screaming chicken on the hood, shaker hoods, cowl induction, tachs on the hood, 1970 was the pinnacle of aggression.
1968/69 Chevelles were far more aggressive than 1970 Chevelles which were more rounded and softer looking IMHO
The fake vents on the front edges of the Mustang with the single headlights were the end of aggression
Now I’ll give you the Challenger but the 70 Cuda with that gap between those headlights as far apart as could be gave it an unfinished look
Sure 70 had great cars with colours and graphics, but the design was less aggressive and the beginning of the end of what the late sixties was all about … as evidenced by 71 and then on
Look at the front end of a 71 Mustang, 71 Chevelle
B body Mopar was at its best in 1969
As always beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and when you were born makes a difference too. Seeing 67 Mustang fastbacks lined up at a dealership at nine years old had a profound impact on my tastes.
I believe you got it right. The Toronado was in year 2 and looked amazing plus the Eldorado was stunning. Devilles still had stacked lights too.
I’ve got to agree! You got it right!
Plus one on 1967. In particular I like the first year Camaro, base model, round parking lights, the blend of the top down into the trunk and sides is just right, still with the vent windows adding a little bling too.
I’d say the 1967/68 period which includes the Ferrari Daytona, Lamborghini Muria, Jaguars XKE, Aston Martin DB6, Ford GT40, all icons. The designers were on top of their game in that period.
BINGO! ’67 was the high watermark for so many cars from the US, as others have observed, and Europe, particularly England and Italy!! There has never been such a time before or since!
Dont forget the Buick Riveria
I was scrolling down to make sure someone said ’67. Agree on all points cited. I will go you one further, I think ’67 was a peak not just for car design . . .it was a standout year for fashion, for music, for movies. What a time.
Best of All i married my beautiful wife 57 years ago in 1967. I worked for FLM dealer so as lease manager so drove them all, Mustangs, Cougars, Lincolns, early Broncos and many more. I still drive my 1974 early Bronco Ranger, midnight blue metallic and white.
I was going to say 66 but I can see an argument for 67. As a ford fan 66 was a sweet spot to me. We had a shaken out first design of the Mustang, a one-year-only ranchero, my favorite F100 design.
I agree I’ve had ’67 Olds Cutlass Supreme and F-85, ’67 Plymouth Barracuda and currently have a ’67 Ford Mustang. My friend that has a car restoration business also agrees and he has a collection of ’67 Olds Cutlass Supreme and 442’s
Yep, mid-60’s, 67 in particular were some great years. The 67 T-Bird was a design masterpiece as was the 67 Mustang fastback. The Lincoln Mark III is classic and the Jaguar XJ6 came out in 68. Golden age. Lot’s of the GM cars were great in that period too.
Any of you guts ever seen a ’68 Charger?
Definitely ‘67, especially GM. The ‘67 GTO I had in ‘77 was the most beautiful car i ever owned, would love to have it back.
And let’s not forget the government safety requirements starting in ‘68, side marker lights, headrests, etc.
Not that I disagree with them, but they did affect styling cues later on.
Have to agree that 1967 was the best year for overall car design. 67 Ford models, including Mustang, Fairlane and full size Galaxies. GM A bodies like Cutlass, Pontiac Lemans, Camaro and the 67 Eldorado are all high water designs. Until 68, with the intro of the 68 Charger, 60’s were a lost decade for Chrysler
Yes, remember the 2 part seat belt puzzle tied to the headliner.
67 RIVIERA…First new ride KILLER LOOK’S,,,,,,
Close, I’d say 1966.
66 for GM for sure.
I was deciding between 67 and ’69, since 69 that was close to the highwater in performance and had gone over to more modern looks, but the previous comment including the C2 Corvette reminded me that you can’t go beyond 67 because of those vettes.
No doubt 1967. Heck, even the ’67 Volkswagen is the high point of VWs.
1967 —-Every American car maker had some really cool cars. The Mustang, Camaro, Baracuda,Javelin, and my favourite year for the Corvette. But every decade had some really nice cars that appealed to people who lived during those periods of time.
I actually think that the Ford Ranger from the late 1990’s was one of the best designs. Sure the gas mileage was bad but they were easy to work on were quite comfortable all switches and controls were accessible and they had just the right amount of room in the extended cab version. The styling was very attractive and not overly massive.
I’m with the 1966-67 guys here.
No argument on the C2 Vette, the mid and full size Fords and Chevys were standouts also.
Everyone likes the Mustangs but I was in love with the Cougars, the hard, sharp lines won me over.
But in the end it’s hard not to pick anything thru the 1970s. After that they became ever more boring and look-a-like. Who can tell one car from another in the parking lot today without looking at the badging. Very sad really
I agree, 1967. I own a “67 Camero SS that was in Automobile Mags 10 year anniversary road rally and have owned a “67 Ford Gal 500. The Malabu, Mustang, Riviera, Corvette, Alpha T33, Masarati Ghibli,,,
1967. Why? After 1967 as Carrol Shelby said ,” The Feds are in.” Cars were no longer designed for conumers totally but also had to meet mandates.1968 was a good year though the designs were baked in earlier. And the interiors with padded surfaces were much nicer. You can thank the Fed’s for that at least.
While it can’t be isolated to one year considering all the years and models produced over the automobile’s history, 1967 was noticeable as the designs of many different companies were quite striking. Of course everyone has their own view and favorites as it should be.
Yes Sajeev ! That’s what I like about you too. Just enough to keep the grey matter rolling but not so much as to be…? By the way, for a mass produced, post war ‘ slab side- shoe box Ford’. 48- 51…?. They got rid of the unnecessary hints of the post war fenders and went a different way. A much cleaner look.
I like you suggestion, I will add ’49-51 Ford to the list!
But what about the Studebaker? Years ahead of the big three when it came to lowering then making a long, slick, looking car compared to its predecessors
I agree with you 200% the hawks 57 thru 61 were the best!!!!!!!!
“53 2 door. Cleanest of the lot.
Got to give a shout-out to the ’53 Stude Starlight and Starliner Coupes! l’ve had car guys who know little or nothing about Studebakers guess from a picture that these cars were from the ’60’s.
But what about the Studebaker? Years ahead of the big three when it came to lowering and lengthening,making for a long, sleek looking car compared to its predecessors and competition.
But if I had to pick one year, it would have to be 57, bringing on the 57 Ford including the trendsetting, Ranchero, Chevy, the Mercury Turnpike cruisers, Cadillac El Dorado & Chrysler line up. Yep 57 had to be THE styling king year.
I agree with ’57. The ’58 cars got bloated with excess. Of course I have a ’57 T-bird and ’57 Fairlane Skyliner, so I am prejudiced. Vern
I would agree. The ’57 to ’59 years were the most exciting years in car design for most makes. For me the ’57 or ’58 Fairlane 500 or Rideau 500 are some of the best looking cars of that era. I’m not too much into jelly beans. Showing my age I guess.
If the answer has to be one single year only, I‘d go with 1966. In Europe there were some truly handsome cars on sale – think early Mercedes S-Class, BMW Coupé, Porsche 911, Jaguar E-Type, Citroën DS. In the US, the rather awkward designs of 1961 to 63 were gone for good, sleek lines and more muted chrome accents were en vogue, and it was the peak of the „stacked headlights“ trend, which has always been a favorite of mine.
49 Ford with “shoebox” sides (where the term came from…) is a before/after moment in auto design.
53 Studebaker Starliner Coupe… the shape every Gen II Camaro owes a debt to. Stude pickups looked great then too, but overall industry lineup in 53 is a bit… stodgy.
57 Ford outsold the Chevy, irrespective of what hot rodders and collectors have since decided. 57 Ford did Ranchero and 57 is when all the public movement and excitement around Edsel really happened (failure was later). Most automakers* 57 was a refresh year (55 Chev is revolutionary –57 is evolutionary to the style of the moment, it just happened to strike that moment in a way that has held up better if not best).
*57 does have Chrysler Co. doing wild design stuff with “Forward Look”, which credit is due as they got a huge sales % bump and set the tone for the next 5+ years. Aside from the 300 series (not affordable), these all fit the “trifecta”.
—-
From a GM-biased view 1959 is a big deal. Most iconic Caddy, most insane Chevy body ever, El Camino oh my, the big X-frames and every 2-door car looks like a custom show car (especially in the drawn ads). Pontiac design language pulls one of the greatest brand resets of all-time and carries the it the rest of its existence (except the 1960 grill back-track).
—-
For a single car, the 2014 Vette got people talking about Vettes and cars that I had never heard notice a thing in decades. I’m not a Vette guy and these made me go “someday I should”. This is also the likely the last Vette an everyday person could aspire to reasonably own.
—-
The 63 Riviera has influenced global design since new. You see elements of it across all brands and segments of car, and not just the obvious “90% of 1970s roofs look Riviera derived”. Though maybe the Riv doesn’t quite fit the criteria being a top-of-the-line lux model…
—-
Lastly, if we lump sales of the best-selling silhouettes of today’s models together, one of the largest groups (and meeting the articles’ trifecta) is the Aztek-descended vehicles (Lifted, liftback smallish crossovers). Making 2001 the most important single year as far as today’s vehicles are concerned. 😀
It depends on what you like
For me, the Neon was the beginning of the formless bubble car that has morphed into the formless bubble CUV we have today. Not a high point in aesthetic design in my book
Aesthetically, there are two eras I like most – that being the era of the muscular looking muscle cars… late 60s and early 70s, that all of the non-CUV throwback cars of today attempt to model albeit with more muted styling
I also liked the angular look of the mid-80s to early 90s – think 5.0 Mustangs, Fieros, Conquest TSIs
The finny cars with massive chrome bumpers from the early 60s and earlier don’t really do it for me, but I recognize they are far more styled than anything we have out there today
I think you can find dependable reliable examples from any of those eras – including examples with fully independent suspension and maybe anti-lock brakes.
My mother had a Neon and I found it to be gutless and unimpressive. If basic transportation is what you are looking for, it could be called a great car, but I would never call it an icon of styling and design
With styling it is a bit of Drama, Showmanship, Theft, Practicality, Originality and Luck. These are the things all designers do. Theft is the greatest as they will steal from each other, nature and aviation.
Also time ages wine and good beef as it does design. Some cars at the time are ignored only to be rediscovered or others are praised and then forgotten.
But we have gotten to a point today that most people just want a car that they can afford and will last with the ability to carry out their life tasks. This upsets the car purest as this means we have a lot of tall hatches.
Regulations have shrunk cars and has forced them to be Aero rounded to meet governments demands. This has made it a small box to work in.
Cars like the Neon met most of the demands but they were too small for the average buyer. Even with a hatch you can’t get much in it. Now that prices are at an all time high will they revisit these smaller cars and look to lower price?
MFGs are now working to do even more reskinned cars to save money and are looking to do specific models as FWD only to make them lighter and cheaper with design and mixed metal processes.
Every era has had challanges and will see how it goes today. Or should I say who survives.
1970. Fight me. Chevelle, Camaro, Corvette, Mustang, Charger, Cuda, Superbird, Javelin, Ferrari Daytona, 911, the list goes on.
Agreed Chip
Love my 1970 b5 blue dodge challenger rt 440 six pack 4sp
If I had to pick a favorite year, I’m with you: 1970.
In the broadest sense I’m an optimist: The BEST year for car design (styling, engineering, utility, economy, fun, etc.) hasn’t happened yet. Generally speaking, cars keep getting better.
1970 gave us the first gen Monte Carlo. Fell in love but didn’t snag one ’til ’71. Thankfully, it’s still in the garage and ready for Spring.
….Roadrunner, Buick GS, Torino, AMC Rebel Machine……Every one of the 1970 models were affordable,and very functional. Think ram air, shaker, cowl induction. Not to mention the myriad choices for engines, transmissions, and rear axles. Absolutely beautiful cars. I don’t think there was a really ugly car in 1970. And the colors!
I’m biased towards the 90’s. I find the tail end of the 70’s to be the low point for me. The american land barges seem to have lost their glory in that time and I am not referring to power.
As a child of the 60s, I cast my vote for 1965. The Chrysler, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Ambassador, Plymouth, Lincoln, Buick, Cadillac, and Avanti were all beauties, IMHO.
I totally agree. 1965 was the year the Big 3 domestic manufacturers made a simultaneous and profound styling statement. The big cars from GM – Chevy, Olds, Cadillac and (especially) Pontiac with their swoopy coke-bottle styling were a major step up. The full size Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge got the full crisp line Elwood Engel treatment, finally shedding all of the excess-Exner styling of previous years. The full size Ford and Mercury were handsome in their own right.
The intermediate GM cars (Chevelle, Tempest/LeMans, Special/Skylark, F85/Cutlass) were new for 64 but the 65 refresh actually looked better for all of them.
The 65 Corvair’s styling was stunning and still looks modern today. It was a shame that the drivetrain couldn’t keep up with the market’s demands (like the Mustang did). The 64 1/2 Mustang was introduced as a 65 model and was the best looking Falcon ever.
My current in-love styling design era was the pre-war cars and trucks that marked the beginning of the headlights being integrated into the body and fenders. I believe car design really took off in that era. My latest project being a 1941 Ford half-ton pick-up.
It is hard to find a better example of a Harley Earl inspired design than the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado convertible and a quote from “Classic Design”: The 1957 Eldorado is considered one of the most iconic and beautiful cars ever designed, with its sweeping lines, wraparound windshield, and dramatic tailfins. Power windows, leather interior, air conditioning and a powerful 365 hp V8 engine, making it one of the most powerful cars of its time.
The pinnacle was 1957. Is, was, and always will be! I’m not prejudiced, I was born in 1957. It was a time of rapid fire changes from year to year. I mean complete redesigns. Amazing!
I agree with 1957 being big for design changes at Chrysler. I liked the Plymouth Belvedere, especially the 2 door hard tops.
when it comes to looks-whether you like them or not- 1957 was in my opinion the beginning of a couple of years of an outpouring of “looks” creativity that will never be surpassed.
My Chevy Impala -66, about 3 weeks older than me 😎