Nelson Barros, the design studio manager at General Motors Brasil from 1969 to 2006, hasn’t let retirement stop him from getting out his digital sketch pad and putting it to good use. Barros has created a series of retrofuturistic concepts which are designed to provide a glimpse of an alternative future, where cars like the Jaguar XK 120, 1950 Studebaker Commander, 1973 Ford Maverick, and 1959 Corvette, are all brought back to life.
The concepts are supposed to look as if the cars were still in production today, as direct decendants of the original. In order to achieve this, Barros has given each of his creations several of the defining features of the original vehicle. So for example, the Studebaker gets the trademark bullet nose grille, stacked headlights, and pronounced bumper. While the Jag gets features like faux wire-wheel alloys, chrome a-pillar mounted side mirrors, and that distinctive cab-rearward layout.
With the possible exception of the Corvette concept’s slightly over-the-top front end, all of Barros’ designs look like worthy successors to the originals. But sadly none of them will make it past the sketching stage.
Source: Nelson Barros via CarBodyDesign
Retrofuture. I’m going to have to start using that word more often. I would absolutely LOVE to see cars like this roaming the streets. Better yet, I’d like to be roaming the streets in one. Classic cars are my favorites, and seeing new ones like this doesn’t take away from any nostalgia. It honors retro designs making them a realistic concept that I only wish was produced.