A Classic Pontiac Firebird on a Parking Lot

Introducing the Most Iconic Cars of All Time

July 27th, 2023

10 minutes

Summary

Cars come in all shapes and sizes, but some have grabbed the public’s attention over the years. Cars have been around now for many years, and for many, they’ve become more than simply a way of getting from place A to place B. They’ve become a passion, a hobby, and even a way to showcase a person’s personality.

From the very first automobile in the 1800s, right up to the present day, there have been thousands of models released to the general public. However, there are really only a few that have stood the test of time and become known as the most iconic cars of all time.

If you consider yourself a connoisseur of iconic automobiles, see if you agree with our selection of the world’s most iconic cars.

The most iconic car of the 1910s: Ford Model T

The Ford Model T was produced from 1908 to 1928 by the Ford Motor Company. It was the first car to be mass-produced and for American families at that time, it was available at an affordable price.

Henry Ford was able to make it an affordable choice by using an assembly line to manufacture the cars quickly. In terms of American travel, the Model T was revolutionary and meant more people could travel by vehicle.

It might not look like it, but the Model T was designed to be easy to drive. More than 15 million Model T’s were built and this record wasn’t broken until many decades later, by Volkswagen in 1971.

The most iconic car of the 1920s: Ford Model A

Ford didn't stop with its production of iconic vehicles and in the 1920s, the Ford Model A was introduced to replace the Model T. It was in production between 1928 and 1931. Around the same time, Ford competitors were adapting the Ford mass production system to their own needs and offering models superior to the Model T. The Model A was the answer.

The Model A was an upgrade and was available in a wide variety of styles. It was also the first Ford to use controls we’re more familiar with today. For example, it has a clutch, brakes, throttle, gear shift, and steering wheel.

The most iconic car of the 1930s: Cadillac V-16

Lavish lifestyles and luxuries found themselves on the back burner during the Great Depression (1929 - 1939), but that didn’t stop car manufacturers from innovating, making cars more powerful, comfortable, and convenient than before.

Cars manufactured during the 1930s had radios, heaters, automatic transmissions, and more powerful engines. They lost the buggy style and took on a sleeker look.

The Cadillac V-16 was a luxury vehicle built in 1930 before the Great Depression took hold. Only just over 4,000 were produced, and all were finished custom to order.

Today, Cadillac V-16s can sell for more than $500,000.

The most iconic cars of the 1940s: Willys Jeeps

Willys Jeeps were originally manufactured during World War II. The US War Department used the Willys jeep for transporting soldiers. A civilian model, the CJ (Civilian Jeep) was introduced in 1944 and it became the first mass-produced 4x4 vehicle made for the general public.

This model continued to be produced for many years with very few changes. In 1986, the CJ was replaced by the Jeep Wrangler.

The most iconic car of the 1950s: Chevrolet Corvette

It wasn’t until the early 1950s that sports cars really became popular in America. No American manufacturers made this style of car until Chevrolet introduced the Corvette in 1953.

The earliest Corvette models were unreliable and slow, but by 1955, models had excellent performance and it quickly became known as America’s Sports Car.

The Corvette is still produced today and over the years, the model has earned a variety of awards and even been driven by NASA astronauts. These cars have also been used for racing and selected as the Indianapolis 500 pace car 13 times.

Another iconic vehicle from the 50s is the 1957 Lotus Seven. Lotus made the Seven so simple that buyers could assemble one in their garage. It was also so light that it could be weighed with four bathroom scales.

Weight was critical because, in base form, the Seven had just 36 horsepower. Top-spec models only made 75 horses. The Seven had no doors and was designed for the joy of driving and not much else.

The most iconic car of the 1960s: Ford Mustang

The Mustang was introduced in 1964 and was Ford’s answer to the popular Chevy Corvette. During the first 3 years of production, 1.7 million Mustangs were sold, and it became Ford’s most successful launch since the Model A.

The Mustang became the first pony-class car in the US and it wasn’t long before Ford’s competitors started producing similar models. These included the Pontiac Firebird, Dodge Challenger, and Chevy Camaro.

The Mustang is now in its sixth generation and has become a beloved and popular staple in movies and culture. It has taken part in racing around the world and won numerous awards.

There are a couple of other cars from the 60s that many would consider iconic. They include the 1960 Austin Mini and the 1961 Jaguar XK-E.

The Austin Mini was only 10 feet long, to maximize interior space. The 848-cc inline four was also placed sideways with a four-speed manual in its sump. In a tweaked Cooper S form, the mini won the Monte Carlo rally in 1964, 1965, and 1967.

The XK-E is beauty personified, but the main attraction is its low-drag, high-speed function. It was ahead of its time in many ways, and some may find it hard to believe it was capable of 150 mph.

The most iconic car of the 1970s: Pontiac Firebird

The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was introduced in 1967, but it wasn’t until the 70s that the pony car hit its stride.

A second-generation Firebird was introduced in 1970, and it sported a more muscular look and increased performance. At the same time, many other sports cars were struggling under the weight of government regulations.

By 1975, many competitors such as the Plymouth Barracuda, Dodge Challenger, and Camaro Z28 were all discontinued, but the Firebird remained.

Firebird production ended in 2003. Production of all other Pontiac vehicles ceased in 2010.

Another classic to add to this decade is the 1975 Ferrari 308 GTB. This two-seat coupe was the first Ferrari road car with less than 12 cylinders. To the eye, this Ferrari was beautiful thanks to Pininfarina’s perfect and glamorous wedge shape that didn’t have a single bad line.

The most iconic car of the 1980s: Porsche 959

The 1980s was when turbo vehicles became more popular. With a top speed of 197 miles per hour, the Porsche 959 offered the driving experience many were looking for. It was introduced to the public in 1986 and at one time was the fastest street-legal car in the world.

When it was revealed, it was hailed as one of the most advanced sports cars. It was also one of the first high-performance vehicles that came equipped with all-wheel drive.

The Porsche 959 was particularly popular among famous and rich car collectors, one of whom was Bill Gates.

The most iconic car of the 1990s: Toyota Camry

By the 1990s, car buyers were looking for cars that were highly dependable and more suited to daily commuting. During the decade, this meant that Honda Civics and Honda Accords were best sellers.

However, in America, the car market in the 90s was dominated by the Toyota Camry. It’s still one of the best-selling cars today. Camrys from the 80s and 90s are still on the road today and in demand because of their long service life and legendary reliability.

Its origin is Japan, but in 2015, it was named as the most American-made car in the United States because more than 75% of its parts and manufacturing take place in America.

The most iconic car of the 2000s: Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius became the darling of the car scene around the turn of the millenia because of people’s concerns about rapidly increasing gas prices and an increased focus on environmental issues.

Concerns reached a peak in 2004, following Hurricane Katrina when gas prices went through the roof. The Prius was released worldwide in 2000 and within 3 years had reached 3 million sales. Today, it is the world’s top-selling hybrid vehicle.

7 more iconic muscle cars

If there are any true car connoisseurs out there, the following models will be very familiar and most will agree that they are amongst the most striking car models of all time.

1967 Pontiac GTO: While it might not be the first muscle car on the market, many consider the nameplate is what made the class of vehicles so popular. Its innovative 389-cubic-inch V8 engine influenced many future muscle cars.
1968 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi: The Road Runner is best known for its Hemi engine. The 426-cubic-inch Hemi V8 engine could pump out 425 horsepower which was incredible for the 1960s. It is also what made the vehicle such a favorite of the drag racing crowd.
1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429:The Boss is possibly one of the rarest muscle cars in this list as only 1400 were produced between 1969 and 1970. The 429-cubic-inch V8 engine could pump out 375 horsepower which was impressive but not much to write home about. What made it such a classic is the stylish, hand-built design. It was engineered differently from the brand’s other vehicles because the giant engine required a hood scoop and trunk-mounted spoiler.
1969 Chevy Camaro ZL1: Only 70 of this legendary model were ever built, making it the rarest production car Chevrolet ever made. The vehicle featured the most powerful engine which was capable of pumping out 430 horsepower.
1970 Buick GSX Stage 1: Buick bucks its trend for producing luxurious, stylish vehicles when it released the 1970 Buick GSX, with an optional Stage 1 upgrade. It featured a 455-cubic-inch V8 engine that was capable of producing 360 horsepower and 510 pounds-feet of torque. It was unmatched in terms of speed, power, and luxury.
1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda: There were several variations of the Barracuda, but the most impressive featured a dual-carburetor, 426-cubic-inch Hemi that whipped up 425 horsepower. Only a limited number were produced and very few customers opted for the Hemi engine, making this model a particularly rare find.
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454: There were two versions of the 454-cubic-inch V8 engine customers could choose: The 360-horsepower LS5 or the 450-horsepower LS6. The Chevelle was also particularly handsome thanks to its swept-back roof line and bulged hood.

If you happen to be the owner of one of these fine motors and you ever need to ship it, consider SGT Auto Transport at your service. We provide safe, trustworthy, and reliable classic car transport services for vehicles of this kind. Put your trust in us and we’ll treat your iconic vehicle with the love and care it deserves.

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FAQs

What is the most iconic car ever?

The title of the most iconic car of all time is purely a personal thing. Some would say it’s the Model T Ford, while others might consider it to be the Aston Martin DB5. We consider all of the cars in the lists above likely contenders.

What was the first famous car?

The first famous car is the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, built in 1885 by Karl Benz. It is generally regarded as the world’s first official automobile because it was the first vehicle designed to be propelled by an internal combustion engine.

What is the most wanted classic car?

The most wanted classic cars in the US are: