The end of the 1980s saw the launch of two concept cars for the endless summer – the Ford Splash and Pontiac Stinger. Car Design News takes a look at these overlooked projects
In the late 1980s the last of the Baby Boomers and the older of the Gen-Xers were at an age where they were considering their first new car purchase. It was a ‘Mustang moment’ for a new generation. But the Mustang, though still on offer at the Ford dealers, did not hold the novelty or cachet that it had a generation before.
This new generation was looking for a car or truck that could be a fun everyday car, and also a sporty activity vehicle which could tackle anything from surfing and mountain biking to back country off-roading It was the beginning of the Sports Utility era, one that would soon spawn the likes of the Nissan Pathfinder and Xterra, Suzuki Samurai and Dodge Raider/Mitsubishi Pajero, among others.
Ford and GM had spotted the emerging trend, and decided to create concept cars that would draw the interest of a new generation of buyers…
Access to motor show and concours coverage, trend and technology reports, design reviews of new and classic concept and production cars, exclusive interviews, regional reports, who’s where, design essays, career resources, design competitions, regular newsletter updates PLUS comprehensive degree show reports from the world’s leading design schools, the CDN archive of sketches, images and articles spanning 20 years of coverage.
An online subscription also gains you access to exclusive designer interviews from our annual Car Design Review yearbook, and access to exclusive interior design reviews from Interior Motives magazine. You can also receive Interior Motives in print through our online + print subscription, or buy individual copies of Interior Motives and Car Design Review.
Fees start from £55/€60/$70. Packages available for students, individuals, schools and corporates.
Gain full access to cardesignnews.com subscribe today
ALREADY SUBSCRIBED - Individual, Studio, Student or School
You now need to register your details and sign-in for full access to cardesignnews.com
Two remarkable coupés, the Bertone Delfino and the Zagato Zeta 6, presented an alternate future for Alfa Romeo GT cars
