Revivalism

Sir,

For the pedants amongst us, neither Mr Graham’s nor Mr Garfitt’s “replica” and “kit-car” respectively (Motor Sport, April 1987) will suffice; replica is simply incorrect, whilst kit-car avoids, on the one hand, those tasteless and vulgar confections like Panther and Naylor, but includes on the other hand worthy products from Lotus, Elva and Ginetta, of which even Mr Garfitt must approve.

May I suggest that we look to the world of architectural history and adopt the term “revivalist” for cars (“kit” or otherwise) which attempt to evoke, however miserably or inaccurately, the flavour of a bygone age? Just as the term “Gothic Revival” has a particular meaning to architecture enthusiasts, so too could the term “revivalist car” have an exact interpretation for motoring enthusiasts.

And it wouldn’t offend the Frazer-Nash Section of the VSCC, DSJ et al !

A Peter Fawcett, Sheffield, Yorkshire