Chris,
I have to react about the Mustang. It is very easy to knock from a design
stand point. Yet it is so much a better vehicle than the original.
This is true for the new Mini as well - if you recall travelling at more
than 60 for any distance in the original.
There have been attempts to restyle the brand of Mustang along totally new
lines and Ford have had some great concept designs (GT 90, etc). They
weren't great.
The early Mustangs had terrible steering and rudimentary engineering.
They look pretty smart - and iconise the sports car for all - like the MGB
or the Herald did in the UK.
Maybe MG could have learned from Ford and BMW and recreated a highly
succesful 'retro' design of their own - that sold in the States and Europe
as well as in UK.
Instead of the lack lustre stuff I have seen. Retro Rovers started from a
poor position.
Personally speaking, the new Bentleys and BMW Z8 represent top end car
design - tinged with Retro they might be - but they know exactly their
target market.
Its one of the reason's people have to leave UK to go and work in places
like the US or Asia.
The flip side manufacturer is Renault/Citroen PSA and Fiat who successfully
(sort of for Fiat) create new design.
I would not be surprised if I saw one or two retro designs even from them.
Its the same as housing - everyone eschewing architects for the same great
'new' thing and yet the same people idolising Victorian-era 'solid'
property - to which they also aspire.
In many ways its hypocrisy.
The Mustang is unashamedly retro - but its still a great car in its own
right. Get in a charcoal grey V8 GT convertible one day - and see what you
think. It is not a family car.
Ford also makes product like the KA - and the new hybrids - so its unfair
to dismiss them so easily. They are fighting to stay in business and I
personally wish them success.
Best,
--------------------------
Glenn Johnson
Director, B/E Aerospace Industrial Design Studio
tel. +1 336 744 3143
fax. +1 336 744 3207
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