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Our Two Cents: Best Doppelgänger Cars
A doppelgänger can be anything, though its origins seemingly trace back to references of two people who resemble each other. The principle works for vehicles, too, as there are plenty that do a darn good job of looking like another product.
Or perhaps Doppelgänger Cars can look like a living creature, or something else entirely? We posed this thought exercise to members of Hagerty Media, so let’s see what they came up with.
The Narval Blobfish
“There’s this Narval body that Figoni & Falaschi built on top of a handful of Delahaye chassis in the ’40s. Someone must think they’re pretty, because they’ve won concours and people have paid a lot of money for them. But every time I see one, I think of that sad photo of a blobfish after being yanked out of its highly pressurized deep-sea habitat.” — Andrew Newton
Stefan’s Grab Bag
“The GM 1980s badge-engineered sedans are too easy, obviously. The same is true about the Ford Mustang and Mercury Capri. So here are some others:
- The Ford EcoSport and high-top baby shoe.
- The Lamborghini Espada and Megamind.
Oh, and the Mercedes 600 has always reminded me of Oddjob.” — Stefan Lombard
The Iconic Dustbusters
“At the risk of piling onto the General, there are also the GM minivans that looked like oversized Dustbuster vacuum cleaners.” — Joe DeMatio
Nice Miata?
“I always chuckle when I see one of these Viper/Miata memes while scrolling on social media. They usually come with phrases like ‘Just told a dude in a Viper I loved his Miata,’ or ‘Miata meets his dad.’
The memes are stronger than the actual resemblance, but the Viper/NB Miata comparison is funny just the same. It turns out that designer Ken Saward worked on both cars, so the similarity is more than happenstance.” — Eddy Eckart
Porsche 911, VW Beetle
“I know this will come across as trolling, and I apologize for that. But I’ve always appreciated how the 911 looks like a Beetle. The engine is in the same place too—it’s like they came from the same minds!” — Greg Ingold
We’ve been here before!
“Since you brought it up, doppelgängers were the underlying premise for this story. I am thoroughly mocked in the intro, but the doppelgänger nature of these two cars has merit.” — Stefan Lombard
“Speaking of articles like that, I will do you one better.” — Aaron Robinson
Opel GT, Corvette Stingray
“I remember the first time I saw a new Opel GT. It was on a Buick dealer’s lot, and it was a Sunday and the car was unlocked, so I immediately sat behind the wheel. I marveled that while I was too broke to afford a Chevrolet Corvette, maybe I could afford this child-sized model. Never pulled that trigger, but I’ve always liked the Opel GT since.” — Steven Cole Smith
Sajeev Made It Weird
“Perhaps I owe the readers an apology, as this episode of Our Two Cents is really just a prelude to a future article I have in the works about two iconic car designs. The moment I caught wind of the Tesla Cybertruck (2019), it was clear that it and the 1980 Citroën Karin would one day become an article.
That’s just how my minimalist wedge-loving mind works. These two doorstops on wheels do look similar, at least compared to every other car you see online and in person. But the details present in their designs separate the Tesla from the Citroën. Sorry, that’s all I am saying for now, watch this space for more in the future!” — Sajeev Mehta
Excuse me if I don’t wait with bated breath for that one, Sanjeev! 😋
Like any vanity project, that one will be written for an audience of me. (Well, hopefully maybe 15 other people.)
That many wedge-worshippers out there, ya think? 🤔
Anyway, I nominate a 1947 Volvo P444 and a 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Coupe – main difference in size only, to my eyes. With honorable mention to the next size down: 1950 Renault 4CV.
My favorite wedge would be the Lotus Esprit.
Agree!
Better then a Fiat x-19.
I love those Loti, ‘specially the white submarine version James Bond had… but I must most vigorously protest that you have forgotten the Lancia Stratos. I loved that thing as a kid, above the 288 GTO and any Lambo, even the ur-Quattro, one of which I was privileged to drive at insane speed while living in the Kingdom in the ’80s. Did the lottery money descend upon me, purists and collectors would hire hitmen, because as soon as I could acquire a Stratos, I’d drive it as the designers intended, until one of us broke.
Yes, I came here to write this
Not to mention the Volvo Amazon copied a 1955 Chrysler sedan.
Agree on the Volvo-Ford extremely close resemblance (modeling?). It would be interesting to learn about the origins and development of the Volvo design. No doubt this has been done by somebody — but I haven’t come across it yet. Cheers!
Volvo did things like that. Although better engineered than the Ford (for example) the resemblance was probably no accident. Nor was it an example of Nash’s gaming theory. American designs were catchy – and for good reason. Styling was still a relatively new thing – and Edsel Ford had some of the best. Even though it didn’t go over very well in the US, Chrysler’s Airflow ‘inspired’ others. Including Peugeot, Toyota – and even Volvo as I recall.
How about the Volvo Amazon122 and 55 mercury? eh?
volvo was part of the ford PAG premium auto group for years with shared platforms and designs. go figure. ( also Aston Martin.
I think you mean 2door sedan, not coupe. an, actually there wer 2 coupes.. business and standard and their bodies were different.
Bugeye sprite, Triumph TR2, Jaguar xk,120.
How about the Crosley Hotshot?
Big – eyed SPRITE
Back in the day I told a few people that the 444 was an early design for a Falcon, Not everybody believed, but enough did to make it fun.
Thats why I think the Volvo PV444 is so cool- a sporty mini version of the Ford. In any case isn’t almost all design derivative at some level? A truly “unique” design is rare- visual arts of any kind, including car design, seem to follow trends-
Absolutely!
The Maserati Mistral and the Studebaker Avanti.
How about the Maser Indy?
Always most interesting when the luxury marque copies the inexpensive car but the reverse has been true countless times. The Chrysler 300 and almost any Bentley is a prime example. Genesis has done quite a job cloning Mercedes as well.
Count me in!
I’ll see your Karin and raise you a Pontiac Aztek
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/comparison-of-indian-garbage-cart-and-tesla-cyber-truck
They found the truth in India.
Curt Brubaker’s concept drawing published in 1978 has a whole lot of Cybertruck in it (but looks much better). Many of the same functional details as well.
a search of “1978 car of the future article drawings” got some hits on the first page as I had forgotten his name.
——-
2nd gen Camaro has a design debt to the Bourke designed 53 Studebaker Starlight Coupe. Compare the profiles from similar angles.
Nissan 200 sx, first gen Acura Integra
I’ve always read the second generation Camaro was based on mid-60s Ferraris….the 250, 275, the GTO.
In a conversation with Hank Haga (chief designer of the studio where the Gen 2 Camaro was designed), he told me that the Ferrari 250GT SWB was his inspiration. Hank owned two Ferraris. a 512-BB & 166MM plus a Bugatti Type 35. I worked under Hank for a brief period before he got a new assignment.
The BB512 is to me, the ultimate Ferrari. Twitchy, oil smoke on light up, the sound of the god’s fury, and likely less practical than a Countach. What’s not to love?
Spot on, Snalish; ’53 Stude Starliner and ’70 Camaro. I demonstrated this to an art class in the early ’70’s
What an insult to the Citroen. The Tesla is a profoundly unresolved amateur design. Ridiculous actually.
And Nikola is turning in his grave daily, poor guy. No peace for him and his brilliance.
👍
Agree. Nothing yet has been as ugly and pathetic as the cyber truck.
Not to mention the Tesla stock in the toilet, Yay!!
You one of the people who a year ago thought Teslas were the Automotive savior…only to change your opinion because of issues not related to the car itself?
Grow up.
Au contraire! The Nissan Cube, Ford Flex, Pontiac Aztek. All are on-par with the Cyber Truck in sheer ugliness and vomitous design failure. (If not worse!)
I cannot agree more. Probably one of the ugliest vehicles ever produced and there have been a few.
I was working on a job at the GM Proving Grounds just before the Aztek was unvailed, they had a triangular foam block to square off the back and camo all over the vehicle. I just happened to walk in when they uncovered it. I was looking at it, when an engineer standing next to me said ” this is the future of GM”, I said “well buddy, you better sell off all your stock now, cause that is the ugliest plastic clad suv that I have ever seen”, he gave me a dirty look! As ugly as it was, my buddys kid had one and it served him well for quite a while
Okay, maybe you don’t like Elon (any more)…calling the Cybertruck amateurish demands that you prove your standing in the pantheon of professional car designers that affords you the right to judge. Say you don’t like it – fine. Anything more…who made you the authority on it…?
Well, the fragile axles, randomly exiting wheels, failing body glue, and sudden fires might not address the “design”, but I believe that an automobile is the sum of it’s parts. Don’t park your Cyber truck in any garage attached to your home, and do ask your insurance people about how randomly falling body panels might cause liability concerns. But, hey! You do you.
Really? No mention of the Aries-K and it’s Mercedes twin? Can’t believe Mercedes would so blatantly copy the look of such a mundane car (sarcasm)
I guess that’s why they bought the whole company years later.
Opel GT, Corvette Stingray was a good combo. I liked the baby Corvette.
Hers and his perhaps?
Herr’s and Mann perhaps Mr. Herrmann?
My wife and I bought a ’72 Opel GT in back in ’76. We loved the little car. Plenty of power, handled like a dream, hated to sell it but our son was getting too big for setting on the back shelf.
Chuck Jordan, who later became GM Design VP, designed both, one when he was at the Warren Tech Center, and the other when he was on assignment at Opel.
’86-88 Fiero GT can be added to that list.
The reason the two look so similar is the designer of the Corvette also had a big hand in the design of the Opel GT. I forgot the gent’s name offhand, but it can be found with a Google search I’m sure.
Early Celica/Mustang
Modern Mustangs and that really expensive BMW
IH Scout /Bronco
67-72 C10 —all the trucks in Paw Patrol
2nd on the early Celica. I had a 77 fastback for years and lost count of how many times it was called a Mustang… until the light turned green
Yep, no contest against a well-driven Boss Mustang.
Duh….
I was going to mention this. I recall in High School (mid-to-late 80’s) a neighbor had a Celica (GT?) that looked remarkably like a very small Asian version of a Fastback Mach 1. It was kinda cute!
I thought that would be #1.
Second generation Corvair and 67 Camaro.
Second-gen Corvair and 73 Opel Manta. Some people have suggested that the Manta would have been the third-gen Corvair if it had lived, with obvious changes for engine placement. Who knows?
Yes, thank you. The Manta is mini LM Corvair, no doubt about it.
I agree Kim. I own a ’68 Camaro and have thought the lines of Corvair body were carried over to the Camaro.
In some cases, the design details are the same. Look at the cowl area just below the windshield wipers. That similarity inspired me to paint Z-28 style stripes on my Corvair.
That one I don’t see…
Scrolling through this article, I was anticipating seeing the C3 Corvette and the Opel GT. The Opel was a true mini me to the C3 Corvette.
I too was scrolling for the Opel GT/3rd Gen. Corvette doppelganger. Although Opel (making automobiles since 1898 & a GM brand since 1929) their design teams (Ruesselsheim, FRG & Warren, MI) were independent from each other. Remember, no internet! The Friedhelm Engler designed “Experimental GT” was first shown at the 1965 Frankfurt Motor Show. Erhard Schnell designed the production version with “Maximum” Bob Lutz being appointed Head of Opel Sales in 1963, coined the most remembered advertised slogan “Nur fliegen ist schoener” “Only flying is better”. In 1962, Clare Mackichen was appointed Head of Opel design. “Mac” initiated Opel to begin Project 1484 that became the Experimental GT/Opel GT. Without video conferencing or internet, the Opel GT and C3 Corvette were ‘parallel projects’ by coincident. I’ve owned a 1970 Corvette since 2013 (Bloomington Gold Survivor/ NCRS 4X Top Flight) purchased from the original owner. Now 42K miles with everything, including A/C & clock working! I had a 1973 Opel GT while working in West Germany, 1984-86. Loved it! I purchased a 1970 Opel GT last year to enjoy going to car shows with them both side by side.
I always wondered why Opel didn’t choose the name “Manta” for the GT instead of its little sedan. Would make sense, given the Corvette “Stingray” parallel.
The 2001 Saab 9/3 and the 2001 Hyundai Elantra GT. Even the dashboard is similar.
199o’s Pontiac 6000 and the 700 series Volvo.
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anonymous
Intentiomally?
1st gen Corvair and NSU Prinz. Also International Harvester Scout and Ford Bronco
The Convair and the Hillman Imp.
As far as Bronco/Scout…duh. Two vehicles designed for the same job and price. Hardly shocking.
Hillman Imp built in Scotland by Ship builders with government money. Good story.
How could you miss the Lotus Elan and the Miata?
My thoughts exactly
1st gen “New Beetle” and 1st gen Audi TT. It’s like they had the same designers. Haha.
Well, the TT design was an homage to the 356 Porsche.
I always thought the Volvo P1800 and VW Karmann Ghia looked similar.
I never saw that, but it must have been hidden my sub-conscious – I had two Type 14s before switching to various 1800s – P, S, ans E
Did you miss the 70s Celica and Mustang?
Exactly, the 77 Celica GT hatchback was considered the mini Mustang Fastback.
One of the most obvious copy-designs of that decade. But it looked great and had it’s own following.
Porsche 944 and the FC RX7
Nissan 200 sx and first gen Acura Integra.