Image via Complex Original
The best cars can be art unto themselves. Visual artistry is visual artistry, no matter what field you’re in. Check out these items, created by designers who were clearly influenced by some beautiful cars.
15. Spirit of 427 Collection
Designer: LA Design Studio
Year: 2011
Automotive Inspiration: AC Cobra 427
Where To Purchase: LA Design Studio website
Notable Features: Made from actual car parts, not just inspired by them
Complex Says: You'd have to really, really love the 427 to want this look. We also feel bad for classic car guys in the future who want to restore their 427s. What happens when there are no more 427s for parts?
14. TAG Heuer RACER
Designer: TAG Heuer
Year: 2012
Automotive Inspiration: F1 race cars
Where To Purchase: Available later this year, in TAG Heuer stores
Notable Features: Carbon fiber, Android phone
Complex Says: If you buy one of these, don't take it to the bathroom with you. We don't want to hear about how you dropped an insanely expensive cell phone in the toilet.
13. 2012 Prada Spring Shoe Collection
Designer: Prada
Year: 2012
Automotive Inspiration: Classic American hotrods
Where To Purchase: Prada online
Notable Features: Shiny fenders, flames, and taillamps adorn these hot ladies' offerings
Complex Says: What, no classic gear shifter stilettos?
12. TAG Heuer Carrera MP4-12C Chronograph
Designer: TAG Heuer and McLaren
Year: 2011
Automotive Inspiration: McLaren MP4-12C
Where To Purchase: Available through the McLaren Store
Notable Features: Carbon fiber, alcantara leather, titanium, limited edition of 1,000
Complex Says: Pistons as watch buttons. We love the level of detail involved in this design, but those sub-dials are a little confusing to read.
11. Air Jordan VI
Designer: Tinker Hatfield
Year: 1991
Automotive Inspiration: Porsche 911
Where To View: Here
Notable Features: Porsche AJ shield logo, official Porsche colors
Complex Says: It's a shame these were never actually released. We want some.
10. Ralph Lauren Sporting watch
Designer: Ralph Lauren
Year: 2010
Automotive Inspiration: Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic
Where To Purchase: Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry
Notable Features: Designed to evoke dashboard panel and instrument clusters in the 57SC Atlantic
Complex Says: At a retail price of $13,200, it's still a bargain compared to purchasing an actual Bugatti. Of course, if you have Bugatti money, $13,200 probably seems like nothing.
9. Air Pippen II
Designer: Aaron Cooper
Year: 1998
Automotive Inspiration: 1951 Mercury (model unspecified)
Where To Purchase: eBay
Notable Features: Design evokes 1950s Mercury
Complex Says: Magnificent as he was, MJ wasn't a one-man team. It's nice to see Pippen get some recognition, too.
8. Autodromo Veloce Watch
Designer: Bradley Price
Year: 2011
Automotive Inspiration: 1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5
Where To Purchase: The Autodromo online store
Notable Features: Reasonably priced: $425
Complex Says: We admire the simple, clean, uncluttered style of this watch.
7. Air Jordan XIV
Designer: Tinker Hatfield
Year: 1998
Automotive Inspiration: Ferrari F355
Where To Purchase: Various sources
Notable Features: Jumpman logo inspired by Ferrari logo, side vents taken from F355
Complex Says: If you can't find the ones you want in a store, hit up eBay. But watch out for counterfeiters.
6. RL-CF1 Dining Chair
Designer: Ralph Lauren
Year: 2011
Automotive Inspiration: McLaren F1
Where To Purchase: The Ralph Lauren Home Collection
Notable Features: Carbon fiber, leather, available in black or black and red
Complex Says: These start at $17,250. Each. Bet you're wishing you hadn't spent that money on that Bugatti watch now, aren't you?
5. Chopard Classic Racing Superfast Chrono Split Second
Designer: Chopard
Year: 2011
Automotive Inspiration: Classic Grand Prix racers of the '60s
Where To Purchase: Chopard Classic Racing
Notable Features: Strap features the tread pattern of '60s Dunlop racing tires, allen screws on bezels
Complex Says: Chopard's entire Classic Racing line is inspired by classic races and drivers--including the legendary Jacky Ickx. There's not a bad one in the bunch.
4. Air Zoom Generation
Designer: Eric Avar, Aaron Cooper, Tinker Hatfield
Year: 2003
Automotive Inspiration: Hummer H2
Where To Purchase: Various sources
Notable Features: Limited edition of 1,000 pairs
Complex Says: Now we know where Foster the People's “Pumped Up Kicks” came from.
3. Bugatti Veyron Speedboat Concept
Designer: Ben Walsh
Year: 2011
Automotive Inspiration: "Sang-Bleu" Bugatti Veyron
Where To Purchase: Concept, not available for purchase
Notable Features: Sleek, elegant design
Complex Says: Suddenly, we're interested in boats. Sometimes, all it takes is good design.
2. Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari
Designer: Piero Lardi Ferrari (Enzo's son)
Year: 2012
Automotive Inspiration: The Ferrari empire
Where To View: Modena, Italy
Notable Features: Features Enzo Ferrari's birthplace
Complex Says: There is no possible way you could go wrong visiting this place. We'd love to see it from the air in person, as well.
1. Guggenheim Museum
Designer: Frank Lloyd Wright
Year: 1959
Automotive Inspiration: Cars in general
Where To View: 1071 Fifth Ave., New York
Notable Features: Spiral rotunda
Complex Says: Wright re-purposed an earlier design he had created for the Gordon Strong Automobile Objective, in Maryland. The Objective was never built, but Wright preserved the idea that museum exhibits would be accessible by car, all going up a spiralling ramp inside a dome.
