Among the many skills my Dad had, one that most impressed kid-me was his ability to identify any car on the road. Though not as impressive as karate-chopping an apple in half or lifting me over his head with one arm, effortlessly calling out makes and models as cars passed seemed like a magic trick to me. I got hip to the car-spotting game soon enough, and calling out cars by their signature features felt something like accessing a secret car-code.
Inevitably, certain cars and specific features became favorites, and I’m sure the same goes for many of you – hence, today’s Autopian Ask. As for me, I’ve always been partial to the mouth-agape look of the Shelby Cobra, and second-gen Camaro among others, but I especially like the smiling fish-face of the Austin Healey Sprite, bugeye edition, as seen in the top graphic.
I’ve always had a big soft spot for kitsch, which is why I’m a big, unironic fan of Pontiac’s infamous screaming chicken. The cars may be hot messes, but the goofball charm of the second-gen Firebird is as irresistible as its most famous driver (no, not Joe Biden, I’m talking about The Bandit).
Now, just because I have a taste for the automotive equivalent of cotton candy does not mean I am a stranger to the more subtle and refined iconic-feature flavors such as the well-known Hofmeister kink. I like the C-pillar’s jaunty little kick-out based on its own merits, but I also appreciate it as a slightly-snobbish, gate-keepy, secret-handshake thing. “Oh, you’re a big BMW fan? What’s a Hofmeister Kink?” Not that I would ever be a gate-keepy snob, but I’m prepared should I ever encounter one of the BMW variety.
Your turn: What Are Your Favorite Iconic Styling Features? The Autopian is asking!
Top graphic image: Bring a Trailer
A car that is styled such that it sits nicely on its haunches. Think BMW E46 or some Range Rovers. Chevy SS is another.
Pepita seats in 911s and plaid seats in GTIs
I’m such a sucker for Pepita, it looks fantastic. Mercedes also had a lovely houndstooth available in the 190E.
I’m not usually a fan of anything fake, but I’m a sucker for anything with vinyl “wood” paneling.
I liked the headlights and tail lights on my 89 Civic SI. The amber turn signals wrapped around the corners of the car so there was no ambiguity as to what was happening.
A well-styled Heckblende.