Just as time is the best test for the greatness of things, so is reproduction. Be it fashion, product design, movies, or other mediums, things from the past find their way back into our culture: classics often resurge, vintage items become trendy again. The car industry is no different, and old models become popular again, especially those from around the '60s and '70s, the golden era of muscle cars, whether it's Pontiacs, Holdens, Hudsons, or any other classics. Budget Direct picked up on this, and with the help of their 3D designer team, they tried to imagine what these vintage models would look like if they made a comeback in 2021. Though I myself prefer the good old models, it's very interesting to note how far the modern car design has progressed and how it would affect the older designs. So check it out! I hope we will see a new revival of these great, though unfortunately discontinued, models from long-gone brands in the near future.
More info: budgetdirect.com.au
#1 AC Cobra
"We couldn’t think of a more iconic roadster than the AC Cobra. The British carmaker is relaunching the world’s most popular sports car as an all-electric restomod with an electric motor hiding under a vintage body shell. However, our modern interpretation of the AC Cobra is enough to make the late, great Carroll Shelby smile in motoring heaven.
The classic AC Cobra shape and detailing remain, but we enhanced certain areas like the front fenders, hood, and a rump that will make Marilyn Monroe blush in envy. We got rid of the classic round headlights to make room for teardrop-shaped lighting units with C-shaped DRLs. And check out those rims."
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22points
#2 Holden Torana
"First released in 1967 to replace the aging Vauxhall Viva in Australia, the Holden Torana has a special place in muscle car culture, particularly the third-gen LX Torana SS and SL/R 5000 from 1976. Using the ’76 LX Torana as a baseline, we went bonkers in creating a modern Torana with a sleeker, more muscular shape, all without alienating the retro vibe.
We enhanced the wedge-inspired design and gave it a hatchback-like rear profile, bulkier fenders, and an aggressive face. Keen-eyed viewers will notice the front fenders are an extension of the hood line, extending to form the angular bumper."
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21points
#3 Pontiac Firebird
"The Pontiac Firebird is associated with ‘fun’ and ‘hooliganism.’ Admittedly, it’s not easy to redesign an iconic GM muscle car shape and not make it look like a modern Camaro. We exaggerated the pointy bits and gave it a progressive coupe profile. The sharp body lines remain, but it’s clear this isn’t your grandpa’s Firebird.
Of course, we retained the hood scoop for its fire-breathing V8 engine, and we gave it a pair of nostrils that only a mother could love. With a face like that, even the Nissan GT-R will feel insecure."
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20points
#4 Pontiac Fiero
"For those old enough to remember, General Motors made a next-gen prototype of the Pontiac Fiero in 1990, but it never made it to production. First introduced in 1984, Fiero’s mid-engine body style reflects the wedge-shaped craze of the ‘70s.
We took that shape and made it more streamlined. It now has a lower silhouette with a wraparound windshield, a longer hood, and a hatch-like rear glass. And instead of fitting hidden headlights, we gave it a permanent set of eyes and a pointier nose."
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19points
#5 Hudson Hornet
"We keep hearing the song All I Have to Do Is Dream by the Everly Brothers each time we look at the Hudson Hornet, and that’s not a bad thing. We like the song, sure, but the first-gen Hudson Hornet is not a bad car. It has a unique step-down chassis design with a lower center of gravity, making the Hornet one of the best-handling vehicles of its era.
Our modern Hornet is a fusion of 50’s design and contemporary art, or so we think. The original Hornet’s ‘pontoon styling’ is still there, most notably in the rear, no doubt inspired by the hidden rear wheels of the Citroen DS. It also has a canopy windshield, a ridiculously long hood, and chrome detailing all around."
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14points
#6 Reliant Robin
"The Reliant Robin is a three-wheeled British oddity that captured the hearts of pop stars, royalty, and commoners alike. It has a fiberglass body, three doors, and a dinky straight-four engine. Sure, it had a balance issue, to be quite honest, but three-wheel oddities are making a comeback in our modern times.
Our modern Reliant Robin may resemble a space capsule. Still, it remains a fun-to-throw-around daily driver with progressive detailing like flush door handles and a more streamlined persona."
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5points
#7 Daewoo Matiz
"It seems the entire world got a taste of the Daewoo Matiz in one form or another. Now known as the Chevrolet Spark, Matiz’s tall-boy styling left a lasting appeal, but we wanted to take it one step further.
We gave it a larger windshield and a slopier hood to give it a lower, sportier stance than the first-gen Matiz. Now, the window line is in sync with the base of the windshield. With edgier body lines and a redesigned façade with oblong headlights and familiar detailing, our modern Matiz looks good enough to give other superminis a run for the cash."
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3points