The recent thread about the new Ford truck got me thinking: why don’t the design teams for automakers stop trying to reinvent or make a bane for themselves, and just give people what the want???

Ford probably started the retro look with the 2005ish mustang years ago. Even a non car person could look at a mustang of that vintage and immediately notice the styling characteristics of the 67-70 mustang (other than the 79-91, in my opinion the best looking years) Chrysler nailed the retro look with the Challenger, Ford tried it again with the bronco (they did an ok job on that one) Chevy did a half assed attempt with the Camaro. I’m sure there are other examples that slip my mind.

I personally think if you brought back the look of the old square body GM trucks with modern safety/conveniences, they couldn’t build them fast enough. Same thing with the RamCharger, the older ford trucks, etc. There is plenty of room for nostalgia in todays bland auto industry.

Seversl months ago I saw a new Silverado that someone had painted with the distinctive red/white 2 tone paint of the mid 70s square body trucks. While the proportions of the truck were wrong, it was obvious the look the guy was going for. Even with the wrong proportions, the truck looked better than it did in stock form.

Everyone bitches about trucks today with all the creature comfort’s, asking “why won’t they build a cheap truck with rubber floor mats, roll up windows, etc?”” Because nobody would buy them. Some of the features are getting out of hand, who really needs a 9 way tailgate??? I typically need only 2 features in tailgate design, the “open” feature, and the “closed” feature. I guess tailgate design was perfected with the Vista Cruiser. 😁

I guess I miss the days when cars were distinctive, good looking or ugly it usually only took a couple seconds to identify the make. I don’t know what I will do when the time comes to replace my current Ram truck, right now there is nothing made that really catches my eye.

 

A little retro styling wouldn’t hurt.
I think the new GM’s are hideous. I’m keeping my ‘15 GMC until something better looking comes out.

 

The Olds Custom Cruiser had the clamshell tailgate, I don't think it was ever offered in the Vista Cruiser.

I agree that modern cars are generally pretty ugly. Especially since everything new is a crossover.

 

Pretty sure the dual action tailgate became available in 1969. Im not a station wagon expert so I might be in error.

 

Because you CAN'T legally make a modern automobile that looks like an old one. Not only are there government regulations, it's considered a failure unless you ace all the safety tests and get great mileage, too. This is why window sills are taller, bumpers are more bulgy, doors are thicker, pillars are thicker and everything is smoother and more blob-like. It's because of wind tunnels and crash design. I appreciate fuel mileage, and I appreciate not being injured. I've had to correct some older folk "Oh my God, it was a 30 mph wreck and the car is TOTALLED!!! Junk Car! Never Again!" when that car literally died to keep them from whiplash and broken bones and lacerations so they can stand there and bitch about it doing its job when they don't understand that energy absorption means stuff gets messed up so you don't.

Retro is dangerous because you'll try, and then fail, because you have to make a modern, safe car, and it only kind of looks like the old one, and then ignorant people think you suck because it's not a perfect replica. The Mustang looks good, the new Bronco does not (my old man owns a 67; they missed). The Challenger looks good, the Charger is ok. So, it's not just saying "we're bringing sexy back;" it's not a decision to do it / not do it; it's damn near impossible to do it.

Feature loadout is dictated by market demand. It's also a massive pain in the ***, both from parts storage, delivery, lineside flowracks, intelligent tooling, to make a whole bunch of option packages for cars. It's not as simple as "this either gets this or it doesn't," because the car doesn't "not get this," it gets a delete panel, or something cheaper, and that takes room to store in the process because that is now one more part. Also, it allows OEMs to make more profit with more features.

If I ever get to speak to Akio Toyoda, my idea is to have a cheap car with nothing, that way people buy it over buying used. No power windows, locks, steering. No radio. No AC. No carpet. No power seat or heated seat or cooled seat. But, all the harnesses are there, and you can buy "the Radio Kit" from the dealer when you have more money. We can call it the Hipster Special because it's for poor people who are "crafty."

 

I like this design

 

My Dad used to refer to the base model truck as the 'beer can', because you had no plastic trim, no carpet, no radio, no ac. Not even a rubber floor mat. Just a bunch of metal.

Unfortunately, too often the market demand for stripped-down models isn't there. The mindset of the public is, "I'm broke or I don't have the money to afford a new car, so all I can do is buy used." That mindset is reinforced when the bank won't finance a loan for them to buy a new car, and these other alternative financing options charge ridiculous interest rates.

I think it's also the reason why the major OEM's electric offerings haven't sold well in the US, because the early adopters have the means to buy electric, but they don't want something small like a Volt, Bolt, Leaf, Prius, or any of the other platforms that aren't a Tesla. They want something roomy with creature comforts.