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Contemporary #synthwave crystallizes around the central trope of a cool heartbroken loner driving an 80’s sports car (Lamborghini Countach or Ferrari F40) at night baked in blue and pink neon lights, but what actual 80’s work of fiction sparked this image? Is it just Miami Vice or was it wider spread even then?
#synthwave
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
Isaac Kuo
Isaac Kuo  
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The most famous Ferraris in an 80s TV show were the (fake) Ferrari in Magnum P.I. and the ones in Miami Vice. I'm not sure about the Countach ... there was a weird computer version in the short lived show Automan.

But that iconic neon light look was really most exemplified with Miami Vice and other Michael Mann productions. You could see some influence in some other shows like Crime Story, but ... oh wait. I just looked up Crime Story and ... yup, it was a Michael Mann production.
Hypolite Petovan
Hypolite Petovan  
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@Isaac Kuo Thanks Isaac, having another name to throw in the cultural mix is helpful!
@Isaac Kuo
Hypolite Petovan
Hypolite Petovan  
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@Isaac Kuo Guess what, Miami Vice also featured a Lamborghini Countach, cementing its role as unique source for the current synthwave aesthetics.

https://www.imcdb.org/v050318.html
@Isaac Kuo
Isaac Kuo
Isaac Kuo  
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Oh, I forgot about another famous 80s Ferrari - the one in the Outrun arcade game. Not driven by a loner, though.
Hypolite Petovan
Hypolite Petovan  
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@None For All I don’t remember 80’s anime having this kind of aesthetics, but on the other hand I wouldn’t be surprised if the current synthwave aesthetics uses inspiration apocryphal to te 80’s.
@None For All
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