Fenman Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 think its more that modern mainstream cars have to comply with saftey regs particulaly thos as regards colision with pedestrains so they are all beginging to look pretty much the same front end wise which effects the styling of the rest of the car no way would something like the mk1 Manta get through those regs now with that low shark like front end .cars from all across the VAG group are starting to look very very similar no matter what the badge .onlt citreon seem to be trying to do something with style anymore/;. I have already said how much I like the NSU Ro80. It benefits enormously from extraordinarily thin pillars making the glazing look elegant and lightweight. Modern cars must comply with safety regs that require most pillars to be massive things capable of withstanding rollovers. Doubtless we are safer; but the aesthetics suffer. It's interesting how many cars have been chosen which, to me, look extraordinarily aggressive; I can see their power and the attraction, but I wouldn't apply the word "beautiful" to many of them. Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcm@gwr Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Those thick pillars might be safer in an accident, but they might also be the cause of some of those accidents, they really restrict your vision! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanuts Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Those thick pillars might be safer in an accident, but they might also be the cause of some of those accidents, they really restrict your vision! spot on also is it me or are modern cars a lot more susceptible to rolling over if you so much as look at them the wrong way ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Those thick pillars might be safer in an accident, but they might also be the cause of some of those accidents, they really restrict your vision! Why not go the whole hog and have a completely solid windowless shell? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium skipepsi Posted July 9, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 9, 2016 Those thick pillars might be safer in an accident, but they might also be the cause of some of those accidents, they really restrict your vision! The Zafira we had had pillars so wide you could miss an approaching double decker, the later Tourer had thinner pillars and the Picasso we have now is better but the Volvo 850 a car of similar weight had much thinner pillars as did the V70s that followed I suspect a better grade of steel is used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 30801 Posted July 9, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 9, 2016 Why not go the whole hog and have a completely solid windowless shell? Captain Scarlet beat you to that one. http://www.flickriver.com/photos/modern_fred/2130361672/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 The Ford GT40 has been mentioned previously, though only the Mk1.May I suggest both the Mk2... ...And Mk3 variants. Regards, Matt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 I have already said how much I like the NSU Ro80. It benefits enormously from extraordinarily thin pillars making the glazing look elegant and lightweight. .... So did its design sister, the VW K70: ....although, having owned and run one whilst I was a student, I wouldn't have described the K70 as elegant. The unassisted steering was bloody heavy at parking speed. What it did have was loads of space inside. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 When Citroën announced the new DS range some years ago, there was quite a bit of disappointment that the designs didn't pay sufficient tribute to the original DS, so much so that one bloke decided to draw his own 21st century DS: Looks a bit awkward at the back, but I like it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatB Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Modern thick pillars are not so much for rollover protection (for which many countries still do not have formal standards, Australia being a case in point) as being an element in keeping the passenger compartment intact and undistorted in a front end offset collision. With the modern proliferation of airbags I wouldn't be particularly surprised if manufacturers are starting to stash some in the pillars too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
w124bob Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Most cars seen so far have been exotics, so do we conclude that mainstream vehicles are bland or ugly?Brian. No because my vote would go to http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_4309-Mercedes-Benz-240-D-W123-1976.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
w124bob Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Modern thick pillars are not so much for rollover protection (for which many countries still do not have formal standards, Australia being a case in point) as being an element in keeping the passenger compartment intact and undistorted in a front end offset collision. With the modern proliferation of airbags I wouldn't be particularly surprised if manufacturers are starting to stash some in the pillars too. I actually noticed a pram with airbags the other day! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 I was struck with the OP about how individual and unique our tastes and likes are. Rugd1022 put forward the Ford GT40 and the early Targa 911. I could'nt agree more about the GT 40, a fabulous looking car, one to set the pulses racing. "Beautifully balanced looks and a very cleverly restrained brutality", spot on. Yet the Porsche? There's not one Porsche design I'd give you a can of beans for, to me they are bland and uninspiring to look at. Still, it'd be a boring world if we all liked the same things. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 .....Yet the Porsche? There's not one Porsche design I'd give you a can of beans for, to me they are bland and uninspiring to look at..... Possibly because they have become so common that almost everybody has one? The Ford Escort of sportscars. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastairq Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Possibly because they have become so common that almost everybody has one? The Ford Escort of sportscars. Or....Porsche [the 911 & variants?] display typical Germanic design characteristics, in visual terms...very plain, very workmanlike. VW followed the same Germanic ethos, unsurprisingly. I have found that the interiors of most pre-1990's German-designed cars to be utilitarian in extremis....including BMW [the 02 series in particular] Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastairq Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Toyota 2000GT? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastairq Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Or...closer to home, the Opel GT of the 1970's? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastairq Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Chrysler's Atlantic ....I'm sure it went on sale.....a homage to the Bugatti Atlantique.? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastairq Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 The 'real thing?' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastairq Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Hispano Suiza Boulogne.... Triumph GT6 [1968 model] Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastairq Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 From http://www.classic-car-history.com/austin-healey-sprite.htm The Sebring Sprite? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastairq Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 The Bristol Fighter..not too flattering in orange...but...what a car, eh? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Fighter_(automobile) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastairq Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 https://uk.pinterest.com/oldcarguykeith/1968-pontiac-firebirds/ I give you...the '68 Pontiac Firebird? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastairq Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 While I'm at it......The Dellow Mk2? Body shape design by Radpanels, who designed [and built, sometimes] for Ford. The one above is currently for sale.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dellow-Classic-Trials-Car-1952-Mk2-in-Good-condition-/222157361449?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276 It isn't mine... a view of which is in my avatar.....lay opinion says, the Mk 2 is a 'pretty' car......quite a capable one, too.... http://www.dellowregister.co.uk/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanuts Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Modern thick pillars are not so much for rollover protection (for which many countries still do not have formal standards, Australia being a case in point) as being an element in keeping the passenger compartment intact and undistorted in a front end offset collision. With the modern proliferation of airbags I wouldn't be particularly surprised if manufacturers are starting to stash some in the pillars too. had a fireman tell me on certain volvos and mercedes they have to know which trim level /year it is before they start to cut the roof off etc as they can contain the gas bottles for the air bags and wouldnt want to cut through one of them ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.