Cars That Drove Us Through The Century
In the last 100 years, we saw cars go from rare unicorns to household staples, redesigning urban landscapes and completely reshaping the way we live. For many, the car has become a symbol of freedom, innovation, and identity. However, while some automobiles are quickly forgotten, others have become true icons, defining eras and being etched into our collective consciousness. From the old-timey luxury to cutting-edge EVs, here are the 20 most unforgettable cars of the last century.
1. Ford Model T - 1920s
The Model T Ford was the world's first mass-produced motor vehicle, making the car a normal fixture in an average American family. It transformed American society and infrastructure.
2. Volkswagen Beetle - 1930s
The VW Beetle is iconic for its instantly recognizable design. It was the world's best-selling car for many years and became the symbol of the 1960s counterculture movement. It had its origins in pre-WWII Germany but had an incredible rebirth after the war.
3. Mercedes-Benz 500K - 1930s
A symbol of refinement Mercedes-Benz 500 was the quintessential automobile for the world's wealthiest people. With its striking art deco styling and surprising power for a car of its time, it was the pinnacle of pre-war luxury vehicles.
4. Willys Jeep - 1940s
As the whole world was fixated on the global conflict, there wasn't a whole lot going on in the world of civilian automobile production in the 1940s. The Willys Jeep was the vehicle of Allied forces that inspired a whole new type of civilian vehicle, the SUV.
5. Land Rover - 1950s
The first and second generations of Land Rovers were symbols of adventure. It was designed as a utility vehicle for farmers, explorers, and the military and defined what a 4x4 should be.
6. Chevrolet Corvette - 1950s
One of the original American muscle cars, the Corvette holds an iconic place in automotive history. It was the US's response to the sleek European sports cars of the era like the MG and Jaguar XK120. It was featured in shows like Route 66 and photographed with celebrities like Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe, making it a cultural icon of the 1950s.
7. Porsche 911 - 1960s
The Porsche 911 continues to be one of the most sought-after luxury sports cars on the road, but it all started with its debut in 1964. Its distinct aesthetic featuring round headlights and a sloping roof gave it instant appeal, and its powerful engine and lightweight design made it a formidable road racing competitor as well.
8. Jaguar E-Type - 1960s
Perhaps the most beloved car of the 1960s, Enzo Ferrari famously called it "the most beautiful car ever made." Its status in pop culture was solidified when it was featured in the James Bond film Casino Royale. Steve McQueen and Brigitte Bardot famously owned one.
9. Pontiac Firebird Trans Am - 1970s
The Trans Am is an enduring symbol of American muscle and performance. Its huge V8 engine packed 330 horsepower and featured a dual exhaust system that created that iconic aggressive sound. It was famously driven by Burt Reynolds in the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit.
Jeremy from Sydney, Australia on Wikimedia
10. Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS - 1970s
The Ferrari 308 was first unveiled in 1975 as a replacement for the Dino 246. It offered amazing performance coupled with luxury and style, inspired by Ferrari's Formula 1 designs. It became an instant icon and one of the most famous cars in the world after being featured in the hit TV show Magnum P.I.
11. DeLorean DMC - 1980s
No car screams the 1980s quite like the DeLorean DMC. It was so infamously horrible that it put DeLorean out of business, but its transformation into a time machine in Back to the Future made it legendary.
12. BMW E30 M3 - 1980s
The BMW E30 M3 is one of the most iconic BMWs ever made. It was designed first and foremost for motorsport and then tweaked for the street. Today, it's one of the most sought-after classic cars, coveted for its agile driving experience, performance, and racing heritage.
13. Mazda MX-5 Miata - 1990s
The Mazda Miata was introduced in 1989 as a back-to-basics, lightweight sportscar inspired by such British classics as the MG and Lotus Elan. Known for its cute design and agility, it remains today one of the most beloved sports cars ever made.
14. McLaren F1 - 1990s
The McLaren F1 is one of the most legendary supercars of the decade and for many, the greatest road car ever made. McLaren borrowed from Formula 1 technology to create a pure, unfiltered driving experience that literally and figuratively put the driver in the center.
Sam Pearce-Warrilow on Unsplash
15. Toyota Corolla - 2000s
Given the sheer popularity of this car, it couldn't be left off our list of iconic vehicles. The early 2000s model is famous for its bulletproof reliability, with models regularly running over 300,000 miles with only basic maintenance. In the 2000s, it became the best-selling car in history, surpassing the VW Beetle.
16. Toyota Prius - 2000s
Hybrids of all shapes and sizes are now a normal fixture on the road, but the hybrid revolution all started with the Prius. It wasn't the sexiest car, but as the first mass-produced hybrid, it was a trailblazer and cultural icon.
17. Tesla Roadster - 2010s
The Tesla Roadster kicked things up a notch by being the first mass-produced fully electric vehicle. Not only did it not require gasoline, but it was fast and desirable, making it the most significant car of the 2010s and completely changing the conversation around EVs.
18. Porsche 918 Spyder - 2010s
The Porsche 918 Spyder was a trailblazer for hypercars because it was one of the first to use hybrid technology to enhance performance. With a top speed of 214 miles per hour and a 0 to 60 time of 2.2 seconds, it was faster than almost any other car on the road. Its incredible performance changed the nature of motorsport.
19. Tesla Cybertruck - 2020s
Perhaps one of the most divisive cars of the era, the Cybertruck's radical design along with the company's controversial leader make it a symbol of disruption. Whether you like it or not, it's undeniably iconic, instant meme and pop culture reference material.
20. Hyundai Ioniq 5 - 2020s
The Ioniq 5 is one of the biggest wins for EVs yet. It's undeniably sleek and stylish, functional, and affordable. It's won multiple "Car of the Year" awards for its groundbreaking performance and design.
