Successful facelifts

[adw1977]

As a companion thread to @GeordieInExile 's excellent Unsuccessful Facelifts thread

A couple of examples where I think the facelift did improve on the original. 

Mark 1 Carlton, rather a gawky front end IMO:

Facelift, which did unfortunately end any real difference between Vauxhall and Opel versions:

Mark 2 Capri, another gawky front:

Mark 3 was really just a facelift of the Mark 2, but longer bonnet, twin headlights and wraparound bumpers were a big improvement:

[GeordieInExile]

Always liked these better than the originals. Controversial, I know. 

[ETCHY]

Mk4 Cortina, Mk5 looked better imo.

[lesapandre]

For once BLMC getting something right. The 1300GT was considered quite cool at the time. Quite refreshed it.

They should have done the same with Maxi too. 

Just some trim and paint really.

[ProgRocker]

Hyundai X2 from 1991/2 looked better than the 1985-91 Pony. 

 

[Datsuncog]

I reckon the facelift Sierra from '87 on looked better than the original.

Though the early wheel trims are pretty sweet, admittedly.

Fight me.

[Metal Guru]

  On 28/06/2024 at 07:45, Datsuncog said:

I reckon the facelift Sierra from '87 on looked better than the original.

Though the early wheel trims are pretty sweet, admittedly.

Fight me.

Expand  

Ford seem to bring out a model that’s not quite right looking IMO. They then improve it with each facelift but then go too far and it looks wrong again.

Think Focus and Mondeo. Fiesta they got right first time then made it worse to the Mk4 before improving it again. 

[Carl1981]

Discovery three was never a good looking car for me…

disco 4 definitely improved things…

especially inside…

much better in the 4…

[KWhite]

As much I like this shape of Mondeo,  I think the 2003 facelift was a big improvement, especially to the interior.

But then I think the 2005 tweak with the lines and chrome strip on the rear lights was a step backwards again...

[IronStar]

Alfa 166

Pre facelift it looked like a molten hammerhead shark. After the facelift it looks aggressive and fast.

[Rod/b]

  On 28/06/2024 at 09:56, IronStar said:

Alfa 166

Pre facelift it looked like a molten hammerhead shark. After the facelift it looks aggressive and fast.

Expand  

100% hard agree with this. The only problem was it came far, far too late. 

[IronStar]

  On 28/06/2024 at 10:21, Rod/b said:

100% hard agree with this. The only problem was it came far, far too late. 

Expand  

Ah but that’s quintessential Alfa for you. Great looking, great car, good quality, priced right, right time in the market, always cross out at least one. The only time in recent* memory they nailed all five was with 147/156 and they sold probably as many as they could churn out.

[lesapandre]

  On 28/06/2024 at 09:17, Carl1981 said:

Discovery three was never a good looking car for me…

disco 4 definitely improved things…

especially inside…

much better in the 4…

Expand  

Definite improvement...

[philibusmo]

I found the Mk2 Focus really disappointing when it was released. It went from the sharp looks of the facelift Mk1 to dumpy:

The Facelift made a huge difference and really sharpened up the looks again:

[lesapandre]

  On 28/06/2024 at 10:46, philibusmo said:

I found the Mk2 Focus really disappointing when it was released. It went from the sharp looks of the facelift Mk1 to dumpy:

The Facelift made a huge difference and really sharpened up the looks again:

Expand  

This coincided with the departure of swashbuckling Jacques Nasser, CEO of Ford and the arrival of William Clay Ford - who took the company and it's car design in more conservative direction.

[ProgRocker]

  On 28/06/2024 at 10:46, philibusmo said:

I found the Mk2 Focus really disappointing when it was released. It went from the sharp looks of the facelift Mk1 to dumpy:

The Facelift made a huge difference and really sharpened up the looks again:

Expand  

I really didn't like the interior in my  parents' 2005 C Max. Very austere looking with plastic door cards. Wish they kept their 1999 Renault Scenic that they traded in. 

[warch]

  On 28/06/2024 at 10:38, lesapandre said:

Definite improvement...

Expand  

Was that an accidental juxtaposition of a Discovery 3 and an AA recovery truck?

[Noel Tidybeard]

civic 9 gen

• a bit blue rinse after 8 gen

• facelift gives it a bit moar GRRR

[Imhotep]

  On 28/06/2024 at 09:43, KWhite said:

As much I like this shape of Mondeo,  I think the 2003 facelift was a big improvement, especially to the interior.

But then I think the 2005 tweak with the lines and chrome strip on the rear lights was a step backwards again...

Expand  

Have had 3 of these and deliberately looked for a facelift every time. Vastly improved, especially the interior as you say. Higher specced got 5 stage heated and cooled seats that the pre facelifts didn’t get. 

[D.E]

E90, the rear especially:

[Garythesnail]

 

 

Rear light layout improved, as is the look of the cabin.

[egg]

I'm not sure it's better, but I think the MK2 Uno worked well and also improved quality at the same time and helped it survive into the 90s.

[GeordieInExile]

More of a buttlift but I much prefer the way this looks to the 900. The number plate placement is way better. 

[egg]

I think MK1 to MK2 Fiat 127 worked as a 'modernisation', especially with C-pillar kink

(but I really don't like the MK3 which looks a bit fat and ungainly).

[egg]

I guess we can class this as just a 'facelift' - if so it, works for me.

[sierraman]

  On 28/06/2024 at 07:45, Datsuncog said:

I reckon the facelift Sierra from '87 on looked better than the original.

Though the early wheel trims are pretty sweet, admittedly.

Fight me.

Expand  

I don’t know I’m torn to be honest. An ‘85 XR4x4 looks better than a ‘87 one. But then those late Sierras were pretty tasty. 

[sierraman]

  On 02/07/2024 at 13:05, egg said:

I think MK1 to MK2 Fiat 127 worked as a 'modernisation', especially with C-pillar kink

(but I really don't like the MK3 which looks a bit fat and ungainly).

Expand  

Didn’t it become the Seat Fura? 

[chaseracer]

  On 02/07/2024 at 16:51, sierraman said:

Didn’t it become the Seat Fura? 

Expand  

Yep - with five doors, too.

[danthecapriman]

  On 27/06/2024 at 19:52, adw1977 said:

As a companion thread to @GeordieInExile 's excellent Unsuccessful Facelifts thread

A couple of examples where I think the facelift did improve on the original. 

Mark 1 Carlton, rather a gawky front end IMO:

Facelift, which did unfortunately end any real difference between Vauxhall and Opel versions:

Mark 2 Capri, another gawky front:

Mark 3 was really just a facelift of the Mark 2, but longer bonnet, twin headlights and wraparound bumpers were a big improvement:

Expand  

Got to be honest (oh shocker!😄) I prefer the mk2 Capri looks over the mk3 any day!

The mk2 was a much simpler more stylish traditional look. Chrome bumpers and trims, nicer grill, just a much more soft classic look to it. The mk3 looked much more aggressive and lost that sleek classic appearance and feel.

Not that I in any way whatsoever dislike the mk3 of course! I’ve just always looked at them as a bit less stylish I think.

[Mrcento]

  On 28/06/2024 at 09:17, Carl1981 said:

Discovery three was never a good looking car for me…

disco 4 definitely improved things…

especially inside…

much better in the 4…

Expand  

I'm the exact opposite on this.

The 3 for me is perfect. Proper Tonka toy tough, exactly what a modern Discovery should have been, interior the same, has a few nice touches but ultimately, still a chunky utilitarian looking/feeling thing. It's the last Discovery that really still had the Disco roots at heart. Shame the diesels were self imploding grenades....

The 4 is just tarted up into a Chelsea tractor for someone that really, really would rather have had a Range Rover. It's a step too far into just making the entire range, Range Rovers of varying boot space.