Modern retro-designed vehicles could share many traits, but they always have at least two commonalities. Manufacturers debuting vehicles with styling legacies, sometimes from 90 years ago, take a risk. The new-old car could be a disaster. The retro newbies will also assuredly be polarizing from old-time favorites.

Recent examples include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Bronco and Volkswagen’s Electric ID. Buzz. The PT Cruiser (2001-2010) celebrated Chrysler Airflow models from the mid-1930s. The current Ford Bronco was reintroduced in 2021 after a 25-year absence from the end of its successful 30-year run.

After many years of discussion, the Volkswagen ID Buzz arrived in North America in June 2023 but began its return in earnest in 2024. Its presence — from the carmaker’s marketing program

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