by Mike –
The purpose of the front grille is to allow air flow into the engine compartment and maybe the passenger compartment. The grille also plays a major role in the looks of the car and car designers have used the grille design as a key visual feature since the beginning.
Some car companies have employed the grille design as an important distingushing brand statement; Rolls Royce and Aston Martin come to mind. After all the front grille is in such a prominent location, it better look good as well as function properly.
Auburn
The Auburn above has a tall, verticle grille like many other cars from the 1930s.
1962 Corvette
The Corvette grille above is horizontal and looks like teeth.
Jaguar XK 140
The Jaguar grille is simple and elegant.
1950s Aston Martin
1960s Aston Martin
1960s Aston Martin Zagato
2000s Aston Martin
You can see the evolution of the Aston Martin grille in the pictures above but it has maintained the same basic shape since the early 1950s.
Spyker C8
Spyker may be trying to start their own grille design tradition.
Ferrari Testa Rossa
Ferrari Testa Rossa
Notice two different front end designs on the Ferrari Testa Rossas above.
Nash Healey
The Nash Healy grille is unusual with the headlights incorporated into the grille. It does not work for me.
Kaiser Darren
The Kaiser Darren design seems to be more for looks than functionality.
Lamborghini Miura
The Lamborghini Miura appears to be smiling. The engine is in the back so most of the air flow to the engine does not go through the front grille.
Click on the images for a larger view.
1923 Leyat
No grille is really need on the Leyat.
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One could argue that the 1923 Leyat needs a grille more so than most if not all…
Maybe so but why do you say that?
To keep large objects out of the rotating prop, e.g., critters, human or otherwise.
Oh, yeah – good point – a grille for a different purpose than allowing air flow for cooling.