Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro; three muscle cars that have been most commonly lumped together as competitors over the years. The Camaro’s next-generation in particular has been rendered for years by enthusiasts eager to see the car be reborn to do battle against the Camaro.
But, we’re forgetting another muscle car-type vehicle that was in the mix: the Plymouth Road Runner. Could it ever be reborn again? Good luck, the chances of the Plymouth brand being resurrected are absolutely nil. But, that doesn’t make it any less cool imagining what one could be like, does it?
A year ago, magazine Mopar Enthuiast featured the Plymouth Road Runner concept on it’s front cover. The design and rendering work was done by Austrian designer Michael Leonhard.
Leonhard envisions a new Road Runner as being based on the Dodge Challenger, and you can tell the familial resemblance is there. However, Leonhard takes the old cues from the Road Runner and remixes them, adding a dose of modernity.
The result is pretty good, I must say. In practice though, the fact that the Dodge Challenger made it to production looking like it is is an amazing thing. It’s totally in keeping with the previous model and very concept-like for a production vehicle.
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Tony, without a doubt the coolest muscle car ever designed and outfitted with an engine that made that car run superfast. Roadrunners were outfitted with a 440 V-8 that left most vehicles choking on burnt rubber and exhaust. I like the new design concept, and grudgingly admit that you are probably right in writing that the Plymouth brand-name will never see its rebirth, but its nice to dream, and say what if.
June 24th, 2009 at 5:23 am
I agree it’s always good to dream. The Challenger seemed a far off prospect for production too just a few years ago. It’s too bad though that some smaller auto-companies couldn’t emerge by buying these historic brand names from Chrysler (and GM). Being just one company, they could have focused management and really produce a good product. In the past, each brand was like a seperate company. With everything in the industry consolidating so much, there really could be room for some more focused companies producing unique product. In order to be viable, they’d have to be priced higher then expected but I think they’d still find a big enough market.
June 24th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Stuff like this would be neat and I think the sort of product that nostalgic American consumers would want to buy. Hell, I think a lot of people worldwide would be interested in picking up a modern take on a classic muscle car. Just the other day I was thinking it might be cool if Ford re-did the Maverick. How weird is that?
June 28th, 2009 at 5:54 am
Ha, that would be interesting indeed. I do think nostalgic/retro vehicles really have a powerful pull. If it would be a draw for the youth market though? We definitely know that it proves to be just that in some instances (witness the new Camaro).