Retro making a comeback

Products we love … again

The revamped Commodore 64 begins shipping soon. We look back at that retro wonder and other products, from toys and clothes to cars, that are so old, they're new again.


Commodore 64

The beige 8-bit computer that plugged into your TV became the best-selling PC after its 1982 debut. Now it's back with a new name  to the joy of retro-loving geeks everywhere. Find out when you can get one.

 

Prices: Then | Now Photos: Then | Now Commercials: Then | Now

 

Bell-bottoms

Only sailors wore the extra-wide-legged trousers  until hippies discovered them in the 1970s. Now they're popping up on runways again.

 

Photos: Then | Now Commercials: Then | Now

 

Absinthe

The anise-flavored spirit first became popular with 20th-century French artists and made a comeback in the United States after a ban was lifted in 2007.

 

Prices: Then | Now Photos: Then | Now Commercials: Then | Now

 

Acid-wash jeans

Big-haired girls pulled on their acid-wash jeans in the '80s. Today, they're popular with the female celebrity crowd. 

 

Prices: Then | Now  Photos: Then | Now Jeans commercials: Then | Now

 

Pepsi Throwback

The soda was invented in 1898 and the company switched to using high-fructose corn syrup in the '80s.  Now soft-drink fans want real sugar again.

 

Prices: Then | Now  Photos: Then | Now Commercials: Then | Now

 

Retro Doritos

The original taco-flavored Doritos were introduced in 1967, and the company brought back a slightly different version last year. 

 

Photos: Then | Now Commercials: Then | Now

 

Easy-Bake Oven

Little girls have been asking for the toy oven since the 1960s. In spite of a recall, an updated version is still popular today.

 

Prices: Then | Now  Photos: Then | Now Commercials: Then | Now

 

Volkswagen Beetle

The classic German car first came to America in 1949. It got a makeover in 1998, and now fans are getting their first glimpse of the 2012 model.

 

Prices: Then | Now  Photos: Then | Now Commercials: Then | Now

 

Polaroid camera

The instant-film camera exceeded $1 billion in sales, but the company eventually filed for bankruptcy. In 2008, a group of die-hard fans bought the last Polaroid factory and continue producing film for the iconic cameras.

 

Prices: Then | Now  Photos: Then | Now Commercials: Then | Now

 

Vinyl records

The 12-inch 33 1/3 rpm  records as we know them became popular in the 1950s. Today, rock music fans' love of vinyl is keeping record stores in business.

 

Prices: Then | Now  Photos: Then | Now Commercials: Then | Now

 

High-top sneakers

Chuck Taylor's All-Stars started the trend in 1917  and 1980s NBA players kept it alive. Now, some of the biggest names in fashion are jumping on the bandwagon.

 

Prices: Then | Now  hotos: Then | Now Commercials: Then | Now

 

Pinball machines

The modern pinball machine remained popular until the 1980s.Now, after a single company produced machines for years, a new name is joining the game.

 

Prices: Then | Now  Photos: Then | Now Commercials: Then | Now

 

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