But why stop there? There are more makes of once-common cars which could be revived as iconic-ironic status symbols. Anything of which old examples, decrepit or lovingly restored, are driven by inner-city hipsters would be fair game for remaking. For example, an all-new FJ Holden, in designer-faded turquoise and avocado green, coming soon to Prahran and Darlinghurst; iPod socket optional. Perhaps there could even be rounded vintage utes, miniaturised to suit urban parking conditions, for style-conscious urbanites. Or, for that matter, more old British cars; perhaps Peugeot could revive the Humber and Hillman marques as designer lines? And boxy, angular 1970s American cars (or, in Australia, Kingswood station wagons) in baby-shit brown would go very well with today's retro-styled fashions and rock.
I was thinking more of the 1950s/60s Holdens.
IMHO, most of today's cars are horrendously ugly, save rare exceptions. There's an exxageration on the heaviness-look cars seem to have (like the series 5 BMW), while the headlights and other lines are a far cry of the boxy american vehicles you mentioned with edges rounded in a japanese way
My favourite recent car would probably be the Smart Fortwo. The BMW Cooper Mini looks quite pleasant too.
Too late, it's already happening. The "new" Holden Sandman.
http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/conceptcar?modelid=20000
I'm waiting for the "new" Leyland P-76, personally.