Strictly my opinion here, but, the Element’s major appeal is the “every item has a purpose” or the “function first –style and beauty second” concepts can and does generate a style of its own. I’m sure someone could say this better than I, but I think I speak for many with this idea of function over form as an attraction of its own. The function over form design idea is essentially the core of the entire SUV movement. Simplicity, large usable space, adaptability-versatility, easy to keep clean, high gas mileage low maint. engine and body. And to think that Honda got all this into the lowest price package of any. Like I said, just my opinion.

Finally I think most can see a direct lineage to military vehicles. Function only designing for military vehicles has yielded some pretty ugly vehicles yet they seemed to have a unexpected charm. I think Honda got an unexpected acceptance from the Baby Boomer age for this very reason. I’m not just speaking of the Hummer either. I think you will see photos below the Element has a lineage more diverse than that. So essentially I’m hoping Honda won’t miss the message that the retro to older military vehicles can be an unexpected attraction for young and old alike. Especially in their future Element designs. I would really like to see a retro with modern materials designed around the old M37. but that’s just me. To this day I remember the M37 was a pleasure to drive too.

The first 2 photos (WC53) dates all the way back to 1938-1943.
The second photo (M37) I think they quit making them in 1958.

Note they all have the same maintenance free finders. LOL
The M 37 has the short wheel base that I love in the Element. Though hard to tell they are similar in size too.
http://prod.bsis.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/178/178641/folders/125442/Thumbnails/870577wc532.jpg
http://prod.bsis.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/178/178641/folders/125442/Thumbnails/869629ugg-42-wc53.jpg
http://prod.bsis.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/178/178641/folders/125442/Thumbnails/869627jeff-m37.jpg

Looks like Im limited one file size per post so here is the WC53.
[ing]http://prod.bsis.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/178/178641/folders/125442/Thumbnails/869629ugg-42-wc53.jpg[/img]

Looks like Im limited one file size per post so here is the WC53.
http://prod.bsis.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/178/178641/folders/125442/Thumbnails/869629ugg-42-wc53.jpg

Strictly my opinion here, but, the Element’s major appeal is the “every item has a purpose” or the “function first –style and beauty second” concepts can and does generate a style of its own. I’m sure someone could say this better than I, but I think I speak for many with this idea of function over form as an attraction of its own. The function over form design idea is essentially the core of the entire SUV movement. Simplicity, large usable space, adaptability-versatility, easy to keep clean, high gas mileage low maint. engine and body. And to think that Honda got all this into the lowest price package of any. Like I said, just my opinion.

Finally I think most can see a direct lineage to military vehicles. Function only designing for military vehicles has yielded some pretty ugly vehicles yet they seemed to have a unexpected charm. I think Honda got an unexpected acceptance from the Baby Boomer age for this very reason. I’m not just speaking of the Hummer either. I think you will see photos below the Element has a lineage more diverse than that. So essentially I’m hoping Honda won’t miss the message that the retro to older military vehicles can be an unexpected attraction for young and old alike. Especially in their future Element designs. I would really like to see a retro with modern materials designed around the old M37. but that’s just me. To this day I remember the M37 was a pleasure to drive too.

The first 2 photos (WC53) dates all the way back to 1938-1943.
The second photo (M37) I think they quit making them in 1958.

Note they all have the same maintenance free finders. LOL
The M 37 has the short wheel base that I love in the Element. Though hard to tell they are similar in size too.

http://prod.bsis.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/178/178641/folders/125442/869629ugg-42-wc53.jpg
http://prod.bsis.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/178/178641/folders/125442/870577wc532.jpg
http://prod.bsis.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/178/178641/folders/125442/869627jeff-m37.jpg

Looks like they all could use a cloud-rider grille protector!

:)

-brendan

Yeah, Brendan;
I think you catch what I'm saying here. LOL