Eh, so what. You have to realize what conditions led to the lame successors to these three ‘60’s classics. I have the most experience with GTO’s having driven a few including a ‘64 three dueces and a four speed 389 that had 1,500 miles on it when I visited my friend in Orange County in June of 1964. Two years later I had a ‘66 convertible that I rode into the ground just before I reported for active duty. Now the 2004 reincarnation is an interesting car since it is based on the Australian GM Holden coupe that GM stuffed a nasty Corvette motor into. Definitely not a slouch and I wouldn’t mind owning one. The Mustang II of 1975 was clearly the result of the oil supply crisis of 1973 and CAFE. My boss in the ‘70’s had a V-6 coupe with 4 speed that he let me drive on errands from our office and it was a pleasant driver with more pep than a classic Mustang with the inline six. Same for the Challenger. An anemic Jap import (Mitsubishi?). All they borrowed was the name.
I was referring strictly to styling. The 2004 looked pretty much like most other cars today. And that is not, by any means, a compliment.