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The 10 Most Beautiful Cars of All Time


Dave@Moon

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The 10 most beautiful cars of all time - Yahoo! Autos

Clearly the author of this "list" article has never seen anything made before 1962, however for once there appears to be some thought to most of the choices. All but one of them would easily make my top 25. The exception is number 10, which IMHO may be the least attractive car Porsche ever sold to the public. Why that one was chosen of all Porsches (most of which are lessons in understated class) I'll never know.

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I can agree on a few, and I agree the Porsche is butt ugly, he probably owns one, hehehe.

Where is the Buick Reveeeeee? Oh well, just one persons opinion.

Dale in Indy

P.S. They have it so you can't print, IMO. I have an 8-ink printer, great for photo's, but so far all I get is the car cut in half with big line through the middle.

Edited by smithbrother (see edit history)
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Painfully slow loading I quit at #3. Bob

That's typical of yahoo since they made their last "improvements", because they have so much ad content. Yahoo sends the phishing filter on my work computer out of its mind. Their new email is clumsier to use than it was before, if that is possible.

Nice cars on here, but admittedly a postwar bias.

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I don't understand why anyone even bothers trying to compile a list like this. It is basically a list of the author's favorite cars that he has seen. Meaning it does not include anything he is not familiar with. Apparently that would be anything other than postwar sports and muscle cars for this author.

I wouldn't even bother trying to compile a list like this of my own. Even if I listed my 10 favorite cars, that does not necessarily mean they are the most aesthetically beautiful, and they may not be to everyone's taste. And cars that are renowned for their beauty as art objects are not always cars that are favorites of mine.

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Matt, I agree, while I actually prefer the XKE in a closed 2 seater, and the 300 SL in roadster form vs. the more iconic gullwing, those are two from that list would make mine. (Just don't go too far from home in the Jag without your AAA card and cellphone! :D )

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Matt, this is the slippery slope that proves it is virtually impossible to get people to agree. For me. an E-Type Jag would not make my top 50 list or perhaps top 100 list. They were a definite improvement over the XKs that they replaced but there are too many other cars in that era and earlier and later that are far more beautiful. Remember, just my opinion!

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Top 10 Jag.pdf

I can agree on a few, and I agree the Porsche is butt ugly, he probably owns one, hehehe.

Where is the Buick Reveeeeee? Oh well, just one persons opinion.

Dale in Indy

Dale,

P.S. They have it so you can't print, IMO. I have an 8-ink printer, great for photo's, but so far all I get is the car cut in half with big line through the middle.

If you send me a PM telling me your email address & which photo(s) you want, I will email you a JPG, PDF, or WORD format photo file.

Edited by huptoy (see edit history)
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Matt, this is the slippery slope that proves it is virtually impossible to get people to agree. For me. an E-Type Jag would not make my top 50 list or perhaps top 100 list. They were a definite improvement over the XKs that they replaced but there are too many other cars in that era and earlier and later that are far more beautiful. Remember, just my opinion!

No 2 people would be able to agree with any list on this subject, let alone finding a consensus. For example the XK120 is just about the top car on my list, and ranks above the E-Type. I linked the list most because it at least it represented a cohesive aesthetic, one very similar to my own.

I will say this about the Jags, however. I think they represent the best looking mass-produced cars ever that were designed largely by the company's CEO.

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I'm gonna put Colleen Kane on my list of Ten Most Irrelevant Writers of All Time. I'm always amused how these ugly out of the mainstream European wheels get put on Best of Lists. And while we are admiring European wheels, how about one that is far more relevant than most of them, a car for the masses. In my somewhat non conventional opinion, I think the Trabant has far more graceful lines and is prettier than the DB5.

Bill

post-30795-143139148488_thumb.jpg

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Guest Kingoftheroad

I'm a fan of many of the cars on that list.

I'm surprised the 63 - 65 Riv wasn't on the list. However, the list did include 2 of the sexiest cars ever created, 63 Vette & the XKE.

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Guest straight shooter

Like others have said the list is terrible. A 1971 Dodge Charger listed as 1 of the 10 most beautiful cars of all time. So many cars that could have been listed instead of the ones picked. Example include 1940 Lincoln Continental, 1956-57 Lincoln Mark II, 1955 or 56 Chrysler 300, 63-65 Riviera, 1937 Cord, Facel Vega, Bugatti, Packard, and Delahaye just to name a few.

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I agree. Without a single Stutz, Auburn, Cord, Packard, Pierce arrow, Duesenberg? or a slew of other cars we all collect and yearn for. The author could use a good trip to Hershey to be exposed to true beauty.

His list might change a tad.

I think the author is also seeing the beauty from a behind the wheel feeling at 160 mph with the exception of the Pony car. I would take any of them sans the pony car.

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I think the author is also seeing the beauty from a behind the wheel feeling at 160 mph with the exception of the Pony car. I would take any of them sans the pony car.

Helfen, using your logic she is missing out then, as a flat out run in a Stutz Bearcat (wind in your face and all), Duesenberg "SSJ" (open that exhaust cut out) or MG TC (40 feels like 100 - "safety fast" ) - just 3 from my list, FWIW that should be equally exciting - each known for certain performance charicteristics suited to their era and class.

I think you raise a good point, one that most of us might factor into the equation, it is just that I think the author combined a quick internet search with some buzz words she picked up on the by and by. "Hmm, I should have a 60s musclecar on my list, let me see..."

That said, Dave does point out a cohesive thread in her list, which would seem to show some true preference on her part. If she has not ridden in these cars, maybe she is imagining the experience as Helfen points out. Which is also how one may reconcile static design with actual performance.

In thinking about my list, I would say most are performance oriented cars whose lines seem to represent speed combined with great porportions. A couple are more restrained in terms of sporting intentions, but again porportion is key. I did not try but I have vehicles as old as 1914 and as new as current on my list. I think good design can be found at any point in time if you look for it. So porportion and the conveyance of either speed or elegance drives my list. What drives your list??

Edited by Steve_Mack_CT (see edit history)
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Like others have said the list is terrible. A 1971 Dodge Charger listed as 1 of the 10 most beautiful cars of all time. So many cars that could have been listed instead of the ones picked. Example include 1940 Lincoln Continental, 1956-57 Lincoln Mark II, 1955 or 56 Chrysler 300, 63-65 Riviera, 1937 Cord, Facel Vega, Bugatti, Packard, and Delahaye just to name a few.

Actually the 1970 Challenger is listed, the Charger is not. That said the 1968 Charger would rank high on my top 25 list. The 1970 Challenger makes it but is much further down.spinning.gif

I expected most of the reactions found here (as my "not seen a car before 1962" comment in the first post would indicate). What I'm not seeing is more modern cars getting their due. The 2005-2009 Mustang I find very attractive for one, the last Toyota MR2 for another. Reverse age discrimination maybe? rolleyes.gif

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We shouldn't be TOTALLY surprised..........I bet if each of us were to submit OUR list, it would contain cars others would say, NO WAY.

It's just one man/women's opinion, that's all. I don't agree with the list, but YOU probably wouldn't agree with mine either.

It's a fun thing, FUN IS GOOD!

Dale in Indy

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+1 Woodfiddler.

Dave, since these lists are based on likes and opinions discrimination is not possible, right? I appreciate good design, but if I need to cull my list to a top ten, it is pretty competitive. Personally, I think the Porsche Caymen is about the best interpretation of the iconic Porsche shape yet, it would be in the top 25 for me but not sure if it makes top ten. Also begs the question - is it truly a fresh design? Or does the original 911/912 designer ultimately deserve the credit? Best pondered over a libation or two....

Another related question - Have your tastes/favorites changed over the years?? The 55 - 57 Chevy comes to mind for me, used to be a favorite, I now can take or leave it. Anyone else lose interest in a marque or model over time?

Edited by Steve_Mack_CT
expanded question (see edit history)
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Guest bkazmer

everybody has an opinion. But I think the point is that all 10 cars being the Gullwing and newer represents an uninformed opinion. Nothing in the 60 years before the Gullwing????? Let's make a list of 10 greatest paintings, but all Picasso or more recent.

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It DOESN'T make a difference, (informed, or uninformed, it's one persons opinion), period.

What is good about it is that we are THINKING.

I just DARE any that has jumped all over the list, to offer for us ALL to see, THEIR LIST OF THE TOP TEN.

I can't wait to see their list, it will be fun, FUN IS GOOD!

Dale in Indy

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Steve, I agree with your statement of 55-57 Chevy because you see so many of them. When I look at a completely stock 55-57 Chevy and I look at all the GM line up for those three years I can't believe those Chevy's get more than they deserve. Possibly back when they were 5-10 years old they were the cheapest cars we could get a hold of with cheap performance parts caused the attraction, but my favorites now that I can take my prejudices away ( I was always a Pontiac fan/owner ), My favorites of the GM stable in those years are 1955 Buick Roadmaster, 1954-55 Olds Starfire, 1956 Olds and Buick, 1957 Cadillac Coupe deVille. A equally fine looking 1955-57 car is the Ford. Seems hard to believe to people today who always call the 57 Chevy The iconic car of those three years missed the facts that the people of 1957 thought the 57 Ford was a pretty darn good looking car too. The fact that Ford outsold Chevy in 1957 proves it. Don't get me wrong the tri five Chevy's are nice cars, but they're not the only cars out there.

My vote when it comes to Porsches is a easy one for me, it's called the 904... any version will do. Flat four, flat six or flat eight. The car just looks like it's going fast....even while it's parked.

D.

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I grew up with all those 60's era gems. Fast, yes. Beautiful, with the exception of the first stingray and jag, maybe. It kind of depends when you were born and what your exposure to early autos might have been. If you have never seen an early Mercer, Stutz, Packard, Cadillac, Dusey, and the list goes on, how can you say "of all time"? Everyone has an opinion, and thank god we all don't agree. If you think its beautiful, do you really care what others think?

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The problem with guys like Helfen is you think you have a completed list and they come up with some great design that makes you say "oh s***, I forgot that one" :) Well, at least I feel I am not that far off with the Cayman:

1964 Porsche 904 and 2012 Porsche Cayman R

Dale FWIW here is my top ten (note this list is subject to change. By the hour...) in no particular order:

Stutz Bearcat, 1914 - The most iconic of the best speedster years, simple yet sporty lines. Park one next to a Mercer and while both beautiful, the Stutz is just a bit more elemental in a good way to me anyway.

Packard 1932 - 34; coupe roadster or club sedan. Bodystyles dictates either elegance or sporting elegance. Packard's finast years in terms of design.

Duesenberg SSJ - the only way to improve on a Duesenberg SJ...

Mercedes 500/540K Special Roadster - perfect balance of elegance and sporting.

Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe 1933 - A drophead is nice as well, but the coupe actually looks sportier. (coachbuilder escapes me right now)

Any Packard Darrin - the ultimate boulavardier

MG TC - IMO, "Classic" design scaled down, perfect porportions, affordable, a short list car for me.

Mercedes 300 SL Roadster - Gullwing is interesting, I just prefer the roadster in the first of the great SL series.

Jag XKE Coupe - Great form; affordable in relative terms.

Ferrari California Spyder, although one could argue the Dino is an equally appealling design for a lot less $$$

Porsche Cayman - A modern interpretation of the classic Porsche that does not have a bad angle.

I am actually surprised at how many of these are closed cars. If you take Dale's challenge and do a list, how's about a line or two of "why"?

Edited by Steve_Mack_CT
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Guest bkazmer
We shouldn't be TOTALLY surprised..........I bet if each of us were to submit OUR list, it would contain cars others would say, NO WAY.

It's just one man/women's opinion, that's all. I don't agree with the list, but YOU probably wouldn't agree with mine either.

It's a fun thing, FUN IS GOOD!

Dale in Indy

OK - so let's give it a whirl

1) Mercer Raceabout (alternate, Stutz Bearcat)

2) Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A (alternate Duesenberg J/SJ)

3) 32-4 Packard 12, Dietrich or Fernandez et Darrin (alternate 33-35 Cadillac V16)

4) Alfa Romeo 8C 2900

5) Cord 810/812

6) Jaguar XK120

7) Chrysler 300C/D

8) Ferrari 250 GTO

9) Jaguar E-type

10) Ferrari 612 GTO

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