Different Car Styles

[Hannibal.Caesar]

I've always been interested in the fact that, despite the number of automobile manufacturers in the world, most automobiles look pretty much the same.

I know that there are managerial, technical, and production reasons for this, but is it possible to create a wider divergence in what automobiles look like?

[Dan1988]

That could be explained by the technology of the time.

Back when the automobile first started, for example, they all looked like horse carriages. Why? Because a lot of the early carmarkers were carriage-makers as well, and hence why a lot of car terminology comes from the era of horse carriages.

The same could be explained from here on out. However, if you WANT to be different, find a way of getting the Y-Job into production.

[Imajin]

Maybe if the Edsel isn't a dismal failure, that inspires designers to make stranger and stranger looking cars?

[Dan1988]

Maybe if the Edsel isn't a dismal failure, that inspires designers to make stranger and stranger looking cars?

Preferably by launching it in the early-to-mid 1950s and not in 1958.

[Alexius]

If more countries had the same drivers-license laws that led to the Reliant Robin in Britain, and they'd stayed in force longer, we'd see more 3-wheeled cars.

[Berra]

We have seen a few new car tipes the last few years. The SUV, very compact cars like the SMART, those company cars built on a small car chassi with two seats and a fairly big baggage compartment, higher then a small car. (What do they call them anyway?)

I suppose those could have evolved earlier.

[Dan1988]

If more countries had the same drivers-license laws that led to the Reliant Robin in Britain, and they'd stayed in force longer, we'd see more 3-wheeled cars.

Then again, we could always try Japanese-style kei cars.

[Dan1988]

We have seen a few new car tipes the last few years. The SUV, very compact cars like the SMART, those company cars built on a small car chassi with two seats and a fairly big baggage compartment, higher then a small car. (What do they call them anyway?)

I suppose those could have evolved earlier.

Well one of those new categories - the crossover - was invented in the 1980s, courtesy of AMC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC_Eagle). I could see it invented earlier, though.

[hammo1j]

I think these mods would allow you to do a lot with the layout of a car. I am surprised no one has attempted this in that it would save huge manufacturing costs and be much safer.

http://www.alternatehistory.com/Discussion/showthread.php?t=84972

[The Gunslinger]

There are so many POD's involving automotives that it boggles the mind. The biggest though will be the great depression. If you avoid that, the automitve industry will never consolidate and you'll have many more car manufacturers. There will probably still be some consolidation in later years, it's the nature of the beast, but there could be dozens of smaller industry leaders instead of the big three that we see today.

One of my personal favourite POD's though is there is no oil embargo in the late 70's. If that's avoided cars in the 80's don't get smaller, and the 70's muscle cars lead a higher profile throughout the decade instead of being slammed like they were in OTL.

[Berra]

Well one of those new categories - the crossover - was invented in the 1980s, courtesy of AMC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC_Eagle). I could see it invented earlier, though.

Not what I had in mind. It's a ordinary small car with a small engine and a largish space in the back, suitable to fill with a lot of tools, or goods when used as post car.

[Alexius]

Not what I had in mind. It's a ordinary small car with a small engine and a largish space in the back, suitable to fill with a lot of tools, or goods when used as post car.
You mean like this?
http://www.leighvarleymotortradesales.com/images/hp%20ws%20vauxhall%20astra%20van%202004%20reg.jpg
Been around practically forever:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/1940_Ford_Model_01A_78_De_Luxe_Sedan_Delivery.jpg

[freodhoric]

The main thing that caused car styles to get so similar is that people tend to buy what's stylish. Or at least that's what car makers think, i'm not totally convinced. When something different is built, it's usually either the car that everyone loves but nobody buys or is treated like the biggest piece of crud either, then becomes a cult classic.

Back when the automobile first started, for example, they all looked like horse carriages. Why? Because a lot of the early carmarkers were carriage-makers as well, and hence why a lot of car terminology comes from the era of horse carriages.
Have you seen how many different types of carriages were made? There was far more variety of body styles in up till about WW1 than there was afterward.

We have seen a few new car tipes the last few years. The SUV, very compact cars like the SMART, those company cars built on a small car chassi with two seats and a fairly big baggage compartment, higher then a small car. (What do they call them anyway?)

I suppose those could have evolved earlier.
Very compact cars? Like, say, the Isetta (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Bmw.isetta.arp.jpg/250px-Bmw.isetta.arp.jpg)? Cars like that were very popular post-WW2, and declined very quickly when people could afford something bigger.

Let's see, SUV, like this? 1948 CJ2 Overlander.
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/library/uc/ucgraphics/bertJEEPON~1.JPG

[freodhoric]

You mean like this?
http://www.leighvarleymotortradesales.com/images/hp%20ws%20vauxhall%20astra%20van%202004%20reg.jpg
Been around practically forever:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/Panhard_Dyna_X_utilitaire.jpg/800px-Panhard_Dyna_X_utilitaire.jpg

[Imajin]

One wonders if having more car companies would help- in OTL the American car companies built up several brands, and then would "badge engineer" new cars by slapping a different logo on them- this does not help the idea of distinctive looks.

[Kevin Renner]

One could just as well ask why an Airbus looks like a Boeing looks like a Dougles looks like a Convair

[freodhoric]

Two maybes:

Maybe if cars hadn't been outlawed in the 1830s, production would've been alogside horse-drawn vehicles, power would have remained lower.

Maybe if electric had been more prevalent, developed earlier perhaps.

[freodhoric]

Another possibility, what if no equivalent of the Ford Model T or Austin Seven? They pushed a large number of cycle-car manufacturers out of business by virtue of being real cars for almost the same price. If they're not made, maybe these cycle-car manufacturer can do good business during the Depression (because they're selling an inexpensive product).