Hooniverse Asks: What’s the next popular niche vehicle segment?

Jeff Glucker

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Right now, it seems both Radwood era-vehicles and older boxy SUVs are experiencing their time in the sun. The Radwood effect is real and has certainly pushed otherwise pedestrian 1980’s and 1990’s cars and trucks onto the radar of many. Additionally, vintage Broncos have lifted up Land Cruisers, which in turn are giving rise to a desire for stuff like Monteros, Troopers, older 4Runners, and more. Of course, this “want” always seems to have an ebb and flow, at least on a larger level. Euro stuff gets popular than it’s swept out by some JDM specials. Time and triangles of want move on. So what’s next?

I am one who has jumped onto the simple box off-roader. That’s because I wanted something I could go drive down trails, through mud, and have fun off of the pavement. I chose a Montero because I didn’t want to spend what I believe to be too much money for an FJ60/62-era Land Cruiser. They are wonderful machines that have been given a serious shot in the value ass thanks to sites like Bring-A-Trailer.

There has to be something coming next. There’s always a next. So what is it? What do you think will be the vehicle segment or specific make/model that rises to the attention of the Internet? I don’t have an answer here. I am genuinely curious to hear what you think. If I had one suggestion though… it would be 70’s-era Cadillacs.

They’re dirt cheap right now. And yes, I want one of those too.

About

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker is the co-founder and Executive Editor of Hooniverse.com. He’s often seen getting passed as he hustles a 1991 Mitsubishi Montero up the 405 Freeway. IG: @HooniverseJeff

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21 responses to “Hooniverse Asks: What’s the next popular niche vehicle segment?”

  1. Number_Six Avatar
    Number_Six

    On the weekend I came across what must have been the local pony car club, and in the middle of a bunch of anonymous CamChaStangs stood out a lovely (and weirdly TINY) Lincoln LSC. Those things were really sweet and they deserve a rampant comeback.

    Reply
  2. Scoutdude Avatar
    Scoutdude

    I was going to say PLC or personal luxury coupe, so yeah I agree with Cadillac, but also Lincolns, older Thunderbirds, Monte Carlo ect.

    Reply
  3. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    Usually the trend follows thirtysomething guys trying to recapture their youth. It’s either the car they had in high school so they seek one out just like it, or it’s the car they wished they had in high school but couldn’t afford. The next trend will be un-tastefully modded, lower rung imports.

    https://static.carthrottle.com/workspace/uploads/posts/2016/04/3f34548a77c12ac60eafecc45039291f.jpeg

    Reply
    1. danleym Avatar
      danleym

      Agreed. Next up will be the 2nd rise of the Fast and the Furious.

      Reply
    2. danleym Avatar
      danleym

      Agreed. Next up will be the 2nd rise of the Fast and the Furious.

      Reply
      1. Eduardo Rodrigues Avatar
        Eduardo Rodrigues

        Oh no, a lot of dads with Smash Mouth beard, Matrix inspired sunglasses and spiked hair making their car meeting with tuned Pontiac Sunfire talking about the “good ol’ days”. Can’t we just skip this to the next trend or extend the Radwood era?

        Reply
        1. kogashiwa Avatar
          kogashiwa

          That’s the whole problem with this, for every nicely built EG Civic there were fifty Cavaliers with hubcaps and muffler delete

          Reply
    3. Troggy Avatar
      Troggy

      I am seeing this. Some people I knew ‘back in the day’ are even putting a lot of effort to find the exact car that they owned.

      I mean, I feel a lot of nostalgia for the ’83 Corona that was my first car, and I feel like I should somehow give it the TLC that I couldn’t afford back then but honestly, what would I do with it then? Sell it in a year then track it down in another 20 years time?

      Reply
      1. outback_ute Avatar
        outback_ute

        My theory at the time was my sedan was never going to be a sports car so why waste money trying?

        Reply
        1. Troggy Avatar
          Troggy

          My Corona was a wagon. Which funnily enough was more popular with the girls because it was ‘sensible’.
          Truth is, my relationship with my parents was somewhat rocky, and I frequently slept in it. Had the boot set up as a a camper, with a swag matterss and a stealthy cigarette light socket installed in the back. #vanlife before it was cool!

          Reply
        2. Troggy Avatar
          Troggy

          My Corona was a wagon. Which funnily enough was more popular with the girls because it was ‘sensible’.
          Truth is, my relationship with my parents was somewhat rocky, and I frequently slept in it. Had the boot set up as a a camper, with a swag matterss and a stealthy cigarette light socket installed in the back. #vanlife before it was cool!

          Reply
  4. nanoop Avatar
    nanoop

    CUV hypercars.

    Reply
  5. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    Good call. I was looking for a Mark VIII a couple years ago (not necessarily LSC trim, but that would have been a plus) and found a few in “Grandpa used to baby this car” condition for under $2500. Seems like plenty of room for appreciation, but still high enough to keep Mustang guys from chopping them up for parts.

    Reply
    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      I’m sure it’s just a reflection of my age, but my favorite Lincoln “Mark” is the VII. I almost bought one in the mid-90s, but I was intent on having a manual transmission (hey, some things never change) and didn’t want to extend the budget to include a transmission swap. I still think they are handsome cars, but these days I don’t see much logic in owning a coupe. With all of the Fox-platform performance parts out there, it’s easy to make them fast.

      https://photos.classiccars.com/cc-temp/listing/98/723/7758373-1989-lincoln-mark-vii-std.jpg

      Reply
      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        I see this generation as a real curiosity. It’s such a mix of periods and styles. The chrome grille, mirrors and trim suggest a mid-80s or (much) earlier car. The overall suggestion of a rounded soap box clashes with the square lights and conservative seriousness of the whole concept here. The lower window line is in conflict with both the windscreen and boot. The wheels seem to be too large and too small at the same time. And I, sort of, expect this one to be a moving obstacle in traffic.

        Reply
      2. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        I see this generation as a real curiosity. It’s such a mix of periods and styles. The chrome grille, mirrors and trim suggest a mid-80s or (much) earlier car. The overall suggestion of a rounded soap box clashes with the square lights and conservative seriousness of the whole concept here. The lower window line is in conflict with both the windscreen and boot. The wheels seem to be too large and too small at the same time. And I, sort of, expect this one to be a moving obstacle in traffic.

        Reply
        1. Zentropy Avatar
          Zentropy

          It’s not so unusual when you consider that VII production spanned from 1984– when chrome and right angles were still common in American Luxury cars– all the way to 1992, by which time styling had smoothed into a much more aerodynamic shape. Evolutionarily, though, the VII falls neatly between the upright Mark VI and the jellybean Mark VIII.

          https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49859645848_e2b75762ac_h.jpg

          I’m not arguing with your description– the design is an unusual, conflicted mess of details. However, the basic concept isn’t unique to the Lincoln Continental Marks. The related Ford Thunderbird (and sibling Cougar) followed a very similar design path along the same time period. Chevrolet’s Monte Carlo, Pontiac’s Grand Am, and Chrysler’s LeBaron transitioned a bit more gently, but generally went through similar phases.

          Reply
          1. 0A5599 Avatar
            0A5599

            Don’t forget that the 1984 Mark VII was the first car in the US approved to use aero headlights, and that was a big deal at the time. The already-DOT-approved parts were also used on Eldorado Starfire RVs, because in the 80’s it was a futuristic look.

            https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–QH-iOqgq–/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/1346800500930989862.jpg

          2. Sjalabais Avatar
            Sjalabais

            What the…strange proportions on steroids! First I ever see of this weird duckling.

      3. 0A5599 Avatar
        0A5599

        I had considered the FoxMark, but didn’t find any at comparable prices in comparable condition. A few nice ones for $7500+, but mostly $750 driveway ornaments on collapsed air bags.

        Reply
  6. njhoon Avatar
    njhoon

    I have to agree with this. I have a soft spot for mn12 TBirds, I had one and miss it. It was deceptively quick, and after I put on a suspension kit would handle like it had magnets. I recently saw a 90ish TBird with a 5.0 in place or the turbo motor and it was really sharp.

    Reply