Over the last decade or so, car design has become more 
streamlined and aerodynamic. This has had the effect of
making the body design between different cars so
similar that people grew bored. What then is a car
designer to do? Over the last few years, engineers have 
begun to once again reach back into the past and bring 
memorable features of classic cars back to life in new 
models.

While it wasn't the first of recent designs to bring
back the retro look, the Chrysler PT Cruiser is the
one that has re-ignited it. The PT Cruiser blends a
combination of 1930s era roadster with modern
functionality to produce a car which is not only
physically appealing but capable of providing a
modern comfortable ride with reasonable gas consumption.

After being taken off the market the last few years due
to lagging sales, expect the Ford Thunderbird to make
a comeback. Ford combines a sleek, modern body with a
beautiful touch of styling from yesteryear. With the
mix of eye-catching design and the absence from the
marketplace, expect car lovers to quickly return to the
Thunderbird.

Ken Witherow

This article is Copyright 2000, Ken Witherow. All rights reserved.
For questions or comments, email phantoml@rochester.rr.com