Making a Lasting Impact...
Throughout the decades, several American-made vehicles have managed to become major influences in the motor industry. Some had instant impacts, while the long-term effects from others are still being felt today. So on that note, we're going to take a closer look at a selection of those cars right here. You're sure to recognize a few of them, folks!
Tucker 48
A true pioneer from the past, the Tucker 48 brought some really exciting features to the table. For instance, the middle headlight was connected to the steering wheel, so it turned with the car. How cool is that?! Its rear-wheel drive configuration was also influential. Most American motors didn't use it at the time.
Oldsmobile Futuramic 98 Convertible
When the Oldsmobile 98 entered its third-generation, motorists were introduced to one of the coolest cars of that period. Dubbed the Futuramic 98, this vehicle boasted an incredibly stylish futuristic design. It was so slick! And it ultimately influenced the look of other cars going forward in the post-war era.
Duesenberg Model J
For a car that's nearly 100 years old, the Duesenberg Model J still looks pretty great! This beautiful motor was a pioneer when it came to luxury vehicles in the late-1920s. Its overall look proved to be hugely influential, while it pushed the boundaries of what was possible under the hood, too.
Chevrolet Suburban
While many car nameplates have fallen by the wayside over the years, the same can't be said for the Chevrolet Suburban. It's been with us since 1935, making it the longest-used nameplate in the world. That's some run! The Suburban has also played a vital role in the development of the full-size SUV.
Buick GNX
Equipped with a turbocharged V6 engine that could reach 300 horsepower, the Buick GNX was an absolute beast of a car. It showed what those engines were really capable of, while opening the door for other high-performance motors of a similar stature, too. The GNX made quite the impact.
Auburn Speedster
One of the finest cars of the 1930s, the Auburn Speedster is just as eye-catching today as it was back then. It's a stunner! This gorgeous motor proved to be hugely influential, with vehicles such as the Buick Riviera and the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray mirroring its iconic design.
Chevrolet Camaro 1LE
Compared to most of the other cars on this list, the Chevrolet Camaro 1LE is still in diapers! It first rolled out in 2017. But don't let that fool you — this vehicle made quite an impact. It was a great motor to drive, offering race-track quality to those behind the wheel. And at under $45,000, you didn't have to pay through the nose to own one.
Shelby Mustang GT350
Another stunner from the past, the Shelby Mustang GT350 was an incredibly important vehicle. It essentially redefined Mustang's image on the performance-front. This motor joined the sports car market and became hugely influential as the years progressed. Talk about leaving a mark, right?
Pontiac GTO
Is the Pontiac GTO one of the most influential cars in American history? It's certainly in the running! This vehicle played a massive role in the rise of the muscle car during the 1960s. It was an engineering marvel for its time, prompting other brands to put out their own efforts in a bid to compete.
Willys MB
The Willys MB got a lot of use by the American military. It was called upon during World War II and the Korean War, as soldiers took advantage of its off-road capabilities. Soon after, a commercial model based on the Willys MB hit the market — otherwise known as the Jeep. And the rest is history!
Ford F-150
If you're reeling off a list of the most influential American-made vehicles, you can't forget about the Ford F-150. This motor has helped shape the look of trucks everywhere since it first entered the scene in 1975. And it's been one of the best-selling vehicles in America for decades.
Chevy Bolt
At a time when electric vehicles weren't that affordable, the Chevy Bolt looked to change the game. And it succeeded! Boasting a price of roughly $32,000, and a range of 238 miles on a single charge, the Bolt was a great entry point for families eyeing EVs. It made electric cars much more popular.
Ford Model T
If nothing else, the Ford Model T is probably the most important car ever created. It was one of the first mass-produced vehicles sold at an affordable price — much to the delight of the middle-class! And its influence is still felt today. That's some legacy.
Buick Riviera
The Buick Riviera made its debut back in 1963. And boy, did it leave an impression. The first-generation boasted a design that ultimately influenced the luxury car market going forward. They were gorgeous motors! The Riviera went on to enjoy a 36-year run before bowing out in 1999.
Packard Clipper
A stunning vehicle from the 1940s, the Packard Clipper is still easy on the eyes today. It's a gorgeous motor to look at. And it had a major influence on the design trends of other cars in the post-war era. So yes, the Clipper was an innovator!
Chevrolet Impala
Is the Chevrolet Impala an important figure in America's automobile history? You bet! It was massively influential following its release in the late-1950s, enjoying great success. 1965 was a particularly strong year — it became the first model to score more than a million sales in North America over a 12 month period.
Chrysler Minivans
Who do you thank for making the minivan body style popular in America? Well, say hello to the Chrysler Minivans. These vehicles, which included the Plymouth Voyager and the Dodge Caravan, changed the landscape of the market. Their success went on to prompt other brands and manufacturers to create minivan models of their own.
Chevrolet Corvette L88
Equipped with a V8 engine that could reach a jaw-dropping 560 horsepower, the Chevrolet Corvette L88 was an absolute monster. No other Corvette from that time could touch it. Long-term, it proved to be hugely influential for the model, as the likes of the ZL1 followed in its footsteps.
Lincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental enjoyed an 80-year production run that only ended back in 2020. In that time, it had a major influence on the American car market. For instance, the Continentals of the early 1960s inspired the likes of Imperial and Cadillac to adopt similar designs for their vehicles.
Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
A vehicle that just oozed luxury, the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham was a real game-changer for its time. No other car could match its luxurious features. This motor also influenced the design of later Cadillac models. Its legacy can't be denied, folks!
Ford GT
While the Ford GT is one of the youngest cars on this list, its look is modeled on an older classic. Yes, the 2005 motor aimed to mirror the iconic GT40. And boy did it deliver. The GT's success kicked off a retro design craze in the industry.
Chevrolet Bel Air
How can you not love the Chevrolet Bel Air? It's an undeniable classic! The '50s models in particular were very influential for their time. They helped define that decade, while also inspiring the look of other cars going forward.
Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler
The Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler was a very innovative vehicle. It was a pickup truck with SUV characteristics. Folks didn't take it to at first, but now the Scrambler is fondly remembered for what it tried to do. It eventually inspired the creation of the Jeep Gladiator.
Oldsmobile ‘Rocket’ 88
To call the Oldsmobile ‘Rocket’ 88 influential seems like a bit of an understatement. Why's that? Well, it's widely seen as the first muscle car ever created. It paved the way for so many vehicles that are now viewed as classics themselves.
Ford Torino
How's this for an enduring legacy? The Ford Torino managed to leave its mark on both the NASCAR circuit and the muscle car market. It inspired the looks of many other motors. On top of that, it became a pop culture icon thanks to its use in Starsky & Hutch, too.
Cadillac Coupe DeVille
The Cadillac Coupe DeVille made its debut at the back-end of the 1950s — and motorists quickly took to it. This car was incredibly stylish, influencing the designs of other vehicles in the following years. The tail fins were particularly noteworthy. You couldn't miss them!
Dodge Viper
The Dodge Viper was more than a pretty face, folks. This beast of a motor helped revive the American-made sports car market thanks to its incredible performance. Other U.S. manufacturers looked to follow its lead. Talk about a cool legacy, right?
Tesla Model S
Another car that helped EVs find a wider audience, the Tesla Model S is quite the vehicle. Its range is close to 400 miles on a single charge. Impressive, right? Historically, the Model S is also one of the best-selling electric motors to hit the market.
GMC Syclone
While it was only around for a year, the GMC Syclone still managed to make a massive impact on the American car industry. As a high-performance truck, it stood out from virtually every other model in 1991. But similar vehicles soon followed it. The Ram 1500 TRX and the Ford F-150 Lightning are just a couple of examples.
Ford Model 18
The Ford Model 18 made huge waves when it rolled out in 1932. No mass-produced vehicle from that time had included a V8 engine — until this one. The Model 18 opened the door for other cars to use their own V8s. And we haven't looked back since.
Through: Magnus Bäck