Model T Ford (1908-1927)
helped put the world on wheels and create the American suburbs. When Henry Ford doubled his workers daily wage to $5.00 (in 1913), it meant the people who built the cars could also afford to buy them. A social revolution. Remarkably, some have called it a lemon.
The Dozen Most Important Cars of All Time
Chevrolet (1955)
In the 1940s Chevvies were something your grandma drove. But in 1955 the General Motors division launched an all new car — the costliest model was dubbed the Bel Air — that was a revelation. Not only did it offer the now legendary small block V8 engine — effectively still in production —its styling, particularly on its Ferrari-like grill, was so wonderful that it was copied for years.
In the 1940s Chevvies were something your grandma drove. But in 1955 the General Motors division launched an all new car — the costliest model was dubbed the Bel Air — that was a revelation. Not only did it offer the now legendary small block V8 engine — effectively still in production —its styling, particularly on its Ferrari-like grill, was so wonderful that it was copied for years.
Toyota Corolla (1966-present)
The best selling car of all time (across nine generations of models), the Corolla first came to the U.S. in 1968 and did much to overcome Japan's reputation for producing cars of poor quality. Through the years, they have proved sturdy, economical and efficient; they are, however, as boring as all hell.
The best selling car of all time (across nine generations of models), the Corolla first came to the U.S. in 1968 and did much to overcome Japan's reputation for producing cars of poor quality. Through the years, they have proved sturdy, economical and efficient; they are, however, as boring as all hell.
British Motor Corporation Mini (1959-2000)
First car in the world to lie the engine across the vehicle rather than longitudinally. Revolutionary design proved that cars could get smaller —and still be hot. Its technical layout was copied by everybody and is still basically used in today's small cars. Ten feet long with 10 inch wheels, it handled like a dream.
First car in the world to lie the engine across the vehicle rather than longitudinally. Revolutionary design proved that cars could get smaller —and still be hot. Its technical layout was copied by everybody and is still basically used in today's small cars. Ten feet long with 10 inch wheels, it handled like a dream.
Plymouth Voyager (1984-2000)
Renault claims that its Espace was the first minivan but it had hinged doors and every soccer mom in the U.S. knows that a proper minivan has sliding doors. And so the honor goes to the Plymouth Voyager, (later the Chrysler Voyager), with the gratitude of overworked parents worldwide as they ferry their kids from school to playdate to grandma's and back home again.
Renault claims that its Espace was the first minivan but it had hinged doors and every soccer mom in the U.S. knows that a proper minivan has sliding doors. And so the honor goes to the Plymouth Voyager, (later the Chrysler Voyager), with the gratitude of overworked parents worldwide as they ferry their kids from school to playdate to grandma's and back home again.
The Sport Utility Vehicle (1990s-present)
Be it a Jeep Cherokee or a Ford Explorer or supersized to a Humvee, the SUV, whose ancestors were military jeeps, soon became the voracious and luxurious symbol of middle-class and boomer excess in throughout the 1990s — and, by the turn of the century, a potent enemy of the green people once the global warming alarms started going off.
Be it a Jeep Cherokee or a Ford Explorer or supersized to a Humvee, the SUV, whose ancestors were military jeeps, soon became the voracious and luxurious symbol of middle-class and boomer excess in throughout the 1990s — and, by the turn of the century, a potent enemy of the green people once the global warming alarms started going off.
Tata's Nano (2008)
Launched in January 2008, India's "people's car", as it is already dubbed, is intended to put motoring within reach of Asia's masses. At $2,500 it's hard to see it how it won't sell, but even if it doesn't it will become the poster car for a new, stripped back style of engineering — glue instead of welds! — that could change the world.
Launched in January 2008, India's "people's car", as it is already dubbed, is intended to put motoring within reach of Asia's masses. At $2,500 it's hard to see it how it won't sell, but even if it doesn't it will become the poster car for a new, stripped back style of engineering — glue instead of welds! — that could change the world.