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HomeDesign Notes

Design Notes

Design Notes

How would a facelifted Hudson have fared in 1955?

February 24, 2022 Steve 13

(EXPANDED FROM 1/2/2021) Hudson as been a popular topic with readers this week so I have expanded a story that takes a different angle: What might have happened if Hudson had managed to remain an […]

1972 AMC Ambassador proposal by Brooks Stevens
Design Notes

Proposed 1972-73 design could have saved AMC from ill-fated 1974 Matador coupe

February 4, 2022 Steve 15

The above image apparently shows an early design proposal by Brooks Stevens for a reskinned AMC Ambassador planned for 1972-73. The design has a resemblance to mockups pictured in a Patrick Foster (2013) book. These […]

Design Notes

Did the generic 2018-21 Expedition trick Chevy buyers into Ford showrooms?

November 17, 2021 Steve 3

(EXPANDED FROM 1/1/2019) The 1962 Ford Galaxie was the long-reigning champion of the Generic Ford of the Century Award. This was a remarkable feat when you consider the stiff competition. However, year after year the […]

1959 Cadillac front end
Design Notes

What’s the most excessive American car design of all time?

October 18, 2021 Steve 6

(UPDATED FROM 5/1/2020) American automakers have always had a penchant for extravagant designs that can look overwrought compared to imports. Of course, this has been changing of late as foreign automakers — particularly the Japanese […]

1955 Packard Request's retro look didn't capture elegance of 1930's grilles
Design Notes

1955 Packard Request: Retro styling doesn’t always work

August 27, 2021 Steve 5

(UPDATED FROM 7/24/2020) The 1955 Packard Request is a good example of how “retro” styling doesn’t always work very well. This show car took too literal of an approach in trying to evoke Packard’s classic […]

Chevrolet truck
Design Notes

Yes, but WHY do today’s automobiles look so similar?

July 26, 2021 Steve 7

(EXPANDED FROM 10/2/2020) Auto Extremist has reposted a Peter DeLorenzo (2021) column which argues that the auto industry has “reached the nadir of design. And it isn’t pretty.” The big reason why: Cars look so […]

2014 Chevrolet Corvette taillight
Design Notes

2014-18 Corvette taillights: A veritable petting zoo on wheels?

June 25, 2021 Steve 1

(UPDATED FROM 7/15/2018) In taking a few quick photos of the final rear-wheel-drive Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, I was reminded of an article about its chief designer. Shortly after the C7 Corvette was introduced, Tom Peters […]

BMW i3
Design Notes

BMW’s i3 tried entirely too hard to be cute

November 27, 2020 Steve 0

It’s too bad that BMW will not develop a successor to its i3. The electric hatchback showed promise as a city car that is relatively lightweight, roomy and fun to drive. Done right, the i3 […]

1969 Pontiac GTO
Design Notes

Retired designers ponder a once and future Pontiac GTO

October 23, 2020 Steve 1

For 2020 the League of Retired Designers solicited artwork for a contemporary Pontiac GTO. Dean’s Garage recently posted the submissions — and they are well worth viewing (go here). When introducing the submissions, David Mcintosh […]

Design Notes

Audi R8 : More beast than sports car

November 1, 2019 Steve 2

(EXPANDED 12/14/2022) An Audi R8 in the wild is an eye-opening event. Everything about the car is over-amped, from the child-eating grille to the showy display of V10 power just beneath the rear window. The […]

Posts pagination

« 1 … 7 8 9 »
  • 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
    Was the 1966 Olds Cutlass Supreme the first mid-sized brougham model?
    March 5, 2026 21
  • 1976 Plymouth Volare 2-door coupe
    Splashy new cars often were the biggest disasters during the postwar period
    March 3, 2026 1
  • Reader questions Chrysler’s future as it passes 100th anniversary
    March 2, 2026 12
  • 1968 Chevrolet C10 pickup
    Was the 1967-68 Chevrolet C10 the ‘first modern pickup’?
    February 27, 2026 7
  • 1941 Studebaker Commander 2-door coupe
    1941 Studebaker Commander: Ending its big cars on a high note
    February 26, 2026 11
  • 1961 De Soto
    Video histories of DeSoto and American Motors aren’t as good as books
    February 24, 2026 3
  • 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk front with hood open
    Four lingering questions about Aaron Severson’s take on the 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk
    February 20, 2026 6
  • Thank yous, power outages and format changes
    October 31, 2025 0
  • 1956 Buick hood scoop
    Readers brainstorm ideas for future Indie Auto stories
    October 14, 2022 134
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