I am sure most of you who read my blog know that one of the things that makes me happy, is looking at, and learning about classic cars. The Mercedes - Benz company has a great history filled with making some of the most striking automobiles in history. The 1936 540s are among the most beautiful of all time. The lines are superb from every angle. The craftsmanship is the best. What I find of interest is that they have always made autos that not only looked great, but are cutting edge tech wise. From the early days right up to the 2013 model year, they are producing autos that surpass most of what other companies are doing.
As a kid, I spent long hours with pencil in hand drawing what I felt were great auto designs. I always wanted to enter the Fisher Body Craftsman Guild auto design contest for high school kids, but never got beyond the drawing stage. I feel that I had designs that were as good as what Detroit was doing, some better. I never matched the great design houses of Germany and Italy. I feel sad that most autos today look like clones of an idea a designer, with no taste, sold to his boss. With few exceptions, America is being sold blobs of nothing worth looking at. At least the 2013 Ford Fusion is looking like an interesting auto, a take off of one of the great British manufacturers.
Beauty is worth the effort. Why make something that is ugly or bland, when you can design something of true beauty?
