RE: [alfa] Re: Stupid Looking Alfas

["Brian Shorey" <bshorey@xxxxxxxxx>]

> > Well now maybe the Disco Volante is your cup of tea but I say there 
> > goes a stupid looking car that might grow on you
> 
> Design is many things, very often it is a reflection of the 
> times; a conceptual 'exploration' of ideas, trends, 
> technologies and the like. 
> When looking back on history, one cannot accurately judge (especially
> subjectively) a design without a complete understanding of 
> the *context*, i.e. what the world was like at that time in history.
> 
> Many parts of the world were *alive* with thoughts of the 
> "futuristic society" we were entering. Post war times were 
> consumed with thoughts of jet powered airplanes, rockets and 
> space ships. Hell, Wheaties boxes offered cardboard "space 
> helmets" for all the kids to wear, even woman's shoes had 
> fins. We saw the future as the world of the Jetsons. 
> Disco Volante means "flying disc" in English.
> 
> Uninformed judgement is, well . . . just an opinion which is 
> nothing more than hot air. There is a very good video simpliy 
> called "Design" 
> that not only has a good explanation of what design is but 
> also has a good clip on life in the post war era. A good 
> start for novices. I will try to put up a proper reference 
> and maybe a clip of that if I can, sometime in the near 'future' .

Well said Tom.

For me, the test of a really good design is time.  Look back at cars 10, 20
years.  Which ones look 'classic', which ones look dated.  Most Alfas still
pass the test of time (including the Disco, for me).  Most American and
Japanese cars look like dated appliances (my opinion).

The Milano is a good case study for me.  I thought it was ridiculous and
ugly the first time I saw one.  It grew on me over time.  Now I look at it
and it looks great, and I can see it's influence on other cars.

My .02,

bs
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