miata shortcomings

[GModelle@domain.elided]

Esteemed Digesti,
I agree with Mr. Graves observations about the lack of character in the 
Mazda. It shares the same mundane, designed-by-commitee blandness that 
characterizes the BMW roadster, which in it's way, is only worse. My eyes 
seek the treat, the sculpted contour through which italian coachwork seems to 
say "speed"; as matter is molded by the forces which may act apon it. This 
approach to form is achieved only by the italians. They are capable, by pure 
passion or some god-given gift, to understand that the perception of form 
carries a message, or provides an affordance, a countenance of the rapid 
movement of objects in space. It seems as though the italian coachbuilders 
can acknowledge the processes of nature in the force of design, whereby the 
hand of the designer is guided by elemental influences. There have been more 
or less sublime interpretations by Bertone, for example. A really cool design 
idea, for me, is evident in the early GTV's. The "shelf-lipped" front bonnet 
supports the funicular expression of horizontal tension in the fascia. This 
artful taughtness between the fender wells, which are revealed on their inner 
sides, makes the front-end of this pretty car something very special. 
Everyone should look carefully at what mastery this bit of automotive 
sculpture represents.

In general interest, I read somewhere that no automobile design is conducted 
by a single hand these days. That's pretty obvious. The last design that was 
lauded as the work of a single and inspired mind was the bodywork for the 
Volvo P1800. That car is also in the same catagory of excellence as the 
Bertone creation. 

Modelle in Somers Point
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