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Interesting Hagerty Article

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JPSmit

JPSmit

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What happened to happy looking cars?

This was the pic
1675880534452.png


Here is the article > What happened to happy-looking cars? - Hagerty Media <

and I couldn't agree more - including the overwhelming number of Chrysler products whose tailights look like storm troopers
 
Loved that article. NOBODY smiles anymore! (That hasn't changed for me -- I've been guilty of carrying a perma-scowl since I was too young to know better. I have "resting murder-face" apparently.)

It seems like every car show around here has a line of newer muscle cars (all the Big 3), half of which have a Stormtrooper or Darth Vader doll next to it or under the hood.
 
For guys who think they "lack testosterone", the tough guy frowing appearance might catch their attention.

When's the last time you saw a guy riding a Harley, smiling as he rode by?

Edit: many college athletic team mascots have changed to "tough looking" critters.

UConn Huskies mascot logo 1960 to today:

image-16.png


gotta look tough!
 
JPSmit said:
What happened to happy looking cars?

This was the pic
View attachment 85671

Here is the article > What happened to happy-looking cars? - Hagerty Media <

and I couldn't agree more - including the overwhelming number of Chrysler products whose tailights look like storm troopers
Click to expand...

Note that pictured Bugeye has "Caitlin Jenner" on the side. That car was a cover car of Healey Marque magazine some years ago, with none other than Jay Leno's next to it, posing as a homeless guy cleaning the windshield with a wadded-up newspaper.
 
MIght I also suggest the Meyers Manx as a happy car, with the slogan 'More smiles per mile?" And we're privileged to have driven a Bugeye (when it ran, off and on) for some fifty years, and a Manx clone (when it ran, off and on) for some 25 years. Small children and point -as do their mothers - at the Bugeye; junior high students give you a thumbs up. And both brighten everyone's day, including mine. Doug
 
"The best part about owning something unique — and approachable — is that it provides an excuse for conversation. If you have a baby or a puppy or a cool car, strangers feel allowed to open a conversation. And communication enriches all of our lives." The foregoing is a quote that made it into an article on our Austin-Healey 3000. Culturally, I don't expect someone to suddenly start chatting with me out of the blue; we need an excuse to do this, babies/puppies/interesting cars/happy cars provide that excuse. Doug
 
twas_brillig said:
MIght I also suggest the Meyers Manx as a happy car, with the slogan 'More smiles per mile?" And we're privileged to have driven a Bugeye (when it ran, off and on) for some fifty years, and a Manx clone (when it ran, off and on) for some 25 years. Small children and point -as do their mothers - at the Bugeye; junior high students give you a thumbs up. And both brighten everyone's day, including mine. Doug
Click to expand...
Indeed (and agreed to your second post as well) I love that kids love my car - I think they think of it as a Stuart Little car. I also love that women love it. :giggle: 🤣 . I still remember one of the first cruise nights I ever went to I was parked behind a Vette. Literally every couple that came by the woman said 'look at the cute car.' and the guy responded 'look at the vette.' :D
 
JPSmit said:
Indeed (and agreed to your second post as well) I love that kids love my car - I think they think of it as a Stuart Little car. I also love that women love it. :giggle: 🤣 . I still remember one of the first cruise nights I ever went to I was parked behind a Vette. Literally every couple that came by the woman said 'look at the cute car.' and the guy responded 'look at the vette.' :D
Click to expand...
YES!! My first friends when we moved to this area are heavily Corvette people. They were kind enough to invite me with my anemic little beige Mercedes 380SL to shows and cruises. They never seemed to notice that while the teenaged men were gathered around talking tough about their Vettes, the girlfriends and wives were chatting with me about how cute the lil' roadster was...
 
And now it seems that people even try to alter their vehicles to make them look angry. Look at the number of round-eyed Jeeps that people put some sort of plastic facade on to make them look like they are about to steal your lunch money.
 
The Elan has a smile as well.
 
And so does a MX-5 Miata for NA, NB, and NC Models. Current ND Body Style makes me want to throw up in my mouth.
 
I agree about the new Miatas, though I am not really a big fan of the NC either. I didn't think the ND looked too bad in pictures, but when I saw one in real life, too tall and stubby, Fiat did a much better job of styling on the same chassis.

And yes, most all cars have "mean faces" these days, squinty eyes (headlights) vs. the open, friendly look of a Bugeye. And don't even get me started on the big trucks and SUVs.
 
JPSmit said:
Indeed (and agreed to your second post as well) I love that kids love my car - I think they think of it as a Stuart Little car. I also love that women love it. :giggle: 🤣 . I still remember one of the first cruise nights I ever went to I was parked behind a Vette. Literally every couple that came by the woman said 'look at the cute car.' and the guy responded 'look at the vette.' :D
Click to expand...
When someone says my car looks “cute”, I usually tell them that if my car used the toilet it would leave the seat up :devilgrin:
 
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