Retro (un-original) styled cars

[The Boston Dangler]

it's not just movies, music and tv that's apparently devoid of any new ideas. i don't love the new bmw's and caddy's, but at least they're new. help me list the retreaded designs.

new beetle
mustang
thunderbird (out of production, i kinda liked the look but it had no balls)
challenger
camaro
that small chevy pickup (is it only in yellow?)
pt cruiser (oop?)
i wouldn't count jeeps, porsches and many exotics, since most of thier families look identical and never really changed.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

There is nothing wrong with putting a modern spin on an old theme. Chrysler has a nack for hitting homeruns with their respins. The Viper, PT Cruiser, and 300 were all massively successful. The problem, of course, is sales tank when the "new" wears off. But that's true of anything trendy.

About your list, you forgot the Toyota FJ and Chevy HHR. Also, the Chevy pickup you're referring to is the SSR, and it's out of production. There's about 5 truly retro styled cars in a market of 200+ other models. The nice thing about the auto business, there is something for everybody, at every price.

 

[Ktulu]

Almost everything Porsche.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: Ktulu
Almost everything Porsche.

it's a design that they've used for ages, unlike something that was used years ago and abandoned, then adapted again, like the beetle, mustang, or the challenger.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Viper? That is a retro design?

Plymouth Prowler - The car that really started the retro-craze. OOP

Lincoln Navigator- lots of retro themse in this especially the gauge cluster.

 

[Tab]

Mustang...

Why? Dear God... Why would anyone buy one? The older one looks infinitely better...

 

[imported_K3N]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Viper? That is a retro design?

i dont get it either.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

i can see the viper as a modern incarnation of the classic monster sports car species, more than any specific car, not any dodge for sure. it's own look is pretty impresive and definative of the modern era.

a couple things i'd like to see revived are suicide doors and caddy's fins. maybe real wire wheels too.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: K3N

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Viper? That is a retro design?

i dont get it either.

You have to keep in mind the Viper concept came out in 1989. An era filled with boxy, underpowered sports cars. Just look at Ferraris, Lambos, and even the Corvette from that generation.

The Viper isn't retro like the PT cruiser is retro - a replica of an old Dodge. But it's a classic shape that the market hadn't seen in years. The coke bottle shape--long clam shell hood and duck butt tail--became a popular design trait for sports cars of the 90's.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Mustang went retro in 1994 if you want to get picky. They had the side indents and tail lights like the 60s style mustangs. I see the new mustang as a mustang if that makes any sense . It looks like it should an evolution of the 60s style. The camaro is the same way. The challenger is retro. That thing looks about as close to a 70 challenger as they can get it legally.

 

[theeedude]

I don't have a problem with it if the design is good. Honestly, PT Cruiser is about as good as you can expect Chrysler to style a small car.
It's like those beach cruise bikes. Yeah, they are retro, but some people want to live that kind of chill retro lifestyle. As far as Camaro, you can get the modern looking 4 door version of that in the G8, so I don't have a problem with it. Mustang would be a total flop if it wasn't for the styling, probably true for the Mini.
The 3 big flops that I see are Prowler, Thunderbird, and that Chevy Hotrod truck, all are 2 seaters with limited practicality. The point is people don't want to give up anything for the retro look. Thunderbird could have been a reasonably good seller if they put a rear bench in.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Tab
Mustang...

Why? Dear God... Why would anyone buy one? The older one looks infinitely better...

What are you talking about? The new Mustang is sexy. I consider it an example of retro done right.

The New Beetle, on the other hand, is not.