The Buick Reatta a design flop? That's what a University of Michigan professor told The Wall Street Journal recently. Really? The Reatta is the one car that he could find to pick on as an automotive design flop? Sure, the high-tech coupe was overweight and underpowered, overpriced and under-appreciated. But a design flop? I think most of us would agree there are uglier, slower, more poorly-made cars in the history of automobiles. Our Dan Roth even called it a Future Classic not too long ago.
The story is part of a larger collection of design studies that looks at everything from blue jeans to concrete saws. One other automotive element of the series is a gushing story and video about Buick's Invicta concept car. If the piece is to be believed, the LaCrosse that may be based on the Invicta, will surely never make it onto a list of design flops.
So by that logic, fake, plastic portholes insure design success, but sexy, restrained style doesn't.
[Source: The Wall Street Journal]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
HotRodzNKustoms @ Jun 28th 2008 3:08PM
No way is that a design flop. That's a hot little drop top for the era.
CarbonBlack @ Jun 28th 2008 3:56PM
+1, I agree.
RayJ @ Jun 28th 2008 7:05PM
I am still shocked at a car that had TOUCH SCREEN controls in the age when computers where 286's that were too expensive for all but the rich to afford. A friend of mine still has one with manual controls but a flop it is not it is a classic. Computer technology was not advanced enough but it was a valiant try.
Mike @ Jun 28th 2008 7:27PM
Cadillac Allante anyone????
SITEiNK @ Jun 29th 2008 12:34AM
it was actually a nice car for it's time.
Buick was actually trying then.
Could you imagine them doing a convertible sport-y car today? I think very few could.
Buick needs to keep on striving to do impressive things today.
Luis @ Jun 29th 2008 12:48AM
Ahead of its time, maybe. No way is it a design flop. This professor has probably never seen an Aztek or a Volkswagen Fox.
Tim UF @ Jun 28th 2008 3:10PM
Roger Calantone, meet the Pontiac Asstec.
jcar302 @ Jun 28th 2008 3:30PM
That's exactly what i was thinking.
chosenjin @ Jun 28th 2008 3:11PM
U of M? or MSU?
martin @ Jun 28th 2008 3:12PM
the reatta is a stunning car, if i could afford to import a mint one to the uk i'd be so there.
tho maybe my love of the allante is misplaced
BLS @ Jun 28th 2008 7:19PM
I saw a Reatta Coupe today. It is a great looking car. I think it is a future classic.
f3rg @ Jun 28th 2008 3:21PM
That's actually a pretty nice looking car. If you're looking for design flops, let me help:
Honda Element
Pontiac Aztec
Toyota Prius
Buick Rendezvous
baffledu2 @ Jun 28th 2008 3:32PM
Can't forget the Pacer for that list or how about the LeCar
jordan @ Jun 28th 2008 8:06PM
I would've said yes previously, but my mom just bought an Element, and I've been able to spend a bit of time with it. If you look at design with the idea of function in mind of the design, then the Element has a great design, just questionable styling. The design of all of the pieces of the Element had function in mind: the rear seats folding up and *to the side walls*; the interior being water resistant (for beach trips, etc); also, it has a TON of interior head room. Yes, this results in a "boxy" look, but its designed with function at the heart of the theme, and in that it passes with flying colors.
Tagbert @ Jun 29th 2008 11:21AM
f3rg,
You must be talking about the first-gen Prius whose 4-door Echo roots were showing. The second generation is not bad looking on the whole. (the taillights are overdone)
The Element is cohesive and true to its utilitarian/fun concept.
Let's replace those two with the third-gen Taurus and the Toyota Echo.
stratojet @ Jun 30th 2008 12:06PM
A design flop has 3 main characteristics:
1- It does not sell
2- It serves no purpose in the brand philosophy and reflects the infatuated ego of a highly ranked executive.
3- It distracts precious resources from the main objective ot the corporation, which is building cars that sell.
Some examples:
Allante
Chevy SSR
Reatta
Element
Ford Thunderbird (Reissue)
Camaro (the next one will follow the path)
Prowler
The next Challenger
In essence, you will not see any of this at Toyota, who builds serious transportation for ordinary customers.
Excitement is a dying concept that very few corporations can afford.
-
Joe Blow @ Jun 28th 2008 3:22PM
The 91 Reatta was 50 times nicer than 91 Skylark...
doc b @ Jun 28th 2008 4:42PM
You beat me to it!
Ugliest cars ever:
1. Pontiac Aztec
2. 91-95 Buick Skylark
ML @ Jun 28th 2008 3:31PM
Hey, Puh-leez(!). Who listens to University of Michigan professors anyway; like, what to THEY know? If the Reatta is a 'flop', then I guess this professor thinks the Pontiac Aztek is a great success! See my point? NOBODY - in their right mind - listens to professors from the U of M. If you're looking for an opinion about car design, talk to the professors at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. After all, that school sends more qualified designers into the industry than the University of Michigan could even hope for(!).
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 28th 2008 3:50PM
Did you read the article?
What industry do you mean? Other items in the list are the Susan B. Anthony dollar and the Sega Saturn.
BTW, the professor quoted is from Michigan State University.