Styling lowpoint(s) of 3 classic American cars (in my opinion)

Jan 22, 2019 | self

[ETL]

The 3 cars that I believe exemplify the most dramatic swings are the Ford Mustang (1967 vs 1975), Pontiac GTO (1967 vs 2004) and the Dodge Challenger (1971 vs 1981).

(same-year examples may not necassarily be the same car)

[Huskrrrr]

I was convinced in 1975 that the end of the Mustang was near.

[minnesota_bound]

Gov’t got involved in styling.
That is why the cars today are so bland looking.

[ETL]

At least mustang and challenger made comebacks.

Yes, absolutely. And they did a fantastic job on both, especially the first generation retro-Mustangs. The more recent Mustangs, of the last several years, IMO, don't look nearly as good as the first ones. As for the new Challengers, IMO, they're a bit too "high/tall" and "stocky". The originals were low and sleek.

[central_va]

Bland would be a compliment.

[redangus]

I believe it was under the skin

[Red Badger]

Had the 1987 Dodge Charger.................

[Red Badger]

They should bring back the ‘cuda!..................

[ZOOKER]

FROM SPORTS CAR...

TO LUXURY BARGE

[9YearLurker]

I’d say the GTO aged most graciously.

[AppyPappy]

We had a 1974 Mustang II that my dad got for free. It was totaled a year later when someone backed into it.

[ETL]

Sorry to hear that.

:)

[TexasGator]

I loved my 70 challenger.

Now I have a 16 mustang

[SPI-Man]

I. Bought a 1967 GTO just like in the picture new in Topeka Kansas. The car had all kinds of “special” items such as air-conditioning, eight track player, red stripe radial tires, 400 cu 4bbl engine, Hurst Dual Gate shifter connected to a turbo hydro-mattic tranny.

The color in the picture looks a bit off. Mine was (as I recall) Sea Foam green or some such name. It was a beautiful shade of green whatever it was called.

I loved that car and the stupidest thing I ever did was trade it in for LeMans in 1972. I still cry over that. DAMN!

By the way, I paid around $6,000 for it brand new.

[Openurmind]

The 75 was a Pinto, Sheet metal aside... literally.

[ETL]

In '72 the Ford Thunderbird looked very much like the Lincoln Mark 4.

I had one back in the early 80s. And had 2 Mark 4s, '72 and a '73.

1972 Ford Thunderbird

1972 Lincoln Mark 4

[nikos1121]

No disagreement from me...

[ETL]

Here is what Lincoln has been reduced to in recent decades, widely being used as a livery car in cities like New York...

Basically looks like a black taxi cab.

Here is what Lincoln has been reduced to in recent decades, widely being used as a livery car in cities like New York...

Basically looks like a black taxi cab.

[ETL]

Lincoln Continental Mark IV ('73-76)

Lincoln Continental Mark V ('77-79)

Lincoln Continental Town Coupe (1977)

[minnesota_bound]

If only a car designer could come along that could revive the car industry.

[PAR35]

The Challenger is in a class by itself. They didn’t even fancy up the K-Car.