Style returns to the automobile

[Matt Deckard]

Chrysler Phaeton

Audi TT

 

[SHARPETOYS]

I like the Chrysler. Cheap price LOL.

Chrysler Phaeton (Automobile): A throwback to an earlier time, the Phaeton is a luxury car from another era. The 4 seater car is sectioned off into two compartments, one forward one aft. The read compartment has its own windows, speedometer, thermometer, radio and heating controls. The Phaeton is powered by a massive V-12 producing over 425 horsepower. It can do 0-100 kph in 5.5 seconds.

Price: $ 211 000

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

Is that Chrysler a concept car or going to be an actual production model?

 

[Matt Deckard]

The Phaeton was a concept, though the newer models are starting to lean in that direction. I do love how Chrysler now has a recognizable style. PT Cruiser, 300, Crossfire.

 

[rick5150]

Chrysler Phaeton

Audi TT

I think I might be able to afford the car in the background. I am not big on extravegance. I prefer the new Mustangs with the look of the old Mustangs. These even look great in yellow...

 

[jamespowers]

The Chrysler is a hot looking vehicle but the Audi looks like a Bug. Not very interesting.
Leave it to Chrysler to bring some zing back to the automobile. That is a nice looking car.

Regards to all,

J

 

[HaraldTheSwede]

The Chrystler looks waaaay too plastic to me.

 

[scotrace]

Cars

I think I remember seeing that Chrysler concept car in a magazine from the 90's.
VW grabbed the name. Their Phaeton model is quite nice, though 100% modern. The Chrysler concept is also a true phaeton: four door convertible with solid divider between front & rear. The VW is a garden-variety sedan.

I posted this awhile back, but the http://www.packardmotorcar.com website is about a company which was trying to scratch-build a hyper luxury car. Aluminum V-16, etc. The prototype is now about ten years old, and looks stale.

Chrysler is making impressive-look cars - the most interesting on the market, for styling. The model line-up seems to be of a piece, like someone with an overall sense of the direction of the company is in charge. In other words: Germans.
Ford seems the opposite. All over the map.
And GM - well. GM, in my opinion, had relentlessly committee'd itself into being the dullest carmaker on the planet. Ruthlessly eliminating anything in the model lines that created interest or identity. I say this as a lifelong GM man - but not the next car. You can buy three Buicks in ten years for $70,000. or one good Volvo for $40,000.
Anyone drive anything interesting lately?

 

[Brad Bowers]

The Chrysler Phaeton is close, but no cigar. "Looks like the Batmobile," said my wife. One thing that would help is if the lower front edge curved back underneath instead of jutting out to create that sharp edge. Still, the body has that bar of soap look that didn't help the new Thunderbird at all.

Kudos to Chrysler for bringing style back to cars, but they don't make anything I want yet.

Now, I'd love to have a new Jaguar S-Type. Very classic styling, though I have no need for all that horsepower.

GM has gone downhill. I still can't believe they did away with the Firebird and Camaro. They should have gone retro like the Ford Mustang. And my '87 Oldsmobile is now a collector's piece!

When they start making 1939 Chevys again, let me know.

Brad

 

[Matt Deckard]

I can't wait 'til the return of the bumper!

 

[Deleted member 259]

The commercials made the New Dodge Charger look like it was going to be interesting, but upon further inspection, it just looks they slapped the front of the new mustangs onto a regular Sedan.

I'll always be a GM fan myself. While admittedly the styles have gotten a bit dull (to say the least) my Mother and Aunt both work on their assembly lines, and my grandfather recently retired after 35 years. They gave him a dinner and a pocket watch, there's a tradition you don't see many companies consider any longer.
And in this era, its hard to argue that any company is all-american, But I'd rather stick with a company I know than one i can't pronounce.

Almost all car designs (for the past few decades, I'd venture) have been too dull for my taste - but with the rising prices of gas and the heightened awareness about safety - design isn't first priority for most buyers.

But theres been a little improvement lately, and hopefully that will become a growing trend.

 

[Biltmore Bob]

I like the Chrysler 300 alot better.

 

[Brad Bowers]

The commercials made the New Dodge Charger look like it was going to be interesting, but upon further inspection, it just looks they slapped the front of the new mustangs onto a regular Sedan.

The "General Lee,"
it will never be.

Brad

 

[ginobarracuda]

Chevy HHR

IMHO, the new Chevy HHR builds on the retro look of the PT Cruiser.
Though it won't be out until Q4 2005...

Actually it reminds me of the old bread/donuts truck that used to drive around my old Long Beach neighborhood...

Chevy HHR


just my $00.02...

 

[K.D. Lightner]

I drive a cute chili pepper red Saturn Ion Quad Coupe. I would rather drive a red hot car that looks more like a Transam or a Firebird or a Camarro, but this fits my budget.

When I was a very young child, most of the cars on the street were black. Then color came in and boy, did it: bright colors and two-tones and enough chrome to half-blind you. I loved those cars.

Now, almost everything I see on the street is an SUV the color and shape of a dirty ice sculpture. What is it with all those shades of gray? B-o-r-i-n-g.

Now those cars you have shown above, yes! And the Mustang! Oh, yes!! Even in bright yellow (which is, I found out from a friend in the insurance industry, the safest color of car on the road day and night. The unsafest color? The one everybody is driving these days)

karol

 

[jake_fink]

This little beauty...

..is the 2006 Packard Coupe.

 

[jake_fink]

Oops...

... That was 1936.

 

[ITG]

jake, sorry but the pics can't be seen. It says, "An error has occurred. You do not appear to be the owner of this album. Make sure you are logged in."

 

[Quigley Brown]

I've always wanted a Citroen. If only I could I race on over to France and bring back one of these babies....the C6. Click on 'Site C6' on the far right...this is a cool website.

Citroen C6

 

[jamespowers]

Now those cars you have shown above, yes! And the Mustang! Oh, yes!! Even in bright yellow (which is, I found out from a friend in the insurance industry, the safest color of car on the road day and night. The unsafest color? The one everybody is driving these days)

They are also the car colors that will get you the most tickets.

Regards to all,

J