Home Cars The 25 Best-Looking Cars Detroit Has Ever Produced

Cars

The 25 Best-Looking Cars Detroit Has Ever Produced

Cameron Eittreim January 21, 2022

As it stands, automakers like Toyota and Honda have risen to industry dominance. But the car industry still owes its original success to domestic automakers from Detroit. General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler have all had their fair share of successes and disappointments. There’s no denying that Detroit has produced some of the most beautiful cars on the road.

Cars like the Chevrolet Corvette and the Ford Mustang are a few of the gorgeous cars worth mentioning. Detroit brought us innovation that was unmatched in any other industry. The Pontiac GTO was evidence of that when it birthed the muscle car era and the Mustang did the same thing for the Pony car segment. Although Detroit has fallen to the wayside in recent years, drivers will never deny the beauty and innovation that came out in Michigan. We looked back at the 25 most beautiful vehicles that came out of Detroit.

25: 1961 Lincoln Continental

Lincoln often doesn’t get the credit it deserves for being a groundbreaking part of the automotive industry. American luxury was a major selling feature for Detroit automakers and Lincoln as a brand was at the forefront. At this point in Lincoln’s lifespan, it was at the pinnacle of luxury and refinement. The Continental was a beautiful car with a convertible top and suicide doors to match (via How Stuff Works).

There was no other car around that incorporated that much of an unconventional design, which became one of the most appealing things about the Continental. Coupled with the unique design, the performance wasn’t lacking either. Lincolns were powerful vehicles and the amount of luxury that drivers got refined the automotive landscape. The Continental was a groundbreaking car and one of the most beautiful early examples of luxury.

NEXT >>

24: 1955 Ford Thunderbird

It is no surprise here that the Thunderbird was one of the most beautiful vehicles Ford ever built. Looking back to the first generation of the Thunderbird, the car was gorgeous to look at. With swooping lines and lots of style, the Thunderbird was in a class of its own. Around the time the Thunderbird became a reality, the convertible became more popular (via Hemmings).

Consumers loved the feeling of riding down the road with the top down. In coastal areas, the convertible was more popular than ever. The Thunderbird wasn’t marketed as a sports car but instead as a luxury convertible with style. There are few cars that have as iconic a look as the 1955 Thunderbird.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

23: 1965 Ford Mustang

The original Ford Mustang completely changed what it meant to drive a car. Before the Mustang, for the most part, cars were big and heavy. Ford introduced what was dubbed a “pony” car and the rest was history. The Mustang was lightweight, powered by a V8 engine, and immensely stylish. This very car started a revolution in the automotive industry and pushed GM to design the Camaro (via Mustang Specs).

If the Mustang hadn’t broken so many barriers, drivers may not have ever gotten the excellent pony cars that came out of GM. The Camaro was in many ways a car was a direct correlation to the Mustang. Ford introduced many new features in the Mustang and a whole new generation embraced the lightweight sports car. The 1965 Ford Mustang is still one of the most beautiful muscle cars ever built.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

22: 1986 Ford Taurus

Now, by today’s standards, a 1986 Taurus is not the sharpest car. But there was a time when this was the first aerodynamic family sedan and the design was groundbreaking. The Taurus is highly regarded as the car that saved Ford in the 1980s. The car was affordable and offered a comfortable ride. Families flocked to the wagon version. Ford tweaked the design of the Taurus over the years but it was the original model that saved them (via Curbside Classic).

Very few cars have managed to cultivate the reputation the original Taurus had. The car was a groundbreaking success in every sense of imagination. From the front-wheel-drive design to the sloping lines, the Taurus was a major success story for Ford. The car is still a popular and well-regarded model even after 30 years.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

21: Chevrolet Impala

Released in 1958, the Impala is one of the best-selling passenger cars of all time. The Impala nameplate has been in production for decades. Admittedly, the last two decades haven’t been the greatest for the brand. But there was a time when the Impala was the pinnacle of automotive design. The Impala has long been the face of the Chevrolet sedan lineup and there have been multiple incarnations of the model line (via Motor Cities).

1961 Chevrolet Impala SS — Photo Credit: Lowrider

In recent years, the 1995 Impala SS introduced a resurgence to the brand while the mid-2000s models were bland. The modern Impala has fallen out of favor as the crossover vehicle becomes the new normal. But looking back in history, the Impala was one of the most iconic and beautiful cars GM ever built.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

20: Pontiac GTO

If the Mustang pioneered the pony car segment, then the GTO pioneered the muscle car world. When John DeLorean set out his plans to create the Pontiac GTO, he had to cut through a lot of red tape. The top brass at GM didn’t see the logic in creating a car that was like the GTO. So DeLorean made the GTO a trim package on an existing car and the rest is history (via Hagerty).

The GTO redefined what a muscle car should look and drive like and buyers clamored for these vehicles. The styling of the GTO completely changed what car fans expected in a muscle car and that was a great revolution. With the GTO came a plethora of other muscle cars including the Chevelle and the Cutlass. The muscle car era is widely considered one of the best times for domestic carmakers and the GTO was responsible for that.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

19: Chevrolet Cameo Pickup

Pickup trucks are some of the most expensive vehicles on the road these days but that wasn’t always the case. As is the tradition for GM, there have been many specialty pickup trucks built over the years. The Cameo pickup was one of these. Its journey was unique in several aspects. The fleet-side design of the Cameo pickup truck made it a beautiful truck to look at (via Cameo).

Although pickup trucks weren’t a status symbol at this time, the Cameo was the first to introduce a strong amount of style. Before the Cameo, most pickup trucks were utilitarian vehicles geared toward farm work. The Cameo is without a doubt one of the most unique pickup trucks to ever have a Chevy badge on it.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

18: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

The Stingray is highly regarded in automotive design, so much so that Detroit has modeled other cars after it. The most obvious thing about the Stingray was its beautiful curves in the design. The split rear windows are another obvious sign of a Stingray. At the time, the Stingray was a revolution in design and modern appearance (via Motor Biscuit).

Automakers have long struggled to replicate the unique styling of the Stingray. When the Corvette hit the market, it was already one of the most beautiful cars on the road. But when it came time to redesign the brand, GM took things to the next level with the Stingray. There are very few cars on the road that are as highly regarded as the Stingray.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

17: Cadillac V16

Although the brand has fallen into obscurity in recent years, there was a time when Cadillac was the pinnacle of American luxury. A case in point was the Cadillac V16. This beautiful luxury car hit the market at a time when automobiles were still fairly new. But the folks at Cadillac knew that there was a portion of consumers who wanted more in their vehicles. Taking a look at the Cadillac V16, drivers know that it’s something special (via Motor Trend).

Under the hood is also special thanks to the signature V16 engine. As time went on, Cadillac would adopt a smaller engine pattern. But the V16 at the time was one of the most advanced and luxurious vehicles on the road. Between the styling and the unique performance of the car, the V16 was unmatched in terms of automotive design.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

1970 Oldsmobile Toronado — Photo Credit: Oldsmobile

16: Oldsmobile Toronado

Although the brand is a relic by today’s standards, there was a time when Oldsmobile was at the forefront of auto technology. Oldsmobile was the first automotive brand to introduce seatbelts and the airbag that’s common today. With that rise in technology came a car that was far more advanced than anything else on the road. The Toronado was a beautiful sports car that took safety to the next level (via Muscle Car Club).

Although the Cutlass is the most popular Oldsmobile model and one that you’ll see more often, the Toronado is also a special piece of history. Just take a look at the design and you’ll be able to tell that the Toronado is a special piece of machinery. There are few cars on the road that look as good as the Toronado, even by today’s standards.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

15: 1976 Cadillac Eldorado

It goes without saying that the Eldorado was once one of the most beautiful cars on the road. The 1976 model was especially unique because it was the last year of the 500 C.I.D. V8 engine. After this year, fuel prices were getting too much, and consumers flocked toward more fuel-efficient vehicles. Cadillac had to work on downsizing their vehicles, and unfortunately, the Eldorado was at the front of the line (via Car Story).

Nevertheless, the 1976 model should be noted for its beautiful styling and breakneck performance. There aren’t many full-size luxury cars that can boast the same performance numbers as the 1976 Eldorado. Of course, this car is big, luxurious, and stylish but that shouldn’t cloud the performance either.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

14: Pontiac Trans Am Special Edition

Although GM redesigned many of their vehicles due to the fuel crisis of the 1970s, Pontiac still presented a unique special edition. The second generation F-Bodies were very different from the generation that came prior. The Trans Am was cultivating a new market niche, and the special edition model did it well. Featured in the movie ‘Smokey and the Bandit,’ the Trans Am Special Edition had a flaming bird painted on the hood (via Hemmings).

That was paired with the shaker hood and the distinct black and gold paint job. By all accounts, this generation of the Trans Am is the most memorable and popular. GM put a lot of effort into the design of this car and it helped differentiate it from the Camaro. If there was ever a beautiful pony car that came out of Detroit, the second generation Trans Am is one of them.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

13: Chevrolet “Tri-Five”

There are more than a few beautiful Chevrolet models that have come and went over the years. But in the hot rod world, there is only one that reigns supreme, and that is the Chevrolet “Tri-Five”. Go to car meet and you’ll see a line of these things. The Tri-Five was the first car to popularize the hot rod era. The distinct fins on each end of the rear made the car a unique ride (via Auto Evolution).

The V8 engine was among the best GM had ever produced. The interior was a vast departure from what else had been on the road at the time. There was a lot of chrome and vinyl, and everything connected together to make a reasonable driving experience. The Tri-Five is by far one of the most beautiful Chevrolets ever.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

12: Cadillac CTS-V

In the 2000s, Detroit was making a change and GM was at the forefront of that change. The company was repositioning the Cadillac brand with a complete overhaul. The design language was Art & Science and the Cadillac models were distinctly different. The CTS-V was a huge departure for the Cadillac brand. The beautifully-sculpted sedan had something even more special under the hood (via The Drive).

The CTS-V was powered by the same engine and transmission that you’d find in a Corvette. This was the first Cadillac model with a six-speed manual transmission. The CTS-V is a notable car still popular today. GM has released many different incarnations of the CTS-V but the design language has stayed the same.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

11: Buick Riviera

Much like Oldsmobile, Buick was also an important brand for GM in the ’60s. The muscle car era changed a lot for the automotive industry. A new generation of consumers wanted to buy cars that were fun to drive. The Riviera was both fun and luxurious simultaneously, which was a nice departure from the standard muscle car fare. Buick buyers wanted something that was a bit more comfortable and had some power features (via Car Gurus).

The Riviera of course was that car, and it did the job well. The vinyl interior of the Riviera was luxurious and all options were power. Step back outside and the car’s style would take your breath away. Beautiful curves and many unique paint jobs made the Riviera a fun and unique ride.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

10: GMC Syclone

Another aspect that arose during the 1990s was the rise of performance pickup trucks. GM started things off with the 454 SS, and then many models followed suit. The GMC Syclone was at the top of this list. The slick styling of the Syclone was a vast departure from the run-of-the-mill GMC Sonoma model on the market. The performance was also a lot better with the Syclone being the fastest vehicle on the road for a few years (via Edmunds).

Nowadays, these trucks are synonymous with quality and design, and you’ll seldom find one for a cheap price. GM didn’t cut any corners when it came to this beautiful truck and that made their enthusiasts satisfied. Nowadays, the Syclone is still one of the most popular used GM trucks on the road.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

9: GM Typhoon

If the recipe for success was created with the Syclone, GM would repeat the process with the Typhoon. The unique styling of the Typhoon was carried over from the Syclone, but this time it was as a performance SUV model. GM took the standard Jimmy design and added some pizzazz to it with a new paint scheme and a more powerful turbocharged engine. The Typhoon is by far one of the most beautiful trucks to come out of the 1990s (via Car & Driver).

GMC Syclone - GMC Typhoon — Photo Credit: Hot Rod

The styling is unique and one of the reasons this was such a popular vehicle. You’ll seldom see one on the road anymore because most were snatched up by collectors. But if you’ve ever wondered where the performance SUV originated from, it was partly from the Typhoon. Without the Typhoon, there would be no SRT Jeep Grand Cherokee, and many other performance SUV models.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

8: Chevrolet El Camino

Chevrolet has released many unique cars over the years but it was the El Camino that took things to the next level. Originally released to compete with the Ford Ranchero, the El Camino took everything good about a truck and combined it with a car. The concept was unique, and something that automakers domestically still haven’t adapted. This sport of sport truck had a functional truck bed, but was limited to a single cab configuration (via Car & Driver).

Still, if you needed something comfortable to go to the hardware store, the El Camino was a perfect vehicle. It wasn’t as rough or as heavy as the pickup trucks were at the time and the design was stylish. There was even an “SS” model, which shared its platform with the Chevelle and has become quite the collector’s item.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

7: 1990 Corvette ZR1

We already know that the C4 Corvette is one of the most beautiful Corvette models ever hit the market. But the 1990 ZR1 took things to another level with a unique paint scheme and many design touches. This was the generation of the Corvette that introduced the world to the digital dashboard. Among the other unique design touches were the T-Top removable glass panes and the spoiler on the hatch (via Barnfinds).

The Corvette line has advanced quite a bit over the years and was pioneered by unique design and speed. The C4 is often the most underrated generation of the Corvette, but it was by far one of the most beautiful and unique generations. Chevrolet would advance the Corvette line quite a bit over time, and the C4 was the first of these new advances, including fuel injection.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

6: Plymouth Prowler

In the mid-’90s, Chrysler was trying to reposition the Plymouth brand as a trendy and unique option for buyers. At the forefront of this move was the radically unique Prowler sports car. Designed to look like a hot rod, the roadster was and still is one of the most striking vehicles on the road. The problem was that the Prowler was built using a lot of parts out of the Chrysler corporate parts bin, which meant it wasn’t unique (via Road & Track).

The engine was the same one you’d find in your mother’s Dodge Intrepid and this left a bad taste in the mouths of consumers. So the Prowler and the Plymouth brand were quietly retired in 2001, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the Prowler is one of the most beautiful cars ever released in Detroit.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

5: Chevrolet SS

Released in the 2000s after the Pontiac brand was disbanded, the SS was based on the outgoing Pontiac G8 sport sedan. The styling of the Chevy SS can be construed as one of the most beautiful sedans that GM ever released. The SS was considered a sleeper in many aspects because drivers never expected what was under the hood. But this is actually one of the most powerful sport sedans money can buy (via Motor Trend).

The Corvette derived engine was a major selling feature, although GM discontinued it because consumers are moving away from V8 powered vehicles. Still, if you’re in the market for one of the most unique GM vehicles ever produced, then the Chevrolet SS should be at the top of your list.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

4: Chevrolet SSR

What was essentially a modern day El Camino, the SSR was a sports car and a truck fused together. The unique 1960s styling of the thing made it look different than anything else on the road at the time. This was more of a halo project for GM to get more people into the showrooms, but still the SSR is indeed a beautiful car that had the performance behind it to match (via The Truth About Cars).

The Corvette-derived V8 engine gave the SSR a serious amount of performance. The truck bed wasn’t very usable and that caused frustration for many consumers. One big problem was the tonneau cover on the bed of the truck. Other than that, the SSR was a unique sport truck that took a classic design and made it better.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

3: Dodge Viper

No one expected Dodge to come out with a supercar in the 1990s but it did. The Viper was a huge departure from what else was on the road. The styling was wide, fast and mean. The engine was one of the fastest enginesin the auto world. The Viper was the first production vehicle to eclipse the 400 HP mark from a domestic automaker. The stripped-down design of the Viper showed that the car meant business (via Top Gear).

This wasn’t a luxury car, but instead a high performance sports car. Looking at the Viper when it first came out was like looking at a dedicated track car. It didn’t have roll-down windows, no air bag, and no air conditioning. From a style standpoint, the Viper was one of the most beautiful vehicles ever built and Dodge perfected the design over a decade.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

2: Chrysler Crossfire

The Crossfire gets a lot of flack for the way it looked and its Mercedes-Benz undercarriage, but this was still a beautiful sports car. Released in the 2000s, Chrysler decided it needed a high-end sports car. The platform was shared with the outgoing Mercedes-Benz SLK, so the Crossfire had a premium feeling. Unique features like the spoiler that came up after 40 MPH made the car stand out (via Repair Pal).

Unfortunately, the Crossfire never sold well and was discontinued in 2008. However, there was also a rare SRT version of the Crossfire, which is a blast to drive. There are few sports cars that have come and gone over the years and the Crossfire is one of the most unique. Its styling was beautiful and highly underrated.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

1: Chrysler 300C

If there was a car that revived the entire Chrysler brand, it was the 300C. The beautiful sedan did something everyone else was scared to do in the 2000s. Chrysler went with an unconventional boxy design and the car ended up becoming a hit. One of the reasons for this was that it came with a Hemi V8 engine. The 300C was a modern V8 sedan that took inspiration from a Mercedes (via Car & Driver).

The SRT-8 edition of the 300C continued this tradition with a radical departure from any other Chrysler model that had come before it. The 300C became a cultural phenomenon, with music artists featured in thousands of music videos over the years. There’s also a vast enthusiast community and hundreds of aftermarket accessories that have been made for this car over the years.

<< Previous

The 25 Best-Looking Cars Detroit Has Ever Produced

25: 1961 Lincoln Continental

24: 1955 Ford Thunderbird

23: 1965 Ford Mustang

22: 1986 Ford Taurus

21: Chevrolet Impala

20: Pontiac GTO

19: Chevrolet Cameo Pickup

18: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

17: Cadillac V16

16: Oldsmobile Toronado

15: 1976 Cadillac Eldorado

14: Pontiac Trans Am Special Edition

13: Chevrolet “Tri-Five”

12: Cadillac CTS-V

11: Buick Riviera

10: GMC Syclone

9: GM Typhoon

8: Chevrolet El Camino

7: 1990 Corvette ZR1

6: Plymouth Prowler

5: Chevrolet SS

4: Chevrolet SSR

3: Dodge Viper

2: Chrysler Crossfire

1: Chrysler 300C

POPULAR