In some cases, design trends are a marked improvement on what was done before and become the norm, such as with flush mounted headlights and aerodynamic styling. Other trends come and go and are quickly forgotten to automotive history, such as rear 'suicide' doors and frameless side window glass.
Automotive trends have always existed and always will. When one manufacturer has success with a certain design theme or style, others are sure to copy. Every generation of vehicles has its own set of common trends that make them stand out as vehicles from the same era. A few examples include rear fender fins, partially enclosed rear wheel wells, front fender vents, pop-up headlights, grille-less noses and more. In some cases, design trends are a marked improvement on what was done before and become the norm, such as with flush mounted headlights and aerodynamic styling. Other trends come and go and are quickly forgotten to automotive history, such as rear 'suicide' doors and frameless side window glass. One interesting design theme that never seemed to catch on at all but really stands out is the reverse-angle rear window. Pioneered by Ford on several 1950's Lincoln and Mercury models, the backward-slanted rear window was a novel idea that incorporated a power window section that could be lowered for increased ventilation. The UK Ford Consul Classic (a vehicle I had the pleasure to experience firsthand in England a few years back!) was another example of a reverse-angle window vehicle and one of the prettiest version in my eyes, though the Citroen Ami6 coupe is a contender as well with its miniatureized take on the 'Z' pattern rear window design. The only other vehicle I know of that dared to deviate was the Ford Anglia. While the name may not seem all that familiar outside of the UK, many people HAVE seen one before, in the Harry Potter films. The Weasley family owns an enchanted flying Anglia that enjoys significant screen time in The Chamber of Secrets, the second installment in the series. I was lucky enough to see one recently at a summer car show, and I can't even remember if I've ever seen one in person before or not! It's the kind of car you notice from far away and begs closer inspection, simply because of the unique rear window design. Advertising back in the day suggested that the rear window in the Anglia always stayed clear of water when it rained, a claim that apparently wasn't always the case. Still, it's exciting when designers try using uncommon design themes to create an appealing and original car that stands out from the pack. This Anglia was a 1961 'Deluxe' model in white that has clearly been well taken of during its lifetime. I don't know if it spends all of its time in a garage or if it is a summer runabout, but I'm sure that any time it's out it turns heads. It's not everyday you see such an odd rear window design, so I love that the designers of the Anglia came at the design of their car from a different angle than usual...
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AuthorWelcome! My name is Paul, and I am an old-fashioned, low-pressure, low-buck car fan with lots of automotive stories to tell! Archives
February 2020
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