# Why don't they make "retro" cars? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 30, 2006, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817 "2006-08-30T19:12:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/1 "2006-08-30T19:12:50Z")
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? ``` ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/2 "2006-08-30T19:18:41Z")
Well, the PT Cruiser was a throwback, and popular. Personally, I’m hoping for the return of tailfins. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/3 "2006-08-30T19:20:16Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/4 "2006-08-30T19:22:47Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/5 "2006-08-30T19:24:28Z")
New VW Beetle. Chevy HHR. Mini-Cooper. [http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/tw/retro.htm](http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/tw/retro.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/6 "2006-08-30T19:26:34Z")
😕 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. ---
**Author:** ![Stringer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Stringer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringer)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/7 "2006-08-30T19:27:00Z")
The [2008 Dodge Challenger](http://www.stockmopar.com/2008-dodge-challenger.html) is pretty retro. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/8 "2006-08-30T19:30:48Z")
> [@micahjn](#): > > The [2008 Dodge Challenger](http://www.stockmopar.com/2008-dodge-challenger.html) is pretty retro. Oooh, I like that! ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/9 "2006-08-30T19:33:48Z")
> [@Fear Itself](#): > > Oooh, I like that! That is freakin’ sweet! ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/10 "2006-08-30T19:40:01Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/11 "2006-08-30T19:48:56Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/12 "2006-08-30T20:01:27Z")
> [@micahjn](#): > > The [2008 Dodge Challenger](http://www.stockmopar.com/2008-dodge-challenger.html) is pretty retro. That almost makes me wish I could drive. Personally, I am waiting for a DeLorean. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/13 "2006-08-30T20:06:45Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/14 "2006-08-30T20:55:17Z")
Put me down for a VW Thing, as long as it still sounds like a lawnmower. ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/15 "2006-08-30T21:03:58Z")
I want a [Nash Metropolitan](http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=TSHA,TSHA:2005-19,TSHA:en&q=nash%20metropolitan&sa=N&tab=wi). Those things are adorable. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/16 "2006-08-30T21:16:44Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![VenusProbe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e495f1/32.png) [@VenusProbe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VenusProbe)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/17 "2006-08-30T21:24:52Z")
Let’s not forget the [Mustang](http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/07/mustangconv05_01.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/18 "2006-08-30T21:27:45Z")
> [@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… ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/19 "2006-08-30T21:28:25Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2006, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817/20 "2006-08-30T21:53:14Z")
I’m not sure if the Challenger has been approved yet, but the new [Camaro](http://www.camaro.com/wordpress/) is apparently a go in 2009, assuming that GM hasn’t gone out of business by then. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-make-retro-cars/370817.md?page=2)