With the recent arrival of the latest Evo Magazine at “TTAC Towers,” it seems that all hope for productivity today has gone out the window. Evo, the classiest car porn mag in the game (the lady and I enjoy reading it together, honest), has got its high-gloss gloves on both the reborn Lancia Stratos and the new Audi Quattro Concept… as well as the classic models that inspired them. So, while I’m desperately trying to ignore the British buff book’s retro-future write-up, riddle me this: if you could demand a born-again version of any classic car, what would it be and how would you bring it back to life? But before you answer, ponder for a moment these words from the definitive literary work on re-animation:
Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of void, but out of chaos; the materials must, in the first place, be afforded: it can give form to dark, shapeless substances, but cannot bring into being the substance itself. In all matters of discovery and invention, even of those that appertain to the imagination, we are continually reminded of the story of Columbus and his egg. Invention consists in the capacity of seizing on the capabilities of a subject, and in the power of moulding and fashioning ideas suggested to it.
MGB
That already exists. It’s called the MX-5.
Good one!
While Mazda makes a better, more reliable MG than MG ever did, the current MX-5’s fashionable wheels probably have too much grip for how light the car is. Take an inch off the wheels, and I’ll bet the car becomes a lot more fun to drive, more like the original MG.
Considering either would be overpriced and neither have much cachet in the US assuming they’d even be available here I’d be more interested in a Corvair reboot from GM. Or more realistically the potential of the new Focus.
But if I have to choose, It would be the faux Lancia. The Quattro looks like a Camaro with the trunk chopped off, and all the original had going for it was four wheel drive and a massive motor in the worst possible location. If you want to go all gooey eyed about 4wd cars I’d take an Escort Cosworth every day of the week and an RS200 on Sundays. Hopefully Ford is thinking along the same lines, even without all wheel drive. I’d mention Lancia, Peugeot, et al but Ford’s really the only game in town now, with maybe the exception of Subaru and Mitsubishi.
Advance_92
What about an updated version of the Ford Cortina (since you’ve got quite a few small cars on your wish list)? Ford could simply take the same boxy design for the old body frame, extend it a bit and include four doors (with an optional coupe), give it a larger wheelbase, and plunk in a direct-injected inline four with a turbocharger. It might turn out to be a fun little retro car, kind of like the Dodge Challenger – but without the enormous weight and poor handling.
Olds Toronado!!
Fulvia
Dino 246GT
Beta HPE
I have to agree here, I’d love to see a new Dino 246GT. I think Ferrari is starting to veer away from creating beauty in their cars and focusing more on functionality. They’ve always been about both and being able to successfully combine the two. The new 458 Italia is an incredible car and it’s very supercar-looking, but it’s not pretty.
I’ll also have to add the NSX – they teased us with that HSC concept a while back; they need to take that and refine it.
Chris Burdick
Nice choices! Looking back at cars of the mid thru late 70’s, I can think of maybe one or two that were more beautiful than the Lancia HPE.
Iso Grifo
MGB (no, while very good, a Miata doesn’t hit it squarely)
TR6
’56 Bel Air
BMW 507 (the Z8 was a swing and a miss)
’61-’69 Lincoln Continental
Interesting call with the Continental. If they dared to make it aircraft-carrier sized, kept the suicide doors, and styled the body after the boxes that radiators are shipped in, I’m right there with ya. But mostly because it’s hard to find a good actual 1961 at a fair price, so I’d settle for a 2013 instead.
M 1 – This:
http://www.netcarshow.com/lincoln/2002-continental_concept/
So close, yet so far away – Ford teased us with this beauty.
I’ve owned an MGB and I’ve had plenty of seat time in both Miatas and MX-5s. The Mazda provides all the upsides of the MGB with absolutely none of the downsides. Unless you have to have triple wipers or you just love filling your SU carburetor with oil, why would you bother with the MGB?
MGB, MG Midget, Austin-Healy 3000, Austin-Healey Sprite – all suffered from gawdawful master and slave brake cylinders.
My ’68 Sprite was an exemplar of BMC’s terrible build quality – the top never quite fit properly, and the heater was an iffy proposition at best (not a good quality in Manitoba winters).
You’re right about the Miata. For it to hit the MGB squarely, it would have to rust, require frequent attention, and sprout impact points for lead-faced hammers.
55 Bel Air convertible, please.
The Miata also suffers from weak master and slave clutch cylinders!
Wallyray, your chariot awaits.
http://www.1955chevybody.com/body.htm
’57 also available.
“MGB (no, while very good, a Miata doesn’t hit it squarely)”
Already been done, it was called the RV8.
Honestly it’s pretty hard to pick something more interesting than the Stratos. And an MGB sure as hell does not fill that billing.
But two cars that make me seek medical attention for erections lasting more than 4 hours are:
Jaguar XJ13
Maserati Tipo 33 Stradale
Good call with the XJ13.
I’ll echo DC Bruce on the E-Type, too, though I would almost prefer the XK120.
Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale (not Maserati)
“Jaguar XJ13”
They already did that with the XJR series. More successful than the XJ13 could ever have dreamed of being with the XJR9 and XJR12 both taking out Le Mans outright.
Duh. Can’t believe I wrote Maserati: that’s actually my all-time favorite car. I guess it was a side effect of just having a swirl of cars going through my head looking for The One. Or I’m finally actually getting senile. Either answer works fine.
1940 Lincoln Continental
1961 Lincoln Continental
1966 Lotus Elan
1969 AMC AMX
1966 Lotus Cortine
Exner’s Falcon concept
Exner’s Norseman concept
Cord 810
I like your list. IMO, historic concept cars that should have been manufactured would be a different question, but since you brought it up, I’d also nominate the 1963 Chrysler Turbine.
I’d also add the 1964-66 Imperial or 65-66 Chrysler (of course). While they look so much like the 61 Lincoln, I could not bring myself to buy a Ford product, even if they got the styling just right. Sorry. On that note, I see so many people have included the 61 Lincoln on their lists, it’s surprising that it hasn’t happened already. Lincoln has done a couple concept cars with the styling, but that’s it.
Other cars I would add:
1953-54 Kaiser Darrin
1956 Packard Caribbean
1957 Lincoln Continental Mk.II
1957-61 Chrysler 300
1961-63 Ford Thunderbird
1966-67 Dodge Charger
1966-67 Olds Toronado
1958 Cadillac Eldorado (Brougham AND Biarritz sub-models)
1957, 59 or 60 Buicks (not 58 though)
1957-62 Imperial
Studebaker Avanti
Facel Vega
’73 Volvo 1800 Wagon
’55 Chevy Nomad
’67 Mercury Cougar.
I would love to see the Volvo wagon.
+1 on the 73 Volvo 1800ES. See my Avatar :^)
I plan to add a 2011-2012 Mustang V6 drivetrain into my 73 1800ES, that should bring it up to date.
The Volvo C30 was nice, but did not capture enough styling cues. However, it is still on my short list as a car for wifey if the 84 Audi 5000 Avant gets to be too much trouble for her. It would look great in the same color parked next to the ES.
Myself, for a retro look I think Ford needs to look at the 61-64 full size Galaxie and borrow styling cues for future generations of their larger car. Especially the 61 Starliner. All the cars have the jellybean look, it might be time again for some round tail lights, slight fins, and 4 round side by side headlights as a signature.
We have been through the cycles of wide & thin ties along with long & short skirts. It is now time for the automotive design cycle to do the same.
It would break from the pack and could gain favor with baby boomers.
Volvo P1800ES is a good call, but isn’t that the C30?
I’ll say Volvo P1800E coupe – if it’s good enough for The Saint, it’s good enough to come back into production!
No such thing as the P1800E (or the ES).
Volvo dropped the ‘P’ prefix after assembly was moved from the UK to Sweden.
Buick Riviera
Acura Integra — 1st or 2nd gen style, small and light
1st gen Toyota Celica
Lincoln Continental (1961 style) –already done as a show car
VW Scirocco
chrisgreencar
The VW scirocco has already been redone, though it looks like a wide-body low profile golf with a slanted hood, and only two doors. Unfortunately, they’re not available in the US. I’ve seen a couple on the road overseas, and I have to say, its a pretty wicked looking car even if it resembles a sexed up Golf.
A two-seat straight-six powered roadster with the grace, style and elegant simplicity of the Jaguar E-type.
The collection of scoops, winglets, ground-effects and whatnot in the re-interpreted Quattro illustrate precisely the opposite of what I have in mind . . . not that I would call the original a “classic” in terms of appearance.
Another vote for Jag E-type. Went to visit a friend the other day and he had one in his driveway. Even though it was in less than pristine condition, I could barely take my eyes off it. What an incredibly beautiful car.
And I agree about the Quattro. I’d like to see them re-do the re-do, with a bit less “style by Mazda”. OK, a lot less.
1st The Miata is absolutely the modern MGB I’ve had both. The only thing the Miata is missing is all the crap, Lucas electronics, Weird struts, funky, out of sync carbs, warped wire wheels……..
2nd, How about a modern Porsche 912?
I own a 2007 Miata. Only complaint? Little “character”, i.e: lack of any chrome trim to give it definition.
These would be easy:
Ford Fusion SHO- 3.5L Ecoboost, Recaro seats, summer tires, an aluminum hood and trunk, AWD, excellent brakes, attention given to the exhaust note, a beautiful engine bay, and at least an optional manual transmission.
RAM Rampage- Just refresh the Fiat Strada. Offer a 1.4L Multiair gas engine and 1.6L Multijet diesel
Buick Park Avenue- GM already offers what I want in China. Just offer it here with the LLT and L99 instead of the Chinese engines.
Honda NSX – something not unlike the HSC concept from way back. with a forced induction option
DeTomaso Pantera – with the new 5.0? hell yes.
Jaguar XJ-13
Alfa-Romeo 33 Stradale
Jaguar XJ220
Porsche 914
Fiat X19
X1/9… m-m-m-m-m-m-m!
Chevy Astro… no joke!
Riviera. (sigh)
Nomad. (Cruze based 2 door wagon?)
Imperial. (stretched 300C w/uplevel interior, detailing, and Viper V-10)
Since they seem to be on a rally bender with these remakes, I vote for any or all of the following:
– Lancia Delta Integrale
– Ford RS200
– Renault R5 Turbo II
944 for me please.
1) ’56-7 Lincoln Continental Mk II
2) Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
3) Any Corvette prior to ’68
4) ’67 Pontiac Firebird Sprint (Inline OHC6)
Lost the ability to edit my earlier entry for some reason and forgot the ’70 Chevelle SS. Even better would be the ’72 Olds 442, but well, RIP Olds.
Finally somebody said it. 69-72 Chevelle, any first gen Camaro/Firebird. Jaguar E type. Audi GT
Agreed 70 Chevelle SS or maybe even the GTO from the same year.
A new Grand National would be nice with a turbo, but more true to the original’s angular styling than that abomination of a last generation Monte Carlo.
To that list I will add the Plymouth Road Runner – like the original, stripped with a big hemi under the hood. No frills.
’55 Chevy Nomad (already mentioned above)
’59 Renault Dauphine
’67 Mercury Cougar
’74 VW Scirocco
’79 Ford Fiesta
And the most awesome car (to me, anyway) – ’54 Kaiser Dragon with the incredible interior choices
Jaguar XK150 Roadster
http://assets.speedtv.com/images/easy_gallery/965301/1958_jaguar_xk_150_s_roadster_m.jpg
I can think of three or four I’d like to see reinterpreted:
The VW Beetle; revive the simplicity of The Basic Car. More legroom in back, please. Of course, nowadays, maybe the Real New Beetle is a Corolla, Yaris or Tata nano?
The BMW 2002; I loved the look and idea of that car when I first saw it in a magazine back in the early 70s.
The Volvo 240 wagon; Your basic box on wheels with decent fuel economy, OK performance (low hp but also low weight, so not too bad), 2000 lb tow rating, nice balance, good on snow, simple, rugged, reliable. A slightly wider load deck, to accomodate 4-foot items would be a plus.
The Ford Explorer; I’m not a fan but it sold very well. Of course, maybe Ford has already done the reinterpretation in a good way.
Ford Ranger/Mazda B2000/B2300. A small, useful pickup without pretense. FWD would be OK but it should have some tow rating and get pretty good fuel economy at reasonable speeds. AWD option would be nice but… not necessary. The worldwide market for this would include about half the TTAC regulars and then about 6 other people, besides. Maybe Ford could put an EcoBoost engine in this that would do well.
I like the idea of the small truck. Make it FWD with an AWD option (the hardware exists). As long as it has the space for a 4×8 sheet of plywood or sheetrock in the bed with the tailgate down and you might have a winner. Diesel would be nice but it is not a deal breaker.
You could never build it today – the safety Nazi’s would never allow it.
Subaru Brat
I know it is already built in Australia but damn it, bring it the United States already.
El Camino
Take a fire breathing Zeta plaform car, slap in the LS9 and recreate…
Buick GNX
Additionally
Jaguar XKE
VW Scirroco
Dodge Omni GLH
And how someone hasn’t listed this yet
AE-86 Corolla – RWD and all.
+1 on the Chevrolet El Camino. Make it wide enough to haul plywood between the wheel wells and update the suspension. Take advantage of small frontal area (for a truck) and big track/wheelbase footprint to help with CAFE. Use cylinder deactivation and 6 speed transmissions to achieve much better fuel economy than the original.
A significant amount of the work has already been done as the Holden Ute, Pontiac G8 ST for LHD, and the Caprice PPV to provide Chevrolet brand interior and front clip.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_Ute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aeyjjNU6lA
There are just so many (a few have already been mentioned):
– 1964 Buick Riviera
– 1970 Chevy Camaro RS
– C2/C3 Corvette
– Chrysler Imperial (Virgil Exner’s version)
– 1961-1969 Lincoln Continental
– Porsche 924/944/968
– Porsche 928 (what’s the word on the rumored future one?)
– VW Scirocco
– Mk1/Mk2 VW GTI (come on, VW, just bring over the Polo GTI already!)
These may not fit the formal definition of “classics”, but:
– Acura NSX
– Lexus IS300 Sportcross (would be a perfect use of the FT-86 platform)
+1 to the Continental, if Lincoln can do it right.
For the Porsches, I’ll second the 944, tho I still think the Panamera is the new 928.
I want to see a VW microbus with a Westfalia camper package, dammit!!
And while you’re at it, choke up a decent compact diesel pick-up I’ll take a toyota or mazda flavor.
+1 on the Westy. New rumors of a new Westy. I’ll believe it when I see it.
If VW would just bring the diesel Amarok over, it would do the truck stuff okay for me.
Lancia Fulvia
Chevrolet Advance Design, in truck form, no bloody SSR or HHR!
1970 Olds Vista Cruiser
1981 Chevrolet Citation X-11 five door
1987 Chevrolet El Camino SS
1987 Honda Accord Sedan/Hatch/Aerodeck
Second Gen Acura Legend
Second Gen Nissan Pulsar
MGB-GT
BMW 635CSi
1970 Datsun 510
Dodge Neon ACR (not classic, but still…)
70 chevelle
karmin giha
TR 6
TR 7
TR6… yes!
TR7???? the shape of things that never shoulda been.
BMW 3.0 CSi
Series I Jaguar E Type
Duesenberg SSJ (with all the resurrected brands [Bugatti, Maybach, etc.] I’m surprised no one has resurrected Duesenberg)
Someone tried with Packard – didn’t work.
not a classic but the 91-94 MR2 (MK2).
what a beast of an i4
Woodie (These days, we can epoxy-coat the finish)
http://www.seriouswheels.com/1940-1949/1946-Ford-Super-Deluxe-Woody-Wagon-FA.htm
Power Wagon
http://www.hotrodscustomstuff.com/OLD_SITE/PowerWagon-01.html
Valiant
http://www.valiant.org/images/images.html
1947 Packard
http://forums.aaca.org/attachments/f125/16553d1197703842-photo-47-packard-super-clipper-sale-19967.jpg
Microbus with roof windows
http://www.diecastfast.com/diecast/DCF/PROD/SS-5071
…and +1 on the Corvair, one of the best-proportioned styles ever.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/csfiles/blogs/anythinggoes/WindowsLiveWriter/UnsafeAtAnySpeed_E4E4/Corvair_2.jpg
Seconded on the Chevy Astro / GMC Safari – but much more reliable, please. Oh! Better mileage, also. The 4.3L V6 was a powerhouse, but a fuel hog. A diesel plant might be nice…
I did some miles in a ’95 (not mine), and I liked the room, the seating ability (up to 8), RWD, the power, and the towing ability. I had reservations, at first, but it won me over pretty quickly.
I was still glad I didn’t have to foot the bill for maintenance and repairs, though. ;)
+1 on the Astro / Safari.
One would think, 25 years after the original, GM could do better, even based on the Traverse / Acadia chassis, but designed for sliding rear doors.
How about the Delorean? Re-design the structure to make it lighter, and put a similarly-sized (but more powerful) engine in. I’m sure that modern tech (and $$ from investors rather than drug dealers) can overcome the failures from the first kick at the can.
More power is nice, but it really only needs to be able to go 88 mph.
+1 on the Delorean.
My picks:
TR7 and TR8 – They don’t get much love, but I think the shape still looks good.
Original Mini – Keep it light and simple (ref the New Beetle comment upthread).
Agree on a compact pickup a la the Chevy Luv, Isuzu P’up, Ford Courier…with diesel option.
this is easy…lamborghini LM002!!!
BMW 2002tii. I want all the interior room, visibility, small exterior, small engine, and make it light. So light it doesn’t need power steering. Make it from aluminum even.
1960 Ford Starliner.
A real Honda CRX, not what they’re currently peddling.
Bitter SC
Any affordable 2-door wagon.
Pantera, with a small V8.
67 Mercury Cougar.
Lotus Europa.
Opel GT: lightweight, swoopy bodywork, cheap small and fun.
Citroen DS, just for the looks.
Seconds on the BMW 2002, which modern BMW inexplicably fails to do, and the Volvo 240, although I’d like a sedan as well as a wagon.
Jeep Gladiator
Datsun/Nissan 240z
’82 Datsun 200SX
’82 Toyota Celica
’85 Corolla SR5
’87 Honda CRX
’85 Mustang SVO
What’s my icon?
Actually re-interpreting most any ’55-’57, especially a Nomad, would work for me. GM teased us with that Nomad concept a few years back but nothing came of it.
Dittos: Tri-five Nomad,
1960 Starliner
’68-69 Galaxie 500 xl
1969 Dodge Charger.
63-64 Impala SS
240Z
Ranchero.
1955-57 T-bird (I know they tried that once, but this time lets aim higher than ‘the car the 60 year old CFO bought for his 40 year old trophy wife.”)
1966 Corvair
1956 Alpha Guilietta Spider
Triumph Spitfire
1940 Ford Coupe
1953-1956 Ford Pickup
Nice call on the Corvair!
Simple…in this order 1957 Chev
1962 Canadian Pontiac
1969 Chevelle
Wait a sec…anybody watching the Barret Jackson auction? A 64 Impala just went through 15,000$…..sweet
Grand National:
Take the upcoming regal coupe, paint it black, and put in a turbo version of the LLT direct injected V6/AWD.
Datsun 510/BMW2002/Insert whatever lightweight, barebones, RWD anything. Are things really that bad these days when I lust after a Chevette?
Hmmm…let’s see.
For GM, I would like to see, well, GM reinterpreted!
Seriously though, I would love to see the 1985-88 Cutlass Supreme Brougham and 442 brought back, but with a much improved suspension.
Buick could do the 1992-96 Park Avenue Ultra, and heck, even the Roadmaster would make me happy. Somewhere I have drawings I did as a teen of how I would have reduced some of the Roadmaster’s bulk and it would have still been an incredible car.
Oh, and I want another Skylark!!! Put the Verano’s lovely interior in an Alero sized car and would be running to the nearest Buick dealer!
Over at Ford, I’d take a remake of the 1995-97 Lincoln Town Car, and, the 1994-97 Thunderbird and Cougar. Those cars had wonderful handling.
Over at Chrysler, well, I did mention in another thread the other day that I had a thing for the Dynasty/New Yorker from the late 80’s/early 90’s. Okay, I admit it, I have a slight old people’s car fetish, sue me!!!
Moving on, I think a van closer in size to the original Caravan would be great.
Lastly, I think Toyota should do the 1989-92 Cressida again. If you have ever been in one you will understand why.
– Toyota GT2000
– Jenson Interceptor (SRT8)
– Alfa Romeo spyder — 1750, before they cut off it’s butt
– Studebaker / Avanti (on the current Camaro’s platform)
– Scarab
I would say the gullwing SL, but Benz just botched that one.
Let’s just leave the “classics” in the grave. Please, no more retro.
Wow, glad to see it’s not only me. With the amount of restorations and the quality of restorations these days, why re-interpret old cars?
I love old cars, I really do. But, I want a new car.
’67-72 Chevy C/K. It would be a great excuse to return the C/K back to a normal size pickup.
’38 Cadillac Sixty Special
’55 Chevy Nomad
’48-’54 Chevy/GMC Advanced Design Trucks (yeah, I know we have the HHR and SSR. Do it right this time)
’53 Studebaker coupe (or ’62 Gran Turismo Hawk)
’66 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
’67 Ford Country Squire (you can leave off the reinterpretation part, just gimme my wagons back!)
’57 Chrysler 300
’48 Hudson Hornet (wait, I think if you put a fastback roof on a current Chrysler 300, you’ve pretty much taken care of this one)
Acura Integra Type R
NSX Type R
66 T-Bird
Porsche 550 Spyder
Citroen SM
1. Subaru SVX – a handsome, comfortable, aerodynamic coupe with excellent all-weather highway manners for daily driving and distance cruising.
Going through the others:
Chevy El Camino – something vastly more practical than the Camaro, but just as fun to drive; also more usable than the Silvie / Colorado
Buick Park Avenue Ultra – a proper full-size RWD luxury passenger sedan is missing from the Buick lineup. Inflating the LaCrosse is an acceptable start here.
Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham – the standard of the world, done right and without compromise; if it sells in sub-Maybach numbers, due to production constraints, that’s perfectly OK – exclusivity of hand-buildng is partly the point.
GMC Safari – GM could use a competitive minivan, and 20 years of Astro/Safari sales aren’t a bad thing to build off.
HUMMER H2 – if we’re resurrecting the dead, I’d want to see this come back, available in standard all-weather and “serious” off-road (with winches and extra clearance) versions.
Ford Country Squire LTD – a proper full-size family truckster, with “suicide” 3rd row seats for great utility. And a full-size spare, to boot.
Lincoln Mark IX – a desperately-needed personal “hot rod” coupe to help Lincoln get their mojo going with some real style. Where Lincoln is right now, I just don’t think they can pull off a Continental.
Dodge Omni GLH – something simple and fun to drive
Chrysler Imperial – a *real* black beauty, with far more road presence than the previous 300 could muster
Honda CRX HF – proof that Honda can make great small, fun, economical cars again. No, the CRaP doesn’t count.
Acura Integra GS-R – small, light, high-strung fun.
“1. Subaru SVX – a handsome….”
Woah stop right there, the SVX was a whole lot of good, but don’t try to convince anyone it was handsome. It had the good looks of a bulldog licking piss off a nettle!
Pfft. You, sir, have no sense of taste.
Lancia 037 Stradale
Fiat X1/9
Fiat 128
Renault R5 Turbo
Datsun 510
Alfa Romeo GT Jr.
and, I’ll take one of these, please… Mazda AZ1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0yp8J2v8pU
Facel Vega HK500
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/3307/facelvegahk5008.jpg
http://onlycarsandcars.blogspot.com/2010/04/facel-vega-hk-500.html
Citroen DS. Coolest car ever designed.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/car-designers-name-citroen-ds-most-beautiful-car-ever/
1963 Chrysler Turbine
My top ten:
Lotus Cortina Mk I
Citroen DS Safari
Toyota Tercel 4WD wagon
Saab 96
Rover SD1
Lancia Aurelia
Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce
Eunos Cosmo
Matra Murena
TVR 3000M
I concur wholeheartedly on calls for resurrecting the Volvo 240 wagon and the Bitter SC.
OK listen very carefully “artists formerly known as the Big Three” I’m going to enunciate very slowly for you.
GM I have 9 letters for you – F L E E T W O O D. I still desire one of the many cars to wear this moniker. (Cept the one’s with the crappy 4100V8.)
Ford please please please please bring back the Lincoln Town Car. I know it’s not officially dead yet but you have the tools and the knowledge. Do you really think that CEO Mulally really wants to be ferried around in a stretch MK-whatever? Come on, get serious.
Chrysler – Imperial by Chrysler. Unit body, HEMI V8 will do, just make it at least 122in in wheelbase (preferably longer) and give it an interior to rival Rolls Royce. It needs to be so bad ass and so “prestige” that world leaders will want to make executive limos from it.
Why do I make these suggestions? Because flagships need to be FLAGSHIPS not laughing stocks. GM XTS – seriously? Ford MKS – you’re kidding right? Chrysler 300 – close but no cigar. Show the world that we’re AMERICANS.
Dan for President!
Dan:
Absolutely spot on with all three requests.
Low production numbers, handbuilt where possible, top quality materials and parts – make them unaffordable for the middle and lower classes and turn them into aspirational vehicles – this creates the flagship, halo type cars that will draw customers into dealerships and make gearheads drool. It’s exactly what the Fleetwood, Continental and Imperial were – cars that the middle class aspired to own. The best example of what Cadillac meant is illustrated by the movie “Tin Men”.
Oh sure, it’s okay to sell the MKZ and MKS, the 300 and the SRX and CTS – those are what the middle class will buy in droves if you make the flagship desirable enough. Witness the dominance of BMW and Daimler in the “sport luxury” segment with, respectively, the “3” series and “C” class. The upper end of BMW and MB cars are way beyond the means of the average middle and upper-middle class consumer, but they’re all drawn to the brands by those very cars, resulting in sales of the lower priced models.
If the Detroit 3 premium brands (Cadillac, Lincoln and Chrysler) could make flagship cars that rival or surpass the best in the world, and and improve the quality and reputation of the more pedestrian models, it would resonate with the American consumer, who for the most part I think, want to buy domestic.
1978-1980 Chevrolet Monza Coupe (should’ve named new Chevy Sonic this)
Toyota Celica
2002 Honda Prelude
Saab 900 spg (hatchback please)
The Prelude needs to come back in some form or another. 3rd or 5th gen would be my picks. Hell, just give me a like-new example of either and I’ll be a happy guy. I still wish the ’89 Si I test drove in 2002 had less rust and mileage, because that thing was a BLAST, despite having over 150,000 miles on it. I loved the ’92 Jetta I bought instead, but it wasn’t the same.
@Juniper
-Agreed on the Prelude…either the Gen III 88-91 with the clean lines and the very low front cowl and dropped instrument panel….would love to find a good condition, low mile, non-modified example now, but that’s a needle in a haystack.
Or even the Gen IV 92-96, my mother used to have one, a sweet ’95 Si…had “kind of” a dropped instrument panel, more flowing styling, and the best-handling front-drive car I’ve ever driven.
Of course, a modern day mid-engine NSX would be mighty fine as well…but I don’t see the current ‘lost it’s way’ Honda doing ANY of this…sad.
635CSI, The new one is a heavy car and the 3series is not as comfy as I’d like, but the 3 is a decent replacement non the less.
Super FWD Small Honda, like the CRX, Integra, Civic Si, etc etc. The JDM Typer R is awesome, that is a good start.
240SX/82′ Celica/E30 325is, The Genesis, 1 series, even Mustang are good cars, but the old ones were more nimble. Perhaps the upcoming Toyobaru will do the trick. Still glad good cars exist.
Alfa GTA, simple, elegant, fun, pretty, and pleasant.
Porsche 944, With a Cayman engine would be a monster of an awesome car considering Porsche’s abilities.
A ligther AWD Subaru, Evo, Ford, etc etc, would rock hard.
A Panamera 2 door would be awesome if styled more like the 928, but 4 door is a good car.
Any Accord from 93 down.
Toyota Cressida, Japan has the crown, a very cool car, too bad the market will not allow it. I wish everyone drove Crowns, Falcons, Holdens, Bens, etc etc instead of SUVs.
Mach 5
1) Honda Prelude- Keep it with a 2.0L or 2.2L and add a turbo option, but to make it different from Civic and Accord coupes have it be RWD so it can compete with the Genesis, Toyobaru, and maybe V6 Camaro/Mustang/Challenger.
2) Chevrolet El Camino- Just move the Holden stateside, V6 base, SS mid level, and offer a AWD version with a torque-y V6 or V8 to be a more efficient option to Colorado’s and Silverado’s.
To add to my Datsun/Nissan 240z post above:
Datsun/Nissan 240z
Willys-Overland “Jeep” CJ-3A
Gen 1 Ford Bronco
Datsun/Nissan 510 Maxima
And for something completely different: 1964 – 66 Imperial (Elwood Engel-era)
Early Bronco with a kick ass diesel in it
Jaguar XJ series III. These days XJs are fast, but too big to be really sporting. The old ones were compact sedans. Make the body aluminum for really light weight, put a big I-6, and an electrical system that works even on rainy days…
A ’79 Toyota Cressida,perhaps? Just kidding,not for reelies. Everyone here has already named the more obvious (mostly good) choices. So… How’s about…
A Matra-Simca Bagheera (3 abreast seating for sports cars=legroom for all,why punish people for being tall? Fat friends can lose weight.)
La Citroen DS, ou SM ,pourquoi-pas?
Delahayes (Any)-We need balance,something flagrantly beautiful to cancel out all the ugly FUV’s.
Saab Sonnett- But this time not so kit car-esqe (Too 70’s.)Plus The Verve UK has a cool song they’d probably license for it.
1st Generation Chevy Monte Carlo,holmes.Orale!!
Finally,since wheel rims sizes have gone full circle (literally) to the 1920’s, Either a Stutz Bearcat (23 Skidoo!) or Chitty-Chitty,Bang-Bang (As cool as any Bond car,no?)
All of mine have been except for one…
Ford Festiva
I was gonna say my 1987 CRX Si-though Mazda has done a pretty good job with the Mazda 2. Never drove a 2002tii, but I’d love a modern version. Small, clean lines, and rwd.
AMC Pacer. Chrysler could sell it to people who don’t fit into a Fiat 500. The styling is surprisingly contemporary and the car would no longer be considered obese because everyone else has bloated out. It’s like the fat guy from high school at a 25-year reunion — he doesn’t look so bad any more.
Good point about the Pacer! It seems positively svelte now! And it’s the polar opposite of the “gunsight window” trend discussed in another post today.
Blog questions like this are a fun waste of bandwidth, but the reality is that classic car “reinterpretations” are almost always money losers. The VW Bug is the only successful one I can think of. Mustang doesn’t count since it’s been in continuous production since 1965. In any case, you can’t live in the past, and shouldn’t try to.
The only reason they fail is because they concentrate on restyling a current platform instead of concentrating on the fundamentals and building one from the ground up.
While there certainly have been many failures, you’re forgetting:
Mini Cooper
Fiat 500
PT Cruiser –very successful when introduced
I’d say the current Mustang does count, it’s clearly inspired by the 69 fastback.
Camaro
Challenger
Maybe others I’m forgetting. Problem is, once the shiney wears off and it’s time for a refresh, how do you refresh a retro? Only Mini has been able to pull it off so far.
the previous mention of the Prelude was spot on, but I recall my 1983 2nd gen was 990kg and had the 12+4 cvcc style head (kinda 16v) so I would say a redo at that size would be perfect.
New entry- 1990 Suzuki sidekick..hardtop 2 door 4×4- screw the mahindra crap
BMW E30 325iX, with the superior mechanical AWD system with limited-slip center and rear diffs that are much better than the “Xdrive” garbage with 3 open diffs and electronic traction control to control wheelspin.
At least Audi uses a proper Torsen center diff. End rant.
AMC Pacer!! But seriously, I second the ’70 Chevelle.
1st-Gen Mazda RX7. Loaded, but available only with a six-speed MANUAL
+1 Jaguar E-type. “The most beautiful car ever drawn” – Enzo Ferrari
a RWD cadillac… :\'(
1950 studebaker champion
vw bus (come on VW, you were almost there a few years ago….)
nash metropolitan
delahaye 135m
You really opened the door on this! Here’s my list: First and foremost – 2 door PILLARLESS HARDTOPS!!! Now for the cars: Galaxie 500, Riviera, El Dorado, Imperial, a “real” Impala (3 tail lights and all). Add to this a “proper” Camaro, Challenger and Mustang in true hardtop fashion. Make sure the rear windows roll down on all of the above, please!
I add to the above: Roadmaster, Fleetwood, Town Car, Chevelle, RoadRunner, Charger. I could go on, but I think we’ve hit them all.
The transaxle Alfas of 1972 to 1994: Alfetta, GTV6, Milano/75, and the SZ/RZ. The last Alfa platform before Fiat took them over and made Alfas front wheel drive.
(Sergio, are you listening?)
will ya never be done with retro? non-model specific ; how about the ‘car’ itself? affordable,reliable, utile. to the practicle extent, I am still behind the ‘station wagon’ (euro = ‘estate sedan’). model specific ;I’m inclined to agree with several already suggested and add the cult classsic Saab/Saab 900 [do they control their own destiny?] … the word ‘classic’ itsself has been bastardised by pop culture lingo so as to perfectly reflect the Porsche 911, Mustang and Camaro. they’ve never gone away and yet constantly reinvented. the Beetle and the Mini overshot their marks through up-marketing, Fiat 500 to follow. the Gullwing per Benz and the Quattro per Audi are classic excess dollarwise. so, what’s left? cars that were ahead of their time yet withstood the years reintroduced with modern/future technology. Trabant, Citroen deux chevaux as basics. or cars that never had their day; Tucker as midrange(s). at the high end; a Rolls that doesn’t look aero-trendy …
Oddly, I was watching a classic car auction on Speed last night, and as a 1963 Buick Riviera came up – with it’s clean yet athletic lines – the first words out of my mouth were “Buick _R_E_A_L_L_Y_ needs to come up with a 21st Century take on the classic early 60’s Riviera!”
Talk about a much needed “halo” car. They could build it on the Camaro platform, make it more luxe than the Camaro but less “sporty” than the CTS Coupe, and it would fill a much needed notch.
Well, since both of the new renditions of Lancia and Quattro appear to be bloated McDonalds-eating, slurpee-drinking Oreo-cookie-in-chocolate-milk dipping juiced-musclehead retarded half-cousins of their forebearers, these two need to be killed on arrival to preserve the purity of automotive DNA. Perhaps Lancia would have the sense to re-create the Delta Integrale in its original “install lightness and simplify” motto. It can’t be that hard after decades of engine and transmission development that [should have] resulted in lighter cars overall. If that fails, look to BMW 2002tii…oh wait, that already failed [M1-piggy].
In appreciation to our non-North American friends, I have to add the following to the list of classices desired to see re-invented: Citroen DS, 2CV, Fiat Spyder, VW Kubelwagen, Tatra 601. For America: C101 Jeepster Commando, Toronado, Chevy II Nova. Ford Fairlane, Torino.
850 Turbo Wagon and the Grand Wagoneer are cars that I am nostalgic about. Not sure you could do the updated Jeep without it being completely corny, though.
BMW 3.0CSi, better make it CSL (Coupe Sport Lightweight) and 1939 Delahaye Type 165 Figoni & Falaschi
– sex on wheels.
Glad to see the love for the 80s Honda’s…
CRX – not the mess they just put out now – more sport, more areo, add lightness, bigger hatch, more along the lines of the Volvo C30. Hybrid assist for torque, VTEC for revs, aim for the S2000’s 9K redline.
Prelude / RSX – turbo 4, Swap things around: put a trunk on Acrua’s version (and RWD) but give the Honda a hatchback with FWD for more rear storage.
NSX – bigger then the Prelude but smaller then the original NSX, with a turbo 6 and mid engine of course. Honda needs a halo car now more then ever.
Bronco II – is there such thing as a 2 door right-sized SUV these days? At one point you could get an Explorer as 2 door. Start with the current Edge as platform w/ecoboost 4, no fancy 4WD, weight down = mileage up, paddle shifters.
Ranger – small extra cab truck with an EcoBoost 4 or diesel, don’t make it any bigger, put suicide doors in the back for rear cab access. Keep it low & sporty for decent handling, paddle shifters, leave off-roading to the Jeep Gladiator.
Jeep Gladiator – Wrangler minus doors + bed, 4WD, diesel, big tires, spare on the side of the bed. Why are still waiting for this?
Brat / El Camino – just take your average CUV (CR-V, Rav-4, etc) take the rear doors and useless hatch off, replace with bed. Even better dig up the Dodge Magnum, but a bed on that… boom – done! Keep the look clean, more like a car less like a trucklet thingy.
Nissan Pulsar – based on the Altima but with AWD, complete with the ability to swap the trunk for a hatch back (remember that?) via a fiberglass section the owner can replace with a few latches (like a convertible). I’m sure Subbie could make this now if they wanted to.
Supra – take a Lexus V8 and stuff it into the Camry chassis but in 2+2 configuration, AWD, aim at the GT-R but thousands less. Give it a computer adjustable front air damn and rear wing with eco, sport and speed settings, same goes for the suspension and differential. Like Honda, Toyota needs something sporty in their lineup.
Celica / FT86 – baby Supra just toned way down, V6 and RWD, but nothing else fancy. Add a hybrid option and several custom interior choices.
1969 Ford Torino GT. But replace the 390, 428 and 429 cubic inch engines with the 3.5 Ecoboost.
Two on my wish list would be a reworking of the mid 80s Ford 1/2 ton pickup and a 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A. A simpler, smaller but still durable pickup as a daily driver. The T/A based on a stripper new Challenger for fun driving and roadtrips.
Jeep Scrambler. I.E. small pickup with a removable top/roof/doors
+ on the 70′ Chevelle
And for Fun…..
78′ Stutz Blackhawk….cause pimpin’ still ain’t easy.
Mazda 323 GTX. Though really it’s because I’d love to see a Mazda 2 or Ford Fiesta with AWD and turbo. Mazdaspeed 2? Ecoboost Fiesta?
I’d like to see an updated version of the best car I ever owned, the 1967 Plymouth Barracuda “S” coupe. Same HP/torque as the aftermarket 340 4bbl,, same simple but complete instrument panel, same size, same weight, but lose the leaf springs, and put sturdier hardware on it, like door handles that don’t break off. Despite the Valiant front end, that was a nice looking car, especially in profile.
Volvo P1800
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZMcrhaA16YM/SgC4x9-R5rI/AAAAAAAACmA/HBoeMI2Sqz4/s1600-h/P1800.jpg
http://jimsgarage.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/volvo-p1800.jpg