Past, Present & Future at ArtCenter Car Classic
Every year the ArtCenter College of Design, one of the world's top schools for automotive design, hosts their annual ArtCenter Car Classic.
This concours is unlike any other high-profile car show. Automotive enthusiasts come out year after year to examine car culture through design. Special guests Jay Leno, ArtCenter Alumni Syd Mead (Blade Runner), Chris Bangle (BMW) and Ed Welbrorn (GM VP of Global Design) were also at the show for book signings, panel discussions and interviews.
Leno wasn't just there to take selfies with attendees, he was also there to participate in the car show with one of his own on display. A rear wheel drive converted Oldsmobile Toronado powered by a 1000+ horsepower twin-turbo V8.
This year the theme of the show was Visions of the Future, which asks, "What did the future look like 100, 50, 25 and even 1 year ago?" Technology and safety have helped shaped the way that cars have looked over time. Lets take a look at that evolution:
The Shapes of The Future
Cars didn't always have round corners and teardrop silhouettes. These Model T's are an example of some of the early details rarely seen on cars today. At the time the idea was completely out-of-the-box, while also looking like they were designed as a box.
Over time technology advanced, styles changed and aerodynamic body lines were born. The Chrysler Airflow was one of the first cars designed with the help of a wind tunnel.
Looking back at safety equipment from the early 1900s, makes you think it really might not have been safe at all.
Fender mounted spares, boat tails, tail fins and trunk lid humps. Just some styling touches of the past.
The Future of Racing
Race car technology typically finds its way on to road cars. Aerodynamics and light weight materials that are now common in passenger cars were once exclusive to race cars.
From short and bubbly to low and sleek, here the design evolution of Mercedes Benz Racing over the course of 40 years.
As the quest for speed grew, designers created shapes that would slip through the air with ease.
Ti amo! It's the evolution of Italian interior... so lovely?
Race cars don't just have to look fast, they have to be fast. So it's only fitting that the design of the mid-engine clean itself up with some style over the years.
The Odd Future
Could this be an alternate universe? No, these are just some predictions for the future that just didn’t seem to work out...
Possible predecessor to the T-rex and Polaris Slingshot? I think yes!
The 1948 Tucker is often compared to the Tesla of its time. Advanced safety features and design gave the company plenty of promise, until they folded after making just 49 cars (but oh, how we love them. Read more here.)
DeLorean is another example of a car company that had some promise before being forced to shut their door. If only Doc Brown could go back in time and save that from happening, gull-wing doors might have been the thing today.
This mid-engined, air-cooled Tatra T87’s aerodynamic design strongly influenced the VW Beetle.
The Retro Future
The Fisker Rocket is an evolution of the original Mustang design.
Designed in the '70s but still looking good today, it is still more aerodynamic than many cars filling our roads.
Some old school love with some modern day tech. This classic VW now has a modern, electric heart.
What Do We Think the Future Will Look Like Today?
In 1985, a couple of movie producers thought we would have cars running on alternative fuel from trash and flying cars too by 2015. They were only half right, let's see what some of the minds of today envision for the cars of tomorrow.
Hyundai envisions a compact truck with car-like characteristics.
Start up car company Divergent wants the future to have jet fighter-like seating. As seen in their 3D printed, Lancer Evo powered Blade.
Chevrolet on the other hand thinks it may look like a wingsuit with wheels. What do you think the future of automobile transportation will be like?
As design continues to adapt to safety and emissions regulations and progress with technology, car designers continue to look for the most efficient ways to use space and lower drag coefficients as well as look back at the past for inspiration.
(Photos and Story by Andrew Modena)
