I used to think that if I didn't like a car in pictures, then I wouldn't like it in person.
Just the opposite happened to me, when looking at the Aventador. In the car mags, I thought it looked fantastic, best Lambo ever, etc. I was really smitten with it's looks.
Then I saw two of them at OC Cars and Coffee, a white one, and charcoal colored one.
In both cases, when I look down on them from my height, the rear end looks like the back of a big dumb bird, when it's tail feathers are spread out, or like an extinct amphibian. Just looked dumb to me, when viewed at my angle of approach. Didn't look any better form the front or side, either. Not enough organic curves. Non-organic designs have little staying power, like a pop song that quickly slides off the charts, non-organic designs initially make a splash, then quickly look dated and awkward.
At the same gathering, there were two Mclaren MP4-12Cs', one black, the other white. Judging by pics in the car mags, I had assumed that the Mclaren was sort of dull, lacking in pizazz, when compared to the 458 Italia. It was easy for me to dismiss the car as un-inspired, sterile, uptight and lacking passion. It's almost like I subconsciously enjoy being able to find some point of dislike for a car that I cannot currently afford. (Maybe so I won't be tortured with desire for it)
But seeing the Mclaren in person, had just the opposite effect on me. I found it's proportions and stance quite exciting, which came as a surprise to me. I didn't want to like it that much! But now I do.
Regarding the Gen 5, many of us initially perceive the front end as somewhat "un-Viperish", more akin to an Italian car. It is a bit of a departure, but one I prefer to the angularity of the Gen3/4. I think one possible "800-pound-gorilla" reason for this unfamiliarity is, that it has no fog lights, in the customary location. I think the fog lights on the Gen1, (the Gen1 first spawned the practice), were put there, because there was just too big of a blank space in that area. It needed some detail, so it wouldn't look blunt and featureless.
http://m.motortrend.com/classic/features/1112_great_snakes_dodge_viper_origins/photo_11.html
I submit that that snakes don't have fog lights.
If you look at the face of Stryker, the newest Viper emblem, it looks VERY much like the face of the Gen5.
The Gen 5 face looks more like a snake than the Gen2 GTS! It's as close to a snake face as I've seen on any car, ever. It's designed to be exactly what a Viper is, the automotive embodiment of a snake. The Gen5 epitomises it's repilitian DNA more than any generation of Viper to date. They didn't need to stick fog lights on it, like a design trick to recitfy a vast expanse of mail-truck banality, because they did such a great job making the face look like Stryker, with functional brake vents, no less! When a design is near perfection, it doesn't require the adornment of lights to look exciting and sharp. like putting jewelry on a plain looking woman.
I haven't seen it in person yet. So far, I'm a fan!
2001 GTS, saphire/stripes. My favorite car I've ever owned.
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