Two weeks back, our How & Why Wonder Book of Hooning examined dashboard asymmetry. The next day, in Antti’s profile of the DMC-BX, faithful Hooniverse commenter Sjalabais posted this photo of the ill-fated Bertone-Volvo Tundra of 1979, a car that was never put in production because a few level-headed Swedes couldn’t quite understand the Italian concept that ending up with a car full of random shapes and odd angles was justification for using a bunch of random shapes and odd angles (something the French could totally get into, it turns out). But forget all that. The important thing is that that photo prompted a spontaneous discussion of asymmetrical grilles, and why they aren’t really a thing.
But how much of a thing are they actually not? That is what I’d like you all to answer today. Your hoonatically significant task is to compile a list of all the cars with asymmetrical grilles and/or front facia.
The Caveats (there are always caveats):
- For all those looking for loopholes, I am specifically looking for cars that eschew the typical bilateral, right-left symmetry we’ve come to expect. Asymmetry on a horizontal axis (top to bottom) is a given.
- We’re talking about deliberate asymmetry. Incidental details are excluded.
- We all realize that Volvo’s iconic diagonal slash is, itself, asymmetrical. And now that we have established that, let’s not list every Volvo car and truck ever.
Difficulty: Half a league out and six points off the starboard bow.
How This Works: Read the comments first and don’t post duplicates. Bonus points for adding photos. Remember, you can simply paste in the raw image URL now, thanks to the magic of Disqus.
Image Source: carstyling.ru
https://images.copart.com/website/data/pix/20120111/10907922_1X.JPG
Late 80s Ford Escort GT. My grandmother had one in red.
Early 90s Ford Escort GT
https://www.partrequest.com/images/ford/ford-escort-gt.jpg
You beat me to it (them). The Escort GT was the first thing that came to mind.
edit: And I’m really struggling to come up with anything else.
I can offer the final iteration of the Trabant, with a 1.1L 4-stroker from VW:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Trabant_1.1.jpg/800px-Trabant_1.1.jpg
Admit it, you just wanted another reason to run that chick’s picture.
I’ve seen that picture a couple of times here, but only today I recognized the damaged bumper (middle is looking… bumpy?)
[Edit: oh my, clumsy keyboard fingers]
An excellent example of diverted attention.
Like the bumper sticker says, “Look at my rear end, not hers.”
Her bumpers look undamaged from here.
ditto – the 70’s disco age was sweet as a preteen !
http://assets.blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2013/05/ChevroletSprint_01_1500.jpg
Chevy Sprint Turbo.
http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2013/06/13/02/40/pic-1280709963263866808.jpeg
for those curious about the cut-out and what it says.
Bonus points for the arrow pointing inward.
You know, just in case the wind needed directions.
And the pushbutton latch in the center.
Is that where you insert Atari cartridges?
http://imganuncios.mitula.net/2005_toyota_sienna_xle_limited_2000055421803585004.jpg
2004-6 Toyota Sienna with the laser cruise control option had a cutaway in the lower fascia, making it asymmetrical.
In 2007 they had a mid-cycle refresh and widened the lower valence grille and the unit was moved to the inside of the grille.
Which coincides with the same year of Avalons:
http://media.caranddriver.com/images/05q2/267355/toyota-avalon-photo-9128-s-429×262.jpg
http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/volvo-autonomous-cars-48.jpg
Volvo was more subtle with their approach.
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt237/jskitter/hooniverse/GhiaFocus.jpg
I really don’t know why this isn’t done more. You already need different left and right side tooling, so it comes down to design and programming/setup, which is only a small component of the actual tooling cost.
Original, pre-facelift Fiat Panda.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Fiat_panda_1_v_sst.jpg
Of course!
related to it… does this count?
Fun fact : the Panda 30 (30 hp 652cc aircooled twin) had the grill on the left and the Fiat badge on the right, while the 45 (45 hp 903cc watercooled four-pot) had it the opposite way.
This also seems like a good moment to post this totally awesome press pic :
Let’s have the Skoda Favorit (up until the first facelift).
http://www.autoviva.com/img/photos/194/skoda_favorit_135_ecotronic_le_large_6194.jpg
And the facelifted Mk1 Honda City, though all the Turbos had the assymmetrical grille from the get-go.
https://ranwhenparkeddotnet.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/hondaturbo2a.jpg
And quite a few came with the Motocompo which could be bought separately. Look you can get a set in 1:18 scale.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/other/auction-945143428.htm
http://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/408484407.jpg
http://static.carmodel.com/photos/51604_5.jpg
I don’t want to give away friday’s Carchive too soon…
Anticipation, (said as if by Frankenfurter in the Rocky Horror Picture Show
The first two generations of the Suzuki Alto Works, with bonus asymmetrical hood scoops!
http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Suzuki-Alto-Works-RS-X-CA72-640×448.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/CA21S_Suzuki_Alto_Works_1.jpg
Extra points for obscurity, right? The AZLK concept C1 from 1975 gives off a distinct Honda-SAAB-vibe with a slightly asymmetrical front:
http://www.autoreview.ru/new_site/year2002/n05/azlk/800/azlk_08.jpg
2002 interview with AZLK head designer of 1974-1987, Igor Andreevich: http://www.autoreview.ru/new_site/year2002/n05/azlk/1.htm
Late 1980s Wartburg
1942 Ford GTB aka the ” Burma Jeep ” ( the thing next to the hood is a big ass toolbox )
image
better view from the front … too cool !
but I think the wide open speed is just over 40 mph . The driver in this photo looks like he is having some fun though.
Tuesday yet ?
the BMW S1000RR. ( one of the top 5 fastest things sold new at the moment )
unless you have a top fuel car in yur garage … Thank you BMW.
NOW make one in black with white pinstripes !! numbskulls
( and drop a full power RR engine in a full GS – black with white pinstripes of course )
1983 Toyota Tercel wagon
Does badge placement count?
http://www.speichers.com/pictures/rangerover_front.jpg
We all realize that Volvo’s iconic diagonal slash is, itself,
asymmetrical. And now that we have established that, let’s not list
every Volvo car and truck ever.
If it doesn’t alter the grille layout, I’d say…nay.
Does it have to be a front grille?
http://image.motortrend.com/f/classic/roadtests/1311_1986_toyota_mr2_vs_1985_ferrari_308_gtsi_qv_comparison/62354918+w644/1986-toyota-mr2-rear-three-quarters.jpg
http://momentcar.com/images/1986-mr2-2.jpg
That’s my actual answer though:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Honda-Thats-1st-front.jpg
http://www.wired.com/wp-content/uploads/images_blogs/autopia/2013/09/180207652-1500.jpg
I really wanted to find an older offset mounted radiator Audi grille that was lacking in symmetry but I only found this monstrosity.
1943 Ford extra light GPW, ( model XLW )
1961 AMC ” muskrat”
Virgil Exner’s Plymouth XNR
http://assets.blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2012/07/1960PlymouthXNR_06_1500.jpg
The poster boy of asymmetry.
1969-70 Dodges with “Super-Lite” option.
It was meant to be something you used when you needed more than a low beam but didn’t want to face the wrath of oncoming drivers’ high beams. Also the 1st OEM quartz-halogen projector lamp.
http://www.quickmeme.com/img/ac/ac1b2e05b9b1d1c122aac3f986d3ad83c3cdc43443b8dcb884967bbd5f177d34.jpg
Suzuki Twin and the new Alto.
http://en.autowp.ru/image/format/picture/picture-gallery-full/suzuki/twin/autowp.ru_suzuki_twin_1.jpeg
http://en.autowp.ru/image/format/picture/picture-gallery-full/s/suzuki/alto/suzuki_alto_1_1.jpeg
Subaru Rex Supercharger.
http://www.japanclassic.ru/upload/cars/subaru/rex/1990_supercharger_kg,kn/big/1990_supercharger_kg,kn_04_b.jpg
http://en.autowp.ru/image/format/picture/picture-gallery-full/subaru/rex/autowp.ru_subaru_rex_combi_supercharger_vx_1.jpeg
Citroen SM
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/1970_Citroen_SM.jpg
Dave Puhl’s 1965 Illusion custom
Then I guess Ed Roth’s MegaCycle would count too?
http://in1.ccio.co/19/eC/HB/d4f674da16656a99beba3fb3b2791784.jpg
http://assets.blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2011/01/1986OmniGLH_700.jpg
It looks symmetrical to me. Offset, but symmetrical.
For the same reason, I didn’t include the hood grille on a Omni GLH (S).
The grille may be symmetrical, but I would disagree that the MegaCycle’s “facia” is!
Asymetric grille plus asymetric light pattern.
Fiat Panda