Never miss an issue of Classic & Sports Car and save money when you subscribe! Check out our latest offers
A faithful recreation of Hyundai’s 1974 Turin show star, the Pony Coupé Concept, was revealed yesterday (18 May).
The original was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro for the marque’s debut at the show.
It was hoped that the Pony Coupé would be sold in Europe and North America, however shortly before production began, the project was halted in 1981, due to the global economic climate.
While the Pony moniker became a familiar part of the Hyundai line up, and the marque’s first independently developed mass-production model, the Coupé Concept dream remained unfulfilled.
Almost half a century on, the reborn concept broke cover at the first Hyundai Reunion event, a showcase for the brand’s heritage and future ambitions, held beside Lake Como in Italy, just a few hours’ drive from where the original made its debut.
Back in the ’70s, with the Korean motor industry in its infancy, Hyundai commissioned five prototypes from Giugiaro, one of which was the coupé.
Therefore it was perhaps only natural that GFG Style, the design house founded by father and son Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro, was tasked with recreating the 4080mm-long, rear-wheel-drive concept, powered by a 1238cc, 81bhp, four-cylinder engine.
“I designed the Hyundai Pony when I was still a young designer at the start of my career,” said Giugiaro Snr of the original concept.
“I felt very proud that I was in charge of creating a vehicle for a company and country that was about to take on a fiercely competitive global market.
“Now, I’m deeply honoured that Hyundai has asked me to rebuild it for posterity and as a celebration of the brand’s heritage.”
“The restoration of this unique vehicle is a milestone in Hyundai’s history,” added Luc Donckerwolke, President and Chief Creative Officer of Hyundai Motor Group.
“It represents our beginnings and our commitment to the future. It serves as a legacy for generations to come.
“It virtually symbolises the mobile relay baton we are passing from the past to the future of the company.”
Images: Hyundai
Enjoy more of the world’s best classic car content every month when you subscribe to C&SC – get our latest deals here
READ MORE
