People have said the same about browser engines, that it's impossible to start and new one and catch up due to the unfathomable number of man hours invested. But it's happing, Ladybird browser is making incredible progress. With modern tools, the learnings from older engines and the lack of entering debt it's possible for a small team to build things on par or better than 30yo software.
I have no doubt that a small dedicated team could build a new parametric kernel and CAD package, particularly one that's open source.
I have no doubt that a small dedicated team could build a new parametric kernel and CAD package, particularly one that's open source.