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Forgotten Legends: Lesser-Known Corvettes That Will Blow Your Mind

Cameron Eittreim March 21, 2024

When you think of the Chevrolet Corvette, images of the quintessential American sports car come to mind. Since its debut in 1953, the Corvette has epitomized performance and innovation, becoming a symbol of speed, freedom, and engineering prowess. However, beyond the well-known models lies a treasure trove of Corvettes that have quietly made their mark on automotive history. The Corvette is unlike anything else that’s ever been on the road and it’s cultivated a following of loyal fans who collect and race these beautiful cars year after year.

While models like the Z06 are the most common and well-known examples of the Corvette, the lesser-known models, and prototypes represent technological advancements and designs that have contributed significantly to the Corvette’s legacy. In this article, we’ll explore the forgotten Vettes that will blow your mind. Each gave its own unique story and contribution to the Corvette lineage. From experimental engines to lightweight designs, each added something truly special about the history of the Corvette.

1953 Corvette EX-122

1953 Chevrolet Corvette 1 Jpeg Press F60ijz
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If the EX-122 model of the Corvette doesn’t sound familiar, it’s because this wasn’t even a production Corvette. The “EX-122” was the concept car that later became the Corvette. It was a first-of-its-kind sports car that birthed an entire segment of automobiles. Before the EX-122, there wasn’t anything fun to drive on the market and GM wanted to sell a dedicated two-seater (via Corvette Story).

1953 Chevrolet Corvette 1536x864
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The EX-122 was notable for its fiberglass body, a novel material choice at the time that allowed for more flexible design options and reduced weight. Most other cars on the roadways were steel bricks, and the Corvette was light and nimble. While there were initial safety concerns about the design of the car, those soon wore off as more people got behind the wheel of it.

1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Stingray

1969 Chevrolet Corvette L 88 L88
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The Stingray is the Corvette that completely changed the game. The L88 Stingray was a performance car with an attitude and was meant to invigorate the Corvette lineup. The L88 Stingray was one of the fastest Corvette models at the time, a true muscle car instead of a cruiser like the average Corvette models from the period (via Top Speed).

1969 L88 Corvette
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The L88 in the name of this model refers to the special edition V8 engine under the hood. That’s the engine code for those of you who don’t know. The suspension was also beefed up for racing and the wheels were also unique to this model. All in all, this was a beast of a  Corvette model that burned rubber on command.

1955 Chevrolet Corvette V-8

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The Corvette V-8 was the one that you wanted if you were a true Corvette aficionado. This was the car that completely revolutionized the sports car segment. Before the V-8 there hadn’t been a car that had this much power crammed into such a lightweight package (via Motor 1).

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This was indeed the original Corvette. The C1 had a powerful 4.3-liter V-8 engine that produced 195 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. These numbers were exhilarating back in the ’50s and put the Corvette on the map. From the day that the first cherry red model hit the dealership lot. the car industry got a whole lot more fun.

1957 Chevrolet Corvette Fuel Injected

Jay Leno 1957 Chevrolet Corvette 3
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Although you might think that fuel injection is a recent technology, it was being developed way back in the 1950s. The fuel-injection technology was termed the “RamJet” system and it introduced a whole new level of performance to the Corvette line. The beautiful styling of the car was unlike anything else that was on the road at the time. The fuel-injected engine option was capable of producing 283 horsepower from a 283 cubic inch (4.6L) V8 engine (via Hot Cars).

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The fuel-injected Corvette had all of the beauty of the other models and continued with the excellent reputation of the car. From the interior to the exterior every inch of the car was excellent, and it still looks great today. The four-speed manual transmission and heavy-duty racing suspension made this Corvette feel like a thrilling ride every time you got behind the wheel of it. This is still one of the most highly sought-after Corvette models on the road.

Corvette Z06 1963

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The Z06 was the birth of a legend for Chevrolet. The car was the epitome of performance and substance with the Corvette line, and it took things to the next level. Whether you wanted to bury the accelerator or just take off down a twisty road, the Z06 was the car to do it in. The Z06 package included a specialized suspension setup with special shocks and springs, a different setup than a lot of vehicles that came from the factory at the time (via Hot Cars).

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The 1963 Corvette Z06 was used by some of the most notable racing teams and drivers of the era. The 327 cubic inch (5.4L) V8 engine was at one point one of the best engines that came out of a GM plant. It was a game-changer of a car that innovated the sports car segment tremendously.

1988 Chevrolet Corvette Callaway Sledgehammer

1988 Callaway Sledgehammercorvette 0 1536
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Callaway has built some of the most amazing sports car upgrades in automotive history. There was one in particular that came out in the 1980s, the Corvette Callaway Sledgehammer. The Sledgehammer was built on the lackluster platform that was the C4 and took it to the next level. The styling of this Corvette was a lot more modern-looking than the standard model at the time and the performance was a lot better too (via Top Speed).

1988 Callaway Sledgehammer ZR1 Corvette
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Two of the most notable features of the Callaway Corvette are the unique louvers on the sides of the car and the quad exhaust pipes coming out the back. This Corvette recorded a top speed of 254.76 mph, which at the time was one of the fastest speeds on record. If you wanted a C4 Corvette, this was the model that you wanted to own at the time.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Split Window

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The split-window Corvette is routinely considered one of the most beautiful cars on the road. This particular Corvette was designed by Larry Shinoda, one of GM’s most prolific designers at the time. The sleek design of the Corvette was only magnified by the fact that it was an extremely rare model. It was only manufactured for the single year of 1963 and there wasn’t a split window model after it (via Top Speed).

1963 Z06 Corvette Thompson 6
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There was also a Z06 performance package that was an option during this model year, increasing the rarity of the car dramatically. The excellent build quality and the performance of the split window cemented it in automotive history. The split-window Corvette is by far one of the most impressive Corvette models that has been released in the history of the nameplate.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

Corvette Grand Sport Via The Drive
Corvette Grand Sport Via The Drive

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One thing about the Corvette is the fact that the car is known for its performance, and not just that, it’s revered. The Corvette innovated and added an entirely new segment to the automotive industry. The Grand Sport project was the brainchild of Zora Arkus-Duntov, often referred to as the “Father of the Corvette”. The performance of the Grand Sport brought a whole new level of dynamic to the historic sport coupe (via Top Speed).

1963 Corvette
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This was a very limited version of the Corvette but back then it packed 550 horsepower, which was a massive amount of performance for the period. The Grand Sport took everything great about the 1963 Corvette and took it to another level. Very few Corvettes have been able to cultivate the type of reputation that the Grand Sport did.

1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL-1

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The Corvette ZL-1 was another special edition of the car that was released to much fanfare in the 1960s. The ZL-1 took performance even further thanks to the 585 horsepower output, which at the time was some of the best performance numbers for a sports car. The sleek styling of the ZL-1 made it a champion in the storied history of the Corvette (via Motor 1).

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The ZL-1 was by far one of the most notable sports cars that came out during this era. There were many special edition Corvettes that came out during this era but this was by far the fastest. With its beautiful styling and race car heritage, the ZL-1 was awesome, simply put.

1965 Chevrolet Corvette Manta Ray

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Did you ever think a fish could be a car? Probably not but the Corvette changed that with the quirky 1965 Manta Ray. The performance of the Manta Ray was the strong suit of the car. The 427 cubic-inch, all-aluminum V-8 was one of the best engines that GM ever built. The sleek lines of the Manta Ray are part of the reason that the car got its name (via Motor 1).

298137 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Mako Shark Ii Concept Supercar Muscle Hot Rod Rods
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The main difference with the Manta Ray was the exterior of it, it had a split grill and a lowered stance. When it came to choosing a special edition Corvette, you couldn’t go wrong with this fish-themed one. This was a unique and innovative version of the Corvette.

1961 Chevrolet Corvette Mako Shark

1961 Chevrolet Corvette Mako Shark I
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The Mako Shark was another rare Corvette model that hit the market and once again the shark theme was in full effect. Sleek styling was always a strong suit of the Corvette but the Mako Shark concept to it to another level. This Corvette was every bit the curvy rocket-themed sports car of the 1960s era, and the design captivated people who were intrigued by the concept (via Motor 1).

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The Mako Shark was the epiphany of Corvette’s concept car design, and it kept the model fresh. Of course this sleek-looking road shark wasn’t just a tool of design either, it also performed very well. This particular Corvette model wasn’t put into production but there were more than a few of them that were sold at auction. The special edition Corvettes that continued to come after this one only helped to innovate even more.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette C2 RPO Z06

1963 Corvette Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Owned By Mickey Thompson Photo By Mecum Auctions 100775549
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The original Z06 concept car was created by Zora Arkus Duntov and it was internally named the (Regular Production Option). The thing that truly separated this Corvette from the rest of the pack was the 372 L84, fuel-injected engine that was under the hood. The amount of power and performance that this Corvette had over the standard production model was awe-inspiring (via Top Speed).

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The RPO Z06 proved to be a very popular option and thus became one of the rarest examples of a Corvette. The power and performance that you got coupled with the attractive styling was enough to win just about any driver over. There were only 199 examples of this Corvette that were ever produced which made it one of the rarest models on the road.

1973 Chevrolet Corvette Baldwin Motion Mako Shark

1969 Baldwinmotion Corvettephaseiiigt1
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If you thought that the Mako Shark that we covered earlier in the article was a lot, check this one out. The Baldwin Motion Mako Shark added to the mystique of the model and transformed the exterior. The 5.7-liter Chevy 350 V-8 pumped out a massive 475 horsepower, which at the time was a great improvement considering all of the emissions regulations that were stuffed into the car (via Top Speed).

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Only three examples of this model were ever built making it rarer than the rest of them. But if you happen to get your hands on one of these Coke bottle beauties, the styling and the performance were exceptional. This was during a trying time in the Corvette lineup and the fact that there were these interesting concepts only shows the viability of the brand.

2003 Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06

2003 C5 Z06 Corvette Coupe Supercharged Huber 005
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The C5 Z06 was the birth of the modern Corvette supercar as we know it. This car was every bit faster than just about anything that came before it and the modern performance was only matched by its beautiful styling. The C5 Z06 was a car unlike anything else on the road at the time and was built on the stellar C5 platform, which was at the peak of popularity at the time (via Top Speed).

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Under the hood of the car was the powerful 405 HP LS1 engine, and it was coupled with an updated suspension to handle twists and turns with ease. The Z06 was by all accounts a street-legal track car and it got rave reviews. If you were able to snag one of these in the beautiful yellow color, you knew that you were in for something special with this car.

1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1

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At one point in the ’90s, this was considered the fastest production Corvette of all time. The ZR-1 was the epitome of speed at the time and had a host of new technology under the hood as well. GM put together a track car that also had the speed behind it and thus the ZR-1 was born. With a new sleek body and a host of upgrades this car was every bit the track beast that GM wanted to sell (via Top Speed).

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The ZR-1 reached a top speed of 179 MPH, which at the time was one of the most impressive numbers to come out of a production sports car. The sleek body shape and the powerful engine helped propel the car with authority, reaching a type of performance that hadn’t been seen in a Corvette model years prior. The car was every bit the excellent riding sports car that everyone hoped for.

Home Cars Driving Forces: Classic Cars That Shaped Today’s Auto Landscape
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Driving Forces: Classic Cars That Shaped Today’s Auto Landscape

Vukasin Herbez March 13, 2024

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The modern car industry is an exciting place. The most recent and significant change has been the introduction of electric vehicles, which will change the automotive landscape forever. However, even though battery-powered cars will change the mechanical aspect entirely, they still follow the forms and vehicle classes introduced decades ago.

That raises the question of what cars influenced the industry and what cars shaped the automotive world we live in today. Check out the most influential cars and models that helped shape the automobile world as we know it today.

Jeep Willys

Willys M38 Jeep 7
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Off-road vehicles were born out of necessity and the legendary Jeep Willys is the best example. Conceived just before World War II as a light military vehicle capable of going over any terrain,  it was durable enough to withstand bullets and explosions and able to survive harsh conditions. It turned out to be one of the weapons that won the biggest war in history. Production on the original Jeep started in 1942 as the US entered the war. It ended in 1946 after more than 600,000 examples were built and exported to all parts of the world. Also called Willys MB or Ford GPW, it was a simple machine yet incredibly tough and dependable (via Jeep).

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It was powered by a miniature 2.2-liter four-cylinder with 60 hp and used a simple four-wheel drive layout, an innovative concept for the 1940s. Despite being a military vehicle, the Jeep proved its worth after the war as an efficient machine that could be equipped to do numerous things. The unique concept of a rugged, compact, and extremely capable off-road machine evolved into the Jeep brand, the biggest producer of off-road vehicles and SUVs.

Austin Mini

1967 Austin Mini Cooper
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American car enthusiasts know Mini for its 21st-century modern iteration from BMW after the German brand bought Rover in the ’90s. But the Mini’s story dates back to 1959 and it’s a very interesting one. Even though the British car industry is full of expensive and limited-production models, the Mini proved to be the most influential and timeless car. The reason for such praise is that the Mini is an immensely capable little car that influenced every car maker since (via ARO Online).

Mini Cooper Se 48
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When it was first introduced in the late ’50s, the Mini featured an unusual concept of the transversely mounted engine with front-wheel drive. That was something no one had in those days. Fast forward 60 years and all front-wheel drive compact cars in the world have the same layout as the Mini. On the other hand, the Mini was the champion of usability since it was tiny from the outside but could seat five people on the inside. Even though it had just 34 hp from the factory, this little car won some of the world’s most prestigious races such as the Rally Monte Carlo thanks to its low weight, front-wheel drive agility, and precise handling.

Ford Model T

1926 Ford Model T Dr S Coupe
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There aren’t enough words to describe the importance of the Ford Model T to automotive history and car culture since it was the car that singlehandedly created the car world in 1908. The Model T was the first truly mass-produced automobile, with over 15 million made until 1927. It motorized the world and laid the foundation of the modern car industry with assembly plants in foreign countries and other continents (via Ford).

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Also, the Ford Model T was the first car produced in numerous versions and designed to be easily transformed into a truck, agricultural machine, or even a military vehicle. It launched the Ford Motor Company to become the most prominent car manufacturer in the world at one point and spawned numerous models that copied the concept. When the Model T was introduced in 1908, the world was still using horse-drawn carriages. But by the time it was discontinued in 1927, the automobile age had started.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

1963 Z06 Corvette Thompson 6
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Ten years after the original Corvette was introduced, Chevrolet introduced the second generation in 1963. Since the Corvette was now an established sports car contender and a halo car for GM, lots of effort and money went into the research and development of the second generation. With a new platform, independent rear suspension, and a stunning new body, the 1963 Corvette was one of the best-looking cars of the ’60s. The Stingray marked the introduction of the Corvette as a world-class sports car. It put American performance on the map and established the legend of Chevrolet’s sports car for decades to come (via Motor Trend).

04 1963 Corvette C2 Z06 Fuel Injection Split Window Coupe Big Tank Cannizzo
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The Corvette Stingray got its name from GM’s 1961 Stingray concept and visual resemblance to a stingray. The Stingray was one of the most fascinating examples of the famed Googie design language with closed headlights, split rear windows, bulged fenders, and a round cabin.

Porsche 911

1973 Porsche 911 Turbo Right Side View
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The Porsche 911 is one of the most exciting models in car history and a success story that has lasted for more than 50 years. The Porsche 911 was developed using the Porsche 356 model, a sportier version of the modest Volkswagen Beetle. From the start, the 911 was a derivative of existing cars and a step in the evolution of the rear-engine automobile concept. However, engineers soon realized that the rear engine has disadvantages in weight balance, handling, and driving dynamics. Early models were scary to drive hard as you’d never know when the rear end would break loose (via Porsche).

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Porsche invested an unbelievable amount of time and effort in perfecting this model. Today, the 911 is the best overall sports car in the world, with over 1 million sold and a benchmark model in terms of performance and handling. This just goes to show that anything can be done if you put enough effort into it.

Tucker Torpedo

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One of the greatest greatest “what if” stories in automotive history is the saga of Preston Tucker and his brainchild, the Torpedo. There are numerous books and movies about this maverick entrepreneur and the conspiracy against him and his company. The Tucker Torpedo featured numerous innovations from safety glass to an engine in the back with lots of power and torque. The Tucker Torpedo was so advanced that the Big Three (Chrysler, Ford, and GM) were afraid that it would cripple their market share. So while Tucker prepared for full-scale production, the Big Three was ready to set him up with a lawsuit that would stop the production and sink the company (via Tucker Club).

Tucker Sedan 905
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Unfortunately, they managed to do that and Preston only built between 48 and 51 of his fantastic Tucker Torpedos. Today, almost all new cars feature some innovations that Tucker premiered in the late ’40s. Although Tucker didn’t have any effect on the market, this model remained one of the most advanced cars in the world and a faithful witness to the dark side of the car industry and big business.

Citroen DS

A Look Back At The Citroen Ds Arguably The Most Innovative Car Ever Built 3
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Imagine being transported back in the year 1955 to the Paris Auto Show. Many cars were on display but most were warmed-up pre-war designs with standard engine and drivetrain choices and nothing really interesting. All of a sudden, Citroen’s booth showed off a brand-new DS. It was a car with a self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension, front-wheel drive, an aluminum hood, and a plastic roof. For all visitors to the 1955 Paris Auto Show, the Citroen DS wasn’t just a car but a vision of the future (via CCC).

Auto Magazin Citroen Ds Istorija 06
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This was precisely what Citroen intended and the DS was designed to be the best and the most innovative car in the world. Customers accepted the futuristic model. By the end of the first day of the show, over 18,000 orders were placed for the new model. The DS was also sold in America, where it was considered a technical marvel, but it had only modest success in the market. Despite its basic design’s advantages, Citroen always needed help with underpowered four-cylinder engines and complicated mechanics, so US customers were reserved. However, in all other parts of the world, the DS was very well received and sold over 1.5 million copies before the production stopped in 1975.

Volkswagen Beetle

1967 Volkswagen Beetle Herbie The Love Bug
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Despite its dubious beginnings as a propaganda gimmick, the VW Beetle became the car of the Hippy movement and the best-selling vehicle in the world. In just a few decades, this little economy car went from having negative connections to WWII to transporting millions of peace-loving hippies to rock festivals (via Car and Driver).

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Production on the VW Beetle started in 1938 and ended in 2003, during which time over 22 million cars were made in 14 countries around the globe. The Beetle was the first global car in popularity, affordability, and presence. The Ford Model T motorized the world as the first globally popular automobile. But the VW Beetle improved the concept and became a car for classes that had only dreamed about owning a vehicle, especially in third-world countries in Africa and South America. With its unique technical layout, flat-four engine, and rear-wheel drive, the Beetle was a characteristic site on the roads. It is still one of the most durable and longest-lasting vehicles ever produced.

Jaguar E-Type

E Type Uk 1974 Jaguar E Type Rear
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The Jaguar E-Type was the first massively popular sports car before the Porsche 911. It was a design and engineering icon that has graced the roads since 1961 and still looks as attractive as ever. Introduced in 1961, the E-Type was a sensation on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Despite Jaguar’s long-lasting tradition of building fine sports cars, the E-Type was years ahead of its time with a superb design, four-wheel disk brakes, independent rear suspension, and powerful straight six engines. It was derived from the Le Mans-winning C and D Type racers and was as fast as any Ferrari or Maserati at the time. But the best thing was the price. The E-Type had the looks, power, and performance of a high-priced Italian exotics at a fraction of the price (via E-Type).

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It stayed in production for 15 years until 1976 and sold over 74,000 copies, most of them here in the USA. Today, Jaguar has the F-Type sports coupe, a modern interpretation of the classic E-Type design form. It is a modern car that captures the essence of this legendary model.

Ford Mustang

Mustang Mki 1964 Images 1 E1649288377820
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The love affair between car enthusiasts and the Mustang lasted for over 50 years. Ever since the first Mustang was unveiled in April 1964, people around the world can’t get enough of Detroit’s favorite pony car. Over the years, Ford has produced over nine million Mustangs, making it one of the most successful nameplates in company history and the car industry. The secret of the Mustang’s appeal was to mix performance with V8 engine rumble, add a touch of luxury and good looks, and pack it in an affordable package with a long list of options (via Ford).

1967 Ford S Code 390 Mustang Convertible Dsc08642 2 72319.jpg
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Of course, the image and legend have been integral to the Mustang’s appeal since day one. The first Mustang was so successful that it started a new class of cars known as pony cars and entered the history books as one of the best first-year sales of all time. Over the years, the Mustang became an automotive symbol of America and one of its finest and most respected products worldwide.

Datsun 240Z

Datsun 240z Photo 5159 S Original
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The Datsun 240Z was the first highly successful Japanese sports car on the American market. The legend is still highly desirable today. The 240Z was a proper sports model with a bigger engine and more performance than anything from Japan in those days. Critics say it was a copy of several European designs. But the 240Z won the buyers and created its segment. Introduced in America in 1970, the 240Z was a perfect car for the times. The muscle car craze had started to wind down and safety regulations killed domestic performance cars. So people were looking for alternatives that could provide similar driving excitement with better handling and cheaper prices (via Car and Driver).

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The European models were too expensive, and Datsun 240Z was the right car for the moment. The early models had 150 hp from a 2.4-liter six-cylinder, which was more than enough for lively performance. Over the years, Datsun improved the original model with more significant engines (2.6 and 2.8-liter units) and several restyles. The demand was always fantastic, and when this first series of Z cars was discontinued in 1978, Datsun made over 300,000 examples, making it one of the most successful sports cars in history.

BMW 02 Series “Neue Klasse”

BMW 2002
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In the early ’60s, it seemed like the end of the road for BMW. The creditors and shareholders wanted the factory closed and assets sold, but buyers didn’t find the products interesting enough. However, famous German industrialist Herbert Quandt knew that BMW had a lot of potential. So, in the early ’60s, he bought the company, paid its debts, and invested heavily in a new lineup called Neue Klasse, or New Class. Introduced in 1962, the Neue Klasse consisted of performance-oriented, affordable, and cleverly designed sedans that put BMW back on its feet. The most popular was the E10, commonly known as the 02 Series (via BMW2002).

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Introduced in 1966, this elegant two-door sedan offered unmatched handling and lively performance at an affordable price. It became a market hit in Europe and the United States. At first, it started as a 1.6L-powered car, but with the addition of a two-liter engine, the 2002 became the quintessential enthusiast’s car and the basis for the upcoming 3 Series, the most popular BMW model to this day. This little car marked the rebirth of BMW as a brand and as a definition of a compact and sport-oriented driver’s sedan. It was the first true modern BMW that featured powerful engines, precision steering, and engaging handling, making it to driving enthusiasts all over the world.

Land Rover Defender

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Lots of car enthusiasts tend to write off British cars as quirky, rust-prone, and problematic. To be honest, some of them are like that. However, several examples of British cars are durable, dependable, and legendary in their ruggedness. One of those machines is the Land Rover Defender (via Land Rover).

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Introduced in 1948, the Land Rover was a simple but effective off-road vehicle along with the Jeep Willys, the segment’s pioneer. It was built out of necessity and needed for a capable vehicle that could be used for military and civilian purposes. Land Rover soon started exporting these cars worldwide, and millions of buyers found out how good it was. It had a rigid chassis, permanent all-wheel drive, decent power, and an all-alloy body, which made it light and extremely good on rough terrain. The production of the Defender stopped in 2016 after 68 years. Over time, this model changed the design and the names, but it never changed the original concept and character.  You’ll be amazed to find out that over 70% of all Land Rovers built are still on the roads all over the planet. That says a lot about the quality of British cars.

Ford F-Series Trucks

1956 Ford F 100 Three Quarter.jpg Copy
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Pickups are the backbone of the global economy, especially for small and medium-sized businesses that would be lost without this practical and usable way of transport. Pickups are the only car class that endured a full century with very little departure from their original concepts. Of course, pickup trucks have grown in size and power and can carry more than ever, but the basic idea and design have been the same (via AutoWeek).

Velocity F 100 Hero (1)
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Among the dozens of models produced in this country, there is one nameplate that has been a symbol of quality and tradition for over 80 years: the Ford F-Series truck. The F-Series is the definitive US pickup, produced in 13 generations in over 35 million examples. Over the years, it has evolved from a rugged workhorse into a lifestyle model. It even morphed into a performance vehicle with the Lightning and Raptor versions. However, it is still the best-selling US vehicle of all time and a piece of Americana on four wheels.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1

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In the mid-’70s, Volkswagen was getting ready to introduce a whole line of new models, including the Polo, Golf, and Passat as it desperately tried to shed its dull image of the VW Beetle. Their new cars all featured modern design and engineering. They attempted to gain some attention from the motoring world by producing a performance model. So, in 1975, VW presented the GTI version. The Golf GTI featured a three-door hatchback body style, sporty details, and a 1.6-liter fuel-injected four-cylinder engine with 110 to 115 hp (via Top Gear).

Volkswagen Golf Gti 3 Door 1
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With a 0 to 60 time of nine seconds, the GTI was an immediate hit with buyers, especially in the late ’70s when performance levels were very low due to tightening regulations. In America, the VW Golf GTI could outrun mid-spec Camaros or Mustangs, which made it one of the best performance cars you could buy. The popularity of the GTI influenced other manufacturers, who even coined the term “hot hatch.”

Jeep Wagoneer

1987 91 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 4a
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Today’s SUVs are bloated sedans with little or no off-road performance even though they look like big off-roaders and have lots of space and luxuries. On the other hand, the Jeep Wagoneer looked like a big off-roader, was quite luxurious for its era, and offered respectable off-road skills. All that made the Wagoneer the ultimate vintage luxury off-road vehicle. The fact that it was produced from 1963 to 1991 with just a few tweaks is valid proof of its quality (via Motor Trend).

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At first, the Wagoneer was available as a two or four-door SUV or a two-door panel truck. As the model progressed, it became available with more features including those wooden side panels. An interesting fact about the Wagoneer is that a compass was available as standard equipment, proving that this wasn’t meant for the streets but rather a luxurious land barge for navigating ranches, fields, and mountain trails. This was the first proper SUV and granddad of all modern SUVs.

Chrysler Town & Country Minivan

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Chrysler was practically done in the late ’70s and early ’80s. The enormous losses, poor sales, and lack of new models pushed the brand to the point of no return. When famous ex-Ford executive Lee Iacocca came to Chrysler in the late ’70s, everyone thought there wasn’t anything he could do to save the fallen giant. However, Iacocca proved them wrong and returned Chrysler to the top position in the industry in a few short years. The primary weapon was a new line of minivan models under Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth names. Today, minivans are a common sight on the streets of America, but in the early ’80s, the concept of the minivan was nonexistent (via AutoEvolution).

2022 Chrysler Pacifica Passenger Minivan Hybrid Pinnacle Fq Oem 1 1600
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Iacocca strongly insisted that Chrysler invested in the production of front-wheel drive people carriers with as much space and comfort inside but with compact dimensions overall. The first such model was Chrysler Town & Country, the right car for the times and the world’s first mass-produced minivan. The model established the minivan class and became the first Chrysler sales hit in decades. It was a perfect car for suburban America, replacing big, thirsty station wagons and preceding the SUV craze of today. The Town & Country proved very influential and revolutionary and stayed in production until today.

Tesla Model S

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The Model S isn’t the first car that Tesla produced but it is by far the most popular and influential globally. It is the first fully electric sedan produced in significant numbers and singlehandedly created the electric car market. Introduced in 2012, Tesla Model S production has passed 200,000 examples, making it the most successful and advanced electric vehicle in the world (via Tesla).

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The Model S is known for its pioneering construction, unusual features, and top-line performance. A controversial vehicle when it was released, the Model S is the symbol of progress and forward thinking. One of its most important features is its AWD system, which differs from gasoline-powered competitors. Tesla’s AWD consists of four electric motors that independently power each wheel and are controlled by a highly advanced system for perfect traction and road holding.

Chevrolet Corvette C8 E-Ray

2024 Chevrolet Corvette E Ray
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The 2024 Corvette C8 E-Ray is the first all-wheel-drive Corvette and the first American sports car with a hybrid powertrain. It is a cross between the standard C8 and an electric sports car with a 6.2-liter V8 in the back paired with an electric motor that powers the front wheels and helps with acceleration (via Chevrolet).

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Of course, with an overall weight of almost 4,000 pounds, the C8 E-Ray is heavy. But it must be since it features additional components and a battery pack between the seats. It also features a wider track, a different design, and many specific E-Ray options that distinguish this model from the rest of the C8 Corvette range. Chevrolet claims that 0 to 60 mph is achievable in 2.5 seconds and that E-Ray has driving dynamics equal to or better than the C8 Z06. However, despite it being very advanced, this is a Corvette with a base price of over $100.000, which is another controversial aspect of it.

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