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?
Although it was before my time, I’d have to say 1972 was the best year. It was the peak of all of the styling, comfort, & power innovations carried over from the muscle car race of the ‘60s. It was before the oil crisis, malaise styling, & power robbing smog equipment.
1966 & 1967. Everything the American manufacturers made was at peak design (this is an opinion, purpose of the article). Last era of minimal regulations. No side marker lights and parking lights were parking lights. 66 Charger, 66 Fairlane, 66 Toronado just to get started.
1962 – Jaguar E Type – the most beautiful care ever made!
!970 was about the best, but the Firebirds and Camaros were great as well. From the 50s up, there were always great groups of cars.
Hard to pin down just one year, but those who are favoring the period 1967-1970 may be on to something.
Every decade had cars, great cars that appealed to those who matured during those periods in time. Reading these comments, I agree with so many of these. 53 Studebakers, 34 Fords, 40 Fords, Early 50,s Fords, early 60s Fords, Pontiacs, mid 60s everything. My 67 Firebird, which I purchased new, and still own and drive to this day. So many great cars, even the Exner Chrysler cars, that I thought were butt ugly back then are really stunning when I see one that has been nicely restored now, are certainly not ugly now.
The years around 1963 are my favorite for the best outside-inside design looks. After that, the mechanical parts evolved but the design + materials were mostly going down.
1937, especially the coupes. Right before the fenders started squaring off and grill designs looked great this year.
That was a terrible story. With everything written and taught about car design you spent those many words on a Dodge Neon.
It will be whatever year the new Charger hits the streets. Stunningly beautiful.
If you are looking for an amazing design, quality construction and great ride, then the 1961 Lincoln Continental should be considered a true landmark in automotive history. First to offer a 2 year, 24,000 mile warranty it won the Industrial Design Institute Award and went on, in my opinion, to greatly influence automotive design not only in the 1960s but through to the current day. What an amazing break from the 1958-1960 Lincoln’s and so well received it is fair to say that it saved Lincoln as a brand entirely. There might not even has been a 1963 Riviera (another fabulous design) without the influence of the 1961 Lincoln. For my money, if I had to pick a single car that had the overall greatest influence, the 1961 Lincoln would be the one.
The art deco lines of the 1936 Ford Coupes
1957 was by far the best year for automobile design. To wit, the ’57 Bel Air and the ’57 Chrysler 300.
The 57 Bel Air is my firs choice, but the 1962 Impala SS Convertible has some sleek lines. My second choice.
A Dodge Neon? The Neon was just another generic jelly bean car, like every other car built since the first Taurus in the 80’s. Except the Neon it was also a poorly built, tinny, jelly bean shaped piece of junk. I don’t even know why automakers have designers anymore. Other than some rare exceptions (such as the 03 CTS, the C8 Corvette, the PT Cruiser and ?) every regular production vehicle built since the 80’s has either been the same simple jelly bean shape or a square box shaped CUV. From the Miata to the Chrysler Pacifica, they’re all just a variation of the standard jelly bean.
1932 was probably the first great year for automobile design. Auto makers first started to take design seriously in the early 30’s, and 1932 brought forth one of the most beautifully designed cars of all time, the 1932 Ford. But 1932 also brought us the 32 Chevrolet, the fantastic 32 Cadillac V12 & V16, the 32 Lincoln, the Bugatti Type 55!!!, the Stutz DV32, the Packard V12 and more fabulously designed and gorgeous to look at automobiles.
Other than the 49 Ford and the 53 Corvette, 1941-1954 were pretty sad years for auto design, and then came 1955 and everything changed. With the introduction of the 55 Chevrolet, the Lincoln Continental Mark II, the T-Bird and the Cameo Carrier, a whole new world of car design was ushered in. More great designs came out of 57-59, but it was also an era of excess of both design (like massive fins) and chrome. 1963 is another year that’s hard to fault, with two of the most iconic cars of all time, the 63 Corvette and Riviera coming out. 63 also featured some very clean designs such as the Grand Prix, the Avanti, the Thunderbird (admittedly carried over from 61-62), the nicely designed 63 Galaxie, and the Continental, among others. 1969 and 70 was probably the last gasp of great car designs, led by cars like the 69 Grand Prix, the 70 Camaro and Firebird twins, the 70 Torino and 70 Monte Carlo.