[Note: A significantly expanded and updated version of this article can be found here]
That air presented the greatest obstacle to automotive speed and economy was understood intuitively, if not scientifically since the dawn of the automobile. Putting it into practice was quite another story. Engineers, racers and entrepreneurs were lured by the potential for the profound gains aerodynamics offered. The efforts to do so yielded some of the more remarkable cars ever made, even if they challenged the aesthetic assumptions of their times. We’ve finally arrived at the place where a highly aerodynamic car like the Prius is mainstream. But getting there was not without turbulence. (Read More…)
Posted in Design, Editorials, History, Technology
Tagged as 1939 world fair, 1947 studebaker, 1948 hudson, 1953 studebaker, 1966 corvair, 1977 Caprice, aerodynamics, Airflow, aitlfyte, Alfa Romeo, Aptera, audi 100, audi 5000, audi a2, automotive aerodynamics, BAT, belly tank, briggs, buckminster fuller, burney, Cadillac, chaparral, Chrysler, citroen ds, citroen sm, coefficient of drag, disco volante, dkw, dodge charger daytona, dubonnet Ford, dymaxion, ferdinand porsche, ford taurus, futurama, gm ev1, hans ledwinka, history of auto, history of automotive aerodynamics, honda insight, hummer h2, isetta, jaray, jim hall, john tjaarda, lakester, land speed record, lincoln zephyr, lsr, mercedes 300slr, mercury sable, nash, NSU Ro 80, opel calibra, panhard dynavia, Paul Niedermeyer, plymouth superbird, porsche 911 RS, prototype cars, rumpler, saab 92, scarab, stanley steamer rocket, starlight coupe, step down hudson, stout, streamlined cars, streamliners, streamlining, T77, t78, tatra, torpedo, tropfenwagen, tucker, Volkswagen, VW, w124, wimille coupe, world of tomorrow
Tagged as 1939 world fair, 1947 studebaker, 1948 hudson, 1953 studebaker, 1966 corvair, 1977 Caprice, aerodynamics, Airflow, aitlfyte, Alfa Romeo, Aptera, audi 100, audi 5000, audi a2, automotive aerodynamics, BAT, belly tank, briggs, buckminster fuller, burney, Cadillac, chaparral, Chrysler, citroen ds, citroen sm, coefficient of drag, disco volante, dkw, dodge charger daytona, dubonnet Ford, dymaxion, ferdinand porsche, ford taurus, futurama, gm ev1, hans ledwinka, history of auto, history of automotive aerodynamics, honda insight, hummer h2, isetta, jaray, jim hall, john tjaarda, lakester, land speed record, lincoln zephyr, lsr, mercedes 300slr, mercury sable, nash, NSU Ro 80, opel calibra, panhard dynavia, Paul Niedermeyer, plymouth superbird, porsche 911 RS, prototype cars, rumpler, saab 92, scarab, stanley steamer rocket, starlight coupe, step down hudson, stout, streamlined cars, streamliners, streamlining, T77, t78, tatra, torpedo, tropfenwagen, tucker, Volkswagen, VW, w124, wimille coupe, world of tomorrow
Recent Comments
CarnotCycle - In effort to make things sleek invariably you’re stuck making things short, that’s a fact. But generally the Karma fails on all practicality....
99GT4.6 - I don’t know if it would have succeeded if it had more room but it would have had a much better chance. Im 6’5″ and I completely agree....
Hummer - “though we are developing alternative technology b/c it benefits everyone.”...
genuineleather - They had ADMs on the Optimas at my local dealer, but when my mother went to buy one it wasn’t even discussed beyond her saying she wasn’t...
Bandit - I also need some parts of this 75 would love it know where it is located… and if the car is still there P L E A S E !!!!!!
rushn - I had to login just to point that you need to read the WHOLE article before making...
snakebit - CamryStang, Believe it or not, push button shifters are back in vogue, case in point the new Lincoln MKZ. If you can find a photo...
CJinSD - The ’64 Fury my friend drove had buttons for Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Second and First. Park was engaged by pulling down a...
mkirk - Brown – Nope Diesel – Nope Wagon – Nope Stick Shift – Nope...
eggsalad - (A) I don’t see how this holds a candle to the $20k Grand Caravan. (B) Kia dealers in Las Vegas may not be so schlocky, but they (and their kin,...