Retro Mania: "Old" Cars Rock!

America's thirst for cars of significance continuesMustang has been a huge success and Ford can
unabated. Long tired of copycat, cookie cutter,barely keep up with production. No word if a retro
uninspiring models, consumers are demanding - andPinto is being planned by FoMoCo.
receiving - cars that are, quite frankly, retro. Yes,Chrysler got in the retro craze with its introduction of
America's automakers are reaching back in time tothe 2000 PT Cruiser. Based on 1950s era panel vans,
build a bunch of models based on popular models fromthe PT Cruiser sits on the now defunct Neon platform,
yesteryear. Let's take a look at the "Big 3" automakersbut sales have been strong for Chrysler. The Dodge
and their current crop of retro cars as well as "future"Challenger, another Chrysler product, is the car many
models soon to be released.are waiting to see if and when it debuts as an '09
Defined, retro cars are vehicles that take their stylingmodel. Borrowing cues from the '71 model is part of
cues from cars built a generation or two ago. No,the fun of this car: a hemi engine coupled with a
these vehicles aren't carbon copies of earlier models,fantastic interior will certainly help move sales. For the
rather each retro car borrows much of their look fromrecord, the current Dodge Charger isn't retro - it has
earlier models.four doors - but I am mentioning it because it is one
Although American automakers dominate the retrocool car!
market, the Volkswagen New Beetle was one of theChevrolet went retro with the SSR, a "truck" based on
first cars to reach back as it went forward. Based on1950s era pick ups. Word has it that the slow selling
the VW Golf platform, the circular shaped New BeetleSSR - hey, $42K for THAT thing - is on its last legs.
hearkens back to the flower child era with its currentFortunately, the HHR [Heritage High Roof] will keep
rendition of the people's car. Fortunately, VW had theChevy in the retro business as this new for 2006
presence of mind to include its famed "flower holder" inmodel takes its styling cues from the '49 Suburban.
with the dash, to evoke memory of the earlier model.Some would say the PT Cruiser!
Ford pushed the retro market forward with itsAre we likely to see more retro cars in the future?
introduction of the Thunderbird in 2002. BorrowingMaybe, but probably not a Caddy replete with fins or a
heavily from early sixties era TBirds, the car has hadChevy Vega. America's love with old models is strong,
mixed success as Ford sold a very limited number ofbut selective, and the automakers must be certain that
the model for a few years and then discontinued itconsumers really want a particular retro car before
after the 2005 model year, citing poor sales. In 2004,putting it into production. Oh, by the way, the '09 Chevy
Ford introduced a retro version of the Mustang, basedCamaro concept is one hot looking car!
on the '67 Mustang fastback. Unlike the TBird, the