Hyundai showcased its rebuilt and restored Pony Coupe Concept car in Como, Italy last week - nearly 50 years since the original show car made its worldwide debut at the 1974 Turin Motor Show.
The concept was displayed at the Hyundai Reunion, an event intended to celebrate the Korean company's heritage. Among the guests present were the Pony Coupe's original designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro, alongside his son Fabrizio - a designer in his own right.
"Hyundai approached us to start a complete redesign of a model, without much experience. I was sceptical at first because I didn't know Hyundai Motor at that time", Giugiaro said when asked about his initial contact with Hyundai in 1973. "I'm proud and honoured to witness how this company has evolved since we first met".
The Pony Coupe concept represented a serious attempt by Hyundai to enter the sports car sector in the 1970s, for what was a fledgling carmaker. The concept served as the basis for what became the successful Hyundai Pony range, while the design cues seen on the original concept have reappeared on more recent Hyundai models - such as the '45' EV concept, which served as an influence for the Ioniq 5.
"In the age of electrification, a key condition for Hyundai Motor Company to become a leader in future mobility will be our ability to remain faithful to the unshakeable values we inherited", said CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, Jaehoon Chang, who also described Hyundai's past as "a unique vector for our future innovation."
The restoration of the concept was announced late last year, and was completed by GFG Design, a style centre that draws inspiration from the designs of both Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro. Luc Donckerwolke, President and Chief Creative Officer of Hyundai, said: "The restoration of this unique vehicle is a milestone in Hyundai's history. It represents our beginnings and our commitment to the future".
After its initial appearance at the Hyundai Reunion, the Pony Coupe made a subsequent appearance at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este - an annual classic and vintage car show held at the Villa d'Este hotel on the banks of Lake Como.
Though the event is billed as a classic car show, carmakers often showcase concepts or upcoming models alongside much older motors - Renault displayed its Trezor concept at the 2017 show, for example, while Bugatti showcased its La Voiture Noire (a one-off edition of the Chiron) at the 2019 event. Older concept cars often make appearances, too - such as the Aston Martin 'Bulldog' concept, which won the 'Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este' prize in 2022.