Current trends in the "What were we thinking" file 20 years from now?

[Derek69SS]

What current automotive trends that you currently like do you think are the next air-shocks, side-pipes, Keystone Classics, and florescent graphics on pastel colored cars? (most of which are still popular here in MN :lol: )

Luckily, wheels are easy to change, as those tend to go in and out of style pretty quickly (look at the billet wheels of the early 90s) yet some wheels, mostly with simplistic designs tend to stick around for a long time. My brother is constantly trying to convince me that anything over 15" diameter will be out of style in 10 years. :rolleyes: I always argue performance never goes out of style and the 17-18 offer a level of performance that 15s can't...

Paint schemes aren't so easy to change, and neither are body-mods. I currently LOVE the 2-tone look with a dark maroon, black, or blue on top and silver sides, but I have to wonder if it will be "dated" in 10 years. I'm almost certain the burnt orange colors will be "dated" in the future, but the 2-tone look may stick around... maybe to a lesser extent than its popularity today, but I think it will always have a pretty classic look. Body mods will have to be pretty subtle, or completely functional to not have that "Corvette Summer" look to them when the styles change. :rofl:

What else would you guys maybe avoid doing to your cars because you don't want to re-do it when the next "Chip Foose" comes around and makes you re-evaluate your tastes?

[XcYZ]

That's a good question... I'd say paint schemes and interior mods. The same stuff that dates cars now. You can always tell when a car was done in the 80's.

I don't see 17 and 18 inch wheels ever going out of style. Look what the factories are installing on the new cars; the Vettes, Vipers, etc.

You bring up a good point about 2 tone paint jobs. It will be interesting to see how things play out with that. I'm guessing it will depend on how tasteful it's done. I think the next trend in paint will be satin finishes complementing your standard 2 stage paint.

[Diognes56]

I can't think of anything that I would do now that I wouldn't like later. Truth be told, I can hardly think of anything anything going on in the hotrod/classic car/musclecar/pro-touring world that I don't like. Some of it might be being pushed to the extreme at the moment, but I don't think it has gotten to the "what were we thinking" stage (for the most part). There are so many cool parts and creative ideas going into some of coolest cars ever :thumbsup: (many of them owned by guys on here :cool: ).

Now, late model cars, new cars, and imports is a completely different story. I am constantly wondering what some group or another is thinking, heck sometimes they are wondering what they were thinking after only 3 months much less 20 years from now :lol: .

David

[rwhite692]

One has to wonder if, 10-15 years from now, we will look back at today's LSx swaps the way we look at cars from the mid-eighties with TPI swaps today...Wonder what kind of wild crate motors will be available from GM in 2020....!

[BC69]

I think that the HUGE wheels will get dated. 17-19 is one thing. 24's is another thing! Also I would agree that the motors going in the cars will get outdated. An LS1 will be ancient in 10 years, and maybe it will be an LS50 or something by then!

Of course what will they think 20 years from now when they find cars with these "lateral-g.net" stickers all over them!!! ;)

Tim

[XcYZ]

Wonder what kind of wild crate motors will be available from GM in 2020....!

Hydrogen.... or Mr. Fusion. :lol:

[Derek69SS]

One has to wonder if, 10-15 years from now, we will look back at today's LSx swaps the way we look at cars from the mid-eighties with TPI swaps today...This one is kind of funny to me, as I'm stuck between them with an LT1... am I already outdated? Compared to the cars on this site, yes, but out in public, it's pretty high-tech to most around here. :thumbsup:

[Hdesign]

2 words...Wood Grain. :_paranoid


Well, I think the PT or G-machine movement has been an incredible step forward in vintage cars. It's more of a form follows function revolution than past superficial and short lived trends. Performance and handling of these cars has been exponentially increased by the aftermarket and pioneers that were looking for more than just straightline advancements. The fact that car makers have caught on to this "trend" is promising, in that, they've invested in the tooling and sourcing of tires for larger diameter wheels. I'm predicting that we won't see this style go away quickly.

However, paint is a different story. There is nothing more subjective or trendy than color, generally speaking. Has everything been tried? Who knows, I doubt it. We've seen solids, pastels and teals mixed with wild graphics, primered retro rods, metal flake speckled lowriders with murals, chameleon (flipflop), Barris style, Gene Winfield fades, skulls and flames of every shape and size, scallops, tribal thorns, deep candies and pearls, Cali-2 tones, 3 tones, race-inspired, and woodies.

Maybe we'll stop painting altogether and have our raw sheetmetal brushed and anodized clear, or maybe chromed or bronzed or upholstered. What about a polished copper plated body? The DOT would probably have a field day with those.

I think there are several "safe" colors that never go out of style: red, black, sliver, dark blue never seem to show their age. The thing is most people want to be different or trendy, that's when you date stamp your car in some ways.

[Ummgawa]

24's bitch :D

[Derek69SS]

trends that you currently like
24's bitch :D
I didn't know you were such a fan :rofl:

[Steve1968LS2]

I'm almost certain the burnt orange colors will be "dated" in the future, but the 2-tone look may stick around...



you --> :lolhit: <-- me

[V8TV]

I'm curious about the streetrodification of muscle cars. I know we're all spoiled by new cars that have ameneites, comfort, and functionality way beyond '60's musclecars, but I'm still not sure about the direction of some of the musclecars being built today. Leather and billet has replaced tweed and... billet. On the positive side, at least we have artisans like Marquez Design to thank for creating billet parts that enhance the car. Remember all the billet interior parts for Chevy trucks with thier ball-milled splashes and random stripe patterns? It was like the psychodelic graphics from the 70's moved inside the car and landed in aluminum.

[Derek69SS]

you --> :lolhit: <-- me :lol: Don't forget what I said in the first sentence... trends I currently like :thumbsup:

[Scotch]

I know the PT crowd isn't doing it so much, but the proliferation of video screens and insane quantities of stereo gear is sure to pass.

Technology will bring smaller, more-powerful audio components that will make the huge amps obsolete. I think folks will settle for one good video screen to control their A/V electronics, EFI programming, and navigation systems. I don't think 7 or more screens will be wanted any more.

Style-wise, form follows function. Maybe less 19s-20s, and more 'standardized' 17s-18s.

I already feel the days of exposed carbon fiber are numbered...

Color-wise, paint scheme-wise, who's to say? These styles change with the wind. The tribal style is already old. Candies and metallics are hot now, and there's a return to metalflake brewing in the 'kustom' market.

Airbag suspensions are still evolving - the early setups already look primitive compared to the latest goodies from Air Ride Tech.

Digital gauges are done.

I think the days of the non-overdrive transmission (both manual and automatic) are numbered as well. The Turbo 400 and Muncie 4-spd had a great run though...

~SP~

[BThibodeaux]

I know the PT crowd isn't doing it so much, but the proliferation of video screens and insane quantities of stereo gear is sure to pass.

Technology will bring smaller, more-powerful audio components that will make the huge amps obsolete. I think folks will settle for one good video screen to control their A/V electronics, EFI programming, and navigation systems. I don't think 7 or more screens will be wanted any more.

Style-wise, form follows function. Maybe less 19s-20s, and more 'standardized' 17s-18s.

I already feel the days of exposed carbon fiber are numbered...

Color-wise, paint scheme-wise, who's to say? These styles change with the wind. The tribal style is already old. Candies and metallics are hot now, and there's a return to metalflake brewing in the 'kustom' market.

Airbag suspensions are still evolving - the early setups already look primitive compared to the latest goodies from Air Ride Tech.

Digital gauges are done.

I think the days of the non-overdrive transmission (both manual and automatic) are numbered as well. The Turbo 400 and Muncie 4-spd had a great run though...

~SP~


"Digital gauges are done."

Don't tell Mark...... :lol:

[ProdigyCustoms]

While our next in house project is very orange, I do very much believe orange will be the purples and teals of days gone by. That wont stop me though.

And while our next in house project will have powder coated wheels on it, I think they will be out of fashion in years to come, but today they are hot.

The stereo stuff will not die, that is a sub ciulture most of us will never know. I got some exposure to it in the last couple years, those guys are nuts with their money. There is too much money out there in the gang banger, athlete (sometimes one and the same), drug dealers and the likes.

I HOPE the fiberglass engine covers go away, tommorow would not be to soon.

Autographed cars and parts. It seems everyone has Foose, Boyd, Shelby, whomever sign their car, even if they did not build it? For the life of me I cannot understand why someone would let anyone touch their car with a sharpie. What does it mean anyway? Look everyone, Chip Foose was close enough to my car to write on it? WOW!

[Elusive R]

One has to wonder if, 10-15 years from now, we will look back at today's LSx swaps the way we look at cars from the mid-eighties with TPI swaps today...

I'm with Derek - there are still a lot of people running carb setups. The car shows I get to are pretty much 95% or more carbed. EFI is still in the minority. Maybe not here or on other boards, but...

I don't think you meant much by your comment, but how do you look at TPI swaps (or modified TPI swaps)?

Ryan

[G-Body]

I found interesting in how you finished your post, again good subject but, one thing i personally beleive in is not having someone dicktate my trend such as Foose i am an artist and car designer aswell and have always been big on pushing my ideas and designs past the normal and sure chips stuff is really unique but like most of on this board we have already adopted clean build designs, but moral is i would not let anyone dictate what's hot ecs because there on a public TV show, example OCC bulding choppers i have seen there bikes in person and they are really clean but buy far not the best designed bikes and builders compared to jim nasi and paul yaffee etc.... now with that said i thing all the replys are really onto something and that was a tuff ? lol but i think the styles now that will be gone are spinners big 28 " wheels on a regal etc as for pro touring i agree it has progress so well over the years because its based on performance and safety, i personally have a pro street that i'm building now and they said that would be the biggest trend to go but it to possess that wow look with the low stance and big wheel tire look and performance good ? later

[comp-spec]

Heres a couple of two tones I did the Willys about 13 years ago and the camaro about 11 years agohttp://www.competition-specialties.com/My%20Pictures/willytruck01.jpg http://www.competition-specialties.com/pics/mareti/mareti10.jpg http://www.competition-specialties.com/My%20Pictures/mareti02.jpg

[BThibodeaux]

While our next in house project is very orange, I do very much believe orange will be the purples and teals of days gone by. That wont stop me though.

And while our next in house project will have powder coated wheels on it, I think they will be out of fashion in years to come, but today they are hot.

The stereo stuff will not die, that is a sub ciulture most of us will never know. I got some exposure to it in the last couple years, those guys are nuts with their money. There is too much money out there in the gang banger, athlete (sometimes one and the same), drug dealers and the likes.

I HOPE the fiberglass engine covers go away, tommorow would not be to soon.

Autographed cars and parts. It seems everyone has Foose, Boyd, Shelby, whomever sign their car, even if they did not build it? For the life of me I cannot understand why someone would let anyone touch their car with a sharpie. What does it mean anyway? Look everyone, Chip Foose was close enough to my car to write on it? WOW!

Frank,
I agree on all points, especially the stereo one. It's kind of like rap music. I told myself in the very early eighties that it would be gone soon (like disco) , but have grudgingly come to the realization that it has a strong enough following to keep it alive way past expectancy. My 18 year old and his "boys" still love it today. However, if we really look forward 20 years, and Scott's quasi-joke about Hydrogen cell power comes to realization; I really don't want to look into an engine compartment of a vintage car and see that crap. In this case, a cosmetic cover will be just fine with me.

[race-rodz]

well i like lambo doors, 28" wheels with spinners, and 39" of lift on my mono-chromatic woodgrain pinto wagon strech limo/truck with the hot tub in the back..... just got the "loco-motion" and "heartbeat" stickers on it :thumbsup:

some things never go out of style..... just like 8 tracks

[BThibodeaux]

well i like lambo doors, 28" wheels with spinners, and 39" of lift on my mono-chromatic woodgrain pinto wagon strech limo/truck with the hot tub in the back..... just got the "loco-motion" and "heartbeat" stickers on it :thumbsup:

some things never go out of style..... just like 8 tracks


Now your talkin'. Finally, a man of true vision. :rofl:

[rwhite692]

I'm with Derek - there are still a lot of people running carb setups. The car shows I get to are pretty much 95% or more carbed. EFI is still in the minority. Maybe not here or on other boards, but...

I don't think you meant much by your comment, but how do you look at TPI swaps (or modified TPI swaps)?

Ryan

Hi Ryan, don't get me wrong, what I meant was only to point out the "dating" effect, when you see a car with a TPI swap, you pretty much know the time frame when it was built. Nothing wrong at all, with any of it....:thumbsup:

[71Nova]

I really like the 2 tone style that is popular, yet at the same time I remember how much I used to hate it in the 90's. I think they are a temporary fad.