#157 What Dead Car Brand Would You Bring Back?
About this episode
Hosts Steve, Andrew, and Veronica debate which defunct automotive brands deserve a modern resurrection. Inspired by the shifting landscape of brands like Polestar and Scout, the trio pitches their ultimate revival candidates. Steve champions the eccentric, hand-built British luxury of Bristol Cars, while Andrew makes a passionate case for the post-war innovation of Preston Tucker's short-lived Tucker Corporation. Along the way, they reminisce about quirky favorites like Saturn, Scion, and DeLorean, exploring what made these dead brands so memorable and how they could fit into today's market.
This week we are all trillionaires and have decided to choose what car brands we should bring back to the world. Veronica opens up about her George Clooney fandom, Steve goes full colonial and Andrew brings back an American Icon. It’s an international battle this week as we head into the Fourth of July. Follow us on Instagram @bestinclasspodcast and let us know which brand you want to bring back!
Polestar
"In honor of Polestar being killed off in the US, pour one out for Polestar, we're going to talk about what car brands that we think should be resurrected today."
A modern car company owned by Volvo that focuses entirely on making stylish, high-performance electric cars.
Polestar is a Swedish premium electric vehicle manufacturer established by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding. Known for its minimalist Scandinavian design and performance-oriented electric powertrains, the brand transitioned from Volvo's racing partner to a standalone EV company.
Saturn
"I thought of Saturn. I miss Saturn a lot. You know, plastic bodies."
A former brand of cars made by General Motors that was famous for having plastic side panels that wouldn't dent when hit by shopping carts.
Saturn was an automotive brand established by General Motors in 1985 to compete directly with Japanese imports. It was famous for its unique 'no-haggle' pricing model, employee-friendly manufacturing culture, and dent-resistant plastic body panels.
Scion xB
"No, those are the best. The little XBs. They were so cool when they came out."
A very boxy, square-shaped small car made by Toyota's youth brand, Scion, which became popular for its unique look and spacious interior.
The Scion xB is a compact hatchback produced by Toyota for its youth-oriented Scion brand. It became a cult icon due to its extremely boxy, toaster-like styling, high fuel efficiency, and highly customizable interior space.
Chrysler PT Cruiser
"I mean, and gosh, what was America doing? The PT Cruiser. Yeah."
The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a small family car with a unique, old-fashioned design meant to look like cars from the 1930s. It was designed to be highly practical with a spacious interior and removable seats.
The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a retro-styled compact car that blended elements of a hatchback, wagon, and minivan. Launched in 2000, its 1930s-inspired hot-rod styling made it an instant sales success, though its appeal waned over its decade-long production run. It offered a highly versatile interior with removable seats and a configurable cargo area.
Scout Motors
"So the first one, Scout Motors, because Bronica. Because of me. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You're a Scout owner."
A classic American brand known for making tough, old-school off-road trucks, which is now being brought back to make modern electric SUVs.
Scout Motors is an American automotive brand originally created by International Harvester, famous for producing rugged off-road vehicles like the Scout SUV from 1961 to 1980. The brand was recently resurrected by the Volkswagen Group to produce electric off-roaders.
range extender
"An extender. This is the word I was talking about. Range extender. Range extender."
A small gas engine in an electric car that doesn't move the wheels, but instead acts like a generator to recharge the battery so you can drive further.
A range extender is an auxiliary power unit, typically a small internal combustion engine, used in electric vehicles to drive an electric generator that charges the vehicle's battery when it runs low. Unlike a traditional hybrid, the engine does not directly drive the wheels.
DeLorean DMC-12
"So, but now you can buy a brand new 80s DeLorean. Wait, I'm sorry. It's brand new from the 80s. Yeah. So they had a stock of parts collected up."
The famous silver car with doors that open upward like wings, best known for traveling through time in the movie *Back to the Future*.
The DeLorean DMC-12 is a sports car originally manufactured by the DeLorean Motor Company from 1981 to 1983. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, it is famous for its brushed stainless-steel body, gull-wing doors, and its starring role in the *Back to the Future* film trilogy.
Honda Prelude
"And that, yeah. So anyway, also Honda Prelude is back. Wow."
The Honda Prelude is a sporty, two-door car made by Honda. It was a popular model in the past and is being brought back as a modern, fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle.
The Honda Prelude is a legendary nameplate revived as a sleek, two-door hybrid sports coupe. Positioned as a driver-focused vehicle, it bridges the gap between Honda's practical commuter cars and its high-performance Type R models. It features a modern hybrid powertrain designed to balance sporty dynamics with modern fuel efficiency.
Renault Alpine
"Yeah. Renault Alpine. Yeah."
The Alpine A610 is a rare, sporty two-door car made by the French company Renault in the 1990s. It has its engine in the back and is known for its sleek, aerodynamic design.
The Renault Alpine A610 was a rear-engined French sports coupe produced in the early 1990s as the successor to the GTA. Featuring a lightweight fiberglass body and a turbocharged V6 engine, it was praised for its excellent handling and grand touring comfort. It remains a rare and highly collectible piece of French automotive history.
Chevrolet Camaro
"Yeah. Camaro coming back in 2029. Whoa."
The Chevrolet Camaro is a famous American sports car known for its powerful engine and aggressive styling. While the traditional gas-powered version was recently discontinued, the manufacturer plans to bring the name back in the future.
The Chevrolet Camaro is an iconic American muscle car that recently ended its sixth generation of production. Chevrolet has hinted at reviving the historic nameplate in the late 2020s, with rumors pointing toward an electric performance vehicle. The final gas-powered generations were highly praised for their track-capable handling and powerful V8 engines.
Bristol Cars
"So I picked Bristol Cars. Do you guys know what either? English cars? No, I'm just, I have a strong case for it."
A very exclusive, quirky British car company that made expensive, hand-built luxury cars in very small numbers.
Bristol Cars was a boutique British manufacturer of hand-built luxury sports cars, active from 1945 until its liquidation in 2020. Born out of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, it was known for its highly eccentric, low-volume, and exclusive vehicles.
Bristol Fighter
"Well, the Bristol Fighter, I don't know if that was a beautiful car. Well, we'll get there."
A rare, high-speed British supercar with doors that open upward, powered by a massive V10 engine borrowed from a Dodge Viper.
The Bristol Fighter is a gull-wing door supercar produced in extremely limited numbers by Bristol Cars between 2004 and 2011. It is powered by a front-mounted 8.0-liter Dodge Viper V10 engine, producing up to 1,012 horsepower in its turbocharged 'T' variant.
Preston Tucker
"Preston Tucker's company. I love, I love Mia Tucker. Yeah. And I have a lot of information on them."
An ambitious American inventor who tried to build a revolutionary, super-safe car in the 1940s to compete with the biggest car companies, but was forced out of business.
Preston Tucker was an American automobile designer and entrepreneur who founded the Tucker Corporation. He is famous for creating the innovative 1948 Tucker Sedan, which introduced advanced safety features but was shut down amidst a controversial SEC investigation.
Monteverdi
"I'm bringing back a vehicle, a brand that I'm very excited about, the Monteverde, which is a Swiss maker that used American engines on the Scout, actually chassis"
A high-end Swiss car brand from the 1960s and 70s that put powerful American engines inside beautiful Italian-designed bodies.
Monteverdi was a Swiss brand of luxury cars created by Peter Monteverdi in 1967. The brand was famous for combining elegant Italian coachwork with powerful American V8 engines and rugged chassis.
Monteverdi High Speed 375
"So the main vehicle that was produced pretty regularly was the High Speed, 375, which came in four variations."
A rare, high-speed Swiss luxury car from the late 1960s that used a powerful Chrysler engine and a beautiful Italian body.
The Monteverdi High Speed 375 is a series of luxury sports cars built in Switzerland, powered by massive Chrysler V8 engines. It featured elegant bodies designed by Italian coachbuilders Pietro Frua and Fissore.
Buick Model 27
"And then you unleash, and I think I'd call it the Model 27 or something like that, but I've always loved the..."
The Buick Model 27 is an extremely old, open-top car from the early 1900s. It features wooden-spoke wheels and a basic design from the very beginning of the automotive industry.
The Buick Model 27 is a vintage touring car from the early 1910s, powered by a dual-overhead-valve four-cylinder engine. It represents the early era of Buick's reputation for engineering robust, reliable, and relatively upscale automobiles for the mass market. These brass-era cars are highly prized by pre-war automotive collectors.
Lucid Air
"...d it's a sleek four-door fast-backs sedan with an air, with a, we're gonna start with an air-cooled fla..."
The Lucid Air is a high-end, battery-powered luxury sedan. It is designed to travel very long distances on a single charge and features a modern, minimalist interior with lots of screen space.
The Lucid Air is an all-electric luxury sedan known for its industry-leading driving range, ultra-efficient battery technology, and rapid charging capabilities. It combines a spacious, upscale cabin with sports-car-like acceleration, particularly in its high-performance trims. It represents a major leap forward in electric vehicle engineering and aerodynamics.
Porsche 911
"...right. You can kind of think of it as a four-door 911, but American made."
The Porsche 911 is a high-end sports car made by the German company Porsche. It is famous for having its engine in the back of the car and has been a symbol of speed and luxury for decades.
The Porsche 911 is a benchmark rear-engine sports car celebrated for its precision handling, iconic silhouette, and everyday usability. The latest generation introduces hybrid technology to the lineup for the first time, enhancing performance while maintaining its classic driving dynamics. It remains the gold standard against which almost all other sports cars are measured.
GMC Safari
"...And while I wanted to consider the Sahara and the Safari, I thought they did look too much like the Scout,"
The GMC Safari is a boxy, mid-sized van that was popular in the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s. It was built like a truck, making it stronger for pulling trailers and carrying heavy loads than typical family minivans.
The GMC Safari is a mid-size van built on a truck-based platform, produced alongside its twin, the Chevrolet Astro, from 1985 to 2005. Known for its robust towing capacity and available all-wheel drive, it was a popular choice for families and commercial fleets needing more capability than a standard minivan. Its body-on-frame construction made it exceptionally durable.
Dodge Viper
"...ng to bring back a V10 supercar. Was that a Dodge Viper engine? I don't know."
The Dodge Viper is a high-performance American sports car that was built with a very large and loud 10-cylinder engine. It is famous for being extremely fast and having a simple, aggressive design without many electronic safety features.
The Dodge Viper is an iconic American sports car known for its raw, uncompromising performance and massive V10 engine. Produced across five generations until 2017, it lacked modern electronic driver aids for much of its life, earning a reputation as a challenging but rewarding driver's car. Its striking design and side-exit exhaust pipes make it instantly recognizable.
Land Rover Range Rover
"... that's going to be like a modern, kind of modern Range Rover. Buccaneer, we're going to go exploring,"
The Range Rover is a large, luxury SUV made by Land Rover. It is designed to be extremely comfortable and fancy inside while still being able to drive through tough off-road terrain like mud and deep water.
The Land Rover Range Rover is a flagship luxury SUV that pioneered the combination of opulent passenger comfort with extreme off-road capability. The current generation offers advanced mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric powertrains alongside a high-tech, minimalist cabin. It is highly regarded for its commanding driving position and sophisticated air suspension.
Porsche Boxster
"...going to have something small, lightweight, think boxster, cooler. Will it compete with like the Miata?"
The Porsche Boxster is a small, two-seat convertible sports car made by Porsche. It has its engine placed in the middle of the car, which helps it balance and turn corners very well.
The Porsche Boxster is a mid-engine, two-seat roadster renowned for its near-perfect weight distribution and exceptional handling. The model is transitioning from its traditional turbocharged flat-four and flat-six internal combustion engines to an all-electric platform. It offers a pure, open-top driving experience with a focus on agility.
Mazda MX-5 / Miata
"...nk boxster, cooler. Will it compete with like the Miata? Or is this luxury so it won't be at the same pri..."
The Mazda Miata is a small, lightweight convertible car that is designed to be fun and easy to drive. It is widely known for being affordable, reliable, and highly engaging on twisty roads.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is the world's best-selling two-seat sports car, celebrated for its lightweight design, affordable price, and pure driving dynamics. The current generation continues to champion a lightweight philosophy with a naturally aspirated engine and a highly praised manual transmission. It is a favorite among driving enthusiasts and amateur racers alike.
torque vectoring
"But it's really just going to be a torque vectoring thing. The main mechanically driven wheels will be the rear. Can you explain, I obviously know what it is, but our listeners might not. What's torque vectoring?"
A smart system in modern cars that sends more power to the wheels on the outside of a turn, helping the car steer and corner much better.
Torque vectoring is an automotive technology that dynamically varies the torque sent to each drive wheel. By sending more power to the outside wheel during a turn, it helps rotate the vehicle and improves handling and stability.
Ford Bronco
"Oh, I'm going to go. Yeah, Bronco, you're up. Well, mine are going to be presented ..."
The Ford Bronco is a boxy, tough SUV built for driving off-road. It has a classic look inspired by older models, and you can take the doors and roof off to drive in the open air.
The Ford Bronco is a rugged, retro-styled mid-size SUV designed for serious off-road driving. It features removable doors and roof panels, advanced terrain management systems, and independent front suspension for improved on-road manners. It is built to handle everything from daily commuting to extreme rock crawling.
Ferrari Luce
"Absolutely. Have we seen the Ferrari Luce or Luce, or whatever it's called, the interior?"
This likely refers to the Ferrari GTC4Lusso, a sporty four-seat car with a hatchback-style rear. It is designed for comfortable long-distance driving and features a special dashboard screen just for the front passenger.
The speaker is likely referring to the Ferrari GTC4Lusso (often mispronounced as 'Luce'), a high-performance grand tourer featuring a unique shooting-brake body style. It is celebrated for its 'dual-cockpit' interior concept, which features a dedicated passenger-side instrument display screen. It offers four-wheel drive and a choice of a twin-turbo V8 or a naturally aspirated V12.
directional headlights
"The Cyclops headlight. Cyclops, sure. OK. Yeah. So Tucker, and I can't believe I haven't mentioned this yet, they introduced the movable headlight. OK. And it would turn as you turn the wheel."
Headlights that turn left or right when you turn the steering wheel, helping you see around dark corners before you drive into them.
Directional headlights (or adaptive headlights) are a safety feature where the headlight beams swivel in the direction of the steering wheel. This illuminates the actual path of the curve ahead rather than just pointing straight.
Chevrolet Corvette
"...e thing is Bruce Springsteen is more of like a 57 Corvette sort of guy. Oh."
The 1957 Chevrolet Corvette is a classic, vintage American sports car with a distinctive rounded body and chrome details. It is highly valued by collectors because it helped establish the Corvette as a fast and stylish vehicle.
The 1957 Chevrolet Corvette is a landmark American sports car from the first (C1) generation, famous for introducing the high-performance 283 cubic-inch V8 engine. It was also one of the first production cars to offer a fuel-injection system, cementing the Corvette's reputation for cutting-edge performance. Its styling, featuring single headlights and clean side coves, is highly coveted by collectors.
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