By Robert Emslie
There are certain things that are just plain wrong. Sometimes it’s a TV remote that has the most used buttons at the bottom, or that institutional toilet paper that’s strangely less wide than the stuff at home, and inevitably leaves you with a surprise finger painting opportunity. And with cars sometime it can be how they look. There’s been a bunch of car models that have been around so long that they have developed a general consensus as to how they should look, and its crazy-making when they don’t look quite right.
You know what a Mustang should look like, or a Beetle, or even a 911, and so the stylists, when refreshing or re-imagining the marque, must tread lightly while walking on such hallowed ground. Come up with something that’s too far off general expectations and expect to see aficionados storming the ramparts with pitchforks held high. Just ask the Ford folks who focus grouped the Probe when it was going to replace the Mustang.
Many a car has gone away only to reappear at a later date. And upon that rebirth after a long hiatus, it’s vitally necessary that they express visually certain iconic characteristics that are expected of the brand. Those what was once old are new again cars are collectively referred to as Retromobiles. There have been a bunch, some have come and gone, while others make it to a second or third generation. The success of capturing that lightning in a bottle – the intrinsic identity of the brand- varies from effort to effort, some being more successful than others, and some waaay off. But one, in your mind must stand out above all the rest in best achieving that snapshot of visual character, and drawing the past into the present. Which one is it, what car gets retro right?
Image source: [theinspirationroom]
Jeff Glucker
<img src="http://www.motoworks.biz/bike%20pages/ducati/06_paul_smart_replica/images/PS1000Web30_jpg.jpg" width=500>
Ducati did it right with the Paul Smart replica. That counts as retro, right?
So, so so right, and I'm not a huge fan of retro efforts, usually.
Caterham
Morgan
<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_frpk-RktQ1U/TK5GnBJyOaI/AAAAAAAAAwk/B56ilwONsgc/s1600/ACE+Trike.jpg"width=500>
<img src="http://www.scorpiocars.net/images/Morgan/2003%20Morgan%20Plus%208%2035th%20Anniversary%20Edition_2.jpg"width=500>
Do continuation models count?
<img src="http://www.delorean.com/dmcflorida/dmcfloridaimages/bldg.jpg">
Hellz to the yes. If it ain't broke, or is broke in all the right ways, don't fix it.
Good, because when you think about it,, retro is nothing more than a virtual time machine that takes you back to the futuristic styling of days past.
Just try not to make out with your mom. Even if she is Lea Thompson.
Could you tell if it was the new S&S/Harley powered one or one of the old British engined ones?
@P161911 – I wasn't aware they made a Harley powered version, but no, I didn't see the front long enough to notice.
They "reintroduced" the 3-wheeler recently. Actually, I think they licensed out the design to a US company and then bought it back to restart production. http://www.morgan3wheeler.co.uk/home.htmlhttp://w…
Yep, it's a slightly simplified and reworked version of the US-made and designed Liberty Ace. I think Morgan realized that their original 3-wheeler had already been modernized in a sensitive way by someone else, and so it was easy to just bring them into the fold than to start with a blank sheet.
This is the 789 Chevy (1957, 1958, 1959) by Kanter Concepts, design studio and parent company of (no 2 alike) n2a Motors.
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4278018550_8569a8957f.jpg"width="500"/>
No. Not as hideous as these (http://www.easyrods.com/), but still, No.
As much as I hate the EasyRods, I have a legitimate desire to build an S-10 pickup with a Rodster front end and a stake-side flatbed out back.
<img src="http://www.rodster.com/assets/PICKUP3-.jpg">
Well that's not the answer I expected! But a good one none-the-less. There have been a few BMW Volgas, there was one at the Budapest autoshow, wow 12-13 years ago, I'm getting old dang.
<img src="http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1961/volga346uu.jpg" width="500">
It uses BMW 7-Series running gear (including a V-12). Car and Driver did a story on it once.
Imposter! The real Skaycog would respond with Engineerd's answer.
Ms. Obvious decided to shake it up a bit. Shocking, I know!
I actually thought the CRC retro C5 vette rebody was done fairly well. Other than the windshield frame area, it looks attractive, if not authentic.
<img src="http://www.carinsurance.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/gg_pw_crc_c5-4.jpg" width="500">
I've never seen that before. I like it!
I saw one of those recently, as I was driving home, and it didn't look so good in person.
Um, if the original question was "who has retro blight?" then indubitably yes.
My favorite retro rebodied Vette. Awkward from a few angles, great from others.
<img src="http://uncrate.com/p/2010/06/rossi-sixtysix-xl.jpg" width="600"/>
IMG from Uncrate
Tying in with the early theme, I'm going to go with Triumph. The look is just right, with a nice dollop of technology controlling the oily bits. I think they avoid the harley trap by offering modern bikes right along side their retro rides, making the retro bikes feel fun instead of antiquated.
<img src="http://www.triumph.co.uk/images/Thruxton_2010_overview_510x347.jpg" width=500>
My main criticism with the new Bonnie is the ugly engine. It's too wide, too fat, too plain, and the top end is a very oriental-looking lump. It doesn't have any of the lithe, sculptural qualities of the original.
<img src="http://www.anglo-bobbers.com/Triumph_1971/images-tr0013/1971_Triumph_Bonneville_Engine_468x363.jpg">
I agree, that is one of the best looking bike engines ever produced. Just look at it. However, I'm happy as hell that Triumph has succeeded in reinventing itself, that's a good thing, anybody will admit.
cannot believe you beat ms. skaycog to the punch… i was leaving it for her… because it is, truly, the best retromobile.
Same company made one of the worst, which happened to be a MT COTY winner. Ford got a great idea for the interior, though I wish you could get something like boue exterior red interior:
<img src="http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/InteriorDriverSideSmall-500×375.jpg">
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/11th_Ford_Tbird.jpg/500px-11th_Ford_Tbird.jpg">
But the outside did not really look much like any prior t-bird really. It was expensive and Ford could have fixed it by tweaking the outside a bit while improving the performance, but instead they went to blander exterior colors and a single color boring dark interior. It's a shame, this could have been so right.
Dude, your Bug has swirly marks. Don't let Ricky D see it, he will have a heart attack.
Oh, and it also has an engine in the front and the rear. But no gas tanks……
My choice too…..honestly.
Hawk Cars
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2415/2492585431_353667e8e4.jpg">
and/or Pinninfarina
<img src="http://www.motorward.com/wp-content/images/2010/08/New-Lancia-Stratos-1.jpg">
<img src="http://files.g4tv.com/images/blog/2008/11/12/633620844201693577.jpg" width="400">
Oh wait, this isn't atomic toasters? Nevermind.
photo courtesy of g4tv
Thankfully not much.
My personal retro favorite is not a car, or truck, or cycle, but it still has four wheels, an engine, and can be very "Hoon-worthy"…providing you have the right accessories.
<img src="http://www.tractordata.com/news/2009/03/new-holland-boomer-8n.jpg" width="600">
Oh that is far too cool.
Points for discussion:
Revived Z
Charger
300c
Challenger
1 series (as a revived e30 or 2002)
1. Catfish face. No t-tops: Retro fail.
2. Sessy body lines, PAH!, bloat: Retro pass.
3. Interesting styling, gun-slit windows, boulevard cruiser: Retro acceptable
4. See answer #2 + #3: surprisingly, retro fail
5. Sporty, light, turbo, coupe: Retro acceptable
6. Bold, brash, PAH!: Retro acceptable.
These are the expressed opinions of Muthalovin. Flame if you must.
<pladow!>
A buddy (a very successful auto-xer in an e30) and I were musing on the 1-series the other day. Neither of us understands the vitriol leveled at it. It seems very much in keeping with the spirit of beloved baby Bimmers.
Z- Just as ugly as its predecessors. Retro win, styling fail.
Charger/300C/Challenger- The Challenger looks too much like the original. Only the Ford GT can pull off the total-facsimile look. They all DRIVE like their ancestors. Retro win, dynamics fail.
1er- The E30 and 2002 were underpowered cars with great chassis. The 1 has an acceptable chassis (caveat- I haven't driven the M yet) and a wonderful monster of a motor. Retro fail, everthing else win.
Oh, and duh:
Camaro
This Camero thing… is it car?
None of the latter-day "Pony Cars" really are, mainly due to their heft. Mustang comes closest.
Here's an out of the box answer. Who does retro right? WE do – the Hoons – who insist on keeping old and older iron on the road and relying upon it for our daily transport needs.
… Just drove the Alfa to the store for a sunny Friday afternoon beer run, and I'm feeling a bit smug. Now I'm going to pull the head off my 25 year old lawn tractor. I'm such a masochist.
I must of the same breed hahaha..
my 1974 Opala real retro and 300C new retro, you decide
<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_jENN4i7WodY/TR_XBQIDgwI/AAAAAAAACwg/Ka6-JAVGD-I/s912/DSC06777-3.JPG" width="550">
and my 1962 Valmet 600iD real retro
<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_jENN4i7WodY/TcSktnp5gvI/AAAAAAAACz0/02CYBNaG74Q/s640/DSC05068.JPG" width="550">
I know I'll get some hell for this but Mini anybody? I know they failed in a lot of ways but really, they're not that bad.
Mini HAD it right. Once they started expanding their range to the Countryman and Clubman, they stopped getting retro right. And don't get me started on that Coupe they are bringing out.
Apropos of nothing, except I saw this segment on Netflix last night…[youtube wDcKES5sv4k http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDcKES5sv4k youtube]
It's time for Cadillac to come at us with some finage…not too crazy mind you, but a touch of '62 would seem appropriate.
They try with the CTS Sportwagon. The taillights were inspired by the big fins… such is marketing.
Kawasaki W650. Like a reliable, bevel driven cam Bonnie.
<img src="http://www.paradisecycles.com/Images/Image639.jpg"/>
And the Yamaha SRX600 and Honda GB500 were pretty cool too.
Agreed, but just what was the SRX emulating? It's never struck me as retro – if anything, with that square-tube frame, it was forward looking.