There is often the platonic ideal of a car. The trim or body style it is intended to be, leaving all other options looking slightly wrong. The Buick Roadmaster is a great example of a car that looks perfect exactly one way: the wagon with the wood. Have you ever seen the sedan? It’s not terrible, but it’s not right.
You can play this game all day long. A Peugeot 504 sedan is a fine automobile and something I’d love to own. But, as Thomas pointed out to me, any reasonable human being would rather have a 504 Coupe. It’s the body style that floats into your brain when someone says “504.”
That’s not always the case. Sometimes a design is so good it works in every configuration and trim. This idea initially came to me from the Autopian Discord (join here!), where Alex? pointed out that every body style and trim of the Corvair is great. Coupe. Sedan. Hell, truck! There’s no such thing as a bad Corvair, just like there’s no war in Albania.
My question is: What’s an example of a car that looks great in every time and body style? My answer, much to the disappointment of Adrian, is the C5 Corvette. From the lowest-spec autotragic silver C5 to the exotic and strangely British Callaway C12, they’re all great. Do I have a preference? Sure, the fixed-roof-coupe Z06 is my preference. Would I kick the 1998 Indy Pace Car out of bed for eating brakes? I would not.
And an Anniversary Red Metallic 50th Anniversary Edition convertible with an early version of Magnetic Selective Ride Control Suspension? Come to Papa.
It can’t be the only one. Name some more cars that look great in every trim or body style.
I cant believe nobody said Nissan Murano / Murano Cabriolet 😉 just kidding — the correct answer is Pontiac G6, honestly I liked all the versions including the hardtop convertible, 4 door sedan and coupe. When I see them today I still think they were among pre bankruptcy GM’s cleanest lookers
I don’t think Chevrolet has ever made a bad looking full size pickup truck, and I am not a huge Chevy fan.
Every Mercedes-Benz from 1965 (the start of W108 production) to 1991 (the end of W126 production) – not a flawed one of the bunch.
The same could be said for BMW from 1966 (the beginning of 2002 production) to 2001 (the start of E65/66 production)
And Audi from 1968 (the beginning of 100 production) to 1986 when they introduced the Audi 80 that looked like a 100 that had it’s tail docked.
Also Honda – from the beginning of Civic production in 1972 to 1991 for the end of 4th gen Civic production.
Tenth generation F series (1997-2004). Single cab, supercab, later on crew cab, they all looked great to me and still do… it may have something to do with that being the new model when I was growing up…
That’s a hot take, if only because the jellybean F-150s are, to some, the nadir of F-series design. I think they’ve aged well, but their safety scores would scare me away from seriously driving one. That said, the neighbors across the street have a nice King Ranch one that the wife uses regularly (they also have an C140 S 500 Coupe and a C6 Corvette, so they know a good-looking car when they see it).
That generation King Ranch in green with in two tone is probably my overall favorite! I did forget about the pitiful crash test ratings… I just always liked that they went against-type for a pickup truck. As dodge went big and squared off, Ford went for a more svelte look. Trucks getting larger as time goes by, I appreciate that generation even more.
You make excellent points. The neighbors’ is white with tan cladding, but the awesome genuine leather King Ranch seats, which were (IMO) the reason to buy that particular model.
Ford had the correct bet when they finalized the design of the truck in 1993. People wanted a more car like truck and they wanted something more minimal and friendly. The second generation Chevrolet S-10 and S-10 Blazer, Toyota Tacoma, second generation Ford Ranger, and Dodge’s own Dakota were proof. The problem is Dodge did some sort of black magic reverse psychology with the ’93 Ram that made everyone else think they were wrong. And then marketing for the other companies did what marketing does — grabbed the wrong assumption taken from the success of the Dodge Ram and ran with it so far and so fast that they brainwashed everyone before people could ever form their own opinions.
Volvo 240. Coupe, sedan, wagon, high-roof ambulance. Even the obvious use of sedan rear doors on the longroof somehow works.
Any 1961 to 1966 full size Pontiac. Star Cheif, Bonneville, Catalina. Coupe, Safari wagon, 4 door, ragtop, all of them are stunning. And have really nice interiors as well.
Also any 1959 to 1964 Cadillac. The king of fins and “longer, lower, wider” Personally I like the 4 doors with that panacake flat roof and wrap around rear glass. And man did you go out in style if your last ride was in something like a white 1964 Cadillac Miller Meteor hearse
I’ll go an easy way, all older Defenders and other Land Rover models looked great in 2 door SUV, 2 door pickup, 4 door SUV and pickup, and the 130 version too. Likewise, any 2 gen Toyota Hilux. Two door, Xtracab, 4 door, or the 4Runner version. Also as other people have said, the Volvo P1800, and 240.
I am not a fan of the fixed roof coupe C5 Z06 aesthetic.
Yea i was never a fan of the Coupe body style, the hatch always looked leagues better to me
I disagree with the C5 because my pure hatred of how the hardtop looks has actually made the shopping process for a C5 really difficult.
C6 Z06 coupe, 2 dr corvair, Citroën DS, alfa 105/115 junior z, guilia gt and gtz, ANY front engine Lamborghini.
BMW E36. Coupe, sedan, convertible, wagon, Z3, and even the compact (trunk impaired) model. All sharp and designs that have stood the test of time.
Aston Martin DB6 – Including Convertible and Shooting Brake.
Jaguar XJ6, S1, S2, & S3 – Sedan and Coupe.
Cybertruck is the only right answer.
Well, Cybertruck is an answer. I think everybody but Elon is still trying to figure out the question.
GC8 Impreza.
From the perfect 90’s little 4 door wagon thru the 22B monster and Colin McRae’s 97 WRC car.
4th Gen Mondeo (second gen Fusion) looks badass in all body styles. Even if it doesn’t really back up the goods.
I always thought the wagon worked but the 4 and 5 door were wheel specific. Very easily looked under wheeled
These things are ridiculously subjective, but a no brainer and ultimate Americana is the tri-five Chevy. I would also go with the Jag e-type for British class and is widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
My choices?
Number one is the ’68 and ’69 Dodge Charger. A prettier car doesn’t exist.
Second?
I gotta add my other Joe Dirt upbringing and mention my first love..
The Camaro! First generation rules, but the second gen, especially the early 1970 – 1972 models are just fine cars. And don’t forget the Firebirds. Who doesn’t love a Bandit Trans-Am?
This list could do go on forever!
I had a ’78 base model Camaro, white with red interior. I got more compliments from strangers on that car than any other I’ve ever owned.
I think the B-Body mid size 65 Plymouth models looked good in all trims and layouts.
2 door post
2 door hardtop
4 door sedan
Wagon
Convertible
From Savoy to Belvedere to Sport Fury all looked great.
The equivalent Dodge’s as well.
All levels of Bronco look pretty much the same to me. I imagine if you like 1 you like them all. Similar to the Jeep Wrangler I suppose.
Having been brought up in England I genuinely thought there were only two Jeeps: the military one and the SUV one. It’s only since reading DTs rusty Jeep stuff that I realised there’s loads of them.
Mercedes W123. Sedan, wagon and coupe are all good.
This. Though for me it’s a tossup with the W124. Both types came in 1) sedan, 2) coupe, 3) wagon. Can’t recall if there was ever a factory W123 cabrio, but there was a W124 AND iirc a factory-built extended wb “limousine”
Jeep Cherokee XJ, and I’d include the Comanche MJ with that since the front half is the same.
Base models looked good. Luxury models looked good. Pickup truck looked good lifted or in SCCA mode. Two door looks great, Four door still good.
As an MJ owner, I approve. AMC had a very sharp design.
Gen 4 Viper
L322 and L405 Range Rovers
https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-d7ef7447bceedb9ee5bffcd84566afec-lq
I’ll throw the Datson 510 out there. Personally, I haven’t seen a style I wouldn’t want gracing my driveway.
Saw one trucking down the highway a month ago. Bent my mind how small they were. Used to rally one with a couple of friends in the late 70’s. Great little cars
Having had many sedan 510s and a 510 wagon, I agree – I only wish the 2 door body styles had been available here in Australia.
BMW E30, so many body styles each one looks good.
Baur Cabriolet?
What’s wrong with it?
Convertibles with fixed pillars and saloon door frames don’t look quite right. It’s like wanting a convertible but not fully committing to it.
All of the Plymouth Barracudas from 64-70. Not just every bod style and trim, ALL of them.
ewww, no. it took until 1967 for the front end to become OK, and the proportions to get decent. Though the 1970 to 1974 versions were all attractive, even after the 72-74 Challengers got the derpy upside down grill, the Barracuda to ‘Cuda variants all looked good