Automakers show pride in designs

For quite a while, cars had an identity crisis. A soft economy, efforts to improve fuel economy with aerodynamic design and automakers' floundering sense of direction were responsible.

It was disconcerting. Having grown up in a time when there was no doubt about an automobile's heritage, I found little appeal in those four-wheel clones.

My dad's `59 Ford Galaxie 500 had the biggest, roundest taillights you could imagine. Round taillights and small tail fins and Ford were synonymous. My uncle drove a `58 two-door hardtop Chevrolet Impala. Mostly, I recall its fins. Chevy started out meek with just the hint of a fin on a `55. When the classic `57 arrived, they were making a statement. By `59 they had gone overboard -- the tail of a `59 Chevy Impala looked like Moby Dick's first cousin.

Then, automakers weren't afraid to offer visual identity. I missed that in many of the cars of the past decade. Much to my delight, that trend seems to be reversing itself.

A bevy of vehicles still cruise the highways that take two or three looks to really decide what they are, but more American manufacturers seem willing to give their products an identity.

Ford took a bold step with the new styling on the Taurus and Sable. There seems to be no middle of the road; consumers either love it or hate it. But it doesn't take a second look to tell what it is.

The Taurus' oval rear window precludes mistaken identity at any distance.

Ford's venerable Mustang line makes a strong statement. You could never mistake it for anything other than a pony car. Its archrival, the sleek Chevrolet Camaro, holds styling cues uniquely its own.

It may be difficult to tell a NASCAR Ford or Chevy from each other on the track, but on the highway, there is a sizable difference between Thunderbird and Monte Carlo profiles.

The Dodge Intrepid's wedge shape and cab-forward design also have a one-of-a-kind silhouette. The Chrysler Cirrus, Dodge Stratus and Plymouth Breeze share the same identifiable corporate outline.

Even the little frog-eyed Neon has a unique, pert appearance that complements its "Hi!" attitude.

The Eldorado, Seville and Sedan DeVille are unmistakably Cadillacs. The corporate statement will continue with the `97 Catera.

It appears American carmakers are once again proud of who they are. After all, if you don't believe in yourself, how can you expect anyone else to?

Linda Sharp is a training consultant to auto manufacturers.Write to her in care of Wheels, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, P.O. Box 4689, Atlanta, Ga. 30302. Or send comments online to ltzj93a

Copyright 1996
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