Hooniverse Asks- What Car has the Most Awesome Factory Interior?

Robert Emslie

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pontiac-interior-torfinn-johannessen

The earliest cars – those of more than a century ago – had no interior. There may have been a tufted cushion, and perhaps a rudimentary canvas cover, but for the most part you pretty much rode on the car, rather than in it. Oh how times have changed. Today, your car ‘s or truck’s – hell, especially some of the trucks – interior can be a home away from home, providing you with automatic climate control, Internet access and a place to warm or cool a tasty beverage. Your college dorm should have been so nice.

It’s not just amenities that have evolved over the decades, the materials, styling, and ergonomics have also seen several paradigm shifts over the years. Most of that is driven by the fact that we spend so darn much time in out cars that they better be both aesthetically and functionally pleasing. Today I want to know which car’s interior, in your opinion, possesses the the most alluring matchup of those aspects.

Do you shun the broad panoply of amenities now offered on cars for a more visceral appeal of the old school style over function approach, such as was the norm from about  the mid ’30s on through the ’60s? Or, is convenience and gee-whiz technology  turned tangible in soft-touch plastic more your bag? Whichever your poison, what car or truck do you think has the most awesome factory interior 

Image source: fineartamerica

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Robert Emslie

Robert Emslie

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56 responses to “Hooniverse Asks- What Car has the Most Awesome Factory Interior?”

  1. muthalovin Avatar
    muthalovin

    That unpronounceable car, the one that looks like a Victorians take on the 27th century.
    <img src="http://raredelights.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/The-1.2-million-Pagani-Huayra-11.jpg&quot; width=550>

    Reply
    1. craigsu Avatar
      craigsu

      I'll see your Huayra and raise you a Spyker C8
      <img src="http://media.caranddriver.com/images/media/227013/2008-spyker-c8-spyder-interior-photo-227019-s-1280×782.jpg&quot; width="600" border="0" style="border:none;" alt=" " />
      Image from caranddriver.com

      Reply
      1. craigsu Avatar
        craigsu

        Center console gauge cluster for good measure:
        <img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zeTBLp13GZY/T62wKipF48I/AAAAAAAACX0/NLJWRt5mq8s/s1600/spykerc8la023.jpg&quot; width="600" border="0" style="border:none;" alt=" " />

        Reply
      2. SSurfer321 Avatar
        SSurfer321

        came here to post Spyker.
        leaving satisfied.

        Reply
      3. Dean Bigglesworth Avatar
        Dean Bigglesworth

        One of my favourites, but that steering wheel is pretty lame compared to the one without an airbag.
        <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/Spyker_C8_Interieur.JPG&quot; width="600" img="">

        Reply
  2. $kaycog Avatar
    $kaycog

    I think the mid '50's Fords have the most beautiful colors, inside and out. This is the gorgeous interior of a '55 Thunderbird.
    <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3278/2582061514_e0e3b8e15d.jpg"width="500"/&gt;

    Reply
  3. DemonXanth Avatar
    DemonXanth

    Cord, definitely Cord.
    <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/1937_Cord_812_interior.JPG&quot; width=500>

    Reply
  4. I Think Not Avatar
    I Think Not

    I'm going to toss my vote in for the early Citroen DS. So elegant in its simplicity. Uncluttered. Smooth, flowing lines. Single-spoke steering wheel. Button where a brake pedal should be.
    <img src="http://www.autopaedia.com/auta/Citroen/Citroen%20DS,%20Citroen%20ID/Citroen%20DS%20Series%201%201955-1963%20(sedan%204d)%20(01)%20%5BIN1%5D.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. stickmanonymous Avatar
      stickmanonymous

      Has anyone here ever driven one? I've always wondered whether the gear shift was like the one in the 2CV, which the great Paul Cockburn once described as "like lancing a wombat."

      Reply
      1. Vavon Avatar
        Vavon

        I've never driven a DS, but I have driven several 2CVs… It's an enormous amount of fun for such a slow car.
        However I cant remember it feeling like throwing a short-legged, muscular quadrupedal marsupial!

        Reply
        1. stickmanonymous Avatar
          stickmanonymous

          I think he meant something more along the lines of stabbing a short-legged, muscular quadrupedal marsupial with a spear. I understand the gear-shift is a twist-and-jab sort of thing.

          Reply
          1. Vavon Avatar
            Vavon

            Aha! That does make a bit more sense… But just a bit!
            Here, now you can see for yourself how it works.
            [youtube llak5zRDLf0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llak5zRDLf0 youtube]

      2. Sid Troon Avatar
        Sid Troon

        DS's have Citromatic, which is easy-you just move the shifter from gear to gear, there's no clutch, it has a smooth, slightly notchy feel. ID's have a conventional 4 speed on the column and clutch, and that's a little bit vague but not too bad. 2cv's on the other hand, the shifter feels like shoving the quarters into the washing machine at the laundromat, very notchy, stiff & loud. Hope this helps.

        Reply
        1. stickmanonymous Avatar
          stickmanonymous

          It does, thanks!

          Reply
  5. OA5599 Avatar
    OA5599

    I always liked the way the waterfall between the seats blended the interior with the exterior on a vintage Vette.
    <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3905780465_af706a7db7.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. Marto Avatar
      Marto

      Transparent cupholder? What ze hey?

      Reply
      1. sporty88au Avatar
        sporty88au

        Almost looks like one of those plastic inserts you find in a biscuit tin – I'd hope it's more substantial than that.

        Reply
  6. Devin Avatar
    Devin

    1961 Dodge, because transparent speedometer.
    <img src="http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/1961_Dodge_Seneca_413_Max_Wedge_Sedan_Interior_1.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. OA5599 Avatar
      OA5599

      Transparent speedometers are nice, but trumped by this Delahaye's transparent steering wheel.
      <img src="http://www.hemmings.com/story_image/148151-500-0.jpg?rev=2"&gt;

      Reply
  7. dculberson Avatar
    dculberson

    The answer is clearly Lotus.
    <img src="http://www.toddsclassiccars.com/images/lotus/int.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. OA5599 Avatar
      OA5599

      Make enough electrical repairs, and you can get enough packaging to repair the interior, too.
      <img src="http://www.marblequeen.com/images/antiques/scotch.jpg"&gt;

      Reply
    2. nutzforautos Avatar
      nutzforautos

      Yijes! Warn a person! Thank the Lord I packed my thorazine…

      Reply
  8. pj134 Avatar
    pj134

    I love it when very large luxury sedans decide they can only manage 4 people. A8L pictured, but Phaeton also works
    <img src="http://media.caranddriver.com/images/10q2/342123/2011-audi-a8l-rear-seats-photo-346082-s-1280×782.jpg&quot; width=500>
    Additionally, I find the H1 interior fantastic for it's lack of space despite enormity of vehicle.
    <img src="http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2004/2004-Hummer-H1-Interior-Rear-Seats-View-1920×1440.jpg&quot; width=500>

    Reply
    1. Devin Avatar
      Devin

      I doubt it's as impressive as a proper luxury car by an established manufacturer, but I appreciate how the Geely GE is taking this to an absurd extreme.
      <img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XEEIzU0UA1M/SfKKTp4nmAI/AAAAAAAAOCg/W8OHXgdA6-k/s400/001.jpg"&gt;

      Reply
      1. pj134 Avatar
        pj134

        Ah, "communism".

        Reply
    2. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Have we come to that definition of "awesome"? I'll throw in the Volvo 340's dashboard to square things off a bit.
      <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Volvo_340_dashboard.JPG/800px-Volvo_340_dashboard.JPG&quot; width="600">

      Reply
  9. engineerd Avatar
    engineerd

    It's so awesome it's gone plaid…er…tartan.
    <img width=500 src="http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads13/plaid11946428411213881507.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. pj134 Avatar
      pj134

      You sensed me coming for you didn't you?

      Reply
    2. JayP2112 Avatar
      JayP2112

      More Porsche luv…
      <img src="http://www.928registry.org/CZ/P8050078.JPG&quot; width="600">

      Reply
  10. racer139 Avatar
    racer139

    The Tucker 48's dash apeals to me. The dash is so simple and the shifter column with its tiny shifter is a neat touch. As usual It wont let me post the pics from my phone. Try some google foooo.

    Reply
    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      <img src="http://www.laubly.com/TUCKER/Tucker10.jpg&quot; width=600>

      Reply
  11. wisc47 Avatar
    wisc47

    Maybe not the best, but for the interiors of the 70's I think the De Tomaso takes the cake.
    <img src="http://www.classic-car-history.com/classic%20italian%20cars/detomaso%20pantera%20pictures/1971-detomaso-pantera-interior.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. Sky_Render Avatar
      Sky_Render

      I always loved the placement of the gauges on the center stack.

      Reply
  12. JayP2112 Avatar
    JayP2112

    Gt40
    <img src="http://www.sportscardigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2-interior-w800-h800.jpg&quot; width="600">
    F1 (only if for the dual rear view mirrors)
    <img src="http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/McLaren/94-McLaren_F1-DJV_08_RML_i01.jpg&quot; width="600">

    Reply
  13. mdharrell Avatar
    mdharrell

    On the topic of factory interiors, the lede image is a 1950 Pontiac with a 1949 steering wheel missing its central clear plastic cover, an aftermarket 8-track player (not invented until the 1960s), missing trim above the glove box, an incorrect door panel, and a nonstandard paint job. Admittedly it's still not a bad-looking interior, but not factory.

    Reply
    1. pj134 Avatar
      pj134

      I kind of hate when I have to upvote you for stuff like this. While all true and funny, it makes me think of Vogons.

      Reply
      1. Vavon Avatar
        Vavon

        "Oh freddled gruntbuggly/thy micturations are to me/As plurdled gabbleblotchits on a lurgid bee.
        Groop I implore thee, my foonting turlingdromes. And hooptiously drangle me with crinkly bindlewurdles,
        Or I will rend thee in the gobberwarts with my blurglecruncheon, see if I don't!"

        Reply
        1. Kris_01 Avatar
          Kris_01

          I rather liked it.

          Reply
        2. craigsu Avatar
          craigsu

          Who knew Lewis Carroll was a Vogon?

          Reply
  14. PotbellyJoe Avatar
    PotbellyJoe

    <img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2606/3821385540_91ccab379d_b.jpg&quot; width="500/">
    It has all you need for a trip across Europe.

    Reply
    1. pj134 Avatar
      pj134

      Far too much, one person here might reckon.
      <img src="http://image.automobilemag.com/f/multimedia/photo_gallery/25810696+w1280+h1024+st0/0908_19_b+1980_kV_mini_1+interior_view.jpg&quot; width=500>

      Reply
      1. mdharrell Avatar
        mdharrell

        True, although I acknowlege the potential utility of that carbon-tet extinguisher, if only my car had the spare room for it.

        Reply
  15. Abe Avatar
    Abe

    AMC Javelin Pierre Cardin.
    <img src="http://media.caranddriver.com/images/09q4/301696/amc-javelin-amx-pierre-cardin-edition-interior-photo-305361-s-1280×782.jpg&quot; width="600">
    Stolen from Car and Driver

    Reply
    1. topdeadcentre Avatar
      topdeadcentre

      Grooviest interior EVAR!

      Reply
  16. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    The 1967 Imperial Mobile Director Coupe
    <img src="http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1967/MobileDirector/1967/Amodt/MVC-009F.jpg"width=500&gt;
    Perfect for a candlelight dinner.
    <img src="http://www.oldcaradvertising.com/Chrysler%20&%20Imperial/1967%20Chrysler/1967%20Imperial%20Ad-05.jpg"width=500&gt;

    Reply
  17. OA5599 Avatar
    OA5599

    If you lived in a 3-bedroom house with your parents and your 9 younger brothers and sisters, and had a hot date with Peggy Sue, when you borrowed your boss's Nash with the seats that convert to a bed, you might find that interior to be really awesome.
    <img src="http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Nash/1947%20Nash/album_001/1947%20Nash%20Bed-03.jpg&quot; width=500>

    Reply
    1. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      Now I'm curious what exactly turns a regular window screen into a deluxe window screen…

      Reply
  18. DemonXanth Avatar
    DemonXanth

    This car has an amazing interior!
    <img src="http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-20NvunS0m0k/UQyO_pV3t0I/AAAAAAACDZY/vUGKBG4lK20/s900/0_89f52_a00ba98f_XXXL.jpg&quot; width=500>

    Reply
  19. scroggzilla Avatar
    scroggzilla

    Facel Vega FTW!
    <img src="http://www.shorey.net/Auto/French/Facel%20Vega/Facel%20Vega%20Facel%20III%20berline%201963%20interior.jpg"&gt;
    Photo by Andre Ritzinger by way of Shorey.net

    Reply
  20. LBJ's Love Child Avatar
    LBJ's Love Child

    <img src="http://pcdn.500px.net/8157956/569857c89adb4499426c957f58809e7b9b9a6ba6/4.jpg&quot; width="600">
    Jag XK140 gives me wood.

    Reply
  21. SOHC Avatar
    SOHC

    I like that you asked which was "MOST AWESOME".

    Reply
  22. dr zero Avatar
    dr zero

    I think that the Lagonda interior is pretty awesome. I'm not sure if it's good or bad, but definitely awesome.
    <img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4017/4633512105_cdd892ce1c.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  23. salguod Avatar
    salguod

    I'm partial to the '58-'60 Thunderbird:
    <img src="http://photos.aaca.org/files/6/0/3/3/4/1960_ford_thunderbird_convertible_with_top_down_-_red_-_interior_pat_d.jpg&quot; width=600>
    Not my car, mine has no AC and is leather so it's not two tone, it's all red.
    But the '61-'63 has the better dash:
    <img src="http://www.velocityjournal.com/images/full/2011/539/fd1961thunderbird53941687.jpg&quot; width=600>
    But the '64-66 has the cool, wrap around back seat:
    <img src="http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/photogallery/1964-tbird-conv/64-tbird-conv-backseat.jpg&quot; width=600>

    Reply
  24. Mad_Hungarian Avatar
    Mad_Hungarian

    Pretty much any '75 Cadillac with a Monticello Velour interior:
    <img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2788/4173430107_e273cbdfdb_z.jpg?zz=1"&gt;
    Although they lack the fancy consoles of the Fleetwood Talisman, the fabric is way more over-the-top. It's the most pimped-out car straight from the factory that you could imagine. The existence of these cars shows us how different the 70's really were. Banker and CEO types bought cars that looked like a Victorian bordello inside.
    If a red one didn't strike your fancy, you could get it in bodacious blue:
    <img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2709/4111195448_fb0c238ca0_z.jpg?zz=1"&gt;
    or "Rosewood"
    <img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6046/6258619877_7de3ea82ce_z.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. nutzforautos Avatar
      nutzforautos

      The greatest interiors…EVER!!! Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!!!!

      Reply
  25. miki Avatar
    miki

    The 1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. You know you're driving something crazy when your car has a 9000 rpm redline and no speedometer at all !
    <img src="http://autoinjected.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/alfa-romeo-tipo-33-stradale-interior.jpg&quot; width="700">
    Also a honorable mention to the 1954 Fiat Turbina concept car. With a wooden steering wheel, a crapload of gauges and three gas turbine behind you, it has to be the coolest interior ever made.
    <img src="http://i54.tinypic.com/349ctjs.jpg&quot; width="700">

    Reply