RAISE and PRAISE: Can YOU Name THREE Cars That Are More Beautiful Than This One?

You may have noticed by now but around here, and to us, design matters. But we know we're not the only ones.

That's because a vehicle's design is said to be the second largest deciding factor in why people buy their ride.

And when I see all-new vehicles like the BMW 8-Series, I have to just stop and wonder: Where did the amazing designs we used to see...go?

For me, the epitome of a beautifully design automobile is the Ferrari 250 California. There's just something about it that makes me weak in the knees. It's elegant and sporting and it doesn't ooze pretension. It's just so right, top to bottom.

I am pretty hard pressed to name cars that really top it if we were to hold a beauty contest. Sure, I adore the McLaren F1 but it's purposeful, not beautiful

Having said that, I want to issue a challenge: Can YOU name three cars that are more beautiful than the Ferrari 250 California?



The Ferrari 250—pick just about any version—was the ultimate 1960s grand touring car and it was introduced to the world before that decade had even begun. More than half a century later its genetic code is still identifiable in today’s top sports coupes, but for this edition of Morning Coffee we’ve ditched the roof for a blast around Britain’s B-roads in a rare open-headlight version of the series II California Spyder. With a Tipo 168 3.0L V12 planted below the sultry length of the hood, four-wheel disc brakes, a shorter wheelbase and a wider track than its predecessor, later Sypders like this one owned by Hexagon Classics’ Paul Michaels offer the strongest cocktail of classic front-engined Ferrari performance and Italian coachbuilt style from the house of Scaglietti. If you’ve had your espresso already, here’s the second shot.

MDarringer - 6/16/2018 8:01:12 PM

+2 Boost

Easy:
1963 boat tail Corvette Sting Ray (two words)
Jensen Interceptor
1968 Charger

Foncool - 6/17/2018 7:31:56 AM

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Speaks volumes

MDarringer - 6/17/2018 8:55:46 AM

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Indeed! It is far too easy to be a person of the "emperor's new clothes" variety and parrot that the Ferrari is gorgeous when--even for its day--it was pretty generic in its styling.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 6/16/2018 8:53:06 PM

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Aston Martin DB5
Aston Martin DB9
Aston Martin Vanquish

qwertyfla1 - 6/16/2018 8:58:28 PM

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62 Shelby CSX2000
61 E Type Jag -coupe or cab
62 250 GTO

runninglogan1 - 6/16/2018 10:07:00 PM

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No.

valhallakey - 6/17/2018 2:24:37 AM

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Bugatti Model 100
De Havilland 88
Piaggio P.180 Avanti

Foncool - 6/17/2018 8:00:47 AM

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“And when I see all-new vehicles like the BMW 8-Series, I have to just stop and wonder: Where did the amazing designs we used to see...go?”

Ferdinand Piëch once said that it cost the same amount to build a beautiful car as it does an ugly one!

PUGPROUD - 6/17/2018 10:50:18 AM

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Jaguar XKE Series 1 (even Enzo called it most beautiful car ever)
Ferrari 275 GTB
Bugatti Atlantic

Dexter1 - 6/17/2018 11:06:23 AM

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Is that an old Fiat 124?

MDarringer - 6/17/2018 12:19:14 PM

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*popcorn*

xjug1987a - 6/17/2018 2:10:15 PM

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It’s impossible to say what’s the most beautiful car ever. There are so many beautiful cars from the 30’s-70’s. 80’s on are subjective.

MDarringer - 6/17/2018 2:42:50 PM

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Indeed. That's why this has devolved into a "your top 3" discussion.

TomM - 6/17/2018 6:40:03 PM

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AGreed - Beauty is a generational thing - and people who were brought up During WW11 are likely to answer with names of PRIOR cars (THere were not many new cars during the war). But Most the people in this group never saw any of THOSE cars - and therefore eye the ones they did.

However - to make a point - the MOST BEAUTIFUL CAR ever produced was a 1929 Chevrolet Master -for a person who had no reason to expect having a car - I was my first - it STILL DRIVEs (My Neighbor bought it from me) - and it was the basis of an incredible lifelong journey of lots of cars - some expensive - some not - some put together from the parts bin - Beauty is not ONly Skin Deep!

carloslassiter - 6/17/2018 7:11:32 PM

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I'm not sure beautiful is how I'd describe them, but I've always liked these designs:

Jag E-Type
Mercedes 280 SL
Studebaker Avanti

MDarringer - 6/17/2018 7:35:42 PM

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The Avanti is exceedingly wonderful. I don't have one, but I want one...a real one and not one of the horrible continuation cars.

carloslassiter - 6/17/2018 9:18:52 PM

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I can remember the last original Avanti I saw on the road; I do occasionally still see the "2.0s".

MDarringer - 6/17/2018 11:21:52 PM

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I've been trying to buy one for two years.

carloslassiter - 6/17/2018 9:23:29 PM

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Supposed to say 'can't remember seeing an original'.

MDarringer - 6/17/2018 11:22:37 PM

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A friend has one and I'm jealous.

senft - 6/18/2018 5:36:36 AM

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I think Agent00R meant style, not design.
Whatever.
There was a time when Ferraris were stylish, elegant. Maybe Aston's doing that now; no one else.

DukeWoolworth - 6/18/2018 7:10:39 AM

+3 Boost

Equally beautiful from the same era:
Jaguar XKE
BMW 507
Mercedes 300SL

They all make me take another look as I walk away. Isn't that the definition of beauty?

carloslassiter - 6/18/2018 10:14:36 AM

+1 Boost

Actually I just looked online - you can buy the red one that appeared in Seinfeld's CICGC.