Coach Lessons from the Cars
Page 57
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By a Special Correspondent
CAR styling, as exemplified by exhibits
at the Motor Show, is in the doldrums. But, nevertheless, there are some pointers for coach bodybuilders. Indeed, inspiration is, surprisingly, to be found among the American vehicles. In an attempt to produce a wider, lower appearance, some of the cars from the U.S.A. have adopted frontal styling techniques which could well be adapted to the design of large coaches. This type of layout is seen in the Oldsmobile 88 grille arrangement, shown above.
Humber have been less successful in their treatment of a wider-than-normal front grille accompanied by rather afterthought-like paired headiamps (middle right). This stylist could certainly have taken a tip from current coach bodies.
Wheel spats on cars, as on coaches, arc fast losing ground. On the Farinadesigned bodies for the larger B.M.C. cars, the rear wheel-arches are extended to the rear. This gives the car a faintly eager look (top right) but exposes arather indecent amount of underbody detail. On the small Saab cars the problem of rear window misting is solved by a duct at the bottom of the rear light through which air is drawn by small extractors on the body exterior, shown at the right.
The rear end of the Citroen Safari estate car is included merely to show how car design could benefit from the study of contemporary coaches. A new Borgward car, which, incidentally, has air suspension at all wheels, is the subject of the other rear view (bottom right).. The bright metal beading nicely defines the extremities of the rear panel. and, if applied to a coach, would provide a frame for signWriting.