Community Question: What classic styling element do you want to see make a comeback?

[Sajeev]

This week's Community Question takes you back to a design element you loved, and wish would make a comeback.  Tail fins? Vista roofs? Vent windows? Ashtrays? Swivel buckets and swing-away steering wheels?

So tell us, what classic styling element do you want to see make a comeback?

Chevrolet

[hyperv6]

To be honest most of the options I like are still available. Many that are gone were just gimmicks or are gone due to the crash regulations. 

I just wish more styling would come back that was not so reliant on aerodynamics. 

More use of two color paint may be the only thing I can think of and I see Toyota GM and Ford are all starting to use that again. 

[Sajeev]

Two color paint jobs could be easily implemented these days...and that would indeed be awesome. 

[dchappy]

With color matching interiors .  Tired of Black.

[Chev62]

Yes, colour matched interiors which means everything matches such as seat belts, steering wheels. Everything.

[Nat1djd]

Boy isn't that the truth, sick of silver cars and especially black interiors. I can't believe how many interiors are black and I mean high end cars like Mercedes. What happened to Carmel brown leather?

[Dad_jokes]

Ford offers this on some F-Series trim levels.  

[TG]

I think the absence of any real sheet metal topography (except the strategically placed waves and creases intended to hide the fact that your car is largely a formless bubble) make the two-tone paint job difficult to pull off on modern cars

[Snailish]

Styling element vs. an option vs. a mechanical feature is maybe a splitting hairs thing?

Styling I would like someone mass-market to make something boxy. 80s Regal, Monte Carlo, Jetta's and other Euro of that time. 

Styling I love the "integrated bumper" grill design of the 1969 Impala. We haven't had separate chrome bumpers for decades, but we still haven't really seen the 69 Impala grill/bumper again either.

Options... just having an option sheet and not be stuck with a few "packages" that pile stuff I don't want with the one thing I do want.  I also want the option to order a bare-bones vehicle (rubber floor mats no carpet, etc.).

Features... I like vent windows. But they are leak prone and theft-tempting so I get it. Kick panel vents could come back though.

[5869Corvette]

It’s gone forever but I love chrome!  Also, not really on topic here however I absolutely agree that an options list instead of packages would allow you to create your own car. The collector market values this but manufacturers don’t simply because it slows down the production line. 

[joetunick]

VENT WINDOWS or at least some positive venting that allows one to feel the outside ambient environment as it is, rather than processed by the car's climate control system.

This, and the ability to open the windows of a car while driving without getting that low frequency drumming of your ears.

[autowriter]

I am with you on wanting to have a source of unconditioned outside air.  I like the vents on my Corvair convertible that are in the front kick panels.  I also like the vent windows that can clear condensation off the windshield without needing to engage the air conditioner or rear window defroster.  But other than that, to be frank I rather enjoy the "modern" aerodynamic styling, with one caveat.  Though the basic lines are attractive -- e.g. the Z32 Nissan 300ZX -- the cars with the added creases, fake louvers and scoops etc are off-putting.  Wind tunnels don't lie, and I don't object to aerodynamic efficiencies in the least.  But some of these creations just plain look bizarre for no good reason.

[thebrave]

ICE

[drhino]

With a manual transmission 

[TG]

...and a carburetor. Dream big or go home

[Rider79]

Bright, and more, colour choices.  And, even more of a dream, true two-door hardtops.  Hey, they do it in Germany, so why not here?

[5869Corvette]

I just spent five weeks in Europe. Seems like the sedan is a alive and well there. Not many big SUVs and even fewer big pickups. I’d love to have the ability to walk into a dealer and start with a plain Impala (whatever if you’re a Ford or “Stellantis” lover) and turn it into whatever I want…. Luxury or sport or both.  

[Dad_jokes]

The Germans invented the 4 door coupe with the CLS. 

[TonyT]

Did they? Look at the Caddy in the lead photo...

[DrOverboost]

Front and Rear light configurations which tell you what car is in front or behind you eg. Corvettes until C7.

[ppointer]

Wagons with Manual transmissions.  The SUV craze never went anywhere in my household.

[onteo]

I’d like to se the return of paint and interior color options. Greens, yellow, reds. I’m just tired of the 3 basic colors on the road today. 

[MarkIII]

Bright colors instead of the bland big three. Two tones, chrome, vent windows, manual trans and my personal favorite V/8 engines with real dual exhaust.  Driving should be fun not boring.

[geneo]

wing windows

[rb53]

How about cornering lights in the front fenders?  My dad's 1998 Caddy still has these.

[Chevyman]

Please give us more exterior colors, like the optional Mopar colors in the late 60's, early 70's.   I am so tired of white, black, gray, and silver cars.  More interior color choices; I have always liked white, bright blue, red, and gold interiors.     

[LugNut]

Artistic streamlining - Art Deco styling - of both the body and the trim.

[win59]

Hand crank (manual roll-up) windows!!

Oh - and a good old ignition key. Please!!

[MrKnowItAll]

The "backwards fin" from the hapless '61 Dodge sure has made its way onto a few SUV's, as well as '61 Plymouth's grille used as a model for the "gaping hourglass" monstrosities on Lexus.

[Vettebuilder]

All of them. So sick of the same boring euro or aerodynamic styles where you can’t tell a corvette from a Lamborghini or Nissan or Ferrari,etc. The tons of chrome, fins, size and interiors were works of art. I lease my cars today because I don’t want to own the same old same old. IMO they all look alike and that spells CRAP! I’ve been driving for over 55 years and I remember those beautiful land yachts. Learned how to drive on a 55 Packard and remember that adjustable suspension when you sat in it. The chrome, lines and style were amazing and those dashboards and long hoods mean you had a car under you. Granted, everything is mileage today and electric, but give me a choice at least. I’d pay $10 a gallon for gas if I could buy a real classic land yacht new from a dealer. Use the DD for everyday stuff and enjoy the classic. That’s why I own a 41 Buick, 47 Lincoln and looking for more. Those were cars not todays slot cars. Bring them back and I bet people would gobble them up. I know I would.Todays cars get better mileage, go faster and ride better, but I enjoy driving the car with 4500 pounds of chrome and steel. And you can leave out all that computer and electronic junk that only the dealer can fix ( maybe). Oh for the “Good Ol Days”. Styling is gone. It’s all “cookie cutter” today.

[RJMatt]

As I'm getting older now, the true swing-away steering wheel would be nice! Easier to get in and really not a problem to work out. I agree with a lot of the people here that two tone paint, with REAL color options, would be great!

[CitationMan]

Astro Ventilation, with that lower dash vent below the steering wheel, for the guys.

[TonyT]

AKA the crotch cooler...

[CitationMan]

TonyT

I was searching for the acceptable description, but words failed me.

Thank you!

[TG]

The ones in my vette almost make the absence of A/C bearable

[3Deuces]

Semi-concealed tail lamps like those on the '64-'66 Pontiac GTO & Grand Prix

[SteveA]

How about something or anything that doesn't look boxy or just plain stupid like most of what's on the road today.

[NITRO450EXP]

Rally flared fenders and quarters ( Ala Quattro GT Coupe).

[CitationMan]

I used to own a Porsche 944 and its fender flares were just great, it always reminded me of a race car. Cars need curves.

[NITRO450EXP]

I had a 944 also. Sexy shaped car.

[CitationMan]

Cars need womanly curves. The 944 had those curves.

[DUB6]

I had a 1990 924S for a few years.  Similar shape, but more like the "less well-endowed girl in class" when compared to the 944 curves.

[ecuriekansas]

Hidden Headlights.  Having owned Thunderbirds, GTO's and still have a Corvette with them, there is some small smile that comes to me when I turn on the lights. Makes other smile, too.

A shame that modern plastic headlights aren't protected the way good ole' glass lenses were. 

[merlebalke]

Wide whites and swing away steering wheels.

[j7161762gto]

i would like style and comfort along with colors and maybe just maybe they could use some good old fashion steel then they could maybe put some chrome on them

[jbrink]

Bilevel heating/cooling controls

[Ken_L]

How about a 57 Nomad retro style sport wagon. The slight sloped back with fins would be a big leap from the "all look the same SUV" blobs that are offered now, and still be able to haul larger items than the retro Mustangs, Camaro, and Challenger offerings.

Ken_L

[Dad_jokes]

Hideaway headlamps, rumble seats, and external radiators. 

[camarogirl57]

Real station wagons, vivid colors (I am so sick of white/gray/silver/black, I could scream) and coach doors.  Lincoln almost did it, but the Continental got axed.

[Inline8OD]

Other than vent windows, none, other than the hundreds of soft, muted, understated, adult hues of the '30s and '40s. 

 Hagerty runs filler like the above because they're not really catering to those of us owning, appreciating the real thing; vintage, older cars,  but to those more interested in reprising styling cues via "collectible" "classic"  redux, retro/trash rods, wheeled whats its.

 Other than a veneer of historic profiles,  Hagerty's focus is gathering statistics so they can become another Geico, State Farm, Allstate, Farmer's, etc.