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Given the success of the Chrysler PT Cruiser, which is essentially a miniature Panel Wagon- Wouldn't it be nice to have a Classic Car with its styling intact reintroduced as a production model such as a '57 Chevy Bel Air or Ford T-Bird, etc. with modern metals, engines, suspensions etc.?
BTLMEX Inc.
http://www.btlmex.com/
Y2K1 Bugs. [StarChaser, Oct 03 2000, last modified Oct 21 2004]
johnbullas's link as a link.
http://www.ihatethebmwmini.org
[StarChaser, Apr 08 2002, last modified Oct 05 2004]
[link]
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I believe that a reissue of the T-Bird coupe comes out next year or so. |
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The VW and the mini have both been re-styled for the "new millenium". but the new VW is pretty nice all the same. |
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The last "original" mini was the re-issue of the mini-cooper in 1990, which they're still making for the next few weeks or so. so if you want one, you better move fast. |
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...so there I was, responding to VeXaRs well put comment when *blammo* - Vex and my annotation went *poof*. Oh well. |
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You can at the present time in the UK buy a 'brand new' Mg Midget, MGB or AUstin Healey 3000 that I now of, and probably more.
Essentially, the companies that build these cars take a 'Heritage Shell' (made on the origial jigs from the factory, and available to anyone for use in restoring an old vehicle) and builds a 'new' car on it using all new parts.
The MG Midget you can buy is particularly fun - if you know the car you will know that it is not very big (at all), and would probably fit into the boot of a Chevvy Bel Air. Howver, it now comes available with sports suspension, and a 150+BHP engine from an MGF. Not veyr powerful you might think, but in a car you can practically lift up with one hand, that'll give you a 0-60 time sub 5 seconds. Just think road-legal go cart.....
And of course, there is the Caterham Super Seven (built using the original Lotus 7 jigs) or it's copy counterpart the Westfield 8. The Westfield comes in a particularly fine version with a 4.0l Rover V8 from a TVR in it. Think half the weiht of the midget with double the power. I here it will beat a Ducati 916 off the lights.....
And finally for the more classy amongst you, you can of course buy a brand new AC Cobra (built once again on the orignial jigs). Will set you back around £50K though.
But for me, the best one around at the moment has to be the company which bought the factory equipment from Jaguar. You too can have a Brand New E-Type Jag, complete with new Jag V8 engine, suspension, brakes etc. Now that's what I call a car..... |
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..so I guess it's baked!
(am currently looking for links.......) |
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I'd flip for a reissued Suzuki Samurai... |
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Pity they don't sell for the modern equivilent of their original price - the Midget was a Cheap Sportscar - how much are they now? :o) |
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The 1.4 Midget is about £12K, so not bad...the 1.8is a couple of grand or so more I think. |
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Goff: They do the same thing with old-style Beetles from Mexico. Rip everything off the pan, clean and paint it, and put everything from a brand new old-style Mexican beetle on it. <Vice versa with the American remains> |
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The "new" MINI is out now but considering what is described at <Link as link. --Star> the design appears common to a 1956 abandoned BMC car! |
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Wait 'til you see the next 'stang body style changeover. |
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Laws change -- what was legal in 1957 wouldn't pass inspection now -- so you would never be able to sell a real (exact) replica. You might be able to sell something that looks like a '57 Chevy going by, and that pleases show-offs who know nothing about cars, but if enough were sold, everyone would learn to assume they were fakes. Even the real ones would lose their cachet because no one would know they were real without popping the hood or sliding underneath to check for authentic parts. |
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I beileive that these are called "kit" or component cars. Old style cars on modern frames with modern drivetrains. There are quite a few companies that build them, Also, a few years back, some company was selling classic corvette replicas that would bolt directly onto a midsize Chevrolet frame(i.e. Malibu). |
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