The coolest car ever made.
08-27-2010, 05:54 AM
#41
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For me it's one of these:
Triumph Dolomite Sprint
Race Version
It had 1/2 a V8, literally! they took a V8 block and cut it half. The engine was canted to one side in the bay
Or a MK1 Escort Mexico
Triumph Dolomite Sprint
Race Version
It had 1/2 a V8, literally! they took a V8 block and cut it half. The engine was canted to one side in the bay
Or a MK1 Escort Mexico
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08-27-2010, 08:18 AM
#43
Absolute stellar submissions:
Steve McQueen's Ferrari (his ******* Prius was cool, bitches)
Lancia Stratos
Ariel Atom
Porsche 550 (James Dean car...only Mr. McQueen himself could be cooler than that)
XJ120
Datsun 510
Some form and cachet over function, but that's alright. This may not be about speed, or handling, or any of that, but function is beautiful, and equals cool when you're talking about sporty transportation. So does rarity, uninhibited design, and cost. So you're all wrong. The coolest car on the planet is simply the McLaren F1.
You knew this, but you were just trying to be cool by coming up with something cooler. Stop arguing with yourself. There may be faster vehicles now, but nothing will ever surpass the pure impact of this car when it arrived on the scene, and that is the definition of cool.
You can degrade it by calling it exotic, but it is only exotic in the raw nature of it's performance, and was never made to cruise Rodeo. You can belittle Gordon Murray's efforts by calling it a thinly veiled race car, but despite some success, it was designed first and foremost as a road car for those who wanted zero compromises. You can call it over the top, but in reality is isn't. Every review of the car touted it's balance and how the design of chassis, suspension, engine, and exterior perfectly complemented each other.
Yes, I'm a dork, and yes there is a poster of one in my garage.
But the Afla Romeo 8C is a close second:
Steve McQueen's Ferrari (his ******* Prius was cool, bitches)
Lancia Stratos
Ariel Atom
Porsche 550 (James Dean car...only Mr. McQueen himself could be cooler than that)
XJ120
Datsun 510
Some form and cachet over function, but that's alright. This may not be about speed, or handling, or any of that, but function is beautiful, and equals cool when you're talking about sporty transportation. So does rarity, uninhibited design, and cost. So you're all wrong. The coolest car on the planet is simply the McLaren F1.
You knew this, but you were just trying to be cool by coming up with something cooler. Stop arguing with yourself. There may be faster vehicles now, but nothing will ever surpass the pure impact of this car when it arrived on the scene, and that is the definition of cool.
You can degrade it by calling it exotic, but it is only exotic in the raw nature of it's performance, and was never made to cruise Rodeo. You can belittle Gordon Murray's efforts by calling it a thinly veiled race car, but despite some success, it was designed first and foremost as a road car for those who wanted zero compromises. You can call it over the top, but in reality is isn't. Every review of the car touted it's balance and how the design of chassis, suspension, engine, and exterior perfectly complemented each other.
Yes, I'm a dork, and yes there is a poster of one in my garage.
But the Afla Romeo 8C is a close second:
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08-27-2010, 08:29 AM
#44
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This is how American car companies dealt with the gas shortage crisis in the 70s and the demand for smaller i4 cars being exported by Toyota: Cut the block in half and stuff it in a huge American Iron...obviously we all know that failed and wiped out companies like AMC.
Here's are some of my favs:
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08-27-2010, 08:46 AM
#47
^I resubmit the Lancia Delta Integrale. I always really loved that one.
+1 Miata. We were sitting in the paddock at the Finger Lakes autocross National Tour this summer, and a friend asked if I could have any car in the paddock, what would I want. My car, full prep for the class was the obvious answer.
+1 Miata. We were sitting in the paddock at the Finger Lakes autocross National Tour this summer, and a friend asked if I could have any car in the paddock, what would I want. My car, full prep for the class was the obvious answer.
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08-27-2010, 09:16 AM
#51
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Sheesh, Joe. I didn't realize you and I were such kindred spirits. I read the title, and thought Porsche 356 Bathtub before I even opened the thread. I'll give you the Karmann Ghia, seeing as it's nearly the same thing. And, we'll throw in the 550 as a refinement/variant on a theme. I personally like the 550 best, as it eliminates those silly bumpers.
Actually, the Bugeye Sprite, A-H 3000, MGA and some others from that era all qualify as cool. Later, we get the Opel GT and after that the Lotus Esprit. While more modern cars are impressive, and some downright sexy, not many can pull off the cool factor. Awe, jealosy and wonder may be involved, but sheer cool is hard to pin down.
Actually, the Bugeye Sprite, A-H 3000, MGA and some others from that era all qualify as cool. Later, we get the Opel GT and after that the Lotus Esprit. While more modern cars are impressive, and some downright sexy, not many can pull off the cool factor. Awe, jealosy and wonder may be involved, but sheer cool is hard to pin down.
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08-27-2010, 09:32 AM
#54
I almost posted that (well, the '70 Malibu I spent the last two years of high school restoring), with a comment about how there wasn't a single muscle car in the whole thread.
Thing is, muscle cars have gone the way of Harleys...lifestyle and status symbols. When was the last time you saw someone do a real burnout in an A-body? Hell, when was the last time you saw someone that you thought might actually be a cool person driving a fully restored muscle car? They're all dickless wonders that bought it at an auction for half what my house costs after their 3rd failed marriage.
Thing is, muscle cars have gone the way of Harleys...lifestyle and status symbols. When was the last time you saw someone do a real burnout in an A-body? Hell, when was the last time you saw someone that you thought might actually be a cool person driving a fully restored muscle car? They're all dickless wonders that bought it at an auction for half what my house costs after their 3rd failed marriage.
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08-27-2010, 09:34 AM
#55
The coolest cars to me have always been the lightweights and I don't really like exotics very much. My list of coolest cars:
1. BMW E30 M3 (probably all time favorite car)
2. Porsche 550A Spyder
3. Lotus Europa
4. Lotus 7
5. Classic Mini Cooper (pretty much what mine will look like when I'm done)
1. BMW E30 M3 (probably all time favorite car)
2. Porsche 550A Spyder
3. Lotus Europa
4. Lotus 7
5. Classic Mini Cooper (pretty much what mine will look like when I'm done)
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08-27-2010, 09:37 AM
#56
I almost posted that (well, the '70 Malibu I spent the last two years of high school restoring), with a comment about how there wasn't a single muscle car in the whole thread.
Thing is, muscle cars have gone the way of Harleys...lifestyle and status symbols. When was the last time you saw someone do a real burnout in an A-body? Hell, when was the last time you saw someone that you thought might actually be a cool person driving a fully restored muscle car? They're all dickless wonders that bought it at an auction for half what my house costs after their 3rd failed marriage.
Thing is, muscle cars have gone the way of Harleys...lifestyle and status symbols. When was the last time you saw someone do a real burnout in an A-body? Hell, when was the last time you saw someone that you thought might actually be a cool person driving a fully restored muscle car? They're all dickless wonders that bought it at an auction for half what my house costs after their 3rd failed marriage.
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08-27-2010, 09:37 AM
#57
This needs a poll...because that's 5 votes for the Spyder already.
Also needs clarification. Does just the car have to be cool, cool to drive, or do you have to look cool driving it. IF the latter, the Porsche wins hands down. Anybody short of Mark Cuban or the other Cuban could pull up in that thing and would be assumed to be awesome.
oh, and this:
I win.
or this:
Also needs clarification. Does just the car have to be cool, cool to drive, or do you have to look cool driving it. IF the latter, the Porsche wins hands down. Anybody short of Mark Cuban or the other Cuban could pull up in that thing and would be assumed to be awesome.
oh, and this:
I win.
or this:
Last edited by gospeed81; 08-27-2010 at 10:57 AM.
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08-27-2010, 10:04 AM
#60
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I read the title, and thought Porsche 356 Bathtub before I even opened the thread. And, we'll throw in the 550 as a refinement/variant on a theme. I personally like the 550 best, as it eliminates those silly bumpers.
Actually, the Bugeye Sprite, A-H 3000, MGA and some others from that era all qualify as cool. Later, we get the Opel GT and after that the Lotus Esprit. While more modern cars are impressive, and some downright sexy, not many can pull off the cool factor. Awe, jealosy and wonder may be involved, but sheer cool is hard to pin down.
Actually, the Bugeye Sprite, A-H 3000, MGA and some others from that era all qualify as cool. Later, we get the Opel GT and after that the Lotus Esprit. While more modern cars are impressive, and some downright sexy, not many can pull off the cool factor. Awe, jealosy and wonder may be involved, but sheer cool is hard to pin down.
From the 1964 SCCA Divisionals at VIR:
Without rear bumper:
Good proper English sex:
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