Favourite Aesthetic Car Design?

[Parabolica]

I would like to start a discussion based solely upon which cars the forum members enjoyed the aesthetic beauty of.

It encompasses all forms of motorsport, cars which were successful, cars which were unsuccessful, cars that were revolutionary, cars that were conservative. All sorts, in effect.

To get the ball rolling, I will propose the 1981 Osella. It was a flop, as were all Osella F1 cars. There was something pleasing to my eye about its uncluttered lines.

So, please, if you will, announce your own attractions.

[D-Type]

Any chance of a picture? .

[anfield5]

I would like to start a discussion based solely upon which cars the forum members enjoyed the aesthetic beauty of.

It encompasses all forms of motorsport, cars which were successful, cars which were unsuccessful, cars that were revolutionary, cars that were conservative. All sorts, in effect.

To get the ball rolling, I will propose the 1981 Osella. It was a flop, as were all Osella F1 cars. There was something pleasing to my eye about its uncluttered lines.

So, please, if you will, announce your own attractions.

I wouldn't have even considered the FA1 or FA1b, but looking at it especially in the white and blue Denim colours you are right.

But I have always adored the Lotus 79, simply beautiful and Lance Reventlow's Scarab

[Rollo]

I think that this is prettiest F1 car in the prettiest livery. It wins the all-time F1 beauty contest for my money:
http://carsfolia.com/icim/lotus-79/lotus-79-04.jpg

And just to prove that the livery works on a Touring Car, the BMW 635i, which is also very very pretty:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3655/3374816206_ff77477a69.jpg

Then again, I could just have a thing for black cars:
http://www.rallyrace.net/images/Sierra/sierra-texaco.jpg

I give my age away when I suggest that this is the most purposeful looking racecar ever built:
http://www.collecticon.org/collecticon_wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/wheeljack_Lancia-Stratos-Turbo-5-alitalia.jpg

For the realm of sports car racing, do I pick the Rothmans liveried Porsche 962, the Martini Porsche 935, the Silk Cut Jaguar, any Gulf liveried machine or Foyt's GT40? No... I pick this:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yF4w0kkzeUs/UTck_UmTjxI/AAAAAAAACPk/cQEsyCVhEdo/s640/Le+Mans+1978.jpg

[anfield5]

Another beautiful GP car has to be the Brabham BT52. Possibly the most elegant looking GP car ever made

[FormerFF]

I've always thought that the sports racing cars of the 50's and 60's were the most aesthetic. Though they were well before my time, my personal favorite is the Jaguar D type, particularly the ones without the tailfin.

http://img2.netcarshow.com/Jaguar-D-Type_1954_800x600_wallpaper_01.jpg

[FormerFF]

I've always thought that the sports racing cars of the 50's and 60's were the most aesthetic. Though they were well before my time, my personal favorite is the Jaguar D type, particularly the ones without the tailfin.

http://img2.netcarshow.com/Jaguar-D-Type_1954_800x600_wallpaper_01.jpg

[ford power]

the ford sierra cosworth or the bmw m3 probably the best looking cars ever used in either rallying or touring cars

[D-Type]

I've always thought that the sports racing cars of the 50's and 60's were the most aesthetic. Though they were well before my time, my personal favorite is the Jaguar D type, particularly the ones without the tailfin.

http://img2.netcarshow.com/Jaguar-D-Type_1954_800x600_wallpaper_01.jpg

With a nickname like mine I'm bound to agree with you. The fin destroys the smooth lines and the long nose just doesn't have the same elegance.
(It's a pity the picture is mirrored though.)

[FormerFF]

With a nickname like mine I'm bound to agree with you. The fin destroys the smooth lines and the long nose just doesn't have the same elegance.
(It's a pity the picture is mirrored though.)

There are a number of pictures here on this page that are not flipped: Jaguar D-Type: Description of the model, photo gallery, modifications list ... (http://encarsglobe.com/jaguar-d-type.html) . Sorry if this pic gave anyone the impression that these cars were left hand drive.

[Parabolica]

Any chance of a picture? .

Yes, of course!

http://www.f1passion.it/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Paletti-Osella-GP-Usa-1982.jpg

[Brown, Jon Brow]

With a nickname like mine I'm bound to agree with you. The fin destroys the smooth lines and the long nose just doesn't have the same elegance.
(It's a pity the picture is mirrored though.)

I think I prefer the other version

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Jaguar_D-Type.jpg

[BDunnell]

For aesthetic beauty if not anything else, the Ford F3L must rank very highly indeed.

[D-Type]

I think I prefer the other version

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Jaguar_D-Type.jpg

Yes, the long nose looks more purposeful and the fin adds to it. altogether the car looks more of a racer....
... and less elegant.

[D-Type]

For aesthetic beauty if not anything else, the Ford F3L must rank very highly indeed.

Again, any chance of a picture (as I am a complete klutz when it comes to posting pictures)?

Possibly another case of a car that didn't get spoilt by subsequent development.

[BDunnell]

Again, any chance of a picture (as I am a complete klutz when it comes to posting pictures)?

That goes for me too, but here's a link:

http://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=20587&stc=1&d=1306075091

[Parabolica]

If I may be so bold as to help.
.http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_suiHYNm_lag/TD7KAU4f3jI/AAAAAAAABfg/oKwAAlePn6E/s1600/Ford+F3L+4.JPG
She is very nice.

[anfield5]

For aesthetic beauty if not anything else, the Ford F3L must rank very highly indeed.
Beautiful car, never could figure out why it was red though? unless that was Alan Mann's colour

[BDunnell]

Beautiful car, never could figure out why it was red though? unless that was Alan Mann's colour

Yes, it was indeed — the works Escorts he ran at the same time in saloon car racing were in basically the same colours.

[Mintexmemory]

+1 for the F3L - Saw its debut at the 1968 BOAC 500 - loved it ever since.
The previous year Alan Mann had fielded the very flash red and gold Ford Falcon for Frank Gardner in which he won the British Saloon Car Championship. Not pretty but very arresting!

[D-Type]

If you look closely at the photo Parabolica posted, the car has sprouted front winglets or spoilers. No doubt necessary, but they destroy the purity of line of the original - that's what I meant whenI said "spoilt by subsequent devepopment". And we are talking aesthetics here. Very few cars look as good as the first version.

[anfield5]

A slightly odd entry, but how about the LeMans Bentley's from the late 1920's. Therer is just something right about the way they look

[anfield5]

or the stunning looking Jaguar XJR7 in Silk Cut colours

[D-Type]

Come on! Pikkies (or at least a link) please.

[Parabolica]

Again, if I can be of assistance-

The XJR7 (it was actually the IMSA spec, Group 44 run car which didn't have the Silk Cut sponsorship).
http://dlstatic.speedtv.com/imageserve/01Cu3Vc4dO4FB/350x.jpg

Not an unattractive model.

The 1987 XJR8, TWR car, with Silk Cut sponsorship -

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1173/1050914285_6a903c7bc4.jpg

And the 1920's Le Mans Bentley -
http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Bentley/31-Bentley-4-25Ltr_SC_DV-08_GC_01.jpg

[anfield5]

Come on! Pikkies (or at least a link) please.

Yes I will, but I can't as yet, as soon as I am able I will :)

[Parabolica]

Ok, so I think that maybe this choice is a little esoteric. Or eccentric. Or maybe just plain weird.

The Mazda 717

http://homepage1.nifty.com/VINTAGE_RED/frotor/MultiRotor/717.jpg

http://grandnostalgic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/mazda_717c.jpg

http://www.racingsportscars.com/tn/photo/1983/TN_Le_Mans-1983-06-19-061.jpg

Is it wrong for a Racing Car to be cute?

[Parabolica]

Then there is another favourite of mine, a car with the finest backside ever seen this side of Shakira.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6002/5964322646_c28d7940b5_z.jpg

http://i60.servimg.com/u/f60/11/10/05/05/nurbur36.jpg

The Sauber C5.

[wedge]

Auto Union Streamliner

So utterly timeless and bewitching as it is hard to think this is a pre-war prototype racer. If you were to put a rear wing on it let alone grounds effect it wouldn't look out of place if it was going round Le Mans today

http://www.audi.com/etc/medialib/ngw/brand/company_history/models/1932_1945.Par.0074.Image.jpg/1937_au_16-zylinder.jpg

[Parabolica]

Stretching the subject of Auto Unions to the present day, the Audi R18 is a seriously mean looking automobile.

I will post a picture later.

[555-04Q2]

I think that this is prettiest F1 car in the prettiest livery. It wins the all-time F1 beauty contest for my money:
http://carsfolia.com/icim/lotus-79/lotus-79-04.jpg


100% agree with you on this one. A stunning F1 car with great livery :up:

[Parabolica]

As promised, the R18.

http://audworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/audi-r18-tdi-38.jpg

[Parabolica]

http://www.modelersite.com/imagenesContent/1967/20_20130116_094226IMG12801024.jpg

Maybe a little different. I thought this was a good-looking car. The Spirit-Honda of 1983.

[Corvettian]

Ferrari 250 GTO 3187

[ford power]

don't know why but i always had a soft spot for the renault 11 turbo rally car

[Corvettian]

Ferrari 250 GTO 3190

[Corvettian]

Ferrari 250 GTO 3190

I just couldn't get my picture to appear, only a link! I don't know what I was doing wrong.

[Corvettian]

I think that this is prettiest F1 car in the prettiest livery. It wins the all-time F1 beauty contest for my money:
http://carsfolia.com/icim/lotus-79/lotus-79-04.jpg
The Lotus 79 was a indeed a very nice looking car, but I think the JPS livery helped it. It didn't look quite the same the following season, when it was dark green with Martini and Essex Oil sponsorship. 3192 (sorry, still unable to post images directly to the page!)

[Corvettian]

My own choice of Formula 1 car is also a Lotus, but from a decade before the 79: the Lotus 49! Only the Racing Green, pre-Gold Leaf sponsorship colour scheme, though. 3193

[wedge]

Aesthetically, purity, I'm suprised a wingless F1 car hasn't been mentioned earlier.

Apologies for another Auto Union. My father has owned Audis so its hard not to appreciate its history! this time the Type C

http://www.planetdiecast.com/hwdphotos/originals/4034/347/Auto-Union-Type-C_16.jpg

Although I disliked Senna immensely when I first got into F1 I was actually awestruck by the McLaren MP4/6 when looked at pictures of it in Autosport. Its a cliche that drivers were intimidated by the Marlboro livery and yellow helmet but even more so with the simplicity of the lines dart like nose which led to the arrowhead front wing appearance lent to much on the myth of Senna.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-898hR5ztc6c/Tj-JMupmysI/AAAAAAAABtc/V8tB_WqzCHI/s640/mp4-6.jpg

[Parabolica]

If the MP4/6 was a looker, then this was Aphrodite herself -

http://www.motorsportretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/ferrari-641.jpg

The most beautiful car ever to be deliberately punted off the track!

[Don Capps]

this time the Type C

Looks like a Typ 1936 or Typ 1937 to me... especially given that the folks at A-U never used the alphabet system as designations for the cars, but rather, Typ 1934, Typ 1935, Typ 1936 & Typ 1937, Typ 1938 & Typ 1939.

[ShiftingGears]

My own choice of Formula 1 car is also a Lotus, but from a decade before the 79: the Lotus 49! Only the Racing Green, pre-Gold Leaf sponsorship colour scheme, though. 3193

I actually really like the Gold Leaf livery, especially on the 49. It doesn't look so good on the 72 though.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_llnujgclT11qkt011o1_r1_500.jpg

[D-Type]

The livery can absolutely transform a car can't it!

And it appears that success can make an otherwise fairly normal car become a thing of beauty :cool:

[Corvettian]

I actually really like the Gold Leaf livery, especially on the 49. It doesn't look so good on the 72 though.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_llnujgclT11qkt011o1_r1_500.jpg I was going to mention the 72 in my post about the JPS livery on the 79.
The 72 looked so much better when livery changed from Gold Leaf to JPS! It may also have influenced me to become a Lotus fan more than 10 years later, although a certain A. Senna's driving was also a factor!
The effectiveness of that combination of colours may explain why Lotus Formula 1 Team has chosen to use it now....

[D28]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/cm/roadandtrack/images/Lg/racing_1967-all-american-racers-eagle-weslake_th1.jpg

As far as F1 cars go. the Eagle-Westlake would be hard to top. This photo shows Dan Gurney in Spa winning form 1967.

I always thought it a shame that finances, or probably lack of them resulted in AAR concentrating on US Indy cars rather than F1. They were very successful and no doubt it was the correct business decision, but that was one beautiful machine.

[anfield5]

I was going to mention the 72 in my post about the JPS livery on the 79.
The 72 looked so much better when livery changed from Gold Leaf to JPS! It may also have influenced me to become a Lotus fan more than 10 years later, although a certain A. Senna's driving was also a factor!
The effectiveness of that combination of colours may explain why Lotus Formula 1 Team has chosen to use it now....

No this is just a sick marketing excercise trying to convince people that Renault is in fact Lotus, rather than a team sponsored by Proton

[Parabolica]

For me, one of the best looking cars of all time was this -

http://kwmotorsportltd.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/863-vw_f3_1986.jpg

The Reynard 863 Formula 3 car, from 1986. The 853 from the previous year and the 873 from the following year were just as good, with little cosmetic differences, it was just that Google Images produced a better picture using the 863 as reference.

Reynards first F3000 car, the 88D, was no pig-scarer either.

http://8w.forix.com/varia/jh-svs88.jpg

Nor, for that matter, was their FF2000 car from the mid-80's.

http://www.reynardowners.com/photos/albums/reynard-photos/84ff_209a.JPG

[wedge]

Looks like a Typ 1936 or Typ 1937 to me... especially given that the folks at A-U never used the alphabet system as designations for the cars, but rather, Typ 1934, Typ 1935, Typ 1936 & Typ 1937, Typ 1938 & Typ 1939.

Interesting. The various evolutions are popularly referred to via the alphabet. Is there etymology to this?

[Parabolica]

Begging my pardon. I've just realized that the Reynard I claimed to be an example of the FF2000 sort is actually an FF1600.

I will now go and flagellate myself until my sin has been absolved.

http://www.my105.com/private_images/20360/48636_Image1_m.jpg

I know, it is basically the same car but with the addition of wings, I just have OCD!

Now, this too was a nice F3 car, although it was a rare one.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5300/5450817046_1020e6f6b5_z.jpg
From the drawing board of the late Bruce Carey. The Bowman BC1.

[D-Type]

Looks like a Typ 1936 or Typ 1937 to me... especially given that the folks at A-U never used the alphabet system as designations for the cars, but rather, Typ 1934, Typ 1935, Typ 1936 & Typ 1937, Typ 1938 & Typ 1939.
I don't want to drag the thread off topic, but I would like to know the answer.
I believe the Auto Union Type A, B, C, D designations were invented by Laurence Pomeroy (Junior) and adopted by everyone as they are convenient designations.
But what were the official Auto Union designations? I know the 1937 Auto-Union "Type C" was officially a Horch Type 22 from a contemporary Motor Sport report. Don, do you happen to know the official designations of any of the the others Auto Unions? For example did their record breakers andhillclimb cars have different Horch type numbers from the GP cars they were based on?

[Rollo]

I actually really like the Gold Leaf livery, especially on the 49. It doesn't look so good on the 72 though.

The Gold Leaf livery on the 56B looks downright weird. Actually so does the gold and black livery which also appeared on the 56B.
Come to think of it, the only livery which properly worked on the 56 was the all-red STP, as even the various coloured tips to distinguish the cars look strange.

[555-04Q2]

As promised, the R18.

http://audworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/audi-r18-tdi-38.jpg

Pornography on wheels :D

[Don Capps]

I don't want to drag the thread off topic, but I would like to know the answer.
I believe the Auto Union Type A, B, C, D designations were invented by Laurence Pomeroy (Junior) and adopted by everyone as they are convenient designations.
But what were the official Auto Union designations? I know the 1937 Auto-Union "Type C" was officially a Horch Type 22 from a contemporary Motor Sport report. Don, do you happen to know the official designations of any of the the others Auto Unions? For example did their record breakers andhillclimb cars have different Horch type numbers from the GP cars they were based on?

Several years ago, when I first saw the Horch Typ 22 designation for the Typ 1937 A-U racing machine applied to the machine being exhibited in Britain per Motor Sport, my research finally led me to the thought that it was a means to deal with the customs issues.

I looked at several listings of Horch types and none seemed to suggest that they could have been used for the A-U machines; then again, I do not remember seeing the Typ 22 among the Horch models.

I have found nothing else to support the notion that the A-U racing machines also had Horch type designations.

Not to say that this is not possible, simply that I could not find anything, leavng me a bit puzzled as to exactly how MS came up with that information -- which is why I ended up thinking that it had something to do with the customs paperwork.

[anfield5]

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/piqu-brab-2013-good-2-470x264.jpg

The beautiful Brabham Bt52, one of the most elegant F1 cars ever built

[Tazio]

I'm partial to the 1967 330 P4 :cool:

http://www.supercars.net/carpics/556/1967_Ferrari_330P47.jpg

[D28]

I'm partial to the 1967 330 P4 :cool:


So am I. I believe Italian panel beaters of this era were incapable of crafting an ordinary looking auto. Unrestricted with aerodynamic requirements, they simply stuck to the principle if it looks right, it will be. Wings, flaps, bills and whatever came just a few years down the road; witness the 512M cars for examples of not so clean design.

Adding to the appeal of these cars is the general absence of commercial stickers. This is one of my favourites, the last Le Mans winning Ferrari, the 250 LM. Period photos confirm the discreet NART decal was about all that was evident on the body. The car looks in much better shape then when Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt trashed it unmercifully and ended up winning the 1965 race to their own surprise.
http://www.supercars.net/gallery/119513/300/10042.jpg

[Parabolica]

Gordon Murray was capable of producing lookers. His mid-70's Brabhams were some of my favourites.

Conversely, the car that was unjustly beaten (my opinion, not fact) by the BT52, the Renault RE40, was the frumpiest looking thing ever to come out of France. Marilon Cotillard it was not.

[Parabolica]

Gordon Murray was capable of producing lookers. His mid-70's Brabhams were some of my favourites.

Conversely, the car that was unjustly beaten (my opinion, not fact) by the BT52, the Renault RE40, was the frumpiest looking thing ever to come out of France. Marilon Cotillard it was not.

http://www.statsf1.com/constructeurs/photos/18/745.jpg

The 1977 Brabham BT45. Featuring the most elegant air intake solution ever seen.

[anfield5]

http://www.statsf1.com/constructeurs/photos/18/745.jpg

The 1977 Brabham BT45. Featuring the most elegant air intake solution ever seen.

This was going to get my vote in the ugly thread :D

[Parabolica]

Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder.

[anfield5]

Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder.

Amen to that :D

[Parabolica]

Long gone and pretty much forgotten.

http://m1.i.pbase.com/g4/61/35561/2/132593821.Ke1IVcBJ.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5249/5227250586_3510064a9f.jpg

The Gebhardt C91.

What makes it even more remarkable for me is that previous Gebhardts had been, on the whole, beaten with an ugly stick.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5emqykrgu1qkqupno1_500.jpg

As illustrated.

[anfield5]

http://www.diseno-art.com/images/DBR9.jpg

Aston DBRS9

[555-04Q2]

http://www.diseno-art.com/images/DBR9.jpg

Aston DBRS9

Another example of porn on wheels. Stunning, stunning, stunning!

[Parabolica]

I am surprised, a little, that nobody has championed what was, and is, for me, one of the truly great models.

http://sehrgute.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Group-C-Porsche-956.jpg

UberSchwing!

[555-04Q2]

Smooth best describes it.

[Parabolica]

Smooth best describes it.

UberSmooth?

[555-04Q2]

UberSmooth?

Super UberSmooth ;) :p :

[Parabolica]

http://4-ps.googleusercontent.com/x/www.trendhunter.com/cdn.trendhunterstatic.com/thumbs/xferrari-250-testa-rossa.jpeg.pagespeed.ic.QbnkFf21Dj.jpg

250 Testa Rossa.

Monica Bellucci in automotive form.

[anfield5]

http://professionalwatches.com/upload/2012/07/hublot_classic_fusion_tourbill/1962_ferrari_250_gto.jpeg

Ferrari 250 GTO - my personal fav from Maranello

[quest27]

This one is my favorite, Aerius Car, is an electrical vehicle. which combines the performance of race cars with emerging sustainable energy sources and materials.
3206

[Rollo]

This one is my favorite, Aerius Car, is an electrical vehicle. which combines the performance of race cars with emerging sustainable energy sources and materials.
3206

Reminds me very much of the Oldsmobile Aerotech which was never put to competition:
http://auto.blog.nl/files/2011/12/Olds5.jpg

[Parabolica]

One for our South African friend -

http://russell-sheldon.com/Jody_Scheckter/Jody_Scheckter_80_Ferrari_312T5Monaco.jpg

[anfield5]

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Sariel/BugattiType35/original1.jpg

I have always adored the Bugatti type 35. Can't explain why, I just love the way it looks (even though its usually painted blue)

[Malbec]

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Sariel/BugattiType35/original1.jpg

I have always adored the Bugatti type 35. Can't explain why, I just love the way it looks (even though its usually painted blue)

Because its a beautiful car? Even with the bonnet up the engine inside looks more like a sculpture than a piece of engineering.

I would also add the Aston Martin DB4 Zagato....

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin_DB4_GT_Zagato)

[anfield5]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/DB4GT_Zagato_at_Goodwood.jpg/800px-DB4GT_Zagato_at_Goodwood.jpg

DB4 Zagato

[D28]

DB4 Zagato[/quote]

A stunningly handsome automobile, especially in this colour, arguably as good looking as the GTO, albeit with more subtle lines.
It is rarer than the GTO, but without the competition pedigree. The car was probably developed to compete with the Ferrari 250 GT. but Enzo moved the goal posts with his GTO. The DB4 perhaps meets the spirit of the regulations for a special road GT car tweaked for racing, while the GTO was strictly for the track; Enzo even stated only experience competition drivers could handle the car. I'm wondering how many of the 20 or so original AM Zagatos were used as road cars. Anyone have an idea?

[Parabolica]

I apologise in advance, but, to me, that just looks like a Frogeye Sprite in the late stages of pregnancy.

[anfield5]

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01408/frogeye_1408663c.jpg

Are you sure?

[Parabolica]

Even more so now.

Each to their own, though!

[D28]

Well, they both are green and both have a compound name starting with A, but otherwise I see no resemblance whatever.
Still, I agree each to his own.

[anfield5]

Even more so now.

Each to their own, though!

Absolutely.... the world would be boring if we all agreed on everything :)

[Parabolica]

I may be doing the Aston a disservice, as I haven't seen one in the flesh.

It probably doesn't look like a pregnant Sprite.

Just a Sprites chubby sister.

But then, I prefer Kate Beckinsale to Kate Winslet, so that may explain it.

[MakinenLoeb]

Renault RS10

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/1050-1.jpg

Porsche 906

http://www.sportscars.tv/cars37/Spa1966-Porsche906-VanLennep-1.jpg

[Parabolica]

The RS10 is an overlooked classic.

If I could add another two overlooked cars -

http://images.ookaboo.com/photo/m/Eddie_Cheever_2008_Goodwood_1_m.jpg

The 1987 Arrows.

http://f1tcdn.net/f1db/cars/images/1988/AGS-JH23.jpg

The 1988 AGS JH23. A vast improvement over its older brother.

[Parabolica]

http://lemurph.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/jordan-191-b-sparks.jpg

Undoubtedly beautiful

[Parabolica]

It certainly won't be to everyone's taste, and as a Ferrari fan I very much wish that it had never existed, but -

http://f1pulse.com/UserFiles/Image/February2011/redbull-techspecs-11.jpg

I have to say that I like it.

[Parabolica]

Two more from the depths of my memory -

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6169/6162715801_8c35a1c7d5.jpg

The 1984 ATS. I wish to point out that, from some angles, it doesn't look as nice.

http://www.dlg.speedfreaks.org/archive/cars/minardi/autos/m186_f1_1987.jpg

The 1987 Minardi. Which looks good from a lot of angles.

[anfield5]

Two more from the depths of my memory -

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6169/6162715801_8c35a1c7d5.jpg

The 1984 ATS. I wish to point out that, from some angles, it doesn't look as nice.

http://www.dlg.speedfreaks.org/archive/cars/minardi/autos/m186_f1_1987.jpg

The 1987 Minardi. Which looks good from a lot of angles.

Strangely similar livery designs. I'm wondering if there is a Freudian thing going on here :)

[Parabolica]

Yes.

My mother was a Wasp.

[anfield5]

Yes.

My mother was a Wasp.

:laugh:

[anfield5]

How about this for elegant beauty. The Lotus 49, before it turned red and sprouted wings.

http://onthepitlane.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/jim-clark-lotus-49.jpg

[Parabolica]

I see the Lotus 49 - and play -

http://www.modelersite.com/Ago2005/images/Ferrari156/DSC02019_small.jpg

http://www.cgtutorials.com/oneadmin/_files/linksdir/17475_Making_of_FERRARI_SHARK_NOSE.jpg

The 156.

[Parabolica]

http://www.deepthrottle.com/Photo/panoz_unveiling06/pu06_penske_pc11.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6168/6194315378_178a16eeea_z.jpg

Penske PC-11

[BleAivano]

McLaren F1 GTR
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Brands_Hatch-1996-09-08-006.jpg


Ferrari 275 GTB
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Ferrari-275-GTB-6-C-1966.jpg


Lancia Stratos HF
http://www.automobilsport.com/uploads/_neustart2/december-23-2012/perez-lancia-stratos.JPG


Volvo Amazon Rally Car:
http://personal.inet.fi/cool/globe/rally/paradise/pics/2001/lahti/nro76.jpg

[anfield5]

Ble Aivano, I am 100% with you.... right up until the White Wart appeared at the bottom. :)

[steveaki13]

I cant seem to imbed a picture?

Anyway I have always loved this car, don't know why particularly.

http://www.jsae.or.jp/autotech/large/1-35-1.jpg]

[Mintexmemory]

The only candidate for most beautiful F1 car ever. (with acknowlegement to prorallypix)

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4035/4338970874_38711e51c9_z.jpg?zz=1

[edv]

How about something from this side of the pond?

I've always had a soft spot for these:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fWReWa4FVMU/Ts_Qnna7bCI/AAAAAAAAAI0/Z8MUAJSoO2o/s1600/Lorenzen+Daytona.jpg

I'm old enough to have seen 'em in the Dodge showrooms...too bad I was too young to drive :)

Maybe someday they'll come back, a la :

http://cochesfuturistas.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/plymouth-road-runner-superbird-concept-chico2.jpg

[pcal226]

Just off the top of my head my shortlist would be,

Anglo-American Racers Eagle Mk.I
Ford GT40 (Mk.I or Mk.II)
Lancia Stratos HF
Williams FW30

But there are so many more.

[Jack]

If one is thinking of sports cars my pick is the McLaren M8-F or the M-20
Indy cars I pick the Lola's of the CART era especially the T-90 . The present 2014 Indy Spec car is one of the worst.
For F-1 I like the Lotus 79 in the John player livery "Andretti World Championship Car".

[steveaki13]

I don't know if anyone agrees but I love the shape and livery combo of the Aston/Lola

http://www.autoracing1.com/Manocchia/2010/Sebring/Tuesday/SEB10B_0365.jpg

[D-Type]

That's unusual - a not very successful car considered beautiful. Somehow, success seems to add to the beauty of a competition car.

What is it about the Gulf livery that makes it so attractive?

[steveaki13]

I don't know. To be honest I can find a car beautiful even if its the slowest car, but its something about the contrast in colours i guess.

Do you like it?

[D-Type]

Yes, the Aston/Lola is a looker. The other comments were general.

[Rollo]

What is it about the Gulf livery that makes it so attractive?

The Gulf livery works on everything.

The breadvan, the 917, the 911, the McLaren... heck, I bet you could put it on a Wartburg and it'd still look neat.

[steveaki13]

We have a slight issue on this thread, because when the forum's changed format, we lost many pictures. So this may have been posted, but lost. I am not sure.

I love the Leyton House
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/leytonhouse-judd_cg901b_1990-12.jpg

[steveaki13]

I could understand some may fancy this in the other thread, but personally I always love the 1997 Minardi. I think its the wacky colours as much as anything

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/3972597513_44723b624e.jpg

[D-Type]

The Gulf livery works on everything.

The breadvan, the 917, the 911, the McLaren... heck, I bet you could put it on a Wartburg and it'd still look neat.
I've even seen pictures of a Smart in Gulf colours. It looked good - for a Smart!

[anfield5]

I've even seen pictures of a Smart in Gulf colours. It looked good - for a Smart!

http://www.fxuk.net/eflo/mer_showImageCustom.ashx?folder=NSIMG&imageid=5430&maxw=569&maxh=425

[anfield5]

We have a slight issue on this thread, because when the forum's changed format, we lost many pictures. So this may have been posted, but lost. I am not sure.

I love the Leyton House
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/leytonhouse-judd_cg901b_1990-12.jpg

I always wanted the front suspension blisters on this one to be painted like eyes

[steveaki13]

How abou the Porsche 906?

I think its a great looking car, but I sense others may not be so keen. It has that kind of love it or hate it aspect.

http://www.autoconcept-reviews.com/cars_reviews/porsche/porsche-906/wallpapers/Porsche%20906%201966%206cyl%201991cc%20N60%201%20c opy.jpg

[anfield5]

Ligier JS11 is also a bit love/hate. There is just something about it that I love

http://www.carsfotodb.com/uploads/ligier/ligier-js11/ligier-js11-11.jpg

Many of Gerard Ducarouge's cars had a purposeful ellagance about them.

[pcal226]

Another one of my favorites: the Chaparral 2D which won the 1966 1000km Nürburgring driven by Phil Hill and Jo Bonnier. It was an unusually elegant design from a company which produced some of the ugliest (albeit most innovative) race cars in history (the 2J "fan car" comes to mind…).

http://www.tamsoldracecarsite.net/P51030518.jpg

[AAReagles]

Another beautiful GP car has to be the Brabham BT52. Possibly the most elegant looking GP car ever made

Which is why I can't pin it w/just one design; the Williams FW07 in qualifying trim looks badass too. With an upgrade of #27 slapped on it - even before delegation to Villeneuve/Ferrari.

Oddly enough, my two favorite helmet designs co-relate with their respective cars.

- Jones/FW07
- Patrese/BT52

[philipbain]

My vote goes to the Porsche 917L in 1970 Le Mans spec, a bit of a beast but very fast, took the pole at Le Mans in 1970. As the 917 developed it sprouted a splitter and meaningful downforce and as a result became less of a looker, even if it did become more manageable to drive.