The triumphs and disasters of nameplate revivals

Sometimes, a car manufacturer taps into some of its best cars of yesteryear, hoping to resurrect the magic of its iconic nameplates. Many of these revivals are fitting tributes to the original, worthy of carrying on the nameplate. Others fall criminally short, and are unable to recapture the spirit and essence of the past.

In this list, we go over 10 classic nameplates and their revivals, dubbing them “winners” or “losers.” Join us as we delve into whether these reincarnated classics live up to their storied legacies.

The original K5 Blazer was a full-sized SUV introduced in 1969 and was eventually replaced by the Chevy Tahoe in 1995. Much like the Ford Bronco, the early K5 Blazer was a dependable off-roader known for its removable body panels.

Post-1975, the Blazer transitioned to a half-cab design with a long wheelbase that was suited for suburban mobility. Off-road or on, the K5 Blazer was a classic success for Chevrolet due to its versatility and the rising status of SUVs.

Chevrolet brought the Blazer back from the dead in 2019, this time as a midsize crossover SUV. The revival offers a much more sporty design than the original, and is available as front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel-drive.

Unlike the original, the new Blazer places much less emphasis on off-roading. By that, we mean almost not at all, much to the disappointment of fans of the original model. Nevertheless, crossovers are all the rage nowadays, and its continuation into the electric era suggests a certain level of success. We’ll call this one a draw.

The legendary Chevrolet Camaro was introduced to the world in 1966 as a muscley 2+2 coupe. Quickly designed and engineered to compete with 1964’s Ford Mustang, the Camaro was Chevy’s answer to the booming pony car market.

The first-generation Camaro featured a wide array of engine options, including a special 4.9-litre V8 for the Z/28. Other special edition models included the Super Sport and Rally Sport versions. With its sporty design and effective marketing, the Camaro successfully captured a meaty share of its segment.

Many thought that 2002 was the final kicker for the Camaro— that is, until the 2006 Camaro concept and its subsequent appearance in the Transformers movie. With plenty of hype behind it, the new Camaro was finally available in 2010.

The Camaro retained the spirit and design aesthetics of the original pony car but incorporated modern performance, technology, and design elements, bridging nostalgia with contemporary trends in a tasteful way. The Camaro revival is undoubtedly a winner, evidenced by the multiple generations since its revival and awards such as the “World Car Design of the Year.”

One of the quintessential pony cars of the 1970s, the Dodge Challenger was built on the Chrysler E platform and shared major components with the Plymouth Barracuda. The Challenger was known for its range of powerful V8 engines, including the iconic 440 Six-Pack and 426 Hemi.

Dodge’s pony car was a larger and more deluxe alternative to the competing cars in the segment. With its more luxurious features and powerful engine options, the Challenger had everything you could want during the peak of the muscle car era.

Dodge introduced the new Challenger in 2008 in response to a resurgence in demand for muscle cars, and competition from the Ford Mustang and upcoming Chevrolet Camaro. The revival featured design cues inspired by the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T.

Engine options range from V6s to powerful HEMI V8s. The Challenger is a definite “winner” on our list, offering performance that rivals or surpasses its classic predecessor and serving as a modern yet nostalgic choice for muscle car enthusiasts.

The Dart line was marketed by Dodge from 1959 to 1976, initially as a full-size, then a mid-size, and eventually a compact car on the Mopar A-Body platform. The Dodge Dart quickly gained popularity due to its wide range of configurations, from practical “Slant Six” commuters to potent V8 muscle cars.

The car even came in special performance editions like the Dodge Dart Charger GT, a year before the Dodge Charger became its own proper model. With its versatile offerings catering to different market segments, the Dart was a household name in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Dodge decided to capitalize on the Dart’s historical popularity in 2012, resurrecting it as a Fiat-derived compact car. The revived Dart was front-wheel-drive, with all the modern bells-and-whistles one would expect in 2012, and a suspension system similar to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

While the original Dart was known for its versatility from commuters to muscle cars, the revived Dart lacked the iconic muscle car heritage of its predecessor. It had little in common with the original Dart and underperformed even against its contemporary rivals. With slowing sales, Dodge discontinued the Dart in 2016, earning it a spot as a “loser” on our list. Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne called the Dart and its Chrysler 200 twin total disasters.

The Ford Bronco was a compact off-road and later full-size SUV sold from 1966 to 1996. The Bronco became a classic due to its distinct design and off-road prowess.

Much like the K5 Blazer, which it competed against, the Bronco was known for removable body panels. It, too, changed with the times, adapting to a larger and more suburban-capable SUV later in its lifetime.

Believe it or not, Ford showcased a Bronco concept all the way back in 2005. The design was simultaneously forward thinking and retro-inspired, but it wouldn’t be until 2021 that the automaker finally released a revival of the SUV. The revived Bronco has a design reminiscent of the 1966-1977 series, and is offered in both two and four-door options.

While the revival maintains the iconic design, off-road capability, and removable door panels of the original, it also integrates modern technology and advanced features for both on-road and off-road driving. With such positive reception, it’s safe to say that the new Bronco is a winner.

The Ford Thunderbird, also known as the T-Bird, is a timeless personal luxury car originally produced by Ford from 1955 to 1997. The T-Bird cemented itself into American car culture across its first 10 generations.

Initially introduced as a two-seat convertible, the Thunderbird was later offered in various forms including a four-seat hardtop coupe and convertible. The car was a pioneer in creating the personal luxury car segment, placing much more emphasis on comfort than sportiness.

After a five-year hiatus, the Thunderbird was revived in 2002 as an homage to the original 1955 design, reimagined for its 11th generation as a two-seater convertible with retro styling cues. The revival Thunderbird included porthole hardtops reminiscent of the ‘56 and ‘57 models, taillights reminiscent of the third generation, and was powered by a 3.9-litre 252 hp V8 engine shared with the Lincoln LS and Jaguar S-Type.

Though the revival model paid tribute to the original with its design, it couldn’t quite capture the same market enthusiasm, leading to perceptions of it being less attractive and less fun to drive than the classic. With a steep decline in sales after its first year, Ford put the ax on the T-Bird in 2005. The T-Bird revival was undoubtedly a “loser.”

Americans are known for liking their cars big, and the Hummer really hits the nail on the head. As the name would suggest, the H3 is the third generation of Hummer, and despite being the smallest of the bunch, it was still a large SUV by any standard.

Derived from the military Humvee, the Hummer H3 included a robust build, high ground clearance, and a notoriously wide stance. Consumers flocked to it for its unique design and military pedigree, as well as off-road capability.

The gas-guzzling Hummer was the last car anyone expected to be revived as an EV, but GMC did just that in 2021. Notable features of the Hummer EV include its powerful three electric motors with an output of up to 1,000 hp, advanced off-road technology, driving assistance software, and updated interior design.

Of course, the Hummer EV is a massive departure from the original in terms of propulsion, but it retains many of the same styling cues in a more modern fashion. With over 65,000 reservations and an increase in production, the Hummer EV is a definite winner on our list.

The original Jeep Gladiator was a series of full-size pickup trucks built on the Jeep SJ platform and was produced from 1962 to 1988. Its enduring design remained in production for over 26 years on a single platform.

The Gladiator had multiple available options, such as the AMC 3.8-litre inline-six, and came with a seven or eight-foot bed with both rear and four-wheel drive capabilities. Its robust build, adaptability, and off-road prowess made it a popular model.

The Gladiator nameplate was reintroduced as a mid-size pickup in 2018, built on the fourth-generation Jeep Wrangler platform. The new Gladiator offers modern amenities like a luxurious interior and infotainment system, while retaining the high ground clearance and off-road capabilities of the original.

The revival is also Jeep's first four-door pickup as well as the brand’s first convertible truck. The Gladiator caused a bit of a split among Jeep fans; some appreciate the modern advancements, while others prefer the original’s simpler design and are put off by the higher price point. Still, in terms of features and performance, the Gladiator is a worthy successor to the original, so we’ll call it a win.

Introduced halfway into 1963, the original Mercury Marauder was a full-size series vehicle available in two-door and four-door versions. Its sloping notchback rear roofline contrasted with Mercury’s usual “Breezeway” design, and included other sporty features like bucket seats in the S-55 trim package.

The “Marauder” badge was always associated with performance when it came to Mercury, with the original being optimized for stock car racing. The car also features an FE-Series engine with a Super Marauder V8 option.

The Marauder was revived in 2003 as a “last hurrah” for the aging Ford Panther Platform, and was the final rear-wheel drive car introduced by the company in North America. Its 4.6-litre V8 engine produced 302 hp, and the model also included chassis upgrades, heavier-duty brake and suspension components, 18-inch five-spoke wheels, and a unique interior layout with aluminum-finish gauges.

In terms of performance and features, the Marauder definitely lived up to the original. In terms of sales, however, it couldn’t quite keep up. With only 11,052 models ever sold, the Marauder remains a rare gem. So is it a winner or a loser? It depends on who you ask…

The GTO was always a rule breaker. Pontiac violated a key GM engine displacement policy by offering a large 6.4-litre V8 in an intermediate car. Fortunately, the GTO became an icon of the muscle car era, promoted heavily for street performance after GM’s racing ban.

The car was inspired by the renowned Ferrari 250 GTO, swiping the “Gran Turismo Omologato” acronym for itself. It was a huge success during its 1964 to 1974 run, especially among the younger market.

The GTO was revived in 2004 as a means for Pontiac to recapture some of its old glory. Unfortunately, the way they went about it was rebadging an Australian Holden Monaro.

The revived GTO was equipped with a 5.7-litre LS1 V8 paired with a dual exhaust system aimed at mimicking the sound of the original. While the revived GTO had modern performance attributes and V8 power, it faced criticism for lacking the distinctive muscular styling of the original, and for being a rebadged import rather than a true American muscle car. The car was a flop, and earns a spot as another “loser” on our list.