How Important Should Automobile History be in the Next GT?

[JohnBM01]

GTPlanet, I don't openly admit that I prefer older cars compared to the latest cars. Gran Turismo 4 was probably the first racing game I know of which featured autos before the 20th Century. But as I look through my World Book encyclopedia from 1969, there were autos older than the Daimler Motor Coach. To show that PD did a good job with older autos but could do much better in terms of historical automobiles. I'm not hating on PD, but here are some older automobiles in my 1969 encyclopedia on automobiles. These are other examples of older cars that would enhance Gran Turismo's historical look at automobiles, and you can look them up online if you wish:

1770 - Cugnot's Steamer; French, steam
1865 - Roper Steam Carriage; American, steam
1885 - Benz Carriage; German, gas
1893 and 1894 - Dureya; American, gas
1894 - Panhard-Levassor; ???, ??? (famous for the front-engine design)
1896 - Ford; American, gas
ca. 1900 - Riker Electric; ???, electrick (some of the first closed cars)

In the future, I'll offer more from my 1969 World Book encyclopedia on the history of the automobile. But GTPlanet, do you think PD can dig a bit deeper in automobile history, even to the point of past steam and electric cars? Myself, personally, I liked seeing old historics in Gran Turismo 4 because Gran Turismo was never seriously about one certain car, never about full speed all the time, never about unrealistic handling, it was all about the drive. I respect automobile history, I don't mind auto history... GTPlanet, are you on the same page with me on perhaps delving deeper in automobile history? I'm not saying "please look back into time a bit more," but more like "would you want deeper automobile history in Gran Turismo?"

Also in later posts, I'll talk about past auto racing. I think you may like what I have prepared for motorsports history in the next Gran Turismo perhaps.

 

[niky]

I would actually like to see some more GTs from the 30s and 40s than much older cars which, although of historical interest, would not be much fun to drive around (1-lap Nurburgring enduros not withstanding... ). Maybe some of the old cycle-cars, or Bugattis would be nice. But I wonder if this wouldn't be more fitting for a special stand-alone edition of GT than the regular game, as the complex shapes of classic automobiles would take up much more space on GT than any number of "identical" Skylines.

 

[STiGoFLyBy]

Hmm, that'll definitly be interesting and I'm sure if that did happen people who start to look at GT and say it's truly a unique and one-of-a-kind game.

Personally, I would rather not see those type of cars because you can't really race them. It's a racing simulator and unless you can participate in races, then I think PD should stay away from historic cars. I agree with niky though, seeing cars from the 30's and 40's would be neat.

 

[Cosmic]

I'd like to see more historic racing cars from the 50's to the 80's

 

[STiGoFLyBy]

More cars from the 80's too. Dodge Spirit. Chrysler LeBaron. Pontiac Fierro. Dodge Aries. All awesome cars.

 

[kjb]

I would like to see more historic cars like Niky siad. It would be cool to able to race some older cars racing against each other.

 

[McLaren]

I'd rather they'd stop at the 30's and 40's. I've never really been a fan of anything past the 60's anyways.

 

[thenoose]

the '53 corvette would be something cool. and dont forget the the horsless carriage that was a saddle and 4 wheels attached to a modified cannon! that would kick ass!

 

[FC3S-D]

The Ford pinto! lol jk maybe perhaps some of the old cars driven in united kingdom or something like that

 

[Emohawk]

Personally, I would rather not see those type of cars because you can't really race them. It's a racing simulator and unless you can participate in races, then I think PD should stay away from historic cars.

It's not a racing simulator, it's a driving simulator. That's why the AI sucks, you're not supposed to care about them.
I'd like to see the Doble steam car from 1925. I haven't read much about it, but it was supposed to be the pinnacle of steam powered cars before gasoline internal combustion took over.

 

[Classic Anycar]

1886 Daimler Motor Carriage
1902 Oldsmobile Curved Dash
1908 Ford Model T
1911 Marmon
1923 Chenard-Walcker
1928 Alvis
1936 Cord 810
1942 Jeep
1947 Land Rover
1948 Citroen 2CV
1948 Tucker Torpedo
1949 Volkswagen
1950 Alfa-Romeo 158
1951 Chrysler
1953 Chevrolet Corvette
1957 Ford Ranchero
1959 Oldsmobile
1961 Shelby Cobra
1964 Shelby Daytona
1963 Porsche 911
1964 Pontiac GTO
1965 Ford Mustang
1966 Stutz
1966 Duesenberg
1966 Packard
1966 Mercer-Cobra
1966 Bugatti
1966 Pierce-Arrow
1966 Jordan
1966 Ford Mustang
1966 Lola T70 Spyder
1966 Ford GT40
1967 Toyota 2000GT
1969 Datsun 240Z
1974 Volkswagen Golf
1980 AMC Eagle
1984 Buick GNX
1984 Dodge Caravan
1989 Dodge Viper
1989 Mazda Miata
1993 Plymouth Prowler
1998 Shelby Series 1
2002 Dodge Hemi Ram
2003 Ford GT

 

[STiGoFLyBy]

It's not a racing simulator, it's a driving simulator. That's why the AI sucks, you're not supposed to care about them.
I'd like to see the Doble steam car from 1925. I haven't read much about it, but it was supposed to be the pinnacle of steam powered cars before gasoline internal combustion took over.

Yeah, i just realized that when I saw the cover again.

 

[pajo20]

What about the 1902 "Curved Dash" Olds, the first mass-produced car in the US? I would also love to see the Tucker ('48 only), a '37 Cord 812, and a Checker.

Aside to Emohawk, for the Doble, the main selling point for it was that it didn't take as long for it to start. The best-selling steam car, the Stanley, took like 30 minutes to start because steam had to be created for the engine to run. The Doble had a revolutionary way for steam to be made in about five minutes, thus the driver being able to leave faster. But the Doble, like all other steam and electric cars, faded from the scene by the early '30s, because, mainly, gas engines started faster and were more reliable.

 

[niky]

I'd rather they'd stop at the 30's and 40's. I've never really been a fan of anything past the 60's anyways.

 

[STiGoFLyBy]

If they do have these really old classics I would also like to see a detailed description of the car like in GT2's format. GT3 has it too, but it scrolled. It would help me, and probably some of you learn more about the car.

 

[wee-homer]

I want Cosworths, 80's touring car legends like The Texaco, ANS, Kaliber and labatts RS500's. I would also want to see the Escort cosworth, sierra cosworth and sapphire cosworth. I know that they did take pictures sound clips ect of the escort cosworth for gt4 as it was some 1 on the RSOC's car they borrowed for it but it was never used in game

**edit*** and some e30 m3 touring cars wouldnt got a miss eather 👍

 

[TheCracker]

I want Cosworths, 80's touring car legends like The Texaco, ANS, Kaliber and labatts RS500's. I would also want to see the Escort cosworth, sierra cosworth and sapphire cosworth. I know that they did take pictures sound clips ect of the escort cosworth for gt4 as it was some 1 on the RSOC's car they borrowed for it but it was never used in game

**edit*** and some e30 m3 touring cars wouldnt got a miss eather 👍

With you there mate 👍 - the golden age of BTCC.

I too love the older cars in GT, but i don't really dig anything pre-war (vintage) - i know GT is a 'driving simulator' but really, its a racing game with a few bells and whistles. IMO anything pre-war can't be comparable to a modern motor. Perhaps its just my tastes?

 

[JohnBM01]

Speed Channel show "My Classic Car" recently featured Jay Leno's abounding collection of cars. The car MCC host Dennis Gage and Jay Leno rode around Los Angeles was the Stanley Steamer. It was a fun sight to see a steam-powered car be introduced to the hustle and bustle of big city life. Jay Leno was tooting the horn and more steam was blown from the car while at speed. I don't know what its top speed would be, but I heard it could do 60 on the highway. If steam cars were to be in GT, that would mean some better smoke effects.

I've been reading through this old "A" World Book from 1969, and I see more interesting automobiles. Here are some more significant autos. By the way, the Ford Model T from my intro was italicized to note cars already in a Gran Turismo game. Here's another list of interesting autos and why they are so:
* 1901 - Oldsmobile; American, gas (first mass-produced car in America with 425 units made)
* 1908 - Cadillac; American, ??? (first car with interchangable parts)
* 1914 - Stutz Bearcat; American, (one of America's first sports cars)
* 1922 - Essex; British(?); gas (pioneer of closed car trend)
* 1932 - Ford V-8; American, gas (first low-priced car with a V8)
* 1934 - De Soto Airflow; American, gas (streamlined styling pioneer)
* 1935 - Pontiac; American, gas (first all-steel top)
* 1947 - Studebaker; American, gas (the "new look" after World War 2)

As far as racing's past is concerned, here are some facts that would be interesting for auto racing to be covered in the next GT. Road racing in America is said to have been an experiment WAY back in 1878 as two steam-powered cars raced from Green Bay, WI, USA... all the way to Madison, WI, USA (or for college types, Wisconsin Badgers country). The cars raced at the speed most of us walk. There's been American racing at Indianapolis since 1909, but the Indy 500 was born in 1911. The inaugural 500 winner Ray Herroun piloted his Marmon Wasp to the line at a speed of 74.59 mph. In 1969, speeds of Indy cars were around 150 mph.

Nice deal of history? Do you think PD would want to look into it? Would you want them to look into it? Carry on discussion.

 

[Tenacious D]

Jeepers, it's been a while since I've been here. What a summer...

Anyway, I would like something like Gran Turismo "RPG" idea where at the highest level you take on the role of a driver working to break into the league of your choice from the hobby leagues, against drivers with names and histories of their own.

But I like the idea of taking part in races from the past, with machines from history. Hopefully more from the 30s or 40s onward, where they have some reasonable performance.

I'd also like to get them out of the way.

But you have to be for variety in this greatest driving game ever. Whatever comes of GT Vision, I'll be there with my suit and gloves ready to take the wheel.

I have to add that I scored big. Just got the Gran Turismo 1 and 2 soundtracks right from Japan for a sweet price. Awesome, awesome stuff.

 

[2004TSX]

I would love to see more historic crs from the early 1900's or late 1800's. BUT, there needs to be specific races just for them, eg. Ford Model T,A (etc.) against a Dusenburg, Stanley, LaSalle, etc.. That would be good with easier tracks than the the aforementioned Nurburgring. (47 hours or so ..lol ) I would also like to see more "normal" cars. New cars that they sell in the US or the UK. I would love to drive my Suzuki Forenza Wagon against a Chevy Aveo!

 

[Dottinger-Hohe]

Chrysler LeBaron. Dodge Aries.

 

[Emohawk]

Quiet, you. K cars rock ass.

 

[Alonsomania]

an Auto Union Type-C would be extremely cool,aswell as the Merc W196 Streamliner.

The Brabham Fan Car would be great aswell

 

[~DrifterEX~]

I think history of cars in any gran turismo game is a very important feature, beacuse the game itself is designed to be an encyclopedia

 

[Elstro]

The ERA racers from the 1930s would be gr8- even today they do 300 BHP, weigh 700 kg, and would probably hold their own against modern cars.

Instead of identical Skylines - how about all the 1981 GM J-Car variations, including the Vauxhall Cavalier, and Opel Ascona.

Also diesel cars, and bring back the descriptions of each model like on GT2.

 

[nightkid86]

History is important.

Which is why they should have the oldest family owned car company in the game!

 

[futuredrifter]

It would be nice to have a deeper rally history with more older cars and tracks....just imagine, the loud echo from the hills, and hearin an older ford escort rally car comiing full sideways from a hairpin turn...and listening to that loud BDA engine scream..... heh now that would be just awsome.

 

[niky]

***sigh*** Ford Escorts...

 

[McLaren]

More foreign manufacturers from Europe and definately Australia or just more cars from them.

We need more Holdens and maybe an introduction of HSV?

 

[VIPFREAK]

Well since the first one apparently was a big ass flop, it should not that important.