My HP-48G still gets used in the workshop…alas, not for anything major.
For something like cologne, where the manufacturing of one type over another is pretty much the same in terms of equipment, instruments and process used (the only variation likely to be ingredients), restarting a product that has been discontinued is probably rather easy once you arrange for the time needed to make it and source a printer for labels and a bottle provider. You can make Jade East on the same machines that make Old Spice (assuming you’re the company that manufactures both…).
For something more complex like a car or airplane, the manufacturing process is so large and requires such specialized tooling, moulds and processes that once discontinued, most of the equipment and instruments are destroyed or re-purposed because there’s no value in keeping them in storage for years on end. In some cases, even the original drawings and tooling designs get lost, and so any re-makes have to be back-engineered or recreated from scratch, which can be incredibly difficult, costly and time-consuming to do.
Nowhere near as complicated as anything like a car or a plane, but a guy with the apt name of Brandstetter is now making new Rhodes electric pianos. They sound just perfect, from what I’ve heard of name players like George Duke demonstrating them, are lighter than the originals, and have some new features, as well as better action than the originals. I imagine he had to retool all of the (many) parts, but at least he had plenty of examples of the originals from which to make measurements. And there are a number of people who make pretty much their whole living doing nothing but tuning up older Rhodes models.
He bought the name and sat on it for years before doing anything, and in the meantime threatened to sue regular musicians who put up pages on how to fix the older models (which are very common – everybody knows at least somebody in their town who has one, I’d bet, or hears it on the radio without realizing it).
In the process, a ton of regular musicians were pissed off at being apparently strong-armed by a guy who seemed pretty much made of dickhole, but there’s consensus that it’s a good product. I think the basic model is about $3500 – pricey for a one-trick pony, but similar to what the Rhodes cost in the 1970s, adjusted for inflation (IIRC hearing somewhere).
If anyone doesn’t know what a Rhodes is, think of the theme from “Taxi” or Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon” (the piano stuff, not the synth).
I don’t think we need to focus on a simple typo when it’s clear what the OP means.
But, yes, I will say that it’s pretty rad when a company reintroduces a product. Sometimes it’s also rockin’ and bodacious, but it really depends on the product.
Here’s a company that produces some of the best-known food products in the U.S. The interesting thing is, they didn’t develop any of those proudcts. They bought the brands after the original manufacturers decided not to support them anymore.
Kenm, maybe you should write and ask them to consider that 1953 Pontiac thing.
Looks like they’ve cornered the market on pancake syrup. Aunt Jemima, Mrs. Butterworth and Log Cabin.
That’s cool.
The Viking Air aircraft company bought not only the type certificates, but the manufacturing plans and tooling for the DHC-6 Twin Otter airplane: they are making new ones(conforming to the old type certificate with some minor supplemental modifications).
Kind of likewise, Bombardier could restart selling the CRJ-200 regional airliner if ever a market develops for it, simply because they are making the plane as the Challenger 850 business jet anyways (with modifications) and would only have to restart the interior completions; something that third party companies are doing for the existing fleet anyways.
My syster once thunk a wörd.
The 48GX hasn’t been gone long enough to inspire nostalgia, and the currently available 48gII and 50g seem to have the 48GX functionality covered.
The problem is, with Jade East and a number of other fragrances, particularly women’s perfumes, the name might be the same and the product similar, but not exact. Scents are constantly reformulated, some ingredients are declared to be currently toxic, or unavailable any more. I used to frequent a perfume board and read the bitter complaints that the new reissued perfumes didn’t hold a candle to the ‘vintage’ juice, which you might find for huge sums on eBay or somewhere.
I don’t suppose it matters too much, does it? Would you remember the exact scent of a cologne after 20 years or more? I was thrilled with my reissued Oh! de London perfume, but reading reviews, others complained how harsh it was. Maybe, but it took me right back to Twiggy days!
George Duke fans, here 'tis on the new Rhodes. Disclaimer: I like my 1976 Mk1 and do a bunch of work on it when I can, but this is the shit. I hated that bastard for shutting down sites that helped regular cats like me tune up their own Rhodeses. But worth watching for George Duke. Yeah, I’m talking to you, Frank Zappa fans!
I wish it were easier. For a long time it seemed like every time I’d find a lipstick shade that worked for me, I’d go back to buy it when I ran out and find out the color had been discontinued. I don’t wear lipstick more than twice a year or so these days, so I don’t know if I’m still the kiss of death for lipstick or not, but it sure was frustrating when it happened. I never put any faith in there being a way to have those colors brought back. I always assumed it would take a massive appeal from the public, which I was unlikely to be able to create.
Yeah. If they do it, I’ll then demand a Sylvania TV with Halo Light and a 1912 Stutz Bearcat. 
In addition, most of the parts are produced by outside vendors, some of whom may no longer be around.
Almost all retro electronics are extremely difficult to remake originals. The ROHS regulations spelled the doom for any lead solder based parts, so millions of products world-wide needed to be redesigned as parts were no longer available.
These people have the formula for most discontinued lipsticks, and if they don’t already have it, they can recreate the shade from a sample. It’s $60 for two tubes.