copycats

[Photon440]

Way, way back in the last century, Chrysler had the fairly sleek looking Concorde, and there was the similar Dodge Intrepid. (Except in Canada where the Intrepid was also a Chrysler and Dodge sold mainly trucks).

These 1998 models looked good back then and did well for sales, up to the point where the stylishly formal V8 powered 300 made an entrance, coupled with the more aggressively angular Charger and Chrysler's new designs moved into the present.

The 1998 Intrepid

So why is it that years later everyone else is copying these nearly 20 year old designs? Here are some examples of what I mean.
2017 Buick

2017 Acura

2017 Honda

2017 Kia

2018 Jaguar

2017 Mercedes Benz

Maserati

2017 VW Passat

Tesla

Do you see the same resemblance that I see?
Maybe it's time for more appreciation for our old Concordes!

 

[polywideblock]

could be that they all use a generic "design-a-car " computer programme , or snipe each others designers

 

[YY1]

Aerodynamics.

The most aerodynamic shape is a tapered bubble/teardrop.

Get too far away from that and mileage suffers.

The post 2005 LX cars were designed specifically to not be as aerodynamic in favor of styling.

...and BTW the basic underpinning on that 98 LH is the basis for even brand new Chargers/Challengers.
In fact, it's even older IIRC the 1887 Eagle.

 

[the mississippi madman]

Next time you see someone with a tesla tell them " nice intrepid "

 

[khryslerkid]

I've seen what you are talking about for years now and sometimes have to wonder, who came out with the design first. The Dodge truck is a perfect example and we all know who had that design first.

 

[FJ6AAR]

I've seen what you are talking about for years now and sometimes have to wonder, who came out with the design first. The Dodge truck is a perfect example and we all know who had that design first.

Studebaker!

 

[big_shmoop]

Aerodynamics.

The most aerodynamic shape is a tapered bubble/teardrop.

Get too far away from that and mileage suffers.

The post 2005 LX cars were designed specifically to not be as aerodynamic in favor of styling.

...and BTW the basic underpinning on that 98 LH is the basis for even brand new Chargers/Challengers.
In fact, it's even older IIRC the 1887 Eagle.

Pretty much this.

As boring as it is, they're kinda forced to stay the course most the time to achieve project fuel efficiency goals.

 

[YY1]

In the mid-90's everything on the road started to look like the DOW scrubbing bubbles.

Thankfully the past decade and a half have seen some return to styling.

I can't believe those words just came out of my "form follows function" brain.....

 

[Swampdog]

I have come to calling them Jelly-Beans. Looking at a parking lot or car dealer they are all shaped the same and are colored like a bunch of Jelly-Beans.

 

[khryslerkid]

Studebaker!

Hey, never thought about that!

 

[FJ6AAR]

That's what I learn to drive on. 1958 Studebaker. First time I saw a 94 dodge truck I thought it looked like one.

 

[YY1]

...if you like your jelly beans in white, silver, black, and metallic desert tan...

 

[YY1]

...and I though the "new" Ram looked like a cross between a 53 ford truck and a kenworth.

Now that styling really did disrupt the status quo, and IMO was the true start of the "retro" styling trend.

 

[Photon440]

...and BTW the basic underpinning on that 98 LH is the basis for even brand new Chargers/Challengers.
In fact, it's even older IIRC the 1887 Eagle.

I know, it's quite amazing how long they're managing to keep the basic platform going - much longer than our beloved B bodies ever did. Even before the Eagle you mentioned (1887?? ) that chassis was part of the 1983 Renault 25. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_25

I'll bet those original engineers never dreamed that there would be supercharged hemis under the hood...

 

[Kern Dog]

Pretty much this.

As boring as it is, they're kinda forced to stay the course most the time to achieve project fuel efficiency goals.

Thanks, Obama.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Hey, never thought about that!
View attachment 417628

While I kinda like the old Studebaker trucks every time I see one it's kinda a flashback, one of the guys in my high shop auto shop class had one & it clearly was a working farm truck from a dairy.... Every time he brought that thing in the whole shop smelled like cow manure for days.... Just seeing that picture my brain flashed back to cow manure... It's been 45 years since I saw that truck & still I smell cow ****...

 

[Hey-O]

The Intrepid and the whole platform line for that matter was built with the cab forward concept in mind, giving way to more interior space. It was a first and in a way very much ahead of it's time in design. I had a 2000 Intrepid EX and loved it!!

 

[khryslerkid]

While I kinda like the old Studebaker trucks every time I see one it's kinda a flashback, one of the guys in my high shop auto shop class had one & it clearly was a working farm truck from a dairy.... Every time he brought that thing in the whole shop smelled like cow manure for days.... Just seeing that picture my brain flashed back to cow manure... It's been 45 years since I saw that truck & still I smell cow ****...

 

[coronet68mx]

I think like many many other things cars reflect the style and fashion of an specific era, late seventies for an example have this hideous huge bumpers hidden lamps etc.