2007 Firebird Concept
TECH Veteran
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,469
Likes: 3
From: NW Houston
It's not that bad, and I'd venture to say that 90% of you couldn't even do that! I know I couldn't, but you're not gonna see or hear me saying that it's not good.
I wouldn't want to see it produced, though.
I wouldn't want to see it produced, though.
you guys can't say the retro look (and name) doesn't sell. i for one like the retro look, but this one looks like it was made 20 years ago. i'd like to see a remake of the 1st gen camaro or bird by gm. if they butcher it, it won't sell. then they can try again. just my 2 cents 
TECH Regular
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 438
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From: Dallas Texas
Thing is the retro approach just doesn't work. Where do you go from the past? What are they going to do another retro version of the next body style they went to after that the first time around?
So in 2033 we can look forward to thirdgen TA's all over again !!!!
I used to own a 1987 TA, so I am not complaining. I thought they looked great. But I wouldn't want to see a 2033 version of it.
Everyone else has a retro design, and I am tired of it. It's just getting old. Like reality TV shows. Just boring.
Furthermore, the Trans-AM may have started out a late 60's muscle car. But by 1974 it had evolved into a much sleeker highly stylized machine. By the early 1980's it had become very much sportscar oriented in it's design. That tradition continued to 2002. They have a much more organic feeling to them now, and a much more muscled and agressive look. The retro design with Firebird name would simply be out of place in the line.
It would be like a retro Corvette. I don't think it would go over too well. People are freaking out as it is about the lack of pop up lights.
If you change too much of what everyone liked about a vehicle, then you'll lose sales, because your target market doesn't like it. You will of course get some new people that will like the design reguardless, but still. If the TA ever comes back as anything other than a rear wheel drive V8 muscle coop, it will die an unpleasant death.
The Mercury Cougar's history teaches us this. As do the histories of a few other cars.
Retro won't work for the Trans-AM and shouldn't be done. That's my $.02.
So in 2033 we can look forward to thirdgen TA's all over again !!!!
I used to own a 1987 TA, so I am not complaining. I thought they looked great. But I wouldn't want to see a 2033 version of it.
Everyone else has a retro design, and I am tired of it. It's just getting old. Like reality TV shows. Just boring.
Furthermore, the Trans-AM may have started out a late 60's muscle car. But by 1974 it had evolved into a much sleeker highly stylized machine. By the early 1980's it had become very much sportscar oriented in it's design. That tradition continued to 2002. They have a much more organic feeling to them now, and a much more muscled and agressive look. The retro design with Firebird name would simply be out of place in the line.
It would be like a retro Corvette. I don't think it would go over too well. People are freaking out as it is about the lack of pop up lights.
If you change too much of what everyone liked about a vehicle, then you'll lose sales, because your target market doesn't like it. You will of course get some new people that will like the design reguardless, but still. If the TA ever comes back as anything other than a rear wheel drive V8 muscle coop, it will die an unpleasant death.
The Mercury Cougar's history teaches us this. As do the histories of a few other cars.
Retro won't work for the Trans-AM and shouldn't be done. That's my $.02.
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if they wanted to do a retro T/A, go with the 70-72 design. However, i think it should be a modern new design. Camaro can be retro, but the T/A has always been progressive in design.
TECH Regular
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Originally Posted by Phoenix57
if they wanted to do a retro T/A, go with the 70-72 design. However, i think it should be a modern new design. Camaro can be retro, but the T/A has always been progressive in design.
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Hot02SS
I dont like it! I dont think that they are comming out with a 4th gen firebird.
Also, that rendering is fuggly!
They need to do something beefy, ballsy, 2-door, rear-wheel drive and with a long front deck.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
That first link posted made me think "that's ugly, and looks more 1st gen Camaro than Firebird". Then I saw all the other views and, IDK...I could kinda see it. A new beginning, the Phoenix reborn in the ashes of it's former self.
Unfortunately, even something that plain isn't likely to happen with Bob Lutz making statements like "the Firebird's day is over" (bastard).
But, in regards to the "too retro" and "retro is over" comments, look at it this way, we saw 1 evolution that took place over hte years. Going back to basics with modern tech lets us start that evolution all over again and go in completely new directions with it. A fresh start in a way, that also undeniably keeps heritage with the name. Unlike the new "GTO".
Though it would be better just to remake the original body with modern tech rather than try a fusion. That guys concept was ok, but the original was better. And fitted out with modern kit would be a real bad ***.
Unfortunately, even something that plain isn't likely to happen with Bob Lutz making statements like "the Firebird's day is over" (bastard).
But, in regards to the "too retro" and "retro is over" comments, look at it this way, we saw 1 evolution that took place over hte years. Going back to basics with modern tech lets us start that evolution all over again and go in completely new directions with it. A fresh start in a way, that also undeniably keeps heritage with the name. Unlike the new "GTO".
Though it would be better just to remake the original body with modern tech rather than try a fusion. That guys concept was ok, but the original was better. And fitted out with modern kit would be a real bad ***.
i think i like the one i had made a lil better but still working on it 
its about going foward not like ford and go backwards in my opinion if u want a car to sell it has to be good looking like the late 4th gen Trans ams and have awsome preformance the only thing that sucked about our Trans Ams is the all cheap plastic interior but im sure if they made a new Bird with the curves and LS2 of a Vette the B**ch would sell like hot cakes 
its about going foward not like ford and go backwards in my opinion if u want a car to sell it has to be good looking like the late 4th gen Trans ams and have awsome preformance the only thing that sucked about our Trans Ams is the all cheap plastic interior but im sure if they made a new Bird with the curves and LS2 of a Vette the B**ch would sell like hot cakes 