| America's thirst for cars of | | | | if a retro Pinto is being planned by |
| significance continues unabated. Long | | | | FoMoCo. |
| tired of copycat, cookie cutter, | | | | Chrysler got in the retro craze with its |
| uninspiring models, consumers are | | | | introduction of the 2000 PT Cruiser. |
| demanding - and receiving - cars that | | | | Based on 1950s era panel vans, the PT |
| are, quite frankly, retro. Yes, | | | | Cruiser sits on the now defunct Neon |
| America's automakers are reaching back | | | | platform, but sales have been strong for |
| in time to build a bunch of models based | | | | Chrysler. The Dodge Challenger, another |
| on popular models from yesteryear. Let's | | | | Chrysler product, is the car many are |
| take a look at the "Big 3" automakers | | | | waiting to see if and when it debuts as |
| and their current crop of retro cars as | | | | an '09 model. Borrowing cues from the |
| well as "future" models soon to be | | | | '71 model is part of the fun of this |
| released. | | | | car: a hemi engine coupled with a |
| Defined, retro cars are vehicles that | | | | fantastic interior will certainly help |
| take their styling cues from cars built | | | | move sales. For the record, the current |
| a generation or two ago. No, these | | | | Dodge Charger isn't retro - it has four |
| vehicles aren't carbon copies of earlier | | | | doors - but I am mentioning it because |
| models, rather each retro car borrows | | | | it is one cool car! |
| much of their look from earlier models. | | | | Chevrolet went retro with the SSR, a |
| Although American automakers dominate | | | | "truck" based on 1950s era pick ups. |
| the retro market, the Volkswagen New | | | | Word has it that the slow selling SSR - |
| Beetle was one of the first cars to | | | | hey, $42K for THAT thing - is on its |
| reach back as it went forward. Based on | | | | last legs. Fortunately, the HHR |
| the VW Golf platform, the circular | | | | [Heritage High Roof] will keep Chevy in |
| shaped New Beetle hearkens back to the | | | | the retro business as this new for 2006 |
| flower child era with its current | | | | model takes its styling cues from the |
| rendition of the people's car. | | | | '49 Suburban. Some would say the PT |
| Fortunately, VW had the presence of mind | | | | Cruiser! |
| to include its famed "flower holder" in | | | | Are we likely to see more retro cars in |
| with the dash, to evoke memory of the | | | | the future? Maybe, but probably not a |
| earlier model. | | | | Caddy replete with fins or a Chevy Vega. |
| Ford pushed the retro market forward | | | | America's love with old models is |
| with its introduction of the Thunderbird | | | | strong, but selective, and the |
| in 2002. Borrowing heavily from early | | | | automakers must be certain that |
| sixties era TBirds, the car has had | | | | consumers really want a particular retro |
| mixed success as Ford sold a very | | | | car before putting it into production. |
| limited number of the model for a few | | | | Oh, by the way, the '09 Chevy Camaro |
| years and then discontinued it after the | | | | concept is one hot looking car! |
| 2005 model year, citing poor sales. In | | | | Copyright 2006 - Matt Keegan is a |
| 2004, Ford introduced a retro version of | | | | freelance writer covering important |
| the Mustang, based on the '67 Mustang | | | | automotive topics and products including |
| fastback. Unlike the TBird, the Mustang | | | | tie rod, Mustang tie rod and Dodge tie |
| has been a huge success and Ford can | | | | rod parts. |
| barely keep up with production. No word | | | | |