√Lost Hyundai Pony Coupe Concept to be recreated by legendary designer

One of the automotive world’s most influential car designers has been commissioned to remake one of his defining concept vehicles from the 1970s.

A little known Hyundai concept car lost to history – but which helped define a golden era of automotive design – is set to be reborn with help from one of its original creators.

Italian design icon Giorgetto Giugiaro, who was responsible for designing the original Pony Coupe for Hyundai in 1974, will help recreate the original concept car in the lead-up to the 50th anniversary of the stillborn project.

Despite investing $US80 million in tooling and development in the late 1970s, the Hyundai Pony Coupe never made it to production, with the company citing adverse economic conditions for the car’s cancellation.

The concept itself also didn’t survive, prompting Hyundai to commission Giugiaro and his design studio to recreate the vehicle.

Hyundai’s hydrogen-powered Hyundai N Vision 74 Concept was heavily influenced by the 1979 Pony Coupe concept.

The 84-year-old Giugiaro – who penned iconic cars such as the Alfa Romeo 105/115 Series Coupes, Alfa Romeo Brera, and the Volkswagen Golf Mk1, to name a small few – started GFG Style in recent years with his son Fabrizio, also a notable designer and architect.

MORE: 2022 Hyundai N Vision 74 Concept – track test

“I designed the Hyundai Pony when I was still a young designer at the start of my career,” Mr Giugiaro said in a media statement.

“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.”

Following the Pony Coupe, Mr Giugiaro went on to design the iconic BMW M1 and DMC DeLorean – both of which share a similar shape and styling elements to the Hyundai concept.

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