For the most part, you can look at any car in any parking lot anywhere and be able to guess what time period it came from. Big chrome railroad ties and ill-fitting panel gaps? 1970s. Monochromatic, rubbery-plasticky bumper caps, shaped headlights and black window trim? Good money it’s the 1990s. The shape and overall features of a car fit a design language that is effectively trendy: look at fins, Dagmar bumperettes, full-width taillights, hideaway headlights..all of it goes back to the fashion of a car, and like every other fashion, sooner or later it falls out of style. But every now and then a particular car transcends the styles and becomes timeless. Normally, it’s the pinnacle of the design language of the time: the ’49 Mercury, the ’57 Chevrolet, the ’69 Charger all fit that mold. They are identified by their generation, and to most people, properly represent what it was and what it could be.
That isn’t the point of today’s exercise. Today’s question focuses on a car that could, with minimal approach in regards to updating, be sold on the market and be a winner. This isn’t nearly as easy as it appears on the surface: tastes change, designs become obsolete, and of course you have to consider safety designs and size differences between then and now. Two cars that would fit this bill almost immediately are the Nissan 300ZX Z32 and the Studebaker Avanti. The Nissan’s shape is aerodynamic and clean, the interior is, for the most part, ergonomical and simple, and safety features such as ABS and airbags were available. The Avanti might be a 54-year-old design, but the aerodynamic properties were proven at Bonneville many times over and any time a new manufacturer comes out with a Corvette competitor comes out, we all win (see also: AMX). The Avanti would have to be updated to meet safety regs, but the overall design would work with a slightly more sloped windshield, and a sub-5.0L V8 or potent V6.
So take a moment, think about it, and let us know what car from the past would do well if it was cued up for sale in 2016.
The Opel GT
It depends whether or not the drivetrain and suspension are up to modern standards really. I would agree with the Opel GT and the Avanti, but my number one choice would be the original Ford Mustang.
Simples…….
The 70-series Land Cruiser is a perfect example of this.
It’s changed so little over its 31 years of production.
I would say the AMX 3 gets my vote, even though only a couple were built they look as good today as they did then.
Early to mid-50’s Studebaker Commander. To me that style was way ahead of its time. Granted the back needs a redo but the front is timeless. Any power train would work for me.
The original DC2-chassis 1995-1998 Acura Integra Type R. Those things still trade hands for like-new prices. And with good reason. Hand-assembled 8400RPM 195hp B18C engine, close-ratio 5-speed, helical LSD, spot-welded chassis, stiffer suspension, weight reduction measures (reduced sound insulation, 10% thinner windscreen, no sunroof, lighter wheels). Considered one of the best sport coupes ever for good reason.
Corvair, mid engine, watercooled turbo with proper independent suspension and big disc brakes
The obvious choice – the Z/28 Camaro. I have no idea why Chevy is dragging it’s feet over releasing this model.
The Buick Reatta, a good design but had lousy mechanics for the time.
Not a Chevy guy, but the ’63 split window Stingray will always do it for me.
Any of the AMC Javelins and AMXs. They had the looks to make it today and handled better than most of the pony cars in the late 60s and early 70s. And they even managed to outrun some. But they could still use a suspension upgrade.
thunderbird ! but do it right this time
coyote 5.0 5 speed IRS go ahead and make it a 4 seat convertible with optional roadster cover like they had in 65
Maybe its the easy way out but figure out a 57 chev redo. Or 50 ford or what have you.
two words…hmmm, three words….TWIN.TURBO.SUPRAS