This document discusses the evolution of car design over several decades from 1960 to 2010. It describes the predominant design styles of each decade such as "flow line" in the 1960s and "wedge line" in the 1970s which emphasized aerodynamics. Specific iconic car models are provided as examples for each decade. The document also profiles one influential car designer, Chris Bangle, known for his "flame surfacing" technique and revolutionary Gina concept car.

1. EVOLUTION IN CAR DESIGN
JONATHAN KASUMBA
ASSIGNMENT – 01
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2. PART A :
HISTORY BY DECADES
A STITCH IN TIME…
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1960-1970: The wonder years
• Cars connect people and places, they define how our world looks, who we want
to be and the society we live in. If that was not the case, every car would have the
same colour, shape, height and feel. Herein lies the stitches woven into time
defining the path that car design has walked.
• 1960 to 1970, a decade glorifying organic style and strong geometric tendencies
emerging along the way.
• Flow line pursued the translation of formal elements that made up the vehicle to
be summed up in a soft flowing form.
• Edge line was a style that sought to project precision and function. Good
organization of form was highlighted. More square than curved.

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• Jaguar XJ13 1960-1970

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• Lincoln Continental 1960-1970

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• Nissan Fair lady 1500 Z 1960-1970

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1970-1980: Thinking of a perfect box
• Geometry taking hold of car design as function and material demand attention.
• Wedge Line was characterized in car design by sports car side profiles taking on
a triangular shape to illustrate aerodynamics qualities.
• Edge Box exhibited more upright and straight box profiles to increase or
decrease space for the vehicle profiles. Function drove this style.
• Graph came out more as a fix it solution to material changes in vehicle
development. Bumpers and body separation called for order of color and shape.

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• Lamborghini Countach
1970-1980

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• Cadillac Eldorado
1970-1980

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• Toyota Celica GT
1970-1980

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1980-1990: The Revival
• Car designers look at building a bridge connecting the past to the future
• New baroque observed the prominent front end grill especially, and a side profile
that had a bent shape set into the side profile, reminiscent of classic cars.
• Box was the pure interpretation of geometric perfection. Fully driven by function
• Flow box was a renaissance of smooth, flowing forms and soft edges.
Integration of body components was pushed for. All this was driven by a call for
improved aerodynamics.

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• Rolls Royce
1980-1990

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• Corvette
1980-1990

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• Mazda MX5
1980-1990

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1990-2000: Kick starter
• Car design getting too confortable but struggles to get new ideas. Society wants
to walk and realize what had been left behind
• Retro inspired by the trend of tuner companies turning ordinary cars into unique
one offs. Industry adopted a style to reflect body styles of the 40’s, 50s, 60s and
reimagine them as futuristic visions.
• New box edge is a fusion of Edge, Flow and Graph elements. Rounded forms
flow into sharp edges and pointed angles.

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• Plymouth Prowler
1990-2000

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• Toyota Marino
1990-2000

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• Mercedes CL
1990-2000

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2000-2010: Future Fantastic
A show case of personality embodied in an avatar we call a car. Car design grows
new wings
• New Classic carried on the retro trend but emphasized new proportion and
innovation and remain traditional
• Edge Body is all about attention to detail on every element on the vehicle.
• Carved Body upheld a sculpted form and suggested dynamics and lightness
• Smooth Body observed clean lines elegant look and an aerodynamic flow

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• Maserati GT Sport
2000-2010

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• PT Cruiser
2000-2010

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• Nissan Z
2000-2010

23. PART B :
PICK A DESIGNER
BE INSPIRED…
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CHRIS BANGLE
• Christopher Bangle is known best for his work as Chief of Design for the BMW
Group, where he was responsible for the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce motor
cars.
• He has been noted for being outspoken and not going with the tide.
• The 7-series he designed went on to be the best selling 7-series at the time.
• He was well known for bringing a style dubbed “flame surfacing” into car design.
• Flame surfacing is essentially the use of body contours that creates concave and
convex lines.
• The architectural movement known as Deconstructivism inspires a lot of what he
does.
• Standing against convention inspires me about his attitude to design. The Gina
concept car embodies this trait and rethinks the car body as we know it. I just
love that. Revolution is possible.

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GINA CONCEPT CAR

26. END OF ASSIGNMENT
JONATHAN KASUMBA
DiCD BATCH 4
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