Lol, Vanilla no 1 ice cream flavor by far the chocolate.
Before getting into the classic vs nouvelle designs, I dont have a problem with new, updated design types. Look at my avatar, it's a Shishkov, and while it's classic, it's not a slave. Same with my jr by him, it's a jr, but it's not a replica, it's his own work within the context of wood n wires.
Gibson had the original Talbo design in the 50's along with a bunch of other non selling styles. Vs, Firebird, Exploreres and this Talbo design was never made.
You bring up cars, and that's a great analogy, except cars, even though more and more similar as time passes, have become more reliable and less expensive. My 2014 Honda Civic SI handles amazingly well, is a commuter perfecto car and reliable. Brakes changed once with 97,500 miles, maybe with reg maintenance and tires spending around 1K a year, which is $3.00 a day plus gas. That is reliable!
A guitar is a luxury item at the level of Tokai and therefore prone to more fickle consumers. I like em cause they are great and reasonable. I see Luis's Joe Walsh Model for $2,500.00 and I say, that's reasonable considering the workmanship, design and compared to Les Pauls from Gibson, a great deal.
I don't like Parker Flys either, who wants that look? Not me. Same with the Talbo, it's just not my cup o joe and I don't think better marketing would get mind or market share. The Flying V and Explorers would not be here if it were not for Cheap Trick, Hamer, Gruhns... no one liked em!! Now they are royalty. I always love those style guitars, they speak to me, big space aged defenders of the galaxy!!! The Talbo looks to be a pond lilly, maybe good for someone more
Feminine than me but not my taste.