What if we did a retro PV544?
The new VW Beetle was shown in 1994 as Concept 1 at the North American International Auto show in Detroit, Mich. It had all the charm of the old Beetle and had the same basic shape and design, very nice looking actually. Years later, we took media to Sweden to show them our XC90 rollover test. While sitting next to Peter Horbury at dinner, I asked what he would think of a 544 retro, how he would do it. Being your typical designer, he started looking for something to draw on. Being unprepared as I normally am, I shoved him our dinner menu. He had a pen.
Just a few years ago, after Peter went to head up Ford design in Dearborn, Mich., Steve Mattin got the same question. Of course both are different designs, but interesting that both are philosophically different than the New Beetle, GT40 or T-Bird. Peter felt a retro vehicle should be a modern interpretation with out the baggage of an older shape, yet keeping something hauntingly familiar. Today we hold onto the strong V line in our hoods (from the PV444 design), strong shoulders from 122 series and other small, ‘gosh that is a Volvo’ hints at our past. I think the new Camaro and Charger are excellent examples of modern retro.
Oh, and so I don’t get in trouble, no, we are not showing you this as a sneak peek of our future. No, this is not in any design program. No, this will never progress beyond the paper they were penned upon. No you cannot order one in red and I don’t know the engine, as James often says. He doesn’t know anything.
Good week to you all.
Drive safely this holiday weekend and thank a Veteran for what we have today.
Dan
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Just caught up with this entry. I’ve always thought about what Volvo could do as part of the retro craze.
As a very loyal Volvo 164 owner, I’ve always thought that the early 164′s (before they pushed the bumpers out) would make a great retro-car.