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 rented a Neon for our honeymoon in Florida. I hated that car. In particular, the ride was pretty rough (and I owned and own pickup trucks).
For American cars it was 1968 – 1972. Classic and Muscle combined
I will select ‘65 generally and specifically GM. The midsize; Chevelle/SS, Skylark/GS, LeMans/GTO and Cutless/442 are among my favorites. Let’s not forget Riv, 2+2 and Impalas.
Steve has an excellent point. All those cars were of great designs. Some of the earlier years also had elegant designs too. My vote is for 1970. Again, cars from all of the manufactures looked great, but I must say the Mopar’s had a mean and nasty look that I fell in love with. The Coronet had a Love /Hate look, but the Charger and “Cuda, I think, even Chevy fans liked their looks.
For domestic cars brands across all four manufacturers at the time, my vote is 1970 but I could go with any year of the late 60’s. Just the shear variety of choices was amazing but Detroit was at it’s zenith with both style and performance.
1957- Ford and Chrysler restyles
1965- entire American (GM,Ford,Chrysler) restyles- loss of the “boxy” look. I’m considering the 1964 1/2 Mustang actually as a 1965 model
1969. The Language of ’60s Muscle peaked in 1969 just prior to just slightly going over the top in 1970. Designs made use of a nice balance of chrome vs. color. Seats got head restraints, making the cabins appear cozy and side lights became better integrated over their first mandated year of 1968. Nearly all brands from the Big Three had something in all the segments. Plus, I had all the 1969 car brochures I’d picked up from the local dealers on my three speed Sting Ray knock-off. And, the US landed three astronauts on the moon!
Agree.
The GM cars for 1962 .
Three years stand out. 1966, 1970 and 1982. These seemed to have all the majors drop new designs on their primary car lines that moved the needle ahead. To me, the 1970 Cuda/Challenger were the most ground breaking. From the unique-for-the-time use of aggressive side glass tumblehome lean in to the clean design they had, they still hold up today and looked 10 years ahead of themselves when new. They could have come out in 1980 or 1990 and been right at home. But all these years saw major design launches that are still at the forefront of the collector car world today. In 1970, my family took a car trip over Easter. My Dad took a road hazzard right into the gas tank on his 1967 Buick Skylark 2 door hardtop. We stopped at a Pontiac Dealer in Missouri somewhere and had a 4 hour repair while the dealer kindly understood the problem and put a new gas tank on it. They had a new 1970 Firebird TA on the floor roped off. White with blue stripes and interior. I was 9. I spent 4 hours walking around and around that car. What a winner it was. It was like perfect design from another planet. I’m so glad I lived my impressionable years in those car times.
1949 Cadillac with V8, automatic transmission, and air conditioning. Then while Detroit slept, 1979 Honda Civic with CVCC engine and 1986 Toyota Corolla GT-S with 163 hp both at very affordable prices.
For American automakers I’d say 1964, every car of that year were all extremely attractive.
1958 Chevrolet Impala convertible. A friend’s father bought one new, and we kids all drooled over it.
Everybody is going old but I think 2013 & 2014 were excellent design years. The Big 3 all had great looks for their trucks and muscle/pony cars. Italian exotics like Ferrari’s 458 are better looking than the new generation cars. German models like the AMG C63 were way cooler looking and sounding than today’s electric-infused cars.
Surprised no one mentioned the 240Z, the XKE, the Ferrari GTO and Lusso and the Muira!!
I’ll say 19 EXTIE EX. There is no one year . . . . .