Cars that have "aged gracefully"

[mcflux]

I suppose another thing with the AU is its extreme "DNA" (Edge styling). Very late 90s/early 00s, then killed off abruptly with B-Series, a new Focus, no more Laser, etc etc.

The AU's distinctive styling does pigeonhole it into that particular era, rather than looking near-new.

As for timeless styling, I've mistaken early 90s BMWs for near-new (pre-Bangle), and early 80s Mercs for being mid 90s...

Some American cars from around 1990, while the designs look ugly, could be mistaken for 2000 models. <-- Maybe this is the AU argument? Although with us being Ford fans, we all-too-well know the build dates of the AU.

[dreadly]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

You mean the BA/BF looks old even though they were only phased out barely 2 years ago? IMO only the exclusive fpv models (typhoon/gt) and the last of the BF2 Ghias look relatively modern, while the BA/BF xt/futura/fairmont/fairlane have been ruined by the taxi industry with their many examples in pitiful states.

My kitted up 2002 XT with BA GT/Typhoon kit and xr6t running gear never ceases to get compliments wherever it goes, sometimes hear 'did you just buy a new one?' from random people. Not bad for a 7 yr old car ey :

Yep sorry hey, IMO i think all the ba/bf range look old and visually isnt a whole lot different looking at all, a bonet buldge, some fog lights, midly different front bars, the best being the F6. etc and some bright paint schemes?

At least with the Au they all looked different, love em or hate em.
A done up Au IMO looks far better than a done up ba.
And with an Au you got a real v8 lol, Imo i would have prefered they kept the windsor and follow the stroker, then supercharging route from factory. Alot more balanced ride compared with the front heavy Boss engine. But thats just me ;) And a series 1 fairmont ghia still looks great for 11yrs old ;)


This to me looks timeless, And one of the best looking cars ever! Triumph 2010?!

http://photos.evo.co.uk/images/front...o_209403_7.jpg
:

[xtreme]

ur right, the BMW's and Mercs have aged very well indeed

[TUF_302]

The EL series and the AU XR's and T series all still look awsome today, as for other cars you cant go past a w126 merc, my bro has a 1986 560SEC, the thing still pulls looks from people of all ages, it just doesn't look 23 years old!

[ILLaViTaR]

EA-ED.

Rear end may not have aged well but the shape is amazing.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

Laser Lynx. For a car that was releasd in 94 they look way ahead of their time. Sister has one and was asked if it was a new car a couple of years ago.

Absolutely!

Another that has just come to mind is the Nissan Bluebird with the rounded edges and 2.4l engine. Was one of the first cars (if not the first) to have digital heads up display on he lower windscreen.

[Wretched]

There are many but these are standouts

MAZDA FD RX7
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
1965 - 1969 Ford Mustangs
1996 Toyota Supra TT
R32 Nissan GTR
Mk2 Golf GTi
'54 - '57 Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing
Lamborghini Muira
MK2 GT40
2000 Honda Prelude

[OED666]

ED XR8 Sprint's are still hot!!!

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by Ghia5L

Nyoh.

I just asked the minister for finance and defence (not a "car" person) about this pic and whether it looked newer than the pic of an FG XT I showed her at the same time. One of her remarks... "So, which did you say the new one was?"

[LeadFoot81]

Ive owned an ED, EF and now an AU; Im very familiar with the styling of all three (im big on the intricacies of design) and there is a very definite family DNA EL to AU. The AU was a 'new edge' interpretation of the ELs evolution.

Moreover, and perhaps shockingly for some; theres a hell of a lot of EA in the AUs design.
The EF was long and athletic, while the EA and AU are short and wide.
Alot of the detailing on the AUs comes from the EA particularly in profile; the wheelarch lips, placement of the side crease and its relationship within the front and rear guards, the B Pillar and door rubbers/plastic, big C-Pillars (the EFs were more slimline) theres plenty of EF in there too in the layout of the bootlid, bumpers and the high series bonnet and grille.

My favorite examples of the AU still looking modern is the rear of the Series 2 XR looking like an FG GT (check the boot details and racing style diffuser in the bumper) and AU 1/2 T Series (from the rear bears more than a passing resemblance to FG G Series.

Originally Posted by xtreme

i also have to disagree that the AU has aged gracefully. it always has been, and always will be possibly the ugliest falcon ford produced. (IMO). I dont know how they evolved from the EF/EL to the AU. Flame me, but i know a lot of people share my opinion.

I also think the VT commodore hasnt aged well. starting to look very old. the VX-VY has aged well though.

EA/EB's in good nick still look good.

I think a nice clean VL still looks good

90' Pulsar Q still has some style


am i the first to make mention of the XR-XT's??? they have the "classic muscle" look, compared to the raw muscle of the XW-XY's and XA-XC's

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by coyote mk3

VX SS and VU SS - I love the shape of them. :

As i posted before i totally agree

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Ghia5L

The AU is a timeless design, even 10 years from now, some people will still have no taste in aesthetics and will still drive them.

You along with many others are missing the point of the thread. Its about how a car has AGED not what YOU think of what it looks like

[DeansXR8]

I think the EL/EF falcons & VT/ VX commodore shape, The Honda NSX's and most Porsche's too as the shape changes are minimal over the years so i guess their age doesn't show as much.

[onfire]

First generation Subaru Impreza WRX. Timeless.

Not to mention the Evolution Lancers.

[Full Noise]

My vote would have to be the original MK I GT 40. The lines for this car were drawn by Eric Broadly in the early sixties.

There are many supercars around that age, however, this model still looks just as modern today, as to when it was released.

[BENT_8]

Gotta agree with tha AU, throughout its production run i absolutely hated it, couldn't understand why anyone would buy one and fully expected it to be the final nail in Falcons coffin....Now i find them very classy and up to date, even the S1 if fitted with Futura or ute grill.

Another little number which if looked after have aged well is the 94 era Corolla seca RV, would still hold its own against some of the new stuff.

EF/L interiors have aged well, VS exteriors are ok if fitted with s'pack skirts and lip spoiler
Having said that any of these cars in ordinary nick would turn me off.

[madmelon]

Two cars come to mind for me- both Aston Martins.

The Aston Martin 'Atom' looks like something out of the 50's or so.

It was actually first shown in 1939. Probably one of the first road car prototypes to consider aerodynamics to any substantial degree.

The other is the DB7, both standard and Vantage/GT.


Still looks good for a 1993 design...

[DJM83]

God damn those Astons look nice, the style hasnt changed looks very current and very nice.

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by onfire

First generation Subaru Impreza WRX. Timeless.

Not to mention the Evolution Lancers.

Am I the only one who's reminded of a 92-96 Camry when looking at the subaru front end? I think this was the most stylish Camry design Toyota ever made, and aged well for a design first seen in '92. Everything after has been too square/slab sided, and basically a step backwards after this design.

[yetchh]

ok.. so if we're actually supposed to nominating cars that look like they could have rolled of the line today then i nominate the mazda 929 (sentia in nz), for a 1992 car its styling was way ahead of the norm

[Smoke Pursuit]

hmm

VS Commodore SS - these things still look fresh even today, when kept stock...



and how can we forget, AU Series III XR's still look fresh to!



As soon as i have the room i want to buy an AUIII XR8... Hopefully ill find one with less then 50,000 on it owned by an old guy in the next few years, but im not holding my breath :(

[DJM83]

Agreed with both of those Brent and yeah only if the SS is standard.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Agreed with both of those Brent and yeah only if the SS is standard.

A standard VS SS is a rare thing today.. most of them have been screwed with big shinny wheels and VY SS badges... Theres just something about them when they go past you and that beautiful old V8 burble.

[Mongoose]

I've also thought of one that no one has mentioned ( i think ) Something i would never be caught in, but it has to be one of the nicest designs ever to come out of japan, the mazda RX7 (series 6 onwards)

[tapeworm]

+1 for the vs ss. mate has one in black, standard with xhaust & lowered. nice. Interior is a shocka in comparo to my EF.

[belvo]

i dont recon this car has aged a day in 70 years
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2...ere-Coupe.html

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by bfiipursuit

A standard VS SS is a rare thing today.. most of them have been screwed with big shinny wheels and VY SS badges... Theres just something about them when they go past you and that beautiful old V8 burble.

Speaking of VY SS badges on VS SS's i seen one today.

Id also like to add the S1 VT SS 5L to the list aswell

[Kenaz]

Ferrari 355
VY SS (in any colour except Hothouse)
VL Calais
EL XRs
E39 5 Series (still the best looking four door sedan ever in my opinion)

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Speaking of VY SS badges on VS SS's i seen one today.

Id also like to add the S1 VT SS 5L to the list aswell

I agree, the VT SS 5.0L are a nice car, and pretty rare nowadays!

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Kenaz

VY SS (in any colour except Hothouse)

Its amazing how peoples tastes are different IMHO i think the VY was the worst looking SS model ever made. The subtle difference's made with VZ transformed the looks, each to their own.