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37001 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 3:23 PM

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Messages Page 3586 of 3701

#35849 of 37001 Re: Sedan Delivery> [fintail] by andys120

Feb 09, 2013 (6:39 am)

Replying to: fintail (Feb 08, 2013 7:53 pm)
Looks like a little van based on a postwar Fiat 500/Topolino
 
Yup, precisely. The original Fiat 500 was the prewar Topolino ("Little Mouse") a front-engine RWD car, the Nuova 500 followed in 1957 using the then in vogue rear-engine RWD set up. The current Fiat 500 apes the styling of the '57 but uses a typical FWD chassis and, unlike the other two, displaces a lot more than 500cc.
 
I wonder how a Topolino styled Fiat 500 would sell?
 

#35850 of 37001 Re: Sedan Delivery> [andys120] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 09, 2013 (8:34 am)

Replying to: andys120 (Feb 09, 2013 6:39 am)
I think "retro" is pretty dead now.
 
The problem with "retro" is that it's hard to go anywhere with it---yes, VW proofs the rule, but in general most retro designs are dead-ends after a few years.
 
VW was always retro, is probably the reason---ditto Porsche. But to go from modern back to retro, that's very risky.

#35852 of 37001 Re: Sedan Delivery> [andys120] by fintail

Feb 09, 2013 (9:51 am)

Replying to: andys120 (Feb 09, 2013 6:39 am)
A little microvan thing could be cool, but otherwise, like shifty says, hard one to pull off for any period of time. Fiat 500 does the job too, but will eventually need an update. Then the problem begins. I think only Mustang and Beetle been successful at updating retro. Heck, MB even dropped the ponton-inspired rear fender detail on the new facelift E-class.

#35853 of 37001 Re: Sedan Delivery> [fintail] by kyfdx HOST

Feb 09, 2013 (11:02 am)

Replying to: fintail (Feb 09, 2013 9:51 am)
Isn't the MINI retro? Not that I disagree with your premise, but that's a pretty successful example.

#35854 of 37001 Re: Sedan Delivery> [fintail] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 09, 2013 (11:06 am)

Replying to: fintail (Feb 09, 2013 9:51 am)
Mustang fumbled with the Mustang II but they came back. The original retro design has to be very very strong for it to continue. Iconic. Legendary. Even well known to people who weren't alive when the first versions came out. Not many cars qualify.
 
But retros can have "a run" for a while---sooner or later, though, there's nowhere to go. I'm not even sure how I feel about the new "ManBug" VW.
 
I see a marked trend away from cars that are too-too small---people are afraid to drive them, and I don't blame them.

#35855 of 37001 Re: Sedan Delivery> [kyfdx] by fintail

Feb 09, 2013 (11:06 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Feb 09, 2013 11:02 am)
Oops yeah, forgot about that one. And it's been updated well, too.
 
The successful retro cars have a very distinct silhouette that can be tweaked over time. That could be the key.
 
I wonder if one could count an SLS as a retro car, as it has a roadster too, just like the original 300SL. It's not quite as relatively insane as the original, but really nothing is.

#35856 of 37001 Re: Sedan Delivery> [Mr_Shiftright] by kyfdx HOST

Feb 09, 2013 (11:33 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 09, 2013 11:06 am)
Saw my first Smart car moving at traffic speed, this week. Doing 70 in the center lane. Looked scary, even from my vantage point.

#35857 of 37001 TV Still> by andys120

Feb 09, 2013 (12:08 pm)

#35858 of 37001 Re: TV Still> [andys120] by stickguy

Feb 09, 2013 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: andys120 (Feb 09, 2013 12:08 pm)
'68 Dodge Dart?

Messages Page 3586 of 3701

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