The '37 Ford is probably the best example of what you refer to. I'm sure it's mostly due to changing tastes, but I do believe the '37 began to gain respect in the early '70's when a guy named Orv Elgie built a sedan delivery. His workmanship and eye for detail, along with a good sense of taste in color and stance, got people's attention. He and that car got a lot of ink, most of it expressing surprise about the transformation of a previously labeled "ugly duckling". He didn't have to do anything wild, just detail, detail, detail, that the discerning eye could admire.

Personally I like the '38 standard better with the upper grille strakes sweeping back along the length of the hood sides, but apparently I'm in a minority. I've been a fan of art deco for a long time, even before it's recent re-emergance.

When you put the word "prime" in there, you just about eliminated anything else. As time, and vehicle availability, has evolved, more "off" brands have gotten attention. The "bullet" Studebakers of the late '40's are probably the best example. One guy does a really good job, lot's of pictures are taken, and others are inspired. But the peak for these was probably about 6-8 years ago. Similarly other unusual rides have mini-splashes like prostreet Metropolitans, and rodded late '50's Rambler Americans. After that there are any number of four door sedans and various "orphans" that get the treatment from time to time, but no major trends shaping up.

How's this? Since the market keeps moving up in years (muscle cars from the late '60's are showing the most strength right now) maybe we'll see stuff from the '70's start to catch on soon. I can see it now! Dave Brisco (see, he's the "right" age, is an artist, and is a bit twisted ) comes rumbling into the fair grounds with his totally tweaked AMC Pacer!!!!!!!! The crowd goes wild!!!!!!! Cameras are clicking, flashes are blinding, pretty girls swooning all around!!!!!!! It's an amazing car that transcends all ages and tastes!!!!!!!!! It appears on the cover of nearly every magazine (okay, maybe not the tuners )!!!!!!!!!!! Within a couple years Pacers are all the rage. They become so popular that fiberglass replicas hit the market. Then of course you'll have a whole contingent of the usual "nut cases" who decry anything popular, and an "I hate Pacers" website grows. It COULD happen, right?