Our world became more colorful when automobile was invented. There are many vehicle were invented before 1886 including Ferdinand Verbiest’s steam-powered cars (1672), Nicholas Joseph Cugnot’s first self-propelled vehicle (1769), Robert Anderson’s first crude electric carriage (1832-1839) and Gustave Trouve’s electric cars in 1881. However, the Benz Patent Motorwagen is widely recognized as first gasoline-powered car which introduced by Karl Benz in 1886.

During 1900s, it is the beginning of automobile’s growth when Henry Ford founded Ford Motor Company and launched the famous Ford Model A and later on the renowned Ford Model T. Since then, we see many other famous car brands pop up including Dodge, Chevrolet, Aston Martin, and many more.

Automobile Design

Automobile technology needs to update from time to time, but design can be timeless. A car is a fashion and it should be like fashion. It should emphasize on the design, performance, and comfortable. The automobile world has a huge transition when Harley Earl’s designed world’s first concept car, the 1938 Buick Y Job. Although Buick Y Job never go into production, it change the way people think how a car should be, it should be good to drive and nice to see too.

Most of the cars from the late 30s and 40s featured beautiful lining and silky-look. Everyone will feel happy and pleasure to see any of them running on the road today. This is because of “Design”. However, the production of cars in the era is very limited due to World War. Many notable car brands are from the UK and Europe including Austin, Morris, Bugatti, Bentley, Triumph, Rolls-Royce, and many others.

Automobile industry boosted in the 50s and 60s after World War ends. In 1959, the legendary Mini was introduced. Although it has minor changes on the engine and some detailing, the car still looks almost the same for few decades until 2000. It is the design that keeps the car for almost half a century where any other cars unable to do it. Even today, you can still see many Mini enthusiasts using this car as daily car not only in Great Britain, UK, but all over the world.

During 60s to 70s, it is even crazier when our world has flooded with muscle cars, muscle cars from America! One reason why American muscle cars are highly regarded as the best car to own is because it gives the driver who behind the wheels a great feel. A feel of power, fierce, and a little bad ass (alright, you know we were just joking). See how wonder the muscle cars are: 1969 American muscle cars, 1970 Dodge muscle cars, and top 100 muscle cars. Nevertheless, due to emission issue many car manufacturers ended the lifecycle of muscle cars.

In the 80s, it is a little disappointing because not much of cars worth remembering compared to previous years. Only a few to name including Lamborghini Countach, DMC DeLorean, Lotus Esprit (James Bond’s car), 1983 Corvette C4, Ferrari 308 GTSI, Ferrari Testarossa, Porsche 911, Panther Kallistar, and TVR Tasmin. Well, we might miss some of the car names here. Many drifting fans may think about the legendary 1986 Toyota AE86 Trueno which was made famous by real life Drift King Mr. Keichi Tsuchiya. It will be old lady’s daily ride to market for vegetables and fish without the fame.

In late 80s to 90s, it is very sad to say that many cars have gone “square”. It is an era where you see many cars look boring. Take the Lotus Elite Types 75 and 83 for example. Model year from 1958 to 1963 is so beautiful and aided by “carefully selected racing customers” but the Type 75 is so square with a huge boot. It totally give no sports feeling. If you look back to most of the 80s and 90s cars on the road, aren’t they are a little “square”?

How people want the future cars to be?

From 2000 to 2012, there are many great super exotic sports cars running on earth including SSC Ultimate Aero, Bugatti Veyron, Saleen S7, Koenigsegg CCX, McLaren F1, Ferrari Enzo, Pagani Zonda, Lamborghini Reventon, Aston Martin DBS, Audi R8, Nissan Skyline GTR35, and many more. The appearance of all these super cars shows that car manufacturers has once emphasize on design and performance.

On the other hand, recent year is a also a trend where hybrid and electric cars come in. People look for more affordable and fuel efficient cars like hybrid or even cars without have to use fuel, perhaps water-powered cars. However, electric cars are currently the most realistic and closed to what the market wants. Car manufacturers invent, develop, and show many concept cars in Auto Show to see how the market reacts.

During the progress, many weird and bizarre electric cars were introduced (see weird Japanese concept cars) and they are literally gay. The main reason why is because electric cars need to be as light as possible with the least weight possible.

Think, why car enthusiasts are still in love with 60s and 70s American muscle cars? Why some people unwilling to trade their original Ford Model T for high offer price? Why some youngster still prefers to drive his father’s 1974 Dodge Challenger to school rather than the 1993 Toyota Corolla? This is all because of the outlook of the car, the shape of the car, the sound of the car, and the design of the car which is priceless. Everyone wish to own a car just like wearing Dolce & Gabbana. We want a fashion car that combines beauty, performance, and durability. We are glad that the Chevrolet Volt is finally launched! It has the character of what a cool car has and been rated as the most fuel-efficient compact car sold in the US.

In conclusion, car lovers hope to see more real cool electric cars in the near future. The car doesn’t have to be able to go very fast (if that is not for racing) but able to give the driver a little more power for pickup. It will be best if the technology able to maintain the sound of the exhaust that makes people feels exciting to ride on, something like a 1967 Ford Fairlane sound in 2015 electric cars, and a little engine vibration if possible. Whether it is a car or our life, the key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering.