The top image shows my Buick Skylark hatchback coupe which I posted in this blog last September. The bottom photo shows the just-released photo of the new compact Buick Verano. I'm not pointing out the styling this time, but the color. The photo of the Vauxhall/Opel GTC I started out with for my Skylark was bright red, a common "sports" color these days. I decided to make my car a bit more elegant and mature, and changed it to what I described as a "Mink Brown" meant to evoke the classic 1960s fur fashions. Browns were also quite popular in the 1970s, but mine was a bit more metallic, a bit more elegant than those I remember from the Disco-era Detroit. I was quite amused to see Buick's new compact being shown in its first press release images in a very similar shade of brown I created for my Skylark. I can't remember the last time a new, and important, car was introduced to the world in a brown, but I'm sure my great readers will come up with some. In the meantime, I'm going to assume Buick was reading Peter De Lorenzo's Autoextremist column again, which ran my Skylark last fall, and loved the image I created for them! : )
I wish they were all watching you, especially Lincoln, but we'll take Buick! Your brown is actually a bit richer/redder looking than the Buick, but the Buick looks good. I'm not sure Buick needs a car this small but I guess it's a step up in refinement and luxury from the Cruze, which is about the same size. But to me the LaCrosse, Regal and now this one are hard to tell apart unless you see them side by side. I hear they are selling but the only one I see on a regular basis is the LaCrosse.
ReplyDeleteVis a vis brown, I'm reminded of Mary Tyler Moore's brown Hudson, which she references as her high school car!
I happen to be very fond of some of the browns I'm seeing these days. It's a nice change from black, grey, silver, white. I like grey, but it's so common these days, so if I was buying, I'd have to go with brown or beige.
Paul, NYC
I didn't know about MTM's high school Hudson! I've only seen the LaCrosse so far. I'm interested in seeing if the Regal pulls it off in person, I really like the LaCross whenever I see it.
ReplyDeleteSomebody is taking notice of you Casey and not just us elves that hand around the color palette.
ReplyDeleteThe vast majority of the cars on the road in my area are silver and white. Can we say BORING!
ReplyDeleteTime for a new color direction. This gorgeous brown fits the bill to a T. I hope it starts a trend.
GN CASEY GN
ReplyDeleteGRANNY
Very good, as always Casey. And as always, always ahead of the curve.
ReplyDeleteI have a question for you: Looking at the Verano , I noticed the typical silver- spider-in -a hula-hoop wheel design . I am pretty tired of it and the countless variants . I can not imagine I am alone. Going on the theory that a generation rejects the passions of the previous , what are your guesses the next major trend in wheel design will be ?
phantomX, I saw a lovely metallic root beer brown Lexus the other day. Looks like your hopes are coming true.
And ,once again, an idiot without a camera: parked along side the beach yesterday-a pristine Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale in red . Like a show car .Perfect. I thought of you guys and kicked myself once again.I must bring my camera.
AP
Malibu
I don't know if it will become the next trend, but I'd love to see some more aero-type wheels come into fashion. very smooth designs. Unless we see some sort of wheel/tire one piece combo like I believe Michelin has shown before. I still like classic 5-spoke wheels, but was intrigued with the 3 spokers that Mustang's used back in the early '80s, with those TRX tires.
ReplyDeleteCurrent wheels I really like are VW and Kia's flat wheels with the spokes sort of cut out. I used VW's here:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_szY6czURhx0/TERqcdYgE2I/AAAAAAAABZU/TR9EOx1LZFs/s1600/VW_NewSmallHybrid.jpg
They're sort of the oppposite of spokes.
Yeah. I see ! Those are very strong and substantial looking. It puts more accent on the circle of the wheel,without losing the spoke.
ReplyDeleteI saw a new black Audi a few days ago . From where I stood, it looked to have flat back and lime green wheels . Wow! I was amazed . It looked great ! I thought it was the new trend. I walked closer just to find that it was only a spare tire being used . Pity. It looked really wonderful in a sort of poke-ya-in-the-eye way.
When you say aero-type,is there an example you point me to?
AP
the wheels on that MID4 concept model I posted a couple of days ago is an extreme version of an aero wheel. it's totally flat with no spoke to disrupt air:
ReplyDeletehttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/_szY6czURhx0/TSNPi6Rqa0I/AAAAAAAADks/Dr2uLj0pquk/s1600/MID4.jpg
but I'm pretty sure you'd need to have more airflow. perhaps a series of perforations would suffice, or carefully designed scoops around the edges would cool the brakes enough. Flat discs offer so many possibilities for graphics. They could be brushed metal, or painted, or blackened, or perhaps striped to follow body trim and made stationary like the centers of Rolls Royce wheels. Some antique cars came with full flat wheel discs, and they're so striking compared with the wire wheels or the artillery type wheels common back then. Brake cooling is the biggest thing to worry about with fully enclosed wheels.
The Regal is one hot car that would have made a nice Saturn. Being made by Opel, I would imagine German standards of high grade materials and structural integrity not found else where would have made it a great seller Now that Buick's label is on this car, I still see the "stereotypical crowd" drive these cars and wished more people would be willing to buy Buicks.
ReplyDeleteI'll say it over and over again, GM needs Mr. Casey to add more color to the brand. His Skylark should have been built 2 years ago, I would have bought one!
As far as the Verano, will the rest of America appreciate it or will it be a "sleeper"?
I loved those old disc wheels on the early 30s Packards - with a little bit of the axle in the center . Like a flower, no? Beautiful . When coupled by those old triatic color schemes of the late 20s and early 30s, it was stunning .I'd love to see that kind of coloring return.
ReplyDeleteI suppose one could make flat wheel disc out of many,many tiny slits for cooling . It make a fine cheese grater,too!
AP
If there is any good news, I see quite a few new Regals on the road on this way, Woody. Not all driven by the elderly .
I might have to try some multi-tone cars in future chops... glad to know the Regal is selling in CA anyway!
ReplyDeleteWoody: not sure if the Verano will be a sleeper or not. I'm not sure if another 4 door sedan was the way to go. They now have 3 different 4 door sedans. I would love for the Verano to add a wagon or a 2 door version. Wouldn't a small convertible be a cool body style for the small Buick too? A soft top version would be better than a hardtop version in my opinion, better looking and more classic with a canvas/vinyl roof.
AP, what you need is an iPhone! LOL Or at least a cell phone with a good camera. It would always be on you. Just an idea... :)
ReplyDeleteKatie
I don't know what that new phone is that Mare has, but I tell you the pictures she posts from it are super!
ReplyDeleteHello Katie,Hello Annie -Happy 2011
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I are people of the land line. We lost our cell phone and didn't realize it was missing for weeks . We don't even know the number.
With our new iPhone, I realize there is a camera in it, but my idea of cameras is outdated as well .I keep thinking they are things you drag out for Easter, birthdays, and Christmas !
I will get the hang of it, I promise.
In the meantime, wish me a happy 1972 !
AP
OMg AP!!! You are a hoot! Happy 1972!
ReplyDeletemare
Happy 72' to you, too, Mare !
ReplyDeleteAP