Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - a ramble

[Buzzfan]

I cycled past the first 5 cars in this montage a few days ago, all parked within 300' of each other in c London & went back to photograph them. The collection rekindled thoughts I’ve often had re car styling - in particular, I’m curious if any others share my tendency to later like certain cars’ appearances that I didn’t originally appreciate.

The street in question is in Belgravia - an affluent location suggesting most of the cars may be prized toys rather than dailies.

Car No 1 I passed was the 996 which I loathed at its launch for its rear flab (width) and fried/poached egg lights. A few decades later, I realised I preferred the 997 to most 911’s after ‘73 - and this week I realised even the 996/986 iconic lights are now starting to grow on me, I respect their designers' choice.

Car no 2, about 60m further, was the 928. I first saw one in ‘78 parked next to an Interceptor and was struck then how futuristic it seemed. 46 years later, I’m still as struck - and impressed at the originality of its style.

Car no 3 is my love/hate car - ugly pre-ww2 styling in a brilliant vehicle that does pretty much everything we really need in 99% of personal transport (motoring). (Let’s forget crash protection, emissions and nvh on the autobahn). I used it’s commercial derivative, a Camionnette, one winter - it could ascend an icy slope & steps ( in reverse) that my boss's 4wd failed - and also a Mehari one hazy summer holiday - both were the epitome to me of anti-style personal transport - a "form follows function" approach I respect hugely in architecture yet can’t enjoy in a car. Why?

Photo 4 is my biggest recent disappointment. I’ve wanted to adore the Alpine ever since I first read about it, but that tall, stubby bonnet ... it’s never grown on me, will it ? Do any others actually like it ??? (Ok, my own nose is pretty ghastly too, but luckily that hasn't grown on me). I added library pic 6 of an Emira nose, - to show the Alpine bonnet line can’t just be down to compliance with crash & lighting regulations. Windscreen aft, I think the Alpine looks a great car and, from all accounts, I'm sure it drives so too.

Photo 5 - a fake/retro mini. Loathed it too at launch, yet I bought one new in '04, removed the rear seats & loved it for years. Apart from the low profile tyre/limited suspension travel. I can see myself getting another one soon whilst good ones are still affordable.

So a waffle about 5 cars' styling - I'd be glad to hear if others have had any of their own such polarised views reverse over time?

Ps1. Edited to get rid of the many many typos etc.
Ps2: I can think of other cars too that abhorred me when current, but don't seem quite so weird now. BL 70's types.

Edited by Buzzfan on Saturday 8th June 16:20

[Buzzfan]

Sorry about so many typos - blame lazy autocorrect on a mini iPhone - I’ll correct from a laptop tomorrow

[Buzzfan]

Thanks all. I didn’t expect the post to attract so many comments about 5 cars I walked past, (nor eulogise the 308Gt4 & 928 (2 of my favourites from first glance).

The question for all I was more curious about was to find out “…if others have had any of their own such polarised views reverse over time?” - but thanks all for their interesting answers.

I never felt Harry Mann’s TR7 hit the spot but brave BL for commissioning it in the early 70’s, it was quite radical for them, and the styling hasn’t grown on me yet.

As to the jelly-mould Fords… no comment.

Edited by Buzzfan on Tuesday 11th June 21:06

[Buzzfan]

I posted 6 images yes, 5 were of cars I walked past all parked v close in the same street & returned to photograph & comment about and the 6th was an internet stock photo to use up space in the photo montage, barely relevant.