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?
1957 Chevy Convertable in all its late 50,s colors. ( matador red & tropical turquoise )
1963 with all brands then 1960 up with the bubble tops
I agree that it’s tough to pick one year as the best for design, performance and affordability. I loved Studebakers! My first car was a ‘59 Lark, but I always lusted after a ‘58 Golden Hawk. Should note that my second car was a ‘65 Fury III convert , and # 3 a ‘67 Barracuda (225 slant 6 w/torqueflyte trans). Those were the days!
The 1930-40 decade. When you contrast the upright–but still graceful cars–of 1930 with the beginnings of streamlining in mid-decade (contrast a Model A with a ’33 or ’34, or a 1930 Pierce Arrow with a 1933 Silver Arrow), then look at the curvy slab sides (think GM), faired in headlights and integrated trunks in 1939-40, that decade has it all. Hardly an ugly car left a factory the entire time–well, maybe Chrysler and DeSoto Airflows…
While I agree from an external design perspective with the emphasis on the “classic” years such as the later 50’s and certainly the 60’s I would suggest another curve ball in honor of Sajeev’s opening gambit that 1999-2000 should be in the running as a pivotal time. Cars were safer, longer lasting, still relatively affordable and many iconic vehicles began then. A partial list includes from 1999 all first generation: Toyota Tundra (amazingly long lasting), Pagani Zonda, Nissan Xterra, Honda S2000 (fun and beyond reliable), Ford Super Duty, BMW X5, the Audi Allroad Quatro, TVR Tuscan Speed six (stacked headlights), 2nd Generation Suzuki Vitara, Chevrolet Tracker (yes I have personal issues but more power and two air bags and much more reliable then a Jeep) and the introduction of the Daihtsu Naked Kei car (Ok that one is just about the name). Then in 2000 all first Generation Ariel Atom, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Acura MDX (they just keep going), Ford Escape, Ford Explorer Sport Trac (one of the early short beds that are everywhere now), Lotus Exige an affordable track car with Toyota reliability, Morgan Aero 8 (first new Morgan design since 1964), Pontiac Aztec (Sure it was butt ugly but it hinted at the future direction of SUVs), Ruf RGT, Spyker C8, and finally the Toyota Highlander and Sequoia which also echoed the trend towards multiple SUV offerings over cars. While there are times with much more overall beauty the variation in offerings (Aerial Atom) as well as the beginning of future trends, SUV,s and the increase in safety and longevity really make it a pivotal design moment. Happy Motoring!
As an early-ish 2000s kid, I can’t narrow it down to a single year, but my range would have to be from 1990-2010. I know that there is a pretty big gap there, but you have the Neon Srt-4; OBS, Roundeye, and Cateye GM trucks; the EG Civic; the R-32,33, and 34 GTRs; the Evos, the SLS, the Viper, and even the Catfish Camaro alongside the Shark-Faced Firebirds. That was the general era where a LOT of change was made, but they weren’t drastic changes. Just tweaks that made cars get faster, smoother, lighter, and just overall handle better. This might just be my nostalgia talking though…
For me, 1958 was the year when the designers were allowed to exercise they’re creativity when every make and model from a 1958 Desoto to the Buick Roadmaster which boasted the most chrome of any car ever made before or since to the incredible stylistic creation that was the 1958 Chevrolet Impala 2-door hard top and the 1958 Ford Skyliner. Color combinations and ample use of chrome made all the 1958 makes and models true works of art.
1966 for me. That year has most of my favorite body styles from all brands. There are other years that I like very much as well, but ‘66 was the best year across the board in my opinion.
I read through some of the early posts and I think we are all on the same page.
Iconic designs aren’t really relegated to one generation. An iconic design kinda becomes an instant classic….because it’s ICONIC! It’s a HOLE IN ONE! They are amazing no matter when they are made!
If anything, this article becomes an ENGAGMENT EXERCISE that makes us all scrape through our memories to see if we can offer the “AH HA” example. NEON…….right. Was the perfect vehicle to get us to engage….but it’s definitely more of an UHHHHH design. Goes to show how there are clear peaks and troughs in style and tastes.
Corvair anyone?
1967, Chevelle, Camaro/Firebird, Impala 2dr, Charger, Coronet R/T, Dart, Barracuda, GTX, restyled Mustang fastback, Fairlane GT. It was a great year for beautiful cars.
Pacer station wagon………… anybody ?
I guess I like the “gaudy” cars because 1959 and 1960 are my favourite years for car design. The 1960 Ford is one example of beautiful as is the 1960 Chrysler and the 1959 Buick. Back then the cars didn’t all look alike as they do today.
So taken this with a modified perspective as an engineer.
The question is “what was the best year for car design”. This should encompass more than just looks but engineering design as well. My vote is for 1967. It was a huge safety design year for GM (and others) as the 1st year with the dual master cylinder, mandatory seat belts, and cars with collapsible steering wheels. It is also a great transition year bringing years/decades or proven engineering design prior to redesigning cars for emissions, cost savings, etc. It is a milestone year for several cars including the Oldsmobile 442.
Admittedly I like the looks of other years as my favorite aesthetic design year for a particular model but I am voting for 1967 as the best “design year”.
Drive on friends!
It has to be the 1960s, what a list you could make – 1963 Corvette, 1968 Corvette, Mustang, Camaro Cougar, Riviera, Toronado, Eldorado, Ford GT, Chaparral, Lola T70, Porsche 904, Ferrari P4, Ferrari Lusso, E-Type, Ferrari 250 GTO, several Thunderbirds, Lincoln Continental, 1968 GTO, 1968 Cutlass, Maserati Ghibli, Dodge Charger, Lamborghini Miura; I could go on but you get the picture. From here I suggest the E-Type, P4, Ghibli or Miura could be the best ever,
1964, including 1964-1/2 , with GTO and Mustang starting the muscle + pony car era,
that probably got a large part of us car crazy, and likely Hagerty, too.