What’s the best retro revival of all time?

What’s old is made new again as automakers continue to breathe new life into classic models and long-forgotten brands

Scout Motors has recently launched the Terra and Traveler, but they’re still far from the first retro-styled throwbacks. Quite the contrary, we are in the midst of a new wave of old-school revivals. First, Scout’s parent company, Volkswagen, owns the ID.Buzz, which is inspired by the Type 2 Microbus. The U.S. market is also getting in on the action, with Ford relaunching the Bronco and GMC relaunching its Hummer range of electric off-roaders.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Land Rover has launched the new Defender. Not to be outdone, Japan launched a new Land Cruiser. Meanwhile, in Europe, Renault has recently revamped two of its most popular classic models, the 4 and 5, turning them into practical, everyday electric cars.

Retro revival is nothing new. The 1990s and early 2000s saw the emergence of a variety of retro projects, some more successful than others. Among the highlights (and the occasional lowlight) were the Chrysler/Plymouth Prowler, which offered a wild, futuristic roadster, and the PT Cruiser, which stirred mixed opinions with its quirky, retro design.

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Chevrolet also introduced the SSR pickup, which wears its hot-rod personality on its sleeves, while the HHR aims to capture the retro appeal of the classic Chevy Suburban in its own unique style.

Then there’s Volkswagen’s New Beetle, which resurrects one of the most iconic cars of all time, albeit with a modern twist that’s arguably far removed from the simplicity of the original. Fiat has revived the 500, getting closer to the essence of classic design. BMW has also jumped on the bandwagon, relaunching the Mini, and even Toyota has launched a Hilux-based Classic. The latter was launched in 1996 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Type AA.

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Which brings us to today’s question: Which model is the best retro revival? There’s no shortage of contenders, each with their own merits, but Mini deserves a lot of praise for what they’ve accomplished over the past two decades in reimagining timeless classics.

However, Ford may be the real winner here, as the Bronco captures the essence of the original and has undeniable appeal. The same is true for linebackers, although perhaps to a slightly lesser extent. With all of this in mind, which old-school retro style will tickle your fancy? Head to the comments section and let us know which revival you think reigns supreme.