Hyundai And Giorgetto Giugiaro Collaborate To Rebuild The Original 1974 Pony Coupe Concept
Hyundai are collaborating with the original Pony Coupe designer Giorgetto Giugiaro to recreate the original lost concept as part of the brand heritage programme.
Italian firm GFG Style, which was founded by father and son team of Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro, are working to bring back the car that really started the whole Korean automotive industry.
Due sometime soon, the rebuilt coupe will be a complete copy of the original first shown at the 1974 Turin Motor Show in Italy. Announced during a Design Talk in Seoul, featuring legend Giorgetto himself. Luc Donckerwolke said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Giorgetto and Fabrizio to Seoul for this rare occasion and we look forward to collaborating with them and GFG Style on this extraordinary design project,” said CCO Donckerwolke. “Not only does this project hold historical value, but it also represents a cross-cultural exchange that could pave the way for more collaborations down the road.”
“The original Pony and Pony Coupe Concept were one of those rare creations that influenced the designs of not just one but multiple production and concept vehicles, including our award-winning IONIQ 5 and attention-grabbing N Vision 74,” said EVP SangYup Lee. “Since the original concept car no longer exists, we’ve commissioned Giorgetto Giugiaro to rebuild it based on our design philosophy, ‘Shaping the future with legacy.’”
1974 was when Hyundai Motor were still in the early days of car production, but they still decided to contact Giorgetto Giugiaro to propose work on designing what would be Hyundai’s first independently produced model. Back then there was no vehicle design and styling capability in Korea. So, Hyundai Motor commissioned Giugiaro to design and make blueprints and build five prototypes, one of which was the Pony Coupe. To promote the brand to an international market it was decided to show both the Pony and Pony Coupe at the Turin Motor Show.
With a wedge-style nose, circular headlamps and origami-like folded geometric lines, the Pony Coupe desifgn was intended for North American and European markets. However, the project was halted in 1981 just before mass production due to global economic problems.
The concept became an unfinished dream, but it did help to boost the Korean automotive industry and directly influenced Hyundai’s first independent production models using the Pony name which was used from 1975 to 1990 and were sold worldwide. The Coupe is significant as it remains a key part of Hyundai’s legacy and vision
With the Pony and Pony Coupe, founder Chung really paved the way for the Korean automotive industry with some bold leadership. His diligence and belief helped Korea emerge from the war and build up to becoming the economic force that it is now.
Giugiaro himself used the design for further inspiration and he went on the produced the iconic DeLorean DMC 12 that appeared in 1981 and entered production in 1983. It was chosen for the Back to the Future film franchise from 1985 to 1990 due to the futuristic shape, and it has the Hyundai Pony Coupe to thank for it.
Hyundai is getting somewhat bolder with design and the original Pony was drawn upon for the 45 concept car. The rather interesting N Vision 74 again can be seen to share the very same influence.
Of his original design, Giugiaro said, “I designed the Hyundai Pony when I was still a young designer at the start of my career. 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.”
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