Hooniverse Asks- What's the Best Car Face?

Robert Emslie

/comment

Comments

I'm super! Thanks for asking!

Yesterday, Ford lifted the embargo on information about the 2011 Shelby GT500. You can read the details on what’s different in the ’11 car here. One change that’s obvious, and can be seen in the beauty shot above, is the narrowing of the speed stripes that run the length of the Mustang. While the previously wider stripes gave the car a purposeful, athletic appearance, I think these narrow stripes make it look like Bucky the Beaver. And that leads to the question of -now that Ford has injected some silliness into the nose of the GT500 – which car has the best face?


Headlights equating eyes, the grille, a mouth, and perhaps a hood bulge mimicking a noble proboscis- most cars have a particular mien. Some look angry, some look a little shocked, but our penchant for anthropomorphizing our rides allows us to project upon them some form of expression and hence, personality.
So, which car has the best face, and is it because it looks evil, or because it looks like it wants to enjoy the drive as much as you do?
Image sources: [Jalopnik, Houstoncars]

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Robert Emslie

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96 responses to “Hooniverse Asks- What's the Best Car Face?”

  1. muthalovin Avatar
    muthalovin

    '93 Ford F-150 Lighting
    <img src=http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2913/4761/32282380010_large.jpg">

    Reply
  2. scroggzilla Avatar
    scroggzilla

    This one seem happy to see you (Ferrari 275 GTB/C)
    <img src="http://ferraris-online.com/cars/FE-275GTBC-07437/images/P000Fade.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. soo΄pәr-bādd75 Avatar
      soo΄pәr-bādd75

      Yeah, he's a happy guy. So's the dude behind the steering wheel.

      Reply
      1. CptSevere Avatar
        CptSevere

        If I could afford something like this, I'd be a grinning fool.

        Reply
    2. RacinG73 Avatar
      RacinG73

      Judging by the tent in my PJ's, the feeling is mutual.

      Reply
  3. Gearhead Avatar
    Gearhead

    Without a doubt, it's the 1st-generation Miata.

    Reply
  4. BGW Avatar
    BGW

    Mark I Sprite, which was clearly happier than anyone who expected mechanical perfection out of it.

    Reply
    1. engineerd Avatar
      engineerd

      That was one of my first thoughts, too.
      <img width=400 src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Austin_Healey_Sprite_Mk_I_red_vl.jpg"&gt;

      Reply
  5. Tripl3fast Avatar
    Tripl3fast

    This is something different from the "OH oh" face right?

    Reply
    1. thomasmac Avatar
      thomasmac

      <img src="http://veganfreakradio.com/o-face.jpg&quot; style="width: 309px; height: 336px; border: 0" alt="imgTag" />

      Reply
    2. engineerd Avatar
      engineerd

      <img width=400 src="http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2006/2006-Bugat…

      Reply
  6. engineerd Avatar
    engineerd

    The louvers make it.
    <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/2757726852_dd86f9843c.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. Jimboz Avatar
      Jimboz

      It's like it's flirting with me.
      "You know you want to be in me." (bats eyebrows)

      Reply
    2. BGW Avatar
      BGW

      Funny how that fascia looks a lot like that of the booze-addled, struggling-to-stay-conscious mauler craftsman who built it.

      Reply
    3. Beatnikid Avatar
      Beatnikid

      Yo Kanye Imma let you finish but Alfa had the best shades of all time.

      Reply
  7. bzr Avatar
    bzr

    <img src="http://www.chooseyouritem.com/classics/photos/203000/203155.1959.Lincoln.Continental.Mark.IV.jpg"&gt;
    <img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/44/143335616_d909084b9c.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  8. iheartstiggie Avatar
    iheartstiggie

    The best car face? Why any Type 3 VW of course!
    <img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/4/8193712_74831af689.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. engineerd Avatar
      engineerd

      Thank God! I needed something to purge the picture above from my memory.
      Ahhhhh! I bumped the mouse and the page just scrolled up and I got a glimpse of it again!

      Reply
      1. Deartháir Avatar
        Deartháir

        I know. Those Continentals scare me too.

        Reply
  9. Beatnikid Avatar
    Beatnikid

    http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f259/Dubber_198…
    The Miata in my opinion wins this one. The car shows so many faces in it's front fascia, I swear off and on a parking lot it looks sad and bored with the world, but on a winding road or twisty track it's face lights up with spirit and an odd quirkiness. If that ain't emotion and character for a car I dunno what it is. But i must admit I am a sucker for hideaways and pop ups.

    Reply
    1. Halberstram Avatar
      Halberstram

      Its… eh… winking at us.

      Reply
    2. muthalovin Avatar
      muthalovin

      "I do it…. SIDEWAYS!"
      That photo is amaz0rz

      Reply
    3. W. Kiernan Avatar
      W. Kiernan

      If you have a front plate and the lights are up and and you squint your eyes, it looks a little like Hitler Charlie Chaplin.

      Reply
  10. BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ Avatar
    BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ

    Well the 8C has nice face (ass too) <img src="http://allworldcars.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/alfa_8c_competizione_1.jpg"&gt; and ofcourse the sympatic Escort Mk1 with some rally lights can't be forgotten <img src="http://www.motorvation.cc/OakleyImages/2475.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  11. Thrashy Avatar
    Thrashy

    Lamborghini Reventon
    <img src="http://deadpeoplemaster.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/lamborghini_reventon_002.jpg"&gt;
    It's saying, "I'm going to run you down and eat you."

    Reply
    1. Beatnikid Avatar
      Beatnikid

      Aye till you come to the realization that it suffers from Parakeet cheeks…then you just laugh.

      Reply
  12. engineerd Avatar
    engineerd

    Always classics.
    <img width=400 src="http://images.automobilemag.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0604_aston_martin_db5_01_1024.jpg&quot; >

    Reply
  13. Black Steelies Avatar
    Black Steelies

    </http://www.oqcvo.com/images/members/member14.jpg&…
    The '87 Grand Marquis always looked just plain evil to me. My friend used to have one covered in rust spots and faded burgundy paint. It looked like something an ex-con would drive.

    Reply
    1. Thrashy Avatar
      Thrashy

      My first car was a very similar-looked Lincoln Towncar. Before my friends and I started calling it The Nimitz on account of its gray paint, it was sometimes known as "that Mafia car." One could certainly imagine a Mafia don being chauffeured around in the back of one, smoking a fat cigar lit from one its four (!) lighters while a crony relayed his orders through a giant StarTAC phone.
      As for me? I just delivered legal documents in it. No kingpin would ever have wanted to sit in the soda-can littered backseat, either…

      Reply
      1. Black Steelies Avatar
        Black Steelies

        Haha the Nimitz, that is awesome. Those cars are ridiculously cheap these days too.

        Reply
  14. Black Steelies Avatar
    Black Steelies

    <img src="http://www.howwedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/booooooom_nikolic_01.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  15. highmileage_v1 Avatar
    highmileage_v1

    1948 Powerwagon. It say's "get out of my way you tiny human"

    Reply
    1. Thrashy Avatar
      Thrashy

      <img src="http://imcdb.org/images/145/935.jpg"&gt; Not even Jeremy Clarkson, giant among men, can compare to its glory!

      Reply
      1. highmileage_v1 Avatar
        highmileage_v1

        That's the picture I was looking for!

        Reply
    2. Han_Solex Avatar
      Han_Solex

      Most evil truck "face" ever = <img src="http://www.impawards.com/1971/posters/duel.jpg"&gt;

      Reply
    3. CptSevere Avatar
      CptSevere

      "…Or I'll throttle you with my PTO driven winch!" Awesome.

      Reply
  16. Tim Odell Avatar
    Tim Odell

    06-07 Subaru WRX
    <img src="http://image.turbomagazine.com/f/9021550+w750+st0/0608turp_01z+2006_subaru_wrx_sti+left_front_view.jpg&quot; width=300>
    1958 Edsel
    <img src="http://www.newtondowntowncarshow.com/edsel_pacer_1958_2.jpg&quot; width=300>
    Alfa Romeo MiTo
    <img src="http://costpricenewcars.com.au/images/alfa-mi-to-f3q-st.jpg&quot; width=300>
    ..
    …
    Oh…you said face

    Reply
    1. Charles_Barrett Avatar
      Charles_Barrett

      I see you thought he said "va-grill-grill" (what the kids are calling "va-gee-gee", I hear…)

      Reply
    2. joshuman Avatar
      joshuman

      I started laughing as I scrolled to the Alfa. We can extend this to the mammary-like dagmars.
      <img src="http://www.loupiote.com/photos_m/18425644-1957-cadillac-dagmar-classic-car.jpg&quot; style="width: 300px;" alt="imgTag" />

      Reply
  17. skaycøg Avatar
    skaycøg

    I like the 2011 Shelby GT500 face, whether it has wide stripes, narrow stripes, or zero stripes.
    My second choice of a nice face is this handsome _ _ D G E.
    <img src="http://media.youdrivewhat.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/funny_Car_82.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. soo΄pәr-bādd75 Avatar
      soo΄pәr-bādd75

      Thank you. That was just great! You rock!

      Reply
    2. engineerd Avatar
      engineerd

      It really is too bad the lattice grille never took off.

      Reply
      1. skaycøg Avatar
        skaycøg

        I know, but it did go on to be a popular Top Crust for fruit pies.

        Reply
        1. engineerd Avatar
          engineerd

          Now you just made me hungry.

          Reply
      2. CptSevere Avatar
        CptSevere

        I'd go at it with some Zip Strip and linseed oil for the natural woodgrain look. That would look nice.

        Reply
      3. RacinG73 Avatar
        RacinG73

        You mean the 'fishnets'? Those are hawt.

        Reply
  18. bzr Avatar
    bzr

    <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Ford_Fiesta_MK4_front_20070926.jpg/800px-Ford_Fiesta_MK4_front_20070926.jpg"&gt;
    sadcar is sad.

    Reply
    1. bzr Avatar
      bzr

      Sadcar's mentally-handicapped brother, however, is happy. Because it's the only emotion he knows.
      <img src="http://imcdb.org/images/033/774.jpg"&gt;
      Whee!
      (Hope that doesn't offend anybody.)

      Reply
      1. bzr Avatar
        bzr

        "Mommy! I got beat up by the mean high-school bullies! Now I'm even SADDER!"
        <img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/27/44434469_5ab104a19e.jpg"&gt;

        Reply
        1. Charles_Barrett Avatar
          Charles_Barrett

          That's totally awesome…! Bravo!

          Reply
    2. scroggzilla Avatar
      scroggzilla

      Don't pretend you want to talk to me, I know you hate me.
      <img src="http://www.treehugger.com/marvin-paranoid-android.jpg"&gt;

      Reply
    3. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
      FuzzyPlushroom

      I know someone who wrote off one of those. I'm not sure whether it was happier afterward, as I didn't get to see it.

      Reply
  19. BrianTheHoon Avatar
    BrianTheHoon

    Well, the current Mazda 3 is certainly the happiest face in cardom.
    One of these days I gotta learn how to attach an image …

    Reply
    1. Black Steelies Avatar
      Black Steelies

      Go here —–> http://www.ibdguy.com/posting.shtml

      Reply
  20. engineerd Avatar
    engineerd

    The Ford GT always looked content. Like it's happy to see you, but not too needy.
    <img width=500 src="http://cache.jalopnik.com/cars/assets/resources/2007/04/Ford-GT.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. skaycøg Avatar
      skaycøg

      Thank you! My obsession!

      Reply
      1. Ruthless if u let me Avatar
        Ruthless if u let me

        That color combo does look pretty sharp for an upcoming project.

        Reply
        1. skaycøg Avatar
          skaycøg

          Absolutely! It would be perfect!

          Reply
    2. gdvsbp Avatar
      gdvsbp

      It's like it's constantly running into a friend that it hasn't seen in a few weeks. "Oh, hey! What's going on? Been a while."

      Reply
  21. Buickboy92 Avatar
    Buickboy92

    This: 1939 Buick Series 40. It looks so sinister.
    <img src="http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t326/buickboy92/1939BuickSpecial45Website.jpg&quot; border="0" alt="1939 Buick Series 40.">

    Reply
    1. skaycøg Avatar
      skaycøg

      That is really classy!

      Reply
      1. Buickboy92 Avatar
        Buickboy92

        The best part is that is a Resto-mod! It has a 350 V8 Small Block.

        Reply
        1. skaycøg Avatar
          skaycøg

          Really? Does it have stock wheels or what?
          Good job! 😉

          Reply
          1. Buickboy92 Avatar
            Buickboy92

            Stock wheels but they are from a different year of the same model though. Classic looks, but it is set up in a way that you could drive it every day or on the weekend if you wanted. It's been upgraded to an automatic and power steering.
            http://www.thebaycitymotorcompany.com/sites/inven…

    2. CptSevere Avatar
      CptSevere

      Kinda like a big grouper ready to eat your face.

      Reply
  22. Charles_Barrett Avatar
    Charles_Barrett

    Mercedes don't have faces… They have gunsights…
    <img src="http://www.cartype.com/pics/1628/full/mb.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  23. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    <img src="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/12/2010/02/500x_ray_wert_g4_tv.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. bzr Avatar
      bzr

      It looks like he just walked into a window.

      Reply
      1. Deartháir Avatar
        Deartháir

        Can't. Stop. Laughing.

        Reply
      2. engineerd Avatar
        engineerd

        Oh dear God, you just made my morning.

        Reply
    2. CptSevere Avatar
      CptSevere

      Which cheek is he lifting while he squeezes that one out? Can't tell (there goes whatever remote chance I ever had of getting a star over there).

      Reply
  24. isaac Avatar
    isaac

    MkIV VW GTi with a sleepy boser hood.
    http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww230/Jerovan_…

    Reply
  25. joshuman Avatar
    joshuman

    Cop-tashtic
    <img src="https://hooniverse.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/carrera_panamericana_1.jpg&quot; style="width: 350px;" alt="imgTag" />

    Reply
  26. dragon951 Avatar
    dragon951

    Well, gotta do my part for Stuttgart. I guess these cars would say.
    <img src="http://www.oldtimergala.de/content/produktfotos/1186007241Porsche356SpeedKL_preview.jpg"/&gt;
    "I'm classy."
    <img src="http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads14/56963023_1974PorscheRSChassis911_460_90921226728371.jpg"/&gt;
    "I need to step outside for a bit of air."
    <img src="http://www.lincah.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/2005-porsche-carrera-gt-1-588×441.jpg"/&gt;
    "I'm cuckoo for canyon curves!"
    <img src="http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads12/74+Carrera+RSR+Turbo1202859589.jpg"/&gt;
    "Ready or not here I come."

    Reply
  27. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    Since the Mk1 Sprite and new Mazda3 are already in the thread…
    Chrysler Turbine:
    <img src="http://www.retrojunk.com/img/art-images/chryslerturbineb.jpg"/&gt;
    1949 Buick:
    <img src="http://oldcarandtruckpictures.com/Buick/1949_Buick_Roadmaster_sedanet_3.jpg"/&gt;

    Reply
  28. Deartháir Avatar
    Deartháir

    I always thought that strategy was a bit stupid. It's a bit of drama that serves only to leave the purchasers alone for a few minutes so they can compare thoughts and come up with a new strategy to go after the salesperson with. So while he's standing in the manager's office chatting about how nice the receptionist's ass is, the purchasers are getting their story straight to get a better deal.

    Reply
  29. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    After I got in a minor fender bender, my Intrepid's dented face sort of reminded me of a confused Kermit the Frog (it's not the best picture though).
    <img src="http://content9.clipmarks.com/blog_cache/community.livejournal.com/img/BC1A0B93-A09A-4065-AE91-27853070CD77&quot; /img>
    <img src=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/4345316304_9db4a02c29.jpg" /img>
    Also, the Fisker Karma looks like it has a creepy thin mustache.

    Reply
  30. Han_Solex Avatar
    Han_Solex

    <img src="http://www.supercars.net/carpics/1876/1970_Porsche_917K1.jpg"&gt;
    I'm a sucker for glassed-in headlights.

    Reply
    1. Thrashy Avatar
      Thrashy

      Giant eyes, tiny mouth. I feel like I'm staring down a cartoon character.

      Reply
      1. Han_Solex Avatar
        Han_Solex

        Looks goofy, goes unbelievably fast. Not every car's face needs to look like an aluminum origami insect, IMHO.

        Reply
        1. Thrashy Avatar
          Thrashy

          I'm not disagreeing, I just think the face is a bit homely. I'm right there with you about the glassed-in lights. Consider, for example, the Series 1 E-type:
          <img src="http://www.classicsportscars.eu/e-type/PICTURES/jaguar-e-type.JPG"&gt;
          Stately, streamlined, and elegant.

          Reply
    2. engineerd Avatar
      engineerd

      I'm a sucker for NACA ducts.

      Reply
    3. BGW Avatar
      BGW

      Aw, hell, I didn't know we could go that route. In which case:
      <img src="http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/7815/redlobster06.jpg"&gt;
      The original Om Nom Nom?

      Reply
  31. Tim Odell Avatar
    Tim Odell

    I hate it when people swap body bits from superior performance models to lesser ones.
    But the GT500 front on both the 05-09 and 10-> Mustangs just looks so much better. The cleaned-out grille and the slightly wider opening makes look like such serious business. There's a high liklihood of GT ownership in my future, and I'd consider swapping the grille if the opportunity arose.

    Reply
    1. Maymar Avatar
      Maymar

      Do you count luxury models in that? Because every now and then, I'll see a tow truck with a second-gen Escalade front end. I approve of that highly – just something about sucking the wind out of a status symbol.

      Reply
      1. Tim Odell Avatar
        Tim Odell

        No real problem there, when it's a funky styling thing.
        It's more like the guys who do up a 328 like it's an M3. Anyone who knows enough to care that you're in an M3 will spot the fallacy, and no one else will care.
        Hence my aprehension about the GT500 front clip. I'd swap it in b/c it's better looking, not because I'm trying to impress people with my (fake) GT500.

        Reply
  32. gdvsbp Avatar
    gdvsbp

    I had a 200SX when I was a teenager, and it got itself the nickname "Ted" due to its teddy bear resemblance. To this day, any all B14 Sentra viewed from the front can get a smile out of me.
    <img src = "http://i41.tinypic.com/29nhuut.jpg&quot; />

    Reply
  33. TheWaterCooler Avatar
    TheWaterCooler

    It has to be the Porsche 928. It's a frog!
    <img src="http://www.allsportauto.com/photoautre4/porsche/928s4/1989_porsche_928_s4_13_m.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  34. isaac Avatar
    isaac

    MkIV VW GTi with a sleepy boser hood.
    http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww230/Jerovan_…

    Reply
  35. Froggmann_ Avatar
    Froggmann_

    For me this is a tossup:
    '41 Chevy COE from Jeepers Creepers (The only good thing from that movie)
    <img src="http://imcdb.org/images/005/326.jpg&quot;
    or the '55 Pete 281 from Duel
    <img src=http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog…

    Reply
  36. BlackIce_GTS Avatar
    BlackIce_GTS

    I never liked anthropomorphizing like this, and in most cases I just don't see it.
    However, this is a very happy 308
    http://www.qv500.com/Ferrari%20308%20P6%202.jpg

    Reply
  37. Dan Richmond Avatar
    Dan Richmond

    Late to the party? Yes, but I feel I must recant my previous submission. THIS is the best car face:
    <img src = "http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/12/2010/02/500x_1957_jeep_fc-170_monster_01.jpg&quot; />

    Reply
    1. gdvsbp Avatar
      gdvsbp

      And by that unparsed HTML I meant <img src = "http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/12/2010/02/500x_1957_jeep_fc-170_monster_01.jpg&quot; />

      Reply
  38. Isiah Asrari Avatar
    Isiah Asrari

    Displaying some really like to this theme “new to this wordpress”. I defiantly acknowledge with it also. If you ever definitely consider it than it all creates alot of sense

    Reply
  39. gdvsbp Avatar
    gdvsbp

    Late addition: Ferrari's new FF. Furrowed brow, mischievous grin, well-defined pupils… everything you could want in a face.
    http://jalopnik.com/5739585/ferrari-ff-four-wheel…

    Reply
  40. Jerry Rojas Avatar
    Jerry Rojas

    Hi there. I ‘m still really new at blog and all aspects around this industry. There are lots of jargons I still don’t know. I’m not even sure I can write half decent to yours. I will browse the entire site maybe I will be able to learn your blogging style a little.

    Reply