Some cars are so iconic that walking away from the original formula simply is not an option. Instead of starting from scratch, automakers have revisited these legends with a modern twist.
These reimagined models keep the spirit alive while delivering all the performance, safety, and creature comforts that today’s drivers expect, all the while honoring their heritage while embracing the future. Not an easy task, but these cars hit it out of the park.
Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4
The original Countach helped define the supercar look of the 1970s and 1980s with its wedge-shaped silhouette and outrageous scissor doors. When Lamborghini announced the Countach LPI 800-4, fans were understandably nervous. Would it live up to the legend?
Thankfully, the modern Countach does not disappoint. Its exterior pays homage to the original with angular lines and the iconic periscopio-style roof channel. Beneath the surface, though, it is a different beast, packed with 21st-century technology. A V12 hybrid drivetrain, advanced carbon-fiber construction, and active aerodynamics show just how far Lamborghini has come. Inside, a digital cockpit and enhanced connectivity features bring the experience up to modern expectations.
Credit: Automobili Lamborghini
Lighting also plays a big role in its modern identity. The car’s LED system carries the spirit of the original while offering crisp, dynamic illumination that adds to the Countach’s futuristic character.
Lighting also plays a big role in its modern identity. The car’s LED lighting system takes the classic shape and gives it a crisp, contemporary glow, proving that good design can honor the past while pushing the envelope.
Ford GT
The Ford GT is perhaps one of the best examples of a retro-inspired car done right. The original GT40 earned its fame by dethroning Ferrari at Le Mans in the 1960s. When Ford brought back the GT in the early 2000s and then again in 2016, they respected the shape and racing spirit of the original but infused it with modern aero, materials, and tech.
Modern Ford GTs boast a lightweight carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, a twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing over 600 horsepower, and advanced active aerodynamics that would make any race team jealous. Inside, the cabin is minimalist but high-tech, prioritizing driver focus with a fully digital display cluster.
The sleek LED headlights frame the aggressive front fascia, giving the GT a purposeful, futuristic look that complements its race-ready DNA.
Acura NSX
Credit: Honda North America
When the first-generation NSX arrived in the 1990s, it flipped the supercar script. It proved that exotic looks and mid-engine balance could come without the maintenance headaches of traditional supercars. Honda reliability and usability were built right in.
The modern NSX continues that tradition but takes a bold step forward with its hybrid powertrain. A twin-turbo V6 works alongside three electric motors, providing incredible off-the-line torque and handling precision that rivals anything on the road today. The Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system showcases just how far engineering has progressed.
The design nods to the past with familiar proportions, but everything is sharper and more aggressive. Its jewel-like multi-beam LED headlights add a fierce, high-tech look to the sculpted front end.
Lighting and Other Design Upgrades
All of these modern classics share one thing: better technology inside and out. These modern classics are more powerful, from body curvature to performance to lighting designs. In fact, lighting is one of the areas where the biggest improvements have occurred and it’s something that carries over into all segments of vehicles, high-performance or not.
Manufacturers continue to leverage new technology by swapping out older halogen, Xenon, and HID bulbs for newer options like LED headlight bulbs in order to make huge strides in visibility and safety.
Even if you have a more dated vehicle, thanks to plug-and-play LED kits, these kinds of upgrades are easier than ever for enthusiasts. No complicated wiring or headlight housing modifications are needed in many cases. Just select the right bulb for your car, install it, and enjoy better, brighter driving.
Toyota GR Supra
If you grew up on the Fast and the Furious franchise, then you also know that the Toyota Supra became a legend thanks to the MKIV generation of the 1990s, remembered for its bulletproof inline-six engine and massive tuner potential. When Toyota revived the Supra nameplate with the GR Supra, expectations were sky-high.
Partnering with BMW, Toyota created a car that delivers strong performance with a turbocharged inline-six engine and a well-tuned chassis. Purists were skeptical, but the GR Supra has proved itself with excellent balance, sharp handling, and a comfortable, tech-forward interior.
Visually, the GR Supra blends nods to the old with a modern, aerodynamic shape. Sharp LED lighting accents the flowing lines, helping bridge the gap between nostalgic admiration and contemporary performance.
Ford Bronco
It is not just sports cars that are getting the retro treatment. The Ford Bronco made a massive comeback by staying true to its boxy, rugged DNA while adopting modern capability.
The new Bronco features removable doors and roof panels, a terrain management system with “G.O.A.T. Modes,” and trail-ready technology like front-facing cameras and disconnecting sway bars. It is built for adventure but also loaded with creature comforts like large infotainment screens and driver-assist features.
LED headlight bulbs modernize the front-end design while maintaining the simple, sturdy feel of the original. The lighting is not just for style either—it is engineered to illuminate the trails and help guide the way during off-road excursions.
A New Era of Classics
Reimagined cars like these prove that you do not need to completely reinvent the wheel to make something great. By honoring the lines, shapes, and ideas that made the originals special while embracing the best of modern technology, automakers are giving enthusiasts the best of both worlds.
