The automotive industry is over 100 years old and, over the years, we have witnessed several automakers come and go. Moreover, the existing automotive companies have had to ditch their flagships in favor of market trends or financial problems. However, some models were resurrected due to love from the automotive world. This has led to the rebirth of many iconic nameplates with modern design languages.
It has proven to be a challenging task due to current market requirements and government legislation. The rebirths have led to mixed feelings by enthusiasts since many have hit the sweet spot of the original model while others failed to live up to expectations.
10 Awesome Resurrection: Toyota Supra
The MK4 Toyota Supra is a modern classic that was truly loved by enthusiasts. Powered by the iconic 2JZ motor, it was a tuneable car able to withstand huge amounts of boost. Moreover, it was one of the best-looking Japanese cars ever sold. Due to the outcry by enthusiasts, Toyota decided to resurrect the iconic nameplate.
Toyota partnered with BMW to produce the MK5 based on BMW's Z4 platform. At first, fans were skeptical since BMW isn’t synonymous with reliability. However, when it hit the market, it proved to be just as good as the original. Moreover, it looked great and could be beefed up with just a few bolt-on mods.
9 Awesome Resurrection: Honda/Acura NSX
The original NSX was deemed a revolutionary sports car world. It was a mid-engined masterpiece offering sports car performance and everyday reliability for cheap. The legendary V6 VTEC engine was more fuel-efficient than what the rivals offered, yet also very tuneable. It was loved by many but Honda eventually decided to discontinue it.
Ten years later they debuted the modern iteration. It was still powered by a V6 engine, but this time it was assisted by a squadron of electric motors. Together they churned out 541hp and the NSX took 3.2 seconds to get to 60 mph.
8 Awesome Resurrection: Chevrolet Camaro
Debuting in 1967, the Camaro was built to be the Ford Mustang's arch-rival. It was a V8 powered car offered both as a coupe or convertible, and it was reasonably priced. It underwent several design changes through the 20th century until it was discontinued in 2003. Several years later, GM decided to bring it back, and, in 2008, they debuted the spectacular concept car.
It won several awards for the best looking and most revolutionary car. It went on sale in 2010 and GM sold several units of this gem. It was brought back with the LT1 motor, a very capable mill that can handle over 1000hp. Since it was brought back, the Camaro has undergone several updates.
7 Awesome Resurrection: Alpine A110
The original Alpine A110 had plenty of rally wins under its belt, so it doesn’t really need an introduction. It was light and nimble, and though it only had a 105hp engine it was a quick car. In 2016, it was resurrected in conjunction with Renault.
It looked a bit odd, but enthusiasts soon got used to it. It was now powered by a 2L engine from the Renault Megane, churning out 255hp, it was able to rocket itself to 60 in 4.5 seconds. Moreover, it was 200 kilograms lighter than the Porsche Cayman and Audi TT. It handles great and keeps the traits of the original A110.
6 Awesome Resurrection: Dodge Challenger
Dodge is synonymous with power and speed. Judging by their production cars, the company is obsessed with setting fast times on the drag strip. The Challenger is their flagship dragster and the latest version has more than lived up to the reputation of the model from the early 1970s.
Dodge brought back this legendary nameplate with a supercharged 6.2l Hemi V8 under the hood. The most powerful versions can rocket to 60 mph in 2.3 seconds and complete a quarter-mile in 9 seconds.
5 Should've Been Left In The Past: Pontiac GTO
The original Pontiac GTO was a success story of the 60s and 70s, offering muscle car performance and good looks for cheap. It's one of the most loved American cars and has a unique status in the automotive world. Due to its success, GM decided to bring this legendary nameplate back in 2004.
The new GTO strayed too far from its roots and shared nothing with the original GTO. It was actually a really good car, but it suffered from bad marketing. Under the hood was an LS1 motor that churned out 400bhp, making the GTO capable of sprinting to 60 mph in 4.7seconds.
4 Should've Been Left In The Past: Ford Thunderbird
The 20th Century brought about unique car designs and the Ford Thunderbird doesn’t disappoint in that regard. It was a car loved by many and Ford made huge sales numbers from the Thunderbird. In 2002, they decided to resurrect this iconic nameplate while paying homage to the original Thunderbird.
However, the modern reboot was a disaster. The car felt nothing like the original and most of its parts were borrowed from other brands and models. For example, the 3.9L V8 was from Jaguar and the interior was from a Lincoln.
3 Should've Been Left In The Past: Dodge Dart
The original Dart was a household name of the 60s and 70s. It was a front-engine rear-wheel-drive family car for the masses. Moreover, customers had a choice of either a V8 or inline-6 engine. However, in 2013, Dodge decided to resurrect the Dart.
Unfortunately, they got the recipe all wrong by building an economy car based on a Fiat platform. It was a front-wheel-drive car with a small four-cylinder engine that had nothing in common with the original Dart except the name. Three years later, in 2016, Dodge discontinued it.
2 Should've Been Left In The Past: Mercury Cougar
Following the success of the Ford Mustang, Ford decided to sell an upscale version of it, which led to the Mercury Cougar being born. Over the years, Ford refined it into a luxury cruiser straying from its roots. It defeated the purpose of its creation, so eventually, it was discontinued.
However, in 1998, Mercury resurrected this iconic nameplate as a successor to the Ford Probe. From the get-go, it was a flop. It was a front-wheel-drive car and didn’t have the levels of power you would expect from a Cougar. Moreover, Ford’s new design language was dreary as the new Cougar was uninspiring. It didn't last long before it was discontinued.
1 Should've Been Left In The Past: Chevrolet Nova
Between 1961 and 1988, more than 350,000 units of the Nova had been sold. Certain models had a reputation of being a tire-shredding lunatic, however, in 1980 Chevrolet decided to take a different design route.
The new Nova looked like a rebadged Toyota Corolla. It was slow and had lost all its muscle car credentials. Moreover, it was facing huge competition from its own brother the Camaro. By 1988, the Nova didn’t sell as well as before, so Chevrolet decided to put it out of its misery.