I’ve been thinking a lot about the general morphology (shape) of cars and why I feel so much that comes out it unimpressive. I think it’s time for a new general conception, and have yet to see the generation of that in much new as of late.
Consider,
In the early years, cars generally looked like this -
Then they started looking like this in the 30s. A lot more integrated, and streamlined.
In the 40’s, a more coherent shape. But pretty much the same.
50’s, larger, more detailed, etc. Totally different. Less sleek bonnet, more huge grill and hood.
60’s brought us down in size generally and more purposeful and fanciful forms. The giant grille was mostly gone and the car was out of the box form.
80’s was square, bloated and malaise styling.
80’softened the edge a bit, but was still pretty square, but smaller cars. Lots of plastic for the first time.
90’s changef a lot of the black plastic stuff to body color and rounded stuff out a lot.
00’s and beyond? I don’t see much in the way of general changes and overall change in shape. When you look at the overall size and character of the cars from 40-50’s there’s a huge change. Recently I think there are small changes (surfacing, aggressive bits, aero bits, etc.) but nothing really moving towards a new look.
It’s most characteristic I think when you see a car on the road today from the 20/30/40/50/60/70/80s… you notice the difference in scale, volume, immediately. everything in the last 20 years kinda blends together.
Not saying that aren’t standout designs from any era that cross time periods and certainly some designs are the ones that user in the new era, while some take the lazy route and pull from recent past, but I’ve yet to see the next big change in car design aside from some crazy concepts that never go anywhere.
R
PS; Aptera, I wish you were real.