Author: Adam Sloman
Explore modern takes on motoring icons, from the MINI Cooper S and VW Beetle to Renault’s electric revivals and stunning restomods by Tolman and Frontline.
Restomods
Peugeot 205 T16
Arguably the most iconic of the Group B rally cars, the Peugeot 205 T16 had a long a successful career on the rally stage. As the most successful car of the Group B era, the T16 won 16 rallies and 2 world rally championships between 1983 and 1988. With drivers such as Juha Kankkunen and Ari Vatanen.
This T16 isn’t so much a restomod, instead referred to as a series of ‘non invasive improvements’ in an effort to keep cars like the T16 out of museums and on the road, where they can be enjoyed by owners and enthusiasts alike. Tolman has developed a bespoke cambelt timing and pulley kit, front anti-roll bar bushes, CNC-formed coolant pipes with an ECU upgrade now available to improve reliability and driveability for any fuel-injected model. Tolman undertook a rebuild of the 205 T16’s transmission in-house, using its network of contacts in France to source original factory, new, old stock ratios.
“Even with the best intentions, not exercising a car, especially those increasing in value, can lead to more headaches,” explains Chris Tolman, founder of Tolman Engineering. “Rubber components such as belts, engine or drivetrain seals and fuel lines will deteriorate over time, making them potentially unsafe or unreliable. The scarcity of parts means those that are fitted might be beyond their planned life, so you can’t push the cars to get the most out of what they can offer. When properly sorted, it’s a rewarding driving experience that feels special. Just like our Tolman Editions, we want owners to experience these cars as they were meant to be – thrilling, engaging and alive.”
Frontline MGB
Frontline are well known for the re-engineered, resto-modded MGs. Since 2012, Frontline has been producing some incredible cars – their story actually began in the 1990s, producing motorsport parts and components for the likes of the MGB and Midget. The company had an overall goal though, to build a complete, restomod MGB. In 2012, the MGB celebrated its 50th anniversary, which Frontline marked with the launch of the LE50. The LE50 was reworked from the ground up, leveraging the engine and gearbox from the Mazda MX5. Inside, the Frontline cars gained a completely new interior, luxuriously trimmed in leather and alcantara, with each interior built to the customers desires. Since the LE50, Frontline have followed it up with the Abingdon Edition, the LE60 V8 GT and the newly-developed Frontline MGA Factory Edition.
Over 30 years since the formation of Frontline, the company have established a reputation for creating incredible cars that blend the style of classic 1960s design with performance for the modern day.
Reboots
MINI Cooper S
Launched in June 2002, the MINI Cooper S (R53) became the Halo car for the new MINI range, which had arrived a year prior.
Power comes from a supercharged version of the 1.6 litre engine found in the new Cooper, developing 163bhp, with a top speed of 135mph.
Visually, the R53 was distinct from its more humble stablemates thanks to it bold bonnet intake scoop and twin exhausts. The package was completed with chunky Minilite style wheels, while inside full leather trim adorned the seats. The new S was met with warm reviews from the motoring press and it quickly became a beloved member of the MINI family.
The new S would go on to star in the remake of that cult Mini movie, The Italian Job, where it was Mark Wahlberg rather than Michael Caine leading the heist.
VW Beetle
Before the new MINI, there was the new Beetle. One of the world’s best-known cars, VW first hinted at a return for their iconic car in 1995, with the unveiling of the Concept One. Unsurprisingly it drew huge attention from the motoring media and general public alike, which convinced VW to bring it to production in 1997 for a 1998 launch.
Unlike the classic Beetle, the new car was water cooled, with a front-engine and front wheel drive, borrowing many of its underpinnings from the Volkswagen Golf.
The new Beetle would be facelifted in 2005 before being replaced by a newer take on the icon in 2011, at which point VW dropped the word ‘new’ from its marketing materials, simply referring to the car as ‘the Beetle’.
Production of this new model ended in 2019 and now those first generation ‘new’ Beetles are being appreciated as classics in their own right.
Renault 4 EV
The Renault 4 was one of the French carmaker’s longest-running and most loved cars. Produced between 1961 and 1994, the original 4 was sold in almost every corner of the world.
Alongside the smaller Renault 5 EV, the 4 sees another retro Renault rebooted as a modern all-electric subcompact crossover.
With 150bhp available, the electric 4 offers a considerable upgrade over its classic relative and offers a range of 237 miles on a single charge.
Unlike the original 4, the new car offers all the modern creature comforts – touch screens, smart phone integration, digital radio – the list goes on, features that would have seemed like science fiction back in 1961 when the first 4 debuted.
Renault plans to borrow further from its back catalogue, with a Renault 4 EV Van planned – just as the classic car had a commercial cousin, the R4 Fourgonnette van.
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