Even though the American car industry produced massive and powerful V8 cars, compact models were always a part of the automotive landscape. Compact cars started being imported in the 1950s, but by the 1960s, American companies began producing compact models. For years, American compacts battled European and Japanese cars in this segment with more or less success. Here are the 10 US-made compact vehicles that made history.
1. AMC Gremlin
Introduced on April 1, 1970, the AMC Gremlin looked like an April Fool’s joke. The competitors laughed at its compact dimensions, funny rear end, and diminutive engines, but very soon, AMC was the one smiling all the way to the bank. The Gremlin proved to be a sales success and the first American subcompact car.
When the car was introduced, it was received with mixed reviews, but it soon became quite popular, especially with the younger audience. In fact, in a decade of platform shoes, The Eagles, and shag carpets, Gremlin became one of the symbols of the generation and a very influential model, which inspired all other American manufacturers to offer small, economy cars.
2. Chevrolet Citation X-11
Although Chevrolet had several compacts before the Citation X-11, this one is critically acclaimed for its unusual performance and handling. The Chevrolet Citation X-11 is an exciting car. It is a compact front-wheel-drive hatchback produced from 1980 to 1985, but it had a somewhat powerful V6 engine and muscle car looks. It would be best to describe this car as a fine line between an American hot hatch and a late-model muscle car, since it features aspects of both segments.
The Citation was a modern model that Chevrolet needed to compete with import models, and it came in a wide range of flavors. The X-11 featured a 2.8-liter V6 engine and 135 hp. Although it doesn’t sound much today, it was solid power for the time, and the X-11 had a few more tricks up its sleeve, such as sports-tuned suspension, sharper steering, and better brakes.
3. Ford Pinto
In the seventies, domestic car manufacturers answered the changing market climate and rising popularity of compact cars with several homegrown models. One of those cars was the Ford Pinto, which didn’t become famous because it sold in millions. It became famous because it was downright dangerous and notoriously bad! Introduced in the early ’70s, the Pinto was very popular due to its low price, fairly nice design, and a long list of options. It was equipped with economical four and six-cylinder engines, and the car’s overall quality was decent. So, what was the problem?
While engineering the car, Ford somehow removed any protection for its rear-mounted fuel tank. The fuel tank was below the trunk and behind the rear bumper. On most cars, a strong cross member protects the fuel tank in case of a crash. However, the Pinto lacked this feature, which became apparent when people started getting killed in fiery crashes caused by leaking fuel tanks. Families of people killed or hurt in such incidents sued Ford, and eventually, the company spent millions settling the court cases.
4. Dodge Omni
Back in 1977, the American car industry was rapidly changing. The decade of fuel shortages, tightening emissions, safety standards, and import cars claiming a big percentage of the US market was about to end. Domestic manufacturers were forced to adapt to the new conditions, and gone were the big and thirsty V8-powered cruisers of the ’50s and ’60s.
The new models were front-wheel drive, small, with four-cylinder engines and far better fuel economy. Dodge Omni was exactly that, a popular compact model that was the right car for the late ’70s and the changing economic climate. Or was it? In the 13 years it spent on the market, Dodge sold over 3 million examples of this compact and practical car with bad steering and potentially dangerous road holding.
5. Chevrolet Vega
By the late ’60s, Chevrolet experienced a lot of negative publicity and problems regarding its compact car program and the Corvair model. The production of the Corvair ended in 1969, but much before that date, Chevy started working on a next-generation small car that would be more conventional but better in every aspect. So, in late 1970, a brand new Chevrolet Vega was introduced as a 1971 model.
The Vega was a compact but modernly styled model with three basic body styles—a two-door coupe, a two-door sedan, and a practical three-door wagon. The front end resembled the design of the 1971 Camaro, with a similar grille, headlights, and bumper. However, the most interesting detail was the engine, a 2.3-liter four-cylinder available in two power levels, 90 and 110 HP (for 1970). Both units had lightweight construction and decent performance for their size and class.
6. Plymouth Valiant
The legendary Plymouth Valiant was one of the best and most interesting classic American compact cars. It was introduced in 1960 and began developing in early 1957 after Chrysler realized it needed a small model to compete with the VW Beetle or American Motors Rambler. The company invested much time and money into a new project, which was interesting.
Under the hood was the Slant Six engine, which was new for 1960 and later became one of the most durable engines Chrysler has ever built. The Valiant nameplate stayed in production until the late ’70s, but the first generation sold between 1960 and 1962 remained the best and the most sought after, not only for its design and appearance but also for its excellent driving characteristics.
7. Studebaker Lark
The Studebaker car company was one of the biggest car companies in America. As an independent manufacturer, Studebaker wasn’t part of GM, Mopar, or Ford but a sole player on the automotive scene. For decades, Studebaker was a popular economy car choice, but after the Second World War, things started to change. The company’s popularity started to fade, and eventually, the “Stude” was forced to close its doors in 1966.
But before that, the company produced two interesting models. One is the Avanti, a futuristic-looking coupe with big ambitions; the other is the Lark, a compact economy model with cute styling, a wide range of body styles, and engines. Today, the Lark is forgotten as a model, but not only was it one of the first compact cars from a domestic car company, but it was also one of the most successful cars for a little while. The Lark was built from 1959 to 1966 in three generations. Most cars featured straight-six engines, but V8 power was also available.
8. Dodge Neon SRT-4
Nobody ever considered the Neon SRT-4 a high-speed car, but the little Neon can top 153 mph when driven flat out. Introduced in 2003, the Neon SRT4 was one of the best and cheapest performance cars in America at the time.
The compact, inexpensive, and boring Neon was turned into a pocket rocket with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 230 HP, which propelled Neon to a 5.4-second 0 to 60 mph time and a top speed high enough to get featured on our list.
9. Chevrolet Cavalier Z24
Although the Cavalier Z24’s performance stats are nothing compared to modern cars, back in the late ’80s, this was a pretty hot car in the compact class. It was available as a coupe or convertible, and if you opt for the Z24 package, you would get a 2.8-liter V6 engine with a whopping 125 HP on tap. This meant that the Cavalier Z24 was one of the fastest compact cars and could even challenge the mighty Camaro in a stop-light drag race.
The design was also reminiscent of a Camaro of the same vintage, and the Cavalier Z24 proved to be popular among high school kids who couldn’t afford the Camaro Z28 or a similar performance machine.
10. Chrysler PT Cruiser
Even though the PT Cruiser was a substandard model in terms of power and technology, it was an immensely successful model, although very, very ugly. It managed to sell 1.35 million examples in 10 years. It was probably Chrysler’s last big sales hit. The PT Cruiser’s appeal was its faux-retro design, affordable price, and wannabe excellent image of the custom car from the past.
Under the hood, there was nothing special, and the PT Cruiser shared many mechanicals and engines with the Chrysler/Plymouth Neon. This meant that the PT Cruiser could have been more engaging to drive. Never, however, was it an exciting and quirky little retro-futuristic car.