What Other Cars Should Be Revived Via The New Low Volume Car Law?

"Wilsonic" (wilsonic) 01/31/2016 at 16:20 • Filed to: None

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The DeLorean has been “revived” thanks to the Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act. That got me thinking, what other cars could come back from the past via the new law?

So here is the just of the new law. Cars 25 years or older can be reproduced in low volume. They must meet emissions and safety standards for the year of their original release. Manufacturers have the opportunity to improve upon old designs for the sake of efficiency or safety. More details can be found on the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , which also links to the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

So does this mean its possible to bring any car back that is 25 years or older? Practically speaking, no. Many of the cars we love that are 25 years and older mean a lot to the people that originally produced them. Those who originally produced great cars of the past are inclined to protect the prestige of them, usually through using legal action. Its a wonder we have Cobra replicas given that old man Shelby himself took legal action against kit car companies numerous times. After a while, he took a “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” stance on the issue, and to this day Shelby American coordinates with Superformance. However, companies have been successful in blocking kit car makers from using their intellectual property. There was an effort to reproduce the beautiful 300SL gullwings of the 50's until Mercedes shut down the effort threatening legal action.

So if you or me wanted to get into the new-old car business, not only should the car be 25 years or older but it should also be something that is somewhat “orphaned.” My recommendation would be the AMC AMX/3. Designed by AMX, built by Bizzarini, partially developed by BMW, and with only 5 ever built, I think its a prime candidate. I would stick to the original mid-engine V-8 formula, although I would most likely use a modern crate engine rather than an AMC derived V-8.

There has been efforts to make kits of the car already though. Sciabola Inc. have made efforts to revive the car but has been hampered by an ecomonic downturn and a lack of investors. No, I am not a part of their operation. I could be if they needed some engineering or design expertise but chances are they would be like “thanks kid, but we got that covered.”

So what cars do you think should be revived under the new law? Remember, 288 GTOs and Group B Quattros are most likely legally not possible. Also, Countach and 550 Spyder kits will only remain kits as well because trying to sell completed replicas of either would earn a free visit from VW-Group lawyers. Choose carefully!

Images of the original AMX/3 sourced from Wikipedia. AMX/3 kit image sourced from Sciabola via !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Sam > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 16:25

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I wonder if Ford GT40s could be produced under the new law?

dogisbadob > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 16:31

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The Supra will be 25 years old in a couple years :)

There’s also the Achieva SCX and Quad 442.

Wilsonic > Sam 01/31/2016 at 16:31

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They kind of are already. Under the new law, they can now do it officially without being shady. Superformance is completely capable of producing complete cars, but they have to stop just short of that so its still a “kit.”

http://www.superformance.com/gt40.aspx

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 16:32

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Pantera.

Wilsonic > dogisbadob 01/31/2016 at 16:34

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Toyota is probably not used to people making replicas of their cars so you would be in new territory on that one. As far as Oldsmobile goes, GM can be weirdly protective about their stuff sometimes. However, there is no more Oldsmobile so... who knows!

Wilsonic > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 01/31/2016 at 16:35

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Yes.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 16:36

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Lancia!

Dslay04 > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 16:39

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Pantera

Wilsonic > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 01/31/2016 at 16:39

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Yup, all of those. Some Stratos kits exist already so no need to start from scratch on reviving those. Just don’t source Ferrari parts, they used a 430 engine in the New Stratos and Ferrari was like “that’s great, don’t build another one.”

MultiplaOrgasms > dogisbadob 01/31/2016 at 16:39

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Most Supras that aren’t Mk.IVs are already way past the 25-year mark.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 16:43

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There is no other option.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 16:47

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I wish Canada had better laws though on kit cars.

ranwhenparked > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 17:11

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Checker Marathon.

Do a fiberglass body on a Silverado frame. You could use a fleet of them for tourist sightseeing tours around Manhattan, and I’m sure there’d be a market for them as nostalgic livery cars for hotels and the like.

Hell, if you could figure out a way to keep the price around 30k, +/- a few thousand, I’d take one myself.

Though, with those volumes, it would probably have to cost far more than that to make any money, which is probably why this business model is probably only going to work for exotic sports car copies.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 01/31/2016 at 17:12

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Rally

DrJohannVegas > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 17:15

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Now is the time of Vector’s rebirth.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 17:15

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To give life insurance salesmen headaches/nightmares.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 17:19

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Rally ready tube framed Lada Rivas with a 2.0 ecoboost in the front. Because rally and Russian build quality

MuchWagon > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 17:41

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Tucker.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 17:42

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e30 M3. The N45B20S engine has a slightly better hp/L & tq/L as the S14, the same redline, and can most likely pass current emissions with little to no major changes. Just bump it up to 2.3L, wring out a few more hp to get it up to 220-230 range. The engine is a purpose built mill for motorsports homologation so it has a racing pedigree already. Also, its probably lighter than the S14 as it is an aluminium block vs the S14's iron block.

Wilsonic > ranwhenparked 01/31/2016 at 18:00

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Very feasible legally and mechanically, but yea hard to make it profitable.

Wilsonic > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 01/31/2016 at 18:03

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You’d really have to get Porsche’s blessing on that one. If anything, you could pitch it as a super-prestigious “continuation” series that Porsche themselves can sell for $2,000,000 a pop. Otherwise, the guys that build kits of these don’t dare sell a “complete” car or they may step on some very proud Stuttgart toes.

Wilsonic > DrJohannVegas 01/31/2016 at 18:11

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Good candidate. Be sure to replicate this photo in the brochure for the new ones.

Wilsonic > e36Jeff now drives a ZHP 01/31/2016 at 18:18

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Work with BMW corporate, bill them as super-prestigious “continuation” cars. Or go it alone and risk legal hellfire.

Honestly, I’d be more interested in a M1 revival.

Spridget > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 01/31/2016 at 18:27

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You beat me to it.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 18:27

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yeah, I’d assume it would be set up through a shell company of BMW. The M1 would be pretty sweet with an S54B32 as its engine. Or an S65, assuming that fits. I’d also be fine with them using an S55, as it did get a giant turbo in its procar form.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Spridget 01/31/2016 at 18:36

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It’s the most obvious answer.

BadMotorScooter > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 01/31/2016 at 18:39

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Yes. Was going to say the same thing. Ford power makes it easier to do.

BadMotorScooter > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 18:42

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Yes, it’s part of the VW group, but Lambo would be crazy not to consider this. They could/should drop in the current spec NA V12 and update the transmission. If they made 25 of these, they would sell instantly for more than a LaFerrari.

Eggplant > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 19:55

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I hope Toyota’s okay with replicas. If they started making replica AE86s, we could finally get my hands on some body panels. They’ve all but dried up in the last couple of years.

Wilsonic > BadMotorScooter 01/31/2016 at 20:13

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The Miura almost came back very faithful to the original design in 2006. But, according to Lambo’s boss at the time:

“The Miura was a celebration of our history, but Lamborghini is about the future. Retro design is not what we are here for. So we won’t do the Miura.”

Lambo doesn’t look back darling, it distracts from the now.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > BadMotorScooter 01/31/2016 at 20:24

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But for the new one, we could use a Coyote.

itschrome > Wilsonic 01/31/2016 at 21:34

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Datsun 510, Datson 510, Datsun 510, Datsun 510,Datsun 510, Datson 510, Datsun 510, Datsun 510,Datsun 510, Datson 510, Datsun 510, Datsun 510,Datsun 510, Datson 510, Datsun 510, Datsun 510,Datsun 510, Datson 510, Datsun 510, Datsun 510,Datsun 510, Datson 510, Datsun 510, Datsun 510,Datsun 510, Datson 510, Datsun 510, Datsun 510,Datsun 510, Datson 510, Datsun 510, Datsun 510,Datsun 510, Datson 510, Datsun 510, Datsun 510,

itschrome > dogisbadob 01/31/2016 at 21:35

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“There’s also the Achieva SCX and Quad 442.”

Niiiice, but dont forget the grandam with the HO!

dogisbadob > itschrome 01/31/2016 at 21:51

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The Grand Am HO wasnt available with the W41 which gave 10 more hp :)

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 02/01/2016 at 02:07

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Ugh. You can’t register kit cars or anything hand built in BC at all

pip bip - choose Corrour > Wilsonic 02/01/2016 at 02:41

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Toyota 2000GT?

Burn-Spaz1966-Burn > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 02/01/2016 at 03:08

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Even have their own band.