HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-04-12, Page 15THE CITIZEN. THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2007. PAGE 15.
(MS) — The old adage that
whatever is old becomes new again
certainly rings true in the automotive
world. Some auto giants continue to
present vehicles that are more
reminiscent of classic than futuristic
concepts.
And it could be because the public
is hip to these retro looks.
Whether you’re a classic car
aficionado, an auto buff who
appreciates the styling of vehicles
from times past or a driver who has
lived in that era and wants to regain
the feeling of youth, retro vehicles,
sometimes called “heritage,”
certainly fit the bill.
These vehicles merge the familiar
with new innovations.
Just take a look at some of the
models that have come off the
assembly lines in recent years.
Chrysler’s PT Cruiser was one
vehicle that turned heads
immediately upon release in 2000. It
resembles a 1920’s gangster car and
has even been likened to the ZZ-Top
mobile. Since 2000, it has defied all
expectations to become one of
Chrysler’s best-selling vehicles.
The debate is still out on whether
it’s a station wagon, SUV, minivan
or simply a hatchback, but its retro
styling continues to garner admirers.
And since Chrysler has addressed
many of the complaints on
performance and comfort, the PT
Cruiser — and new descendants —
remains an attractive, affordable
vehicle.
One of the first “classics” to
experience a resurgence in
popularity and some minor body
restyling was the Volkswagen
Beetle. However, the New Beetle has
failed to maintain the momentum of
the PT Cruiser.
Ford Motor Company presented a
number of “vintage” stylings both in
concept and in execution in recent
years. The company restyled and re-
introduced the Ford Thunderbird
with an old-school body type.
Ford’s concept Forty-Nine,
unveiled in 2001, has a sleek, classic
look that harkens back to the
romance of a Friday night at the
drive-in or bowling alley, listening to
rock-and-roll and cruising “the
strip.”
In 2004, Ford introduced its retro-
styled Mustang and is now offering a
convertible version.
At the end of 2005, Chevy
released the HHR. It resembles a
1949 Chevrolet Suburban and the
company’s Chevy SSR roadster.
While much of the styling is retro, it
also offers a touch of the boxy,
functional looks inherent to many of
the vehicles on the road today.
This year Volkswagen introduces
the Minibus, which is based on the
original hippy Microbus. VW plans
to market the Minibus as a lifestyle
vehicle with room for mountain
bikes and surfboards, but will
twenty-somethings be enticed by its
hippy look?
There are those who feel that the
vehicle should be equipped to handle
the lifestyle changes of the aging
Baby Boomer who may be more apt
to purchase this vehicle.
Some say that retro looks on
vehicles are old news. After all, how
many of these autos can be on the
road before they begin looking like
copycats or lose their novelty?
Perhaps the true test will be if the
public continues to be hooked by the
new releases from Detroit come next
year.
How long will retro styling sell vehicles?
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Old new again
The PT Cruiser and Mustang GT are just two of the vehicles that have people scratching their
heads and wondering what year it is.(Courtesy photos from Daimler-Chrysler, Ford Motor Company)