I just had this conversation with a friend of mine. If the auto manufacturers could produce a compact car from circa 1965 (Dodge Dart, Ford Falcon, Rambler, Nova, etc) just as it was from the factory in 1965 with ignition points, carburetor, 3 on the tree, and drum brakes; what would the price point be and what would the sales numbers be? I contend that it would sell in huge numbers as the styling is better than anything else out there, it would be cheaper to fix as there is no electronic componentry and the price point would be far lower than the new vehicles due to the simplicity of production.
That is IF the Gubmint boys would allow them to produce such a vehicle.
You’ll be able to 3-D print your own version of such a thing before you know it:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3305224/posts
Never. Never in a million Democrat years would they allow it. No one but the auto industry would profit. Thus it’s impossible. Well the owners of the car but no ancilaries like Govt.
A modern production line could rip out such a car for a fraction of the cost of a modern after the factory was set up because of robotics and modern metal tech. And it would still get good mileage at lower pollution rates than the originals because of weight and advances in our knowledge.
The truck I mentioned above a 97 F250 supercab with 4wd and an 8 foot box got under 10 mpg highway from the factory (about 7-8ish) and was a stonedog. It now gets over 15 highway easily/no trick driving and will burn the 37 in tires with no issue.
I built that same basic motor on another truck in 2000ish and it destroyed the stock pollution spec on a Vegas smog check with NO CATS or pollution controls. And I am no nascar engine whiz builder. Just used dog simple hot rod tech. and aftermarket performance parts.
Machining costs would be very high for the limited number that would be sold.
Everyone wants a toaster. Sits forgotten until it’s needed, then works perfect immediately when used, and returned to the closet without thought when the job is done.
Truth is, the feds aren’t going to allow waivers for safety and pollution control anyway.