[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
Jellodyne - I had the same experience with English in Texas.
carguy - That was in an era when cars weighed a lot less. The 4,000+ lbs cars of today need significantly more power to provide the effortless propulsion that is...
danio3834 - “The overall feeling from the passenger seat was not one of jerky, violent motion like I had imagined when I had first seen the photos in Kazu’s magazines but was instead...
carguy - Even more reasons not to do it.
Scoutdude - It was after the 2005 Mustang since Mullaly took over in late 2006. I’m not sure where the PAG divestiture lies in the bring back the Taurus name,...
Power6 - You are writing the new history, Bertel, Wikipedia is already updated with your findings…
55_wrench - My boss had one for a light delivery vehicle in ’82, and it was a blast to drive. Free revving, great acceleration (have to remember the...
gslippy - Growing pains? Fisker essentially repackaged the Volt drivetrain in a vehicle that is less reliable (how many fires and breakdowns?), more...
danio3834 - ” I still can’t look at one without being reminded of RoboCop.” Yes! These have 6000 SUX written all over them. A British tradition?
bball40dtw - Well then Scottdude, everything just got ruined. I like your alternative Ford product line better than the current. So this prior to Mullaly selling all...