Vote: Retro or Non-Retro Design 5th Gen. Firebird

hc8719 · 09-04-2007, 07:15 PM

Ok, so there isn't a 5th Gen. Firebird yet. However with the increasing threads about concept 5th Gen. Firebirds, I wanted to post what concept you prefer. Something Retro (Most likely a rebadged Camaro) or something more modern (Hopefully picking up where the 4th Gen left off). I've seen compliments and criticism of both.

Personally, I don't want a rebadged Camaro with a different grill and headlights, I want a new modern design. Don't ge me wrong, I like the new Camaro, but the rebadged Firebird concepts bother me.

y2k_ta · 09-05-2007, 12:07 PM

Modern design..........everyone is doing retro.

Rhedalert · 09-05-2007, 02:35 PM

By the time Pontiac gets this car, retro will be played out. It's starting to already.

TriShield · 09-05-2007, 02:44 PM

Retro will never be played out, it will always be a staple of automotive design.

These muscle cars finally have their signature, classic lines again. Lines they should have never ditched. The Mustang and Camaro make the old models look anonymous, and unlike their namesake.

It's like BMW making a Mini that looks nothing like a Mini. Or a Ford GT that looks nothing like a Ford GT. An even more contemporary example is a Viper, it will always look like a Viper.

What would be the point of making a Firebird that looks nothing like a Firebird? Then there wouldn't be a point.

Rhedalert · 09-05-2007, 03:21 PM

there's a big difference between "going retro" (taking a long developed model, and hitting the reset button back to making a slightly more modern version of the 1st gen), and keeping styling CUES throughout the different redesigns/generations. Ford did a perfect example of going retro with the Thunderbird (tanked). If Ford kept some styling cues with every model thunderbird, of course it'd make sense. The Challenger is another one that can be seen as retro.

GM does an "ok" job keeping some styling consistent (better than Imports at least), but they'll usually get lost after a few redesigns. There are similarities between 2nd gen and 3rd gen Camaros, and 3rd gen and 4th gen Camaros, but next to no similarities between 2nd and 4th.

What I'd like to see is a modern Firebird, with some styling hints of its past. Nothing more.

grifftransam · 09-05-2007, 05:19 PM

i think the vette has always been a good balance of modern style and function. why gm cant take the camaro/firebird to the next level of modern styling. i guess its more trendy to go retro because the mustang sold so well.

Heavy H.P. · 09-06-2007, 08:52 AM

I think with certain names of cars you have to have a kida retro look.
Alot of people said the problem with the GTO was is didnt have that kind of GTO look or heritage.
If they made a futureristic type fire bird do u really the the public as a whole would want it. Or just u?

Formula350 · 09-07-2007, 10:39 AM

I would prefer a third option of "Just give me a good looking Firebird damnit all!"

Which gets my vote.

I really like the Camaro, Challenger, Mustang, and even the TBird when it first came out. But I do love how the late 4th gen Firebirds looked. So mean and aggressive. A "Fuck with me at your own risk" image

Vai · 09-07-2007, 05:34 PM

I'm really sick of the retro concept. I really want a modern design, one that picks up right where the 4th gen left off.

y2k_ta · 09-07-2007, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriShield

What would be the point of making a Firebird that looks nothing like a Firebird? Then there wouldn't be a point.

What's a Firebird look like? Compare the first-gen to the fourth-gen. The only similarities are the name, V8, rwd, four wheels, two doors, and four seats. Other than that, nothing really compares. So saying it has to "look like a Firebird" is kind of a mood point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heavy H.P.

Alot of people said the problem with the GTO was is didnt have that kind of GTO

Those were the same people that are now my Father's age, and remember having or seeing GTO's back in the heyday of the muscle car. They couldn't get over the fact that GM could do a modern GTO that has nothing to do with the original other than the name and basic styling. If I remember correctly, the '64 Goat was a pretty plain-looking car. That was the whole idea. Build a plain car that blends in with its surroundings but kicks butt with the gas pedal is pushed. My father was one of the few people that I heard say the new GTO was nice, and it was great to see a rwd car with performance and the classic basic styling that muscle cars were first known for back in the '60's. Not all Goats were painted Carousel Red and came with Judge decals.

LS1speedy · 09-07-2007, 11:59 PM

Would this be a modern design of a 5th gen T/A?

Just a windows paint sketch, not a 3d model yet.

What do you all think of this 20?? 5th gen TA?

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/attach...chmentid=99083

hc8719 · 09-08-2007, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS1speedy

Would this be a modern design of a 5th gen T/A?

Given that it is largely based off of a former gen, and not taking body panels from the Camaro. Your pics do run along the lines of a "Modern Firebird". Though they do resembe a 4th gen with exposed headlights, its a start

Formula350 · 09-09-2007, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS1speedy

Would this be a modern design of a 5th gen T/A?

Just a windows paint sketch, not a 3d model yet.

What do you all think of this 20?? 5th gen TA?

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/attach...chmentid=99083

You posted these before in another thread, but didn't ask the question you just did. So in reply to this question, and the following comment, I think It resembles previous gens quite a bit. The whole rear end looks like 3rd Gen meets 4th Gen. Like, 1983~ meets 421SD. (Forgive the huge pic and ugly chick)
http://www.k2000-tv.com/images_firebird/83back.jpg

The front looks like a 70-80s Sunbird.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...port_Coupe.jpg

trans am1 · 09-09-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vai

I'm really sick of the retro concept. I really want a modern design, one that picks up right where the 4th gen left off.

what he said

myk · 09-14-2007, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vai

I'm really sick of the retro concept. I really want a modern design, one that picks up right where the 4th gen left off.

As far as I'm concerned the 4th 'gen F body is as far as the design needs to go. I know it's an opinion but I really can't see anything beating a 4th gen T/A for styling. If people want retro then they should put on a tie-die shirt and buy something from those eras...

Heavy H.P. · 09-15-2007, 09:00 AM

They are just not going to do a retro look for the bird its too much like the Camaro and Bob Luts said they are tryin to get away from that.

wabmorgan · 09-16-2007, 03:34 AM

Of course I vote for the modern design. I HATE RETROS!!!!!!!!!!!

wabmorgan · 09-16-2007, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vai

I'm really sick of the retro concept. I really want a modern design, one that picks up right where the 4th gen left off.

DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wabmorgan · 09-16-2007, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhedalert

By the time Pontiac gets this car, retro will be played out. It's starting to already.

You are RIGHT... Even the Mustang is getting a re-design in 2012 and it is going to be a modern muscle car look.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriShield

Retro will never be played out, it will always be a staple of automotive design.

Really... Have you looked at a PT Crusier lately??? They look OLD and BORING at this point.

The problem with ANY car design is that after a while it becomes stale and designs change very quickly in todays automotive venue.

DrEvyl · 09-18-2007, 01:26 PM

I'm all in favor of retro as long as it's not a retro '77 Smokey & The Bandit car. A 70-1/2 model would be much more appropriate, and far less played out.