Retrostyled modern cars that got it right

Retrostyling can make cars very desirable if done right. They bring to life memories of their parents' or grandparents' cars for some. Others might just a want a modern car that has classic-influenced looks.

Retrostyled modern cars that got it right

Retrostyling can make cars very desirable if done right. They bring to life memories of their parents' or grandparents' cars for some. Others might just a want a modern car that has classic-influenced looks.

Over the years we have seen many such cars that try to bring back the essence of their classic predecessors. Here are some that have got it right.

Mini

Perhaps the most popular retrostyled car of all, the 2000 Mini successfully emulates the original Mini from 1959. It looks similar and is a hoot to drive. Newer generations have continued attracting audiences all over the world. High performance versions are available as well. The Mini is no longer a cheap car, but still guarantees the driver similar excitement to much more expensive sports cars.

Volkswagen Beetle

Volkswagen introduced the new Beetle in 1997. It had everything going for it. The looks were very similar to the vastly popular original Beetle and it had the underpinnings of a Golf. This made it very nice to drive as well. The only thing different from the old car was that its engine was in the front.

Fiat 500

The third of the peoples' cars in the list is the Fiat 500. Fiat previewed the new 500 model in March 2007 – fifty years after the first Fiat 500 was presented. Just like the Beetle, the new 500 took styling cues from the original car. Again just like the Beetle, it saw a switch from a rear-engined layout to a front-engined one. Like the original car, a hot Abarth version is available. Like the Mini and Beetle, the 500 is no longer a cheap car, but boy does it attract attention!

Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang has been in production since 1964. It was an instant hit with young Americans. It was cheap compared to European sports cars, yet fast and good looking. While the third and fourth-gen cars looked radically different from the original, the fifth-gen model brought back the classic design of the original in 2005. Once again, the Mustang rose in popularity and flew out of the showrooms! The sixth-gen model, which came in 2015 looks like an evolution of its predecessor. The Mustang is now so popular worldwide, that Ford has introduced right-hand drive versions of the car - something it had not done in earlier times.

Chevrolet Camaro

The Camaro is one of the Mustang's traditional rivals. It went into productions in 1966. The second, third and fourth-gen cars looked quite different from each other. The Camaro could not match the success of the Mustang and General motors discontinued the car in 1992. However, the fifth-gen Ford Mustang was flying out of the showrooms and General Motors thought it would be a good idea to reintroduce the Camaro. Therefore, it brought the badge back in 2010. With the fifth-generation model, the company also brought back the classic look of the original Camaro. Like the Mustang, the sixth-gen car looks like an evolution of its predecessor. 

Dodge Challenger

The third muscle car from Detroit came from the Chrysler group. The Dodge Challenger went into production in 1969 when muscle cars were all the rage. The second-gen car, which was introduced in 1977, looked different from its predecessor. The Challenger went off the market in 1983. But, inspired by the success of the fifth-gen Ford Mustang, Chrysler the Dodge Challenger back to life in 2008. This third-gen car, which is still on sale, looks very similar to the original Challenger.

Mercedes G-Wagen

The Mercedes G-Wagen or G-Class has been in production since 1979 and every generation looks similar to the original. The present day car was launched in 2018 and even that one retains the boxy look of the original with subtle modernisation. There are high performance versions from AMG available that have gained popularity among the rich and influential. The G-Wagen is regarded as one of the coolest vehicles around. It won't go away any time soon.

Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler retains the classic looks of the original CJ. It has a squared off body with external fenders and a slatted grille. While the Wrangler debuted in 1986 with rectangular headlamps, it has been sporting round headlights since 1996, which makes it even closer in resemblance to the CJ. The design is extremely popular the world over and there are many other companies around the world that have sold vehicles inspired but it. However, no one other than FCA can use the name Jeep. FCA also got Mahindra to alter the look of its Roxor off-roader, which is on sale in the US.

Porsche 911

Just like the G-Wagen, the 911 has retained its classic look over the years. It has been in production since 1963. Every generation, including the latest 992 has sported the same rear-engined layout as the original. The 911 is so popular, that Porsche dare not alter the styling drastically. The car's fans will just not tolerate any major deviations. Porsche need not worry though. The 911 is one of the most popular sports cars in the world.

Ford Bronco

In 2020, after a gap of 25 years, Ford has brought back the iconic Bronco brand with the launch of a new range of SUVs in the US market. The new Bronco is available in 2-door, 4-door and Bronco Sport models. The new Bronco borrows styling cues from the original. It has an upright front fascia with circular headlamps and 'Bronco' lettering in the centre. The 2-door and 4-door models come with soft and hard top options and removable doors and roof sections. The Bronco's reintroduction has created quite a buzz in the market. Ford will start taking orders for the off-roader from this month and the market response is expected to be very strong. 

Ford GT

Ford brought back the GT name in 2004 with this supercar that looked similar to the GT40 from 1964, which competed in the 24 hours of LeMans. Remember the movie [URL="https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gars/209784-ford-vs-ferrari-movie.html"]Ford vs Ferrari[/URL]? The new GT was stunning to behold and with 550 BHP and 678 Nm at its disposal, it could hit a top speed of 330 km/h. 4,038 GTs were built through 2005 and 2006. The second-generation GT came in December 2016. It is even more powerful and faster.

Mercedes SLS AMG

Just like the Ford GT, Mercedes brought a legendary style back from the dead with the SLS AMG. The car had gullwing doors just like the 300 SL from the 1950s. Those are probable the coolest doors any car could ever have! The grille and aggressive looking air vents on the sides were also taken from it old car.  Today, the old 300 SL is a collector's item. I am pretty sure the SLS AMG will become on too!

BMW Z8

The BMW Z8's design was clearly inspired by the 507 roadster from the 1950s. The slim radiator grille with headlamps set above it and air vents on the side placed just ahead of the doors definitely brought back memories of the 507. This car was first seen in the James Bond film The World is Not Enough. BMW's manufacturing facility in Munich rolled out Z8s between 2000 and 2003.

Suzuki Jimny

The latest generation Suzuki Jimny is clearly retrostyled. It takes design cues from each of the earlier generation cars. It has a boxy body, round headlamps, an upright grille with vertical slats and horizontally oriented tail lamps placed low in the rear bumper. The Jimny has gained fans from all over the world. In fact, Suzuki has started manufacturing the car here in India. Unfortunately, it is not for us to buy.

Ford Thunderbird

The first-gen Thunderbird went on sale in 1954. With each passing generation, Ford altered the luxury coupe's styling and none of the original car's successors looked similar to it. In 1997, the company pulled the plug on the Thunderbird. In 2002, Ford brought back the Thunderbird name with a retrostyled coupe. It clearly resembled the original car with round headlamps, toothy grille and small round windows on the sides of the roof. Unfortunately, the Thunderbird did not become as popular as some other retrostyled cars and once again, the Thunderbird nameplate was buried! While production ended in 2005, the car's design ensured that it stood out among other cars on the road.

Images - Wikipedia