If you love classic automobiles, then your next few minutes will be enjoyable. We will be exploring some of the coolest classic car revivals that the world has ever seen.
Although most classic cars are supposed to be left untouched and pristine, some of the motoring icons of the past have often required a modern interpretation. With today’s advanced computer-aided design tools and superior crafting techniques, these icons look exquisite and celebrate a bygone era that also finds footing in today’s advanced age.
Take the Ford Mustang GT as an example – a popular two-door sports car from the American automaker that’s been in production since 1964. The Mustang’s modern interpretation came in 2005 with a neo-retro design that set the auto industry on fire. Its retro elements fused with modern touches made it a highly desirable sports car amongst collectors. Soon after, its Dodge and Chevrolet rivals from the 1970s made a comeback with similar neo-retro design treatment.
The more recent Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 was revealed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original 1980s icon. It brought the iconic ’80s styling and married it with modern supercar technology to create a limited-run sports car that becomes a collector’s item, just like its predecessor.
There are many more such reimagined classics that have made headlines. But how many of these classic car remakes are cool? The 1999 Volkswagen Beetle (now discontinued) wasn’t as cool as the Mustang GT or the reimagined Camaro. The same goes for the Chrysler PT Cruiser, which is considered an ugly abomination of weird car design trends.
Hence, we are going to be highly subjective in picking our coolest classic car revivals and the list starts with an American legend.
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Best classic car revivals we have seen
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Re-released in: 2008
Category: Sports car
The Dodge Challenger is one of the most charismatic sports cars produced in recent history. Re-released in 2008, the Challenger’s styling harks back to the brute American muscle car from the 1970s, especially with squared-off fenders, a stubby rear section with a flat boot lid and a boxy front end with the twin-pod headlight assembly.
To pitch it as a challenger to the reborn Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge gave the Challenger a choice of mighty engines, with the most iconic one being the 6.2-litre HEMI V8 engine. Later versions bearing the Hellcat and Demon badges got reworked iterations of this HEMI engine with a Supercharger strapped to it. The interior wasn’t as special to look at as the exterior but it was functional. The Challenger was also notorious for its poor handling in corners.
Did you notice the past tense? That’s because Dodge pulled the plug on the Challenger’s production. A new all-electric Challenger is here with artificial exhaust notes and modern gadgetry but its core essence was in the brute muscle car origins.
(Image Credits: Dodge)
Re-released in: 2007
Category: 2-door compact hatchback
At the height of the retro wave in the mid-2000s, Fiat took the opportunity to re-release the Fiat 500 mini hatchback. Staying true to its predecessor’s lineage, it stuck to the cutesy shape two-door body style with fancy wheels and a beautiful Italian interior. A peppy 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine was enough to keep it up to speed with modern-day urban traffic. However, Fiat’s performance-centric brand Abarth did its magic with wider wheels, beefed-up suspension and a powerful 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Currently, the 500 is available in an all-electric 500e version and a crossover 500X variant with four doors and more interior space.
(Image Credits: Fiat)
Re-released in: 2005, 2015, 2023
Category: 2-door sports coupe
The Ford Mustang has never been discontinued ever since its introduction in 1964. However, to revive interest in the American sports car category, the Mustang was given a neo-retro design makeover in 2005. The muscular lines along with the boxy fenders and the retro-styled lighting made the new Mustang an instant hit with fashion-conscious motorists. The 5.0-litre V8 engine was also sought after by enthusiasts for its low-end grunt and fantastic exhaust note.
Over the years, the Mustang got powerful Shelby and Boss variants with supercharged V8 engines under the hood. The historic suspension and the dated interior meant the Mustang needed a replacement in 2015. The refreshed new model, this time with independent rear suspension, and highly revised dynamics made the Mustang a much more refined vehicle to drive. The Shelby performance brand introduced a flat-plane V8 engine in the GT 350 and GT 500 variants along with suspension enhancements and better tyres, making the Mustang a serious track machine.
In 2023, the Mustang got a restyled body while holding onto the same 5.0-litre V8 engine. Ford, however, released the Dark Horse variant with a beefy 500 hp V8 engine along with certain suspension upgrades to make it dynamically more capable.
(PS- We aren’t talking about the fracas that is the Ford Mustang Mach-E. It’s simply an electric crossover with the Mustang badge on it.)
(Image Credits: Ford)
Re-released in: 2005, 2017
Category: Mid-engined supercar
The Ford GT40 racecar won hearts at the 1967 LeMans endurance and Ford wanted to recreate it to celebrate its centenary. Hence, the automaker created an entirely new Ford GT supercar and this one was meant for the roads as well as racetrack.
The design, which seemed identical to the 1967 LeMans racer, was purposeful to generate aerodynamic downforce without using vulgar wings and an aero kit. The carbon fibre body kept the weight low and the mid-mounted 5.4-litre V8 engine, churning out 550 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque, made it as fast, if not faster, than most mid-engined supercars of the time. The six-speed manual gearbox made it a true driver’s car.
After the limited-run 2005-2006 model, Ford created a new GT supercar with a vastly modern design and contrasting aero work to its predecessor. Ditching the iconic Ford V8 engine, the new Ford GT showcased a 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 engine producing 647 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque. The carbon-fibre body along with the race-car suspension made the Ford GT a serious track machine that could also be used on the road.
(Image Credits: Ford)
Re-released in: 2010, 2016
Category: 2-door sportscar
Most of you may identify the modern-day Camaro as the car that transformed into a space robot in 2007’s Transformers. Post its Bumblebee hype, the Camaro was re-released in 2010 at the height of the retro car trend to help Chevrolet compete with the equally popular Ford Mustang and the trendy Dodge Challenger.
Although most people bought a yellow Camaro for its Transformers fame, the car with its vast arsenal of General Motor powertrains offered a sporty alternative to the Mustang and the Challenger. Later iterations under the ZL1 and Z/28 badges feature upgraded suspension, more powerful V8 engines and revised styling to keep it desirable. The 2010-2014 generation was a highly desirable sports car with great handling dynamics.
For 2016, Chevrolet re-released the Camaro based on an advanced Cadillac platform, slightly revised design, better chassis and suspension mechanicals and a host of feisty engines, including a supercharged V8 engine in the new Z/28 variant. However, the move towards an EV future has seen Chevrolet discontinue the Camaro in early 2024.
(Image Credits: Chevrolet)
Re-released in: 2009
Category: 2-door sportscar
The SLS AMG was Mercedes’ way of paying homage to the 300 SL Gullwing from the 1960s – a car that also featured in our list of the fastest cars of all time. The SLS AMG couldn’t nab any such records to its name but it was highly desirable.
The SLS AMG brought back the iconic Gullwing doors to the supercar scene in the early 2010s. Combined with a long bonnet and a short rear overhang, the SLS AMG had an unmistakable road presence. With a Mercedes-made 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine producing 563 hp that drove the rear wheels, the SLS was as fast as most other V8-powered supercars of the time. Mercedes later introduced the SLS AMG Black series with an upgraded engine and advanced aerodynamics to make it track-friendly. Prior to its discontinuation, the SLS was showcased as an all-electric concept previewing the company’s upcoming range of EQ vehicles.
Although the SLS AMG is no longer in production, its successor – the AMG GT – carries on the spirit without those swanky Gullwing doors.
(Image Credits: Mercedes-Benz)
Re-released in: 2021
Category: 2-door supercar
The original Lamborghini Countach needs no introduction to car fanatics. Its space-age design along with the mighty V12 engine made it the best bedroom wallposter for kids growing up in the 1980s and 1990s. Hence, when the Countach turned 50, Lamborghini decided to reimagine it for the modern era. Say hello to the Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4.
Built as a limited-run supercar based on the Aventador, the new Countach was Lamborghini’s way of showing its exquisite coachbuilding skills. Despite the larger dimensions than the original Countach, Lamborghini gave it the 80s style headlamps (no pop-up mechanism though), lots of vents and sharp styling elements. Although it wasn’t as exciting as the original Countach, the LPI 800-4 made up for it with its state-of-the-art 6.5-litre V12 engine, which got electrical assistance. Making 814 hp, it could accelerate from 0-100 kph in 2.6 seconds and flat out, it could reach a top speed of 350 kph.
(Image Credits: Lamborghini)
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(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Lamborghini)
