"The idle mind is the devil's workshop"
Hmm... I don't think this verse will ever hold true in my case.
My mind when idling thinks only about automobiles. My genes must have mutated somewhere down the line.. Who knows?
So, I am sitting here in my home, work is slow because of heavy rains, and I was just planning a year end vacation. I haven't traveled outside India since a very long time. I have to scratch the little itch.
France... hmmm, eiffel tower.
Italy...hmmm, leaning tower of pisa.
Nah, these are too 'touristy'. Besides, euro will just burn a big hole in my pocket. I think I want to be adventurous.
Think, Simple_car, think.
What place in this world will I have a remote chance of finding an Indian?
Peru?...Macchu picchu.
What the?
Thats it? Is this all that comes to my mind when I think of these places?
Man, have I been holed up in this country for so long? Need to get out ASAP!
A W124 glides past me, as I am walking back home.
I wonder what car comes to my mind whenever I think of a country? Voila!
Pic source:
http://vongola-bit15.blogspot.in/201...-of-world.html
So, we all know that the seven wonders of this world that we learnt as kids, are a testament to the ingenuity, imagination, and sheer hard work that we as humans are capable of.
But, did you know that they are also reminders of human capacity for disagreement, destruction, and maybe even embellishment?
Heck, the first time I saw the pyramid of giza in pics, I was disappointed. I mean, its just some bricks stacked up in the shape of a pyramid. Whats so great about that?
I know, I know, it is indeed very well planned and executed, there's the history behind it, blah blah blah.... But somehow, calling it a wonder of the world? That never did, and still doesn't go down with me.
But, that doesn't stop us from debating does it? So, I thought why not ask the opinions of fellow enthusiasts on what they think are the seven wonders of the 'Automobile world'?
But, wait!
There are far too many cars which have been produced in the history. All of them had their own pro's and con's. Besides, if I like a particular car, doesn't mean that somebody else does.
I love the the Peel P50, but I don't think any sane person will like it.
This just keeps on getting interesting...
So, a panel of experts have been selected to define the parameters for selecting the candidates for this coveted position.
The exacting standard set by the jury is as much a reflection of the high expectations bhpians have from the automobiles as it is of the ground many other cars still have to cover
Panel members: Simple_car
So the
parameters are as follows:
1. Each car from your list has to be from a different country. No 2 cars from the same country.
2. The car has to have that certain 'artistic and cultural value' that we look out for while judging the actual 7 wonders of the world. A little history although not compulsory, would be appreciated.
3. The car needn't be the car you always wanted to own, but it should be one that should be appreciated by you even if you would never own one if you had the chance.
4. The car should represent the country's belief's and culture. For eg. germans are usually associated with precision, and italians are generally associated with flair and design.
5. The car has to be recognized by the 'average' enthusiast. If you tell me that your vote for the best car from japan is a mitsuoka galue, then you are bound to draw a blank stare from most 'average' enthusiasts. I am an 'average' enthusiast myself. None of those one-off prototypes or cars which were made in very few numbers, which only a handful of people might be aware of. After all, there are many a structure in the world which may be much better than the seven wonders, but we won't ever come to know.
6. Production cars only. No cars from the tuning houses (e.g. RUF, AMG, M division, nismo, TRD etc.) or from hand built car manufacturers (e.g. doonkervert etc.)
7. The cars should have been produced before 1990.
8. Your final list should be consisting of 7 cars only.
9. The car can be from the same company, but must be designed and built in a different country. E.g. Ford escort was designed by the european arm of ford primarily for Europe.
I am aware that there were many great cars produced from 1990 onward as well (Me thinks the japs went bonkers during this decade). But for the time being I am closing the gates at 1990. If the response to this thread is good, then I will create another thread for cars from 1990-2000, 2000-2010 decades as well. The 7 wonders also undergo a revision every now and then
So, to help you out I have created a few steps:
Step 1:
Choose any country and list out all the manufacturers (remember, they should have been present before 1990).
List out all the cars that come to your mind.
E.g.
Country: Japan
1) Toyota: gt 2000, Ae 86 corolla, celica 1600gt, sports 800.
2) Honda: NSX, civic 1500, life step van, s600, s800.
3) Nissan: fairlady z 280, bluebird 1600, skyline 2000 gtr, R34.
4) Mazda: 110S.
Country: France
1) Citroen: 2cv, DS, SM.
2) Renault: 5 turbo, R10.
3) Peugeot: 205.
Step 2:
Once you are done making the list, just go through the parameters listed above. Eliminate the cars which do not fit in the criteria.
E.g.
In the list I have made above, the R34 would be eliminated since it was produce post 1990.
Step 3:
Have a long hard look at the list you have made. Think of a car which embodies everything that the country (from which it originated) values. Remember, it might not be a car that you would want to own, but yet you would appreciate it. Your final pick should be a car which YOU think represents the entire country's philosophy in general.
If I see a certain trend in this forum, I shall draw a list of cars which are most favored and we will all put it to vote. This is my final aim. Let's see whether it goes through. The list if it becomes a reality, will represent what we average Indian enthusiasts see as the 'Seven wonders of the automobile world'.
I leave it to each member to think of any car in whichever way he deems it to be. Like someone may choose a car from a performance angle, some may choose the car based on design and engineering depth, some may choose according to looks alone BUT the car selected must match the above listed criteria.
Note: I request members to just post their final verdict, and not anything else. Feel free to describe reasons you thought that the particular car is your contender. But do not describe how and what cars you eliminated. Do not write down the steps. They were just meant for an explanation. Just YOUR final verdict.