Why don't they make "retro" cars?

[DrCube]

I was just thinking that there has to be a huge market for something like this. I don't mean exact replicas, because obviously the materials and methods of auto manufacturing have changed over the years. But why doesn't GM make a modern-style car -- plastic bumpers, cd players and everything -- that looks just like a '57 Chevy? I myself am looking forward to a cheap, fuel-efficient Model T. The closest I've seen to a retro car is the new Volkswagen Beetle. I don't see something like that hurting the classic car market; but even if it did, why would Ford care? It is not like they are getting any money when somebody sells an old Mustang.

Anyway, it's just something I've been wondering about. Anybody have any ideas?

[Bryan Ekers]

Well, the PT Cruiser was a throwback, and popular.

Personally, I'm hoping for the return of tailfins.

[Fear Itself]

I agree. Look at all the money Hollywood has made remaking old movies. I would think this would appeal to the risk-averse lawyers and accountants who run the car manufacturers now.

[Ethilrist]

Because all of the things that you'd like to see that are distinguishing features of cars of a byegone era would weigh more than you think and increase wind resistance dramatically. This would cause a decrease in fuel efficiency--there's a reason why cars all started being shaped like squashed turds back in the 80's. They're very aerodynamic.

[DrDeth]

New VW Beetle. Chevy HHR. Mini-Cooper.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/tw/retro.htm

[Rick]

Don't get out much do you?
Retro?
PT Cruiser
Chevy HHR
Dodge Ram pickups
Ford Thunderbird
Ford GT
VW Beetle
Mini

Just to name a few off the top of my head.

[Stringer]

The 2008 Dodge Challenger is pretty retro.

[Fear Itself]

Originally Posted by micahjn

The 2008 Dodge Challenger is pretty retro.

Oooh, I like that!

[Mister Rik]

Originally Posted by Fear Itself

Oooh, I like that!

That is freakin' sweet!

[DrCube]

Yeah, so, I guess I'm out of the loop. I didn't realize there already were so many retro cars. But I don't think the PT Cruiser and the Mini Cooper count. I'm not asking about newer cars "inspired" by older models, I'm talking about the same older car built new. I mean, in a way, every car is inspired by older ones. That Dodge Challenger was exactly what I am talking about, though. An old favorite brought to life again, not some quaintly designed vehicle just reminiscent of the old days.

[gazpacho]

Safty regulations, pollution regulations and manufacturing improvements mean that there is not a lot that can be copied over from models 10 or 20 years old. Only the Style can be reused.

[davenportavenger]

Originally Posted by micahjn

The 2008 Dodge Challenger is pretty retro.

That almost makes me wish I could drive.

Personally, I am waiting for a DeLorean.

[BMalion]

Originally Posted by Phase42

That is freakin' sweet!

I mostly drive and am quite fond of minvans, but I'd buy that car if I needed a 2nd set of wheels. Daaayyyammmm.

[Joey P]

Put me down for a VW Thing, as long as it still sounds like a lawnmower.

[Gala Matrix Fire]

I want a Nash Metropolitan. Those things are adorable.

[Bryan Ekers]

Originally Posted by davenportavenger

Personally, I am waiting for a DeLorean.

Yeah, but the retro version of a 1938 Ford'll smash through it like it was tinfoil.

[VenusProbe]

Let's not forget the Mustang

[Ethilrist]

Originally Posted by gazpacho

Safty regulations, pollution regulations and manufacturing improvements mean that there is not a lot that can be copied over from models 10 or 20 years old. Only the Style can be reused.

And, ironically enough, back when they were selling these cars, the "style" was the main selling point...

[Gary T]

Originally Posted by DrCube

I was just thinking that there has to be a huge market for something like this. I don't mean exact replicas, because obviously the materials and methods of auto manufacturing have changed over the years. But why doesn't GM make a modern-style car -- plastic bumpers, cd players and everything -- that looks just like a '57 Chevy? I myself am looking forward to a cheap, fuel-efficient Model T. The closest I've seen to a retro car is the new Volkswagen Beetle. I don't see something like that hurting the classic car market; but even if it did, why would Ford care? It is not like they are getting any money when somebody sells an old Mustang.

Anyway, it's just something I've been wondering about. Anybody have any ideas?

Why don't they make them? Because not enough people would buy them. The market is satisfied by actual old cars and by kit cars, where an old-style body is fitted onto a modern chassis.

[Throatwarbler Mangrove]

I'm not sure if the Challenger has been approved yet, but the new Camaro is apparently a go in 2009, assuming that GM hasn't gone out of business by then.

[Mangetout]

Don't forget Morgan (if you don't mind waiting a year or so while they build it for you)

[Spectre of Pithecanthropus]

Originally Posted by Rick

Don't get out much do you?
Retro?
PT Cruiser
Chevy HHR
Dodge Ram pickups
Ford Thunderbird
Ford GT
VW Beetle
Mini

Just to name a few off the top of my head.

You could add to that many if not most of the convertibles that are out there, many of which seem to have a retro feel. Awhile back, I happened to wonder what had ever happened to T-tops, and almost instantly I told myself, "because convertibles came back!"

[Rick]

Originally Posted by DrCube

Yeah, so, I guess I'm out of the loop. I didn't realize there already were so many retro cars. But I don't think the PT Cruiser and the Mini Cooper count. I'm not asking about newer cars "inspired" by older models, I'm talking about the same older car built new. I mean, in a way, every car is inspired by older ones. That Dodge Challenger was exactly what I am talking about, though. An old favorite brought to life again, not some quaintly designed vehicle just reminiscent of the old days.

Maybe you should take a closer look.
They are not identical. Reminiscent is the word I would use to decribe the new Challenger

[Excalibre]

Originally Posted by micahjn

The 2008 Dodge Challenger is pretty retro.

I don't even care about cars and I'm lusting after that one. This is so weird. I've just never given two shits about the things except insofar as they can or can't get me where I'm going.

[Johnny L.A.]

Originally Posted by Bryan Ekers

Personally, I'm hoping for the return of tailfins.

My car has tailfins. Only little ones, and they aren't technically 'retro' because the car is over 40 years old.

I mentioned to my restoration guy that my MGB has tailfins. He disagreed, but conceded that they did appear to be vestigal fins after I pointed them out.

[R. P. McMurphy]

Probably the last retro car to be built was the Checker Marathon.

Wiki - Checker

It was little more than a '55 Chevy and they quit production in 1982. Why did they quit production? Basically, because a car which was 25 years techinically deficient is really a POS.

If you want an antique, buy an antique and restore it. Otherwise, time moves on.

[DrCube]

It seems that the Morgan site had the closest to what I was thinking about when I wrote the OP. (Well, not necessarily, because I was supposing something close to a replica but with modern parts, while that site seemed to offer custom made cars that looked like old 30s Rolls Royces.)
But on second thought, I'm afraid that the line I thought was relatively clear-cut when I started this thread is getting pretty hazy in my mind. I thought at first there was pretty clear dividing line between "retro" and "modern", but I'm getting confused myself. Obviously, they can't make exact replicas, I knew that before I started. But it seems that there is no real way to differentiate say, "This is just like a Cobra, but new", vs. "This is inspired by one or more old cars". I don't know, but I should trust economics. If there is a demand, somebody somewhere will supply it for a price. So the reason I don't see any new Woodys is because the demand is met by the old ones still floating around. And if you can't get your hands on a vintage Rolls Royce, the Morgan company will custom make you one for lots of dollars.

By the way, thanks everyone, this was the first thread I started and it went well. So I guess I'll start a few more in the future.