If you
look at what’s hot right now, American muscle is in and Ford, the German-owned Chrysler Group and General Motors
are cashing in. The Ford Mustang and Chrysler 300 not only look like they drove out of a different decade, they also
have the same rear-wheel drive layout and slab-sided bodies as the cars we remember fondly.
This is the
“American card” that Keith Naughton writes about in the current issue of Newsweek. He believes that falling back
on their revered and respected heritage will save the domestic automakers from the obsolescence with which
they’re confronted in the face of foreign competition.
Some say that the “American card”
is nothing but a white flag being waved to indicate these automaker’s are out of fresh ideas. While we admit
retro designs can often go horribly wrong, we can’t help hiding our excitement for what Naughton says Detroit has
coming down the tailpipe.
GM – RWD family sedan inspired by ’67 Chevy Impala and a RWD
Solstice-based convertible inspired by Stingray
Ford – Fairlane to replace minivans with 50’s-era
woody wagon styling
Chrysler – Next-gen minivans to front the 300’s handsome face
Photo
credit: Dynamic Duo for Newsweek