Luxury Car Nameplates We Want Brought Back To Life

Like the BMW 8 Series, we'd like to see these models get revived.

Just like Hollywood, modern automakers can't help but dive into the well of the past to pull out the greatest hits. Why struggle to invent something new when you can dust off Snow White for the thousandth time and tell the story yet again? The industry is about to experience an influx of revived nameplates including the BMW 8 Series, Alfa Romeo GTV, and Toyota Supra. We are happy to see these models make a return, but we wondered what other luxury nameplates deserve to be revived. Here are our eight contenders.

Porsche 928

The Porsche 928 is one of several models rumored to be reintroduced to the Porsche lineup. The original car was a RWD V8 Grand Tourer, which would easily slot above the 911 as a more luxurious option for buyers. We'd love to see Porsche base a new 928 on the Panamera platform, along with its twin-turbo V8 hybrid drivetrain producing 680 horsepower.

Acura RSX

The Acura RSX, also known as the Integra, was one of our favorite cars that Honda ever built. By the end of its life, it offered a 2.4-liter VTEC four-cylinder producing 201 hp in the RSX Type S. The RSX/Integra was sporty to drive, but also packed some of the practicality of a hot hatchback. With the popularity of SUVs and crossovers, it seems unlikely that Acura will bring back a sporty hatchback.

Buick Regal GS

The Buick Regal GS is a nice, comfortable sports sedan, but it doesn't live up to the brand's most badass model: the Grand National. The original Grand National was based on a Regal, but Buick seems reluctant to revive its legendary nameplate. We think a twin-turbo, 400 hp Regal Grand National could pick up where its predecessor left off, for around the $50,000 price range.

Cadillac Eldorado

One of the things that annoys us about Cadillac right now is the company's lack of creativity in the naming department. CT6 sounds like a graphing calculator, and the ATS, CTS, and XTS scheme never made that much sense. We miss names like Eldorado and Coupe DeVille, and wish Cadillac would reincorporate these names back into the lineup. We have seen Cadillac build gorgeous concept cars like the Ciel, all that's left is to build one and give it a name from the company's past.

Lamborghini Espada

Lamborghini is best known for its mid-engine V12 flagships: the Miura, Countach, Diablo, Murcielago, and Aventador. However, the company does have some lesser known models that we'd like to see today. The Espada was a large, front-engine V12 GT car, which could go toe-to-toe with models such as the Aston Martin DB11 and Bentley Continental. Since Volkswagen owns both Bentley and Lamborghini, the German automaker likely doesn't want too much competition between its own brands.

Alfa Romeo Spider

Alfa Romeo currently uses the Spider name on the convertible version of the 4C sport car, but it used to be one of the prettiest and affordable two-seat convertible cars on the market. When Mazda and FCA announced a partnership to build a two-seat roadster based on the Miata, we thought it would be the return of the Alfa Romeo Spider. Instead, we got the slightly disappointing Fiat 124.

Bugatti Atlantic

Bugatti is one of the most fabled brands in the automotive industry, so it seems almost cruel to leave so much of the company's past within the pages of history. We'd love to see the legendary Bugatti Atlantic come back as an ultra-luxurious four-door sedan, based on the Galibier concept from several years ago. Of course, power would come from the Chiron's quad-turbo W16 engine.

Ferrari Daytona

The Ferrari 365 GTB/4, also known as the Daytona, was built from 1968 to 1973. Like most Ferrari models, the Daytona had an official numerical name, but became well-known by its media-given name after the car finished 1-2-3 at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. We'd like to see Ferrari bring back nameplates such as Daytona when it builds special one-off models for wealthy customers.