HOW did they do it?

[rpmcarter]

Go from a pretty decent design of this

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/4666651160.html

to this....

POS..... guess the results speak for themselves.

 

[69 Rustang]

Looks like a Ford sedan of the same era. Guess you have to dare to be different!

View attachment 23323

 

[Kit Sullivan]

The Nash Rambler a very popular classic. Many people find them attractive. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[cudak888]

Look at the evolution of the Nash/Hudson Rambler. The Metropolitan is - in a sense - a de-evolution of the 1950 Nash Rambler's styling (particularly the bodyside) and the underwhelming 1953 redesign, from which the Metro takes its front end.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the styling source is a much better looking car (though a bit bumper-caresque in its own right):

-Kurt

 

[rpmcarter]

The Nash Rambler a very popular classic. Many people find them attractive. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Yeah I bet if the owner of one of those beauties/very popular classics came up and ask you what your car was worth or didn't know all the cool facts about "your" car you'd have a different politically correct opinion.

 

[midlife]

How did they do it? Eventually, they went out of business.

 

[rpmcarter]

How did they do it? Eventually, they went out of business.

yeah no kidding. That was kinda my observation. I'm NOT the only one that thought the cars were ugly...apparently enough people had the same opinion as I do or it wouldn't be JUST ME vs the world

 

[cudak888]

How did they do it? Eventually, they went out of business.

What I can't understand is how Dick Teague could constantly crank out interesting designs during the AMC era - and consistently ruin them constantly introducing the slightest proportional issues into them. Greenhouses that never curved right or were too short or long, rear axles always too far back, etc. Not all of it could be attributable to cost-cutting either.

The AMC Cavalier concept is a perfect example of this. Yes, designing a car wherein the fenders, doors, hood, and quarters interchange IS brilliant, but is it a good enough reason to design the windows to interchange too? Couldn't Teauge at least have changed the C-pillar and rear window greenhouse for a pleasant appearance?

And if making the windows swap was such a big deal - why not get rid of the tumblehome completely and go for flat glass? That'd allow one window to serve all four corners, provided the correct hardware is bolted to it.

Might as well make a box on wheels. I would have loved to see what Teauge would have done had he been in charge of the Scion XB.

-Kurt

 

[Mister 4x4]

Oddly enough, I don't hate that AMC. In fact, I kinda like most of the AMC designs (each in their own way are pretty cool).

I've also thought the same thing about our Mustangs - why do the door and quarter windows have the slight declination 2/3 of the way back on the opening. IMHO, they should've kept the door to quarter window transition straighter with no decline - it would've gone even further toward the "looks fast standing still" reputation our cars already have, and contribute less to the "tail dragger" look when the car is sitting perfectly level.

As well, the late '30s, '40s, '50s, and early '60s is not an era I'm particularly fond of. All of the cars from those days were bloated and bulbous-looking - I'm not a fan either, Dana. Disclaimer: I am, however, a fan of well-restored and/or cared-for examples of any model from any era - just not so much the style and design of said vehicles. As an enthusiast myself, I can certainly respect the blood, sweat, tears, love, and money that goes into keeping the dream alive, and try to do my best to never take that away from anybody.

 

[rpmcarter]

Oddly enough, I don't hate that AMC. In fact, I kinda like most of the AMC designs (each in their own way are pretty cool).

I've also thought the same thing about our Mustangs - why do the door and quarter windows have the slight declination 2/3 of the way back on the opening. IMHO, they should've kept the door to quarter window transition straighter with no decline - it would've gone even further toward the "looks fast standing still" reputation our cars already have, and contribute less to the "tail dragger" look when the car is sitting perfectly level.

As well, the late '30s, '40s, '50s, and early '60s is not an era I'm particularly fond of. All of the cars from those days were bloated and bulbous-looking - I'm not a fan either, Dana. Disclaimer: I am, however, a fan of well-restored and/or cared-for examples of any model from any era - just not so much the style and design of said vehicles. As an enthusiast myself, I can certainly respect the blood, sweat, tears, love, and money that goes into keeping the dream alive, and try to do my best to never take that away from anybody.

AMC made this!!!

she aint purdy but will ...what's the old school term..."shag azz"

The AMX IS a car I would own until some dumbbunny put those gawd awful humps on the fenders of the Javelin... I love the rest of the car but would not take one if it was given to me unless I kept it long enough to sell it.

 

[cudak888]

Oddly enough, I don't hate that AMC. In fact, I kinda like most of the AMC designs (each in their own way are pretty cool).

I've also thought the same thing about our Mustangs - why do the door and quarter windows have the slight declination 2/3 of the way back on the opening. IMHO, they should've kept the door to quarter window transition straighter with no decline - it would've gone even further toward the "looks fast standing still" reputation our cars already have, and contribute less to the "tail dragger" look when the car is sitting perfectly level.

I'm rather partial to the Gremlins myself, as it really looks as if it was cohesively styled (and to make it more ironic, it was styled in just the opposite fashion - "Let's whack the back end off the Hornet, fellows!").

As for the styling line on our Mustangs though - I'll take it with the funky curve in the beltline and the low rear end. It's part of what makes it look like a flying bullet. The curve of the rear window and the scallop which forms from the cowl would never have looked right any other way.

Disclaimer: I am, however, a fan of well-restored and/or cared-for examples of any model from any era - just not so much the style and design of said vehicles. As an enthusiast myself, I can certainly respect the blood, sweat, tears, love, and money that goes into keeping the dream alive, and try to do my best to never take that away from anybody.

Hear, hear - and I must confess a soft spot even for ugly things rotting away. I saw a Pacer in the back of a car lot two weeks ago; unloved and rotting away. It was the first Pacer I had seen anywhere in town - since I was 10 years old. Come to think of it, I hadn't seen a single AMC outside of a car show for the last 15.

-Kurt

 

[Mister 4x4]

Come to think of it, I hadn't seen a single AMC outside of a car show for the last 15.
-Kurt

Well... my '80 CJ-7 IS an AMC Jeep and has won a bunch of "Best In Class"* awards for about the past 12 years.

* There are hardly any other vehicles in the '80-'89 Modified class every year... so it's kind of just one of those things (but I'll take it).

 

[rpmcarter]

Oddly enough, I don't hate that AMC. In fact, I kinda like most of the AMC designs (each in their own way are pretty cool).

I've also thought the same thing about our Mustangs - why do the door and quarter windows have the slight declination 2/3 of the way back on the opening. IMHO, they should've kept the door to quarter window transition straighter with no decline - it would've gone even further toward the "looks fast standing still" reputation our cars already have, and contribute less to the "tail dragger" look when the car is sitting perfectly level.

I'm rather partial to the Gremlins myself, as it really looks as if it was cohesively styled (and to make it more ironic, it was styled in just the opposite fashion - "Let's whack the back end off the Hornet, fellows!").

As for the styling line on our Mustangs though - I'll take it with the funky curve in the beltline and the low rear end. It's part of what makes it look like a flying bullet. The curve of the rear window and the scallop which forms from the cowl would never have looked right any other way.

Disclaimer: I am, however, a fan of well-restored and/or cared-for examples of any model from any era - just not so much the style and design of said vehicles. As an enthusiast myself, I can certainly respect the blood, sweat, tears, love, and money that goes into keeping the dream alive, and try to do my best to never take that away from anybody.

Hear, hear - and I must confess a soft spot even for ugly things rotting away. I saw a Pacer in the back of a car lot two weeks ago; unloved and rotting away. It was the first Pacer I had seen anywhere in town - since I was 10 years old. Come to think of it, I hadn't seen a single AMC outside of a car show for the last 15.

-Kurt

Well I hate to break up the love fest for politically correct acceptance to avoid hurting other car lovers....but to lower yourself to a PACER is just beyond any level of being a man.

 

[Luke]

Oddly enough, I don't hate that AMC. In fact, I kinda like most of the AMC designs (each in their own way are pretty cool).

I've also thought the same thing about our Mustangs - why do the door and quarter windows have the slight declination 2/3 of the way back on the opening. IMHO, they should've kept the door to quarter window transition straighter with no decline - it would've gone even further toward the "looks fast standing still" reputation our cars already have, and contribute less to the "tail dragger" look when the car is sitting perfectly level.

I'm rather partial to the Gremlins myself, as it really looks as if it was cohesively styled (and to make it more ironic, it was styled in just the opposite fashion - "Let's whack the back end off the Hornet, fellows!").

As for the styling line on our Mustangs though - I'll take it with the funky curve in the beltline and the low rear end. It's part of what makes it look like a flying bullet. The curve of the rear window and the scallop which forms from the cowl would never have looked right any other way.

Disclaimer: I am, however, a fan of well-restored and/or cared-for examples of any model from any era - just not so much the style and design of said vehicles. As an enthusiast myself, I can certainly respect the blood, sweat, tears, love, and money that goes into keeping the dream alive, and try to do my best to never take that away from anybody.

Hear, hear - and I must confess a soft spot even for ugly things rotting away. I saw a Pacer in the back of a car lot two weeks ago; unloved and rotting away. It was the first Pacer I had seen anywhere in town - since I was 10 years old. Come to think of it, I hadn't seen a single AMC outside of a car show for the last 15.

-Kurt

Well I hate to break up the love fest for politically correct acceptance to avoid hurting other car lovers....but to lower yourself to a PACER is just beyond any level of being a man.

CARTER!!! You have just offended pacers everywhere Lol

 

[rpmcarter]

::chili:: I do like the Gremlin...one of my favorite high school girlfriends had one with the 273 and 4 spd ( I think) and it was pretty peppy. but she was MORE peppy!

 

[73vertproject]

Well I hate to break up the love fest for politically correct acceptance to avoid hurting other car lovers....but to lower yourself to a PACER is just beyond any level of being a man.

OK, Mr. Jack Wagon. Long before PC was even a word, so to speak, I dated a pretty cool chick that owned a PACER, when we lived in Southern California (circa 1976). Although I wasn't the owner, I must let you know that those windows were pretty cool when it came to "star gazing".

 

[cudak888]

Well... my '80 CJ-7 IS an AMC Jeep and has won a bunch of "Best In Class"* awards for about the past 12 years.

* There are hardly any other vehicles in the '80-'89 Modified class every year... so it's kind of just one of those things (but I'll take it).

Good point; forgot about the AMC Jeeps. Just the same, the time span of the last time I've seen one vs. the second last has been almost as long as that of the last Pacer I'd seen in service.

::chili:: I do like the Gremlin...one of my favorite high school girlfriends had one with the 273 and 4 spd ( I think) and it was pretty peppy. but she was MORE peppy!

Well I hate to break up the love fest for politically correct acceptance to avoid hurting other car lovers....but to lower yourself to a PACER is just beyond any level of being a man.

It's lowering yourself not to like an econobox with a 304ci V8, built in rollcage, and a wider track than anything else on the market?

Tubs Pacer is not amused.

Prepare to have your VAN by the RIVER become a VAN IN the RIVER.

-Kurt

 

[rpmcarter]

Well I hate to break up the love fest for politically correct acceptance to avoid hurting other car lovers....but to lower yourself to a PACER is just beyond any level of being a man.

OK, Mr. Jack Wagon. Long before PC was even a word, so to speak, I dated a pretty cool chick that owned a PACER, when we lived in Southern California (circa 1976). Although I wasn't the owner, I must let you know that those windows were pretty cool when it came to "star gazing".

that search for SOMETHING .....