Ultimately "form" has followed "form following function". I think I just made myself dizzy.
Dizzy or not, I think you've more or less hit the nail on the head!
In design speak, this basing of modern designs on previous iconic shapes, (originally developed for utilitarian use on the "form follows function" principle and also partially because that was the most applicable and easy form to manufacture) is often referred to as: "genetic markers of the past"
Jeep have used this design principle in there new models (that 7 bar grille has been a primary marker since day one) as have LR who have outwardly stated that the D3 was styled the way it is, to be reminiscent of the S1, S2 and S3 range. They incorporated large, flat, vertical planes and bold surfaces that give the vehicle that boxy look of the past.
Perhaps the most successful vehicle that uses the iconic form is Porsche.
In my mind they have modernised and updated year in and year out, a shape that is true to the original Porsche design!
If the designers (read "janitors") at AT were as successful as the Porsche team at their job, then I'm sure the Pinzgauer II would have looked fantastic!
