I stumbled upon this '37 Delage and don't think I had seen it before. A simply awesome design from that era. Whatever happened to incredible French design?!

Edited September 16, 200520 yr by HarleyEarl

Germany happened.

yes, you may be right...didn't think of that.

Yep, WWII left Europe in shambles. Ive had this argument a few times about why European cars were as they were and were kinda behind in many areas. They lost industrial might while America gained it. America was ready to go and Europe was rebuilding. Delage Delahaye Bugatti They really did have some awsome stylests which kinda contridicts a few GM bragging rights, once again not to take anything from the greats but styling was going on in automobile for a long time. this car is absolutely stunning Harley, looks like perhaps the same designer as the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic. I think I like this Delage better though. Awsome !

I beg to differ. I think modern French cars have some of the most striking, adventurous designs on the road. Citroen, Peugeot, Renault... all have very interesting designs out now. Not so sure about the quality, but they sure do look good!

I beg to differ.  I think modern French cars have some of the most striking, adventurous designs on the road.  Citroen, Peugeot, Renault... all have very interesting designs out now.  Not so sure about the quality, but they sure do look good!

[post="15519"][/post]

I will gladly break down that argument by picking and choosing selectively to bolster my point.

For every...


or...


there are too many...


and...

Well, ya can't say the above designs aren't original. They can't all be beautiful. I was trying to choose my adjectives carefully. When you think about it, the van is at least an attempt to take a box and add some flair to it. The Renault hatchback at the bottom has some dignity at least.

I know what you are saying Blu, I kinda forgot to think about Renault and Peugeot but still there was something going on in Franch automotive styling prior to the war that just never came back to life.

The US lost some grand marques as well though come to think about it.

Well, ya can't say the above designs aren't original.  They can't all be beautiful.  I was trying to choose my adjectives carefully.  When you think about it, the van is at least an attempt to take a box and add some flair to it.  The Renault hatchback at the bottom has some dignity at least.

[post="15532"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Yeah, that's true though.

The Vel Satis honestly has some strange appeal to me. Granted, the interior layout is pretty odd and dated, but its about the only attractive Renault I've ever seen. Plus, they have balls to try and make a hatchback an 'executive saloon.'

The Trafic is not only a victim of bad spelling, but just bad. Flair is one thing, but damnit, its still a van. The most handsome vans, IMO, are vans that look like vans - Ram wagon, Astro van. I can respect all of them for not being trying to be hip and failing (Quest), but just being honest-to-goodness vans.

I think that's the most times the word 'van' has been used in one post. Wait.

Martin Van Buren wore his Vans while rocking out to the Vans in his Caravan minivan.

I'm done.

I can see what Ocnblu and Razor are saying but in the end most French designs from the past few years look GROSS to me. Absolutely awful. All four of the above posted Citroen/Renault/Peugeot cars are terrible. Sorry.