Things I Like - Odds & Ends

After fighting for years to keep cars that run on alternative fuel sources off the road, the major carmakers all have some form of electric or hybrid car in design or production. It’s about time.

In addition to the energy benefits of these cars (reduction of carbon emissions and an eventual decreased reliance on oil), they are also very quiet. Can you imagine a hybrid taxi fleet in New York City? Along with a significant improvement in the air quality, they might even be able to hear the cries of the bicyclists they’re sideswiping.

Unfortunately, the majority of the green cars out there are nothing special in the looks department:

The Prius
Subaru R1E
Miles Automotive Group XS500Photos

Although there are a couple that look nice (BMW’s Mini Cooper is identical to the current incarnation and the Tesla Roadster looks like fun), the cars of today – whether gas or hybrid or electric, are generally pretty dull. Unless it’s a sports car or luxury model, they all look the same and it’s not pretty. Whatever happened to the style and panache of the cars Detroit was putting out in the 1950’s? Wouldn’t you love to drive around in one of these?

1951 Buick XP 300
1951 Buick LeSabre
1953 Lincoln Fifty X-100
1953 Cadillac Ghia CoupePhotos

Yes, they’re bigger and clearly heavier but good design doesn’t require muscle, just imagination.

See more photos of classic cars here.
Thanks to Dad for forwarding an email with classic car photos.