Reliving the Tiburon magic
4 minute read
Many things can bring back fond memories of yesteryear. It can be a song, a certain food, or even a particular smell. For three committed men, it’s the Hyundai Tiburon. But to relive the driving excitement of that era, they must first restore a vintage Tiburon to its original glory. Find out what happens when automotive expertise and nostalgia come together for one memorable ride.
This is the final article in a two-part series documenting the restoration from a challenging beginning to a fantastic finish.
I just knew I had to have it — it was that cool. Jang-hyuck Heo, Head of the Tiburon restoration project
An icon from the start
When the Tiburon burst onto the automotive market in 1996, it made considerable waves in Korea and beyond. As Hyundai’s first independently developed sportscar, the Tiburon inspired a generation of car enthusiasts, drivers, and those still too young to drive. Its standout design, highlighted by a sleek coupe-like silhouette and powerful Beta 2.0 engine, soon became a symbol of Korea’s emerging sportscar scene with a dedicated following.
During the restoration, the team was made aware of how much dedication, multi-disciplinary expertise, and passion went into creating the Tiburon. Designed entirely in-house and before the expansion of digital process streamlining tools, the Tiburon was a collaborative undertaking that brought together specialized teams from across the company. An array of top designers, engineers, modelers, and tooling experts all contributed to creating an entirely new vehicle. All steps and parts were repeatedly analyzed and meticulously crafted to reach the creator’s perfectionist ideals.
Tuners turn to Tiburon
With its striking design, the Tiburon played a significant role in expanding Korea’s car tuning culture. As a vehicle that spoke to a younger generation of drivers, Tiburon owners eagerly began customizing their cars to match their own style and performance specifications. This laid the groundwork for Korea’s flourishing customizing scene, whose creative approach mixes art with engineering to this day.
With the rise of customization, Tiburon owner clubs soon began to appear and network with each other. Drivers bonded over their shared enthusiasm for this special vehicle, exchanging tips, tricks, and stories. In this way, the Tiburon played a vital role in fostering a new era of Korean automotive culture.
We were all excited and nervous about the track. We had come too far not to succeed. Jang-hyuck Heo, Head of the Tiburon restoration project
Bonding while restoring
For Tiburon owner and project team lead Jang-hyuk Heo, restoring the nearly 30-year-old vehicle was an opportunity to bring together Senior Research Engineer Jee-yong Jung and former racecar driver and automotive columnist Byung-hui Kang. For all three, restoring the Tiburon back to its original state was a labor of love. Working as one highly motivated and dedicated team, they gradually restored the vehicle from the ground up while getting it ready for its ultimate test - the track.
Equipped with patience, determination, and an eye for detail, the three dedicated restorers took the Tiburon out of its Rapunzel-like sleep to awaken as a shiny, rebuilt gem ready for the road. It was given back its signature and quirky lemon color, with a fully restored engine, doors, interior components, and wheels. And while the men were thrilled and proud of the transformation, they were curious if all their hard work would pay off once it rolled out of the garage. For Jang-hyuk Heo, this was the crowing, make-or-break moment.
I was overcome with emotion – it was like reuniting with an old friend. Jang-hyuck Heo, Head of the Tiburon restoration project
Vintage Tiburon meets modern track
For the restoration team, it was finally time to see their baby perform and show that all the hard work and dedication paid off, just like watching a child take their first steps. But there was more at stake than just the vehicle’s performance, whether or not the restored Tiburon could recreate the exhilarating feelings it had conjured up so many years ago was still in question.
Jee-yong Jung was the first to get behind the wheel of the newly restored Tiburon and take it for a spin. From the moment he turned the ignition key until the last lap, the Tiburon demonstrated that it still had what it takes to thrill. Later, Jee-yong Jung remarked that the car’s performance felt just like it did years ago. He praised the familiar vibration and engine response of the 2.0 Beta engine, the sensation of shifting the gear lever, the engagement of the clutch, and the driving dynamics through each corner – all preserved as they were nearly 30 years ago.
The Tiburon is one of those cars that gets more spirited the faster you go. Byung-hui Kang, Automotive Columnist and Former Racecar Driver
Jang-hyuck Heo and Byung-hui Kang also took turns interacting with the restored Tiburon. Both expressed that the Tiburon evoked pure nostalgia, praising its well-balanced 150 horsepower, the joy of handling the 5-speed manual transmission, and the vibrant, responsive feel of the hydraulic power steering, which conveyed every subtle movement of the front wheels.
Kang also emphasized that unlike today’s cars, which are filled with electronic control systems, the Tiburon embodies the essence of a lightweight sports car, making driving increasingly enjoyable.
The legacy lives on
For the restoration team, returning a vintage Tiburon to its peak performance was the project of a lifetime. This comprehensive undertaking was not only a personal thrill for the team but also a way to honor Hyundai’s sports car heritage, with the Tiburon representing a significant milestone along the journey.
Times and technology have advanced greatly since 1996, and today, Hyundai offers a wide range of cutting-edge sportscars, paving the way toward the future of mobility. For the three restoration team members, the Tiburon was more than a car – it was a symbol of progress and hope. We at Hyundai are proud to build upon Tiburon’s lasting legacy.
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