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About Face: How Automakers Put Personality Into Their Cars' Front Ends

Forbes -- Typically, when design clinic respondents are asked which view of their preferred-choice car they would send to friends and/or relatives, the front three-quarter angle polls at about 80%. You’d think many would select the straight side view, which, distortion-free in photographs, best displays the size, sweep, length and overall cohesiveness of the design.

But, then, when asked by the parents to send a picture of the new girlfriend, a majority of guys will send a likeness of her face, even though that may not be her best attribute!

And thus it is with cars. The front end, grille, fascia and headlights form a very distinct “face,” and, much like a human visage, it can have expressions: happy, purposeful, angry, aggressive, sad or even bored.

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Submitted Apr 12, 2012 By: Mudsprings

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GOBUTLER Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,425 Points:407,785 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 6:14:46 AM Ignore GOBUTLER Report Abuse Interesting...
jrs4125 Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,898 Points:619,445 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 5:47:09 AM Ignore jrs4125 Report Abuse ok
rbrk02 Champion Author Rhode Island Posts:5,917 Points:844,930 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 5:33:28 AM Ignore rbrk02 Report Abuse Mudsprings, Good article! Thanks for posting it!
FlyingTigersPC Sophomore Author Virginia Posts:170 Points:127,165 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 5:31:47 AM Ignore FlyingTigersPC Report Abuse REMEMBER THE AMC DIPLOMAT?
N5EXY Champion Author Austin Posts:5,633 Points:1,537,310 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 11:06:40 PM Ignore N5EXY Report Abuse Remember what they said about the Edsel grille? Obscene. It is good that not too many remember the Edsel. [Edited by: N5EXY at 4/13/2012 1:07:59 AM EST]
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,374 Points:776,055 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 11:01:17 PM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse yes
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,599 Points:621,360 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 10:42:58 PM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse There are more interesting car faces lately.
kgbellman Champion Author Ann Arbor Posts:2,854 Points:759,540 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 10:12:20 PM Ignore kgbellman Report Abuse and hope for not a fat back end
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:6,120 Points:1,137,585 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 10:10:04 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse Still think the best face is on my 1976 XJ12L Jaguar, don't tell the wife...
LCSTEELERBOB Champion Author Gary Posts:2,961 Points:720,580 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 10:08:53 PM Ignore LCSTEELERBOB Report Abuse good for them
BigZ1959 Champion Author Denver Posts:3,878 Points:1,486,875 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 10:01:45 PM Ignore BigZ1959 Report Abuse no
OGW Champion Author London Posts:5,446 Points:1,558,085 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 10:00:36 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse This article is crap.
kgbellman Champion Author Ann Arbor Posts:2,854 Points:759,540 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:57:09 PM Ignore kgbellman Report Abuse and hope for not a fat back end
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,440 Points:546,000 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:56:13 PM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse Is it cost effective to add personality? Will it save on fuel costs?
SUSANCK Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,782 Points:732,205 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:55:39 PM Ignore SUSANCK Report Abuse I can crack a smile with my rear end.
gass12 Champion Author Omaha Posts:8,528 Points:2,331,395 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:53:56 PM Ignore gass12 Report Abuse What does ths have to do with Gas price.
dave1745 Champion Author Gary Posts:1,263 Points:762,670 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:52:28 PM Ignore dave1745 Report Abuse I want my next car to have an angry bird face...
jessek Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,657 Points:1,280,490 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:51:08 PM Ignore jessek Report Abuse Looking at some of the cars out there now I have to believe beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
big_mac64 Champion Author Tennessee Posts:10,600 Points:1,490,130 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:51:05 PM Ignore big_mac64 Report Abuse I use this site for gas news...not how the front end of a car looks like!
jerej829 Champion Author Memphis Posts:2,974 Points:720,575 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:50:06 PM Ignore jerej829 Report Abuse ok
Kaiyne Champion Author Chicago Posts:2,480 Points:500,415 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:49:45 PM Ignore Kaiyne Report Abuse Ok.
tucker355 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:1,802 Points:450,120 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:48:58 PM Ignore tucker355 Report Abuse About time...the highways are crawling with cookie cutter clones that all look the same.Cars back pre 80's all had personality and style!!!!!
carman11 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,480 Points:719,425 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:47:14 PM Ignore carman11 Report Abuse OK
milespergallon Champion Author Illinois Posts:9,885 Points:1,936,060 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:45:41 PM Ignore milespergallon Report Abuse How about designing a 100 mpg and/or a Natural Gas vehicle and/or a Hydrogen Alternative Fuel Cycle Vehicle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mdskier Champion Author Maryland Posts:10,072 Points:1,809,835 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:45:14 PM Ignore mdskier Report Abuse most of the cars seem the same now in front and ugly with all the crappy plastic bumpers.
Prodaddy Champion Author Houston Posts:8,516 Points:1,922,785 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:43:27 PM Ignore Prodaddy Report Abuse a little to late
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,174 Points:1,755,920 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:42:26 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse why?
JENNYHK Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,781 Points:740,295 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:41:47 PM Ignore JENNYHK Report Abuse ok.
bluebird1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:15,874 Points:3,134,850 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:38:53 PM Ignore bluebird1 Report Abuse Remember when this would mean handling or better cornering or something other than the looks of a grill!! But then what about meaning of technology in a car....used to mean for mechanical/performance or handling but now it means you can access your facebook account without having your laptop in the car....pretty sad what mfgrs will do to sell autos to the younger generation.
EmperorsFinest Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,564 Points:340,870 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:36:30 PM Ignore EmperorsFinest Report Abuse Wow.
beachmanglen All-Star Author Tampa Posts:764 Points:520,675 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:36:29 PM Ignore beachmanglen Report Abuse Many hours are spent designing the grilles and front ends, and even the headlights. I agree, it's all about marketing.
30mpg80 Champion Author Lexington Posts:10,265 Points:1,514,580 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:35:46 PM Ignore 30mpg80 Report Abuse Then show pictures, not words
RAKARWOWSKI Champion Author Chicago Posts:4,140 Points:848,725 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:32:38 PM Ignore RAKARWOWSKI Report Abuse ok.
NorthglennBill Champion Author Denver Posts:7,562 Points:1,499,645 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:30:48 PM Ignore NorthglennBill Report Abuse It is all about marketing. With cars, just like people, beauty is only skin deep.
SquawBear Champion Author Fresno Posts:7,007 Points:1,169,700 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:23:14 PM Ignore SquawBear Report Abuse Mud has good articles. Yeah!
boborobot All-Star Author Michigan Posts:503 Points:441,615 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 9:05:33 PM Ignore boborobot Report Abuse I like the 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham.
shea33 Champion Author Pensacola Posts:2,508 Points:570,640 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:41:25 PM Ignore shea33 Report Abuse love my truck
babugp Veteran Author Philadelphia Posts:339 Points:76,685 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:40:27 PM Ignore babugp Report Abuse ok
95Vette Champion Author Missouri Posts:2,595 Points:657,205 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:31:16 PM Ignore 95Vette Report Abuse Me and my car are best of buds... we share our personality..
ericbcire Champion Author Nevada Posts:4,660 Points:1,295,035 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:25:38 PM Ignore ericbcire Report Abuse Many people attribute a personality to people by the car they drive.
Barfood Champion Author St. Louis Posts:3,368 Points:1,036,675 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:24:44 PM Ignore Barfood Report Abuse Ok!
goodbuy Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,811 Points:1,449,430 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:21:25 PM Ignore goodbuy Report Abuse Personally, I spend more time looking at the inside than the outside.
kbierley Champion Author Dayton Posts:10,739 Points:1,417,820 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:20:42 PM Ignore kbierley Report Abuse What about their back ends?
speedys Champion Author Utah Posts:7,155 Points:2,586,545 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:20:32 PM Ignore speedys Report Abuse OK
miniskunk Rookie Author Montana Posts:44 Points:720,430 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:17:23 PM Ignore miniskunk Report Abuse "How true for the Edsel, it's grill looked like, uh well we men know what it looked like." Jimmy Durante? [Edited by: miniskunk at 4/12/2012 9:17:59 PM EST]
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,445 Points:1,665,645 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:16:10 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse WHATEVER!
w9med Champion Author Gary Posts:1,128 Points:329,945 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:14:19 PM Ignore w9med Report Abuse Ok sure
singlemom27 Champion Author Ventura Posts:3,253 Points:667,885 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:12:32 PM Ignore singlemom27 Report Abuse The view from the front was one of the deciding factors for choosing my truck.
jalan25 Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:2,445 Points:597,070 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:10:42 PM Ignore jalan25 Report Abuse Ok I guess?????
hoosierdaddyno1 Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,542 Points:1,278,240 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:10:12 PM Ignore hoosierdaddyno1 Report Abuse face!!!