More interesting than aerodynamic, but here's Porsche's 30 year car:
Hemmings Daily:Cars of Futures Past – Porsche FLA Long Life Study
"Porsche’s logic behind such decisions was sound. Metal structural or body components, whether built of steel or aluminum, were far easier to recycle in 1973 than body panels made from plastic. The six-cylinder engine was constructed to reach maximum output at a relaxed 3,500 RPM, and internals were, by all accounts of the day, overbuilt to the extreme. The cooling system was specially designed to allow the FLA to reach operating temperature quickly, and air and oil filtration systems were engineered specifically to reduce engine wear. The transmission, fitted with a “wear proof” torque converter, was designed to eliminate the variable of human error and provide hundreds of thousands of miles of trouble-free, if uninspired, performance. While 75 horsepower likely wouldn’t have taxed the FLA’s half shafts, the automaker took no chances here, constructing them from corrosion-proof steel and then sealing them from the elements.
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Even the car’s wiring and electronics were engineered for long life and easy replacement. Wiring harnesses were split into multiple looms by system, allowing ease of replacement (or upgrade, if required). A contact-free ignition system was specified, and precious metal was used to ensure corrosion-proof contact at critical junctures, such as between leads and spark plugs.
...the automaker quickly realized that such a long-life car would need to carry a price tag disproportionate with its performance and handling. Worse, such a car would be largely excluded from leaps in technology, forcing its owner to pay a premium for a car that was, potentially, a decade or two behind current models in performance, safety and amenities."
Jalopnik picked up the story yesterday.
Interestingly in the sidebar there's an ad for a 1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A Bent Window Coupe for $39,500.
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