Cars that have "aged gracefully"

[Bushbasher]

I'd have to say, a good E type Jag with a decent width set of wheels on it would still not look out of place or time.



Bushbasher

[LPG EF2 GLI]

Originally Posted by Dave_au

Really? I'm suprised at the level of appreciation for the VR/VS shape. Having owned one previously, it was certainly a good evolution of the VN body shape but those high mounted rear brake lamps still look a little funny to me!

Absolutely agree on this one. Although when looking down on the back end of the car they don't look as bad, when sitting behind one in traffic the back lights definitely look to be in the wrong spot, i.e. too high. I have have always thought this about the VR-VS shape.

And what's with the gap between the top of the light where it meets the boot? It looks as though it just doesn't fit together properly. The back end of an EF flows much better, and IMO the shape is fantastic. Pity about the fading headlights that cost $330 ea to replace if done properly.

[Fairlane]

Sunbeam Tiger
NSU Ro
VW Karmann Ghia
Ford Tauraus (The 1st Gen American one)
Rover P6
Studebaker Commander (1950s)
Triumph 2000
Definately the Citroen DS
Daimler Majestic
Anything by Jaguar
Anything by Mercedes pre 1990 (Just timeless the old Mercs)

As for Australia, I reckon the EF/EL Falcon, VX Commodore, HQ Holden & HR Holden, still look very fresh, especially the EF, ask someone who had never seen one before what age it is.

[Mr Hardware]

I think i'm just a fan of massive taillights. The bigger the better I say, thats why i love the rear of the VT and VX berlina & calais.

[GS608]

VX SS still look the goods, VR/VS are a much better looker than the EF/EL on the outside but the Falcon interior still looks pretty modern compared to the poxy VR/VS

96 triton still looks pretty decent for a 13 year old car

[FalconXR6]

For mine it's (in order);

1) XA-XC Falcon Coupe - the best looking coupe in history.
2) EF Falcon - from GLi to XR this is still my favourite 4 door design ever.
3) BA Falcon - classy, solid, brilliant engines across the board this car appeals to everyone in some way shape or form. FPV's especially tasty.
4) XP Falcon Coupe - gorgeous cruiser.
5) XW/XY Falcon - screams "muscle" regardless of which badge it sports.
6) VS SS - this model of the range only. Sounds great and is a genuinly decent drive.
7) VX SS - for exterior design only. My favourite Commodore design of them all.
8) BMW E45 M3 - the best looking beemer of all time (with a spanking driveline to boot).
9) T180 Series Toyota Celica - best looking Toyota ever built and with the right combination of mods, still holds it's own on the road today. Shame about the driveline and suspension package...
10) R34 Nissan Skyline - the 2 doors look tasty, the GT-R has cred in spades, but it's the 4 door version that gets my heart racing.

[yanknbank]

[LeadFoot81]

Originally Posted by naddis01

Sorry but I dont agree about the AU. Surely a car has to look good before it can age gracefully. I cant say the AU has ever looked good (T3s excepted).

Flame suit on.

Nah, youre missing the point; this thread isnt about whether you think the design looks good, its about how you think the design has aged.

I dont think the AU1 is the sexiest Falcon ever but the AU range including the much maligned AU1 Forte have design elements weve only just started seeing in other mainstream models. The AU doesnt look as out of place next to newer models as a VT.

[mik]

sorry guys i think i have the winner!
http://www.dieselstation.com/wallpap...ord-GT-007.jpg
simply stunning :

[paule11]

2 door monaros ht to hq xr xt xy xw falcons any mustang 1964 to 1970 camaro firebird up to 1974 62 to 67 chevy nova thunderbirds from the mid 70s back

[ieatsports_cars]

i think ford dna has helped ford fords age well
any e series looks the goods to me when they are looked after

[timace]

The AX Telstar TX5 Ghia... one of the best looking Mazdas :P Absolutely loved mine.



XA-XC, XW-XY and BA also sit high on my list.

[Silver Ghia]

I'm surprised the XA-XC coupe has only been mentioned twice.

Surely thats the winner, especially the 302/351 GT's?

Then theres the:
XW/XY/XA - XC 4 door GT's
Mustang Mach 1
Ferrari 308
HK, HT,HG and HQ Monaros
BMW 3 series (only because they havent really changed in looks much over the last 30 or so years)

And of course I have to say the MGB.

[Coyote mk3]

Originally Posted by BA-XR6

i
Ford:
not including the classics, ef/l xr6/8

Little bias here but I agree.

On the Holden side I would say
VX SS and VU SS - I love the shape of them. :

[Mr Hardware]

fastback torana

[yetchh]

1984 Celica Supra, 5mge one of the best dohc 6's ever made

[Mr Hardware]

5mge one of the best dohc 6's ever made

if you own a headgasket shop

[yetchh]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

if you own a headgasket shop

apart from that.. low factory head bolt torque issue.. 7mgte was worse, still capable of 3-400kw tho

[v8falconsrule]

ferrari f40, 55- 57 chevs, 56- 57 vette, MGB, the original mini.

for the fords there's the obvious xw-xy, xp coupe, xa-xc, 65- 70 mustangs, gt40s

for the not so obvious, how bout some of the older rolls royce's you can tell their old, but still somehow elegant?

[tapeworm]

Fors- EF/L monts & Tickfords, spesh the bonnet forwards would still cut it these days.

Holden- VT Calias, VX SS, VU utes

[stevepet]

What about the unloved EA. If you manage to see one in good nick especially a Spack or Ghia they are a fine looking car. And yes I did have one and did 3 head gaskets.

Cheers
Others 240/260Z not 2+2
HQ Monaro
Dog bone grill escort

[orsm8]

ED Sprint and EBGT still look great cars and the series 2 EL XRSedans arent bad either

[stevepet]

in my opinion cars with fibreglass addons EB GT walkinshaw cannot age gracefully

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by XR-CHIEF

VX SS still look the goods, VR/VS are a much better looker than the EF/EL on the outside but the Falcon interior still looks pretty modern compared to the poxy VR/VS

96 triton still looks pretty decent for a 13 year old car

Funny how you reckon VR/VS looks better than EF/EL. What do you see in the VR/VS.. its got IMO dull looking taillights, rounded anonymous lookiing headlights, a square VN middle section, square doorhandles that look like they came off of a Toyota from that era, a flat bonnet with hardly any contours and there's not much distinction between base executive and top end calais apart from two-tone paint. But to each their own i guess :

[BPXR6T]

Porsche 911 and Boxster hasn't change a lot since 1998.

[RED FGII]

I always want to "update" , but the more i stare at my EL Fairmont
( sparkling burgandy ) the more i want to keep it

My Yummy meter...

EL's
XD-XE ESP
ED SPRINT
XC GXL?
EA BROCK

[onfire]

VT / VX SS.
VT/ VX Calasis
AU - Even the S1, the right colour, colour coded grill, well kept, subtle & neatly presented.
AU S3 XR range.

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

Nah, youre missing the point; this thread isnt about whether you think the design looks good, its about how you think the design has aged.

I dont think the AU1 is the sexiest Falcon ever but the AU range including the much maligned AU1 Forte have design elements weve only just started seeing in other mainstream models. The AU doesnt look as out of place next to newer models as a VT.

Spot on! There's a fundamental difference between a good looking car, e.g., X-series coupes, and that of a design which is "aging well", such as the AU. I bet you many who know little about which car came first would mistake the AU for being newer than the BA/BF.

I must mention this; the FG in XT form doesn't look as "new" as a spic AU.

[Yellow_Festiva]

I rekon the Mazda 121 'bubble' model was pretty advanced in terms of its design. Still not a bad looking car now if maintained.. and was originally produced from 1991.

[bigdude1011]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

square doorhandles that look like they came off of a Toyota from that era,

Funny you mentioned that... didn't Toyota rebadge the Commodore? Holden probably stole the handles then.
But anyway, EF-ELs still look great today, as do AUs. (even the Series 1 Forte - I like silver grille more than body colour from the S-pack)
versus


But my favourites are probably the 1989-1999 Mazda Astinas, even the BG (1989-1994) model looked ahead of its time. (even though right now it looks kinda late-80's, but still looks pretty good) Then they became boring.

Edit: added new photo, added text