iconic American cars

The 5 Most Iconic American Cars

Total
2
Shares

German engineer Carl Benz patented the first motorcar in 1886 which sparked the fast-paced development of the automotive industry worldwide. The first American car was created seven years later by Charles Dureya, dubbed the “Motor Wagon,” a horse-carriage fitted with a four horsepower single-cylinder motor. In 1908, there were more than 400 automotive companies in the states. Most of them are now defunct, while others are flourishing and developing new models, but all contributed to a unique car culture developed in the USA. Here, we’re putting together the five most iconic American cars available on Salvagebid.

Chevrolet Corvette

iconic American cars

Debuted in 1953, the Chevrolet Corvette is a truly iconic American muscle car. Its sleek design makes people turn their heads even nowadays, and according to Automotive News, Americans associate the Chevrolet Corvette with freedom and adventure due to its style and outstanding technical specifications. The LT-series or LS engines provide exhilarating performance, making the Corvette popular among those keen on speed. The current, eighth-generation Corvette won the title of the North American Car of the Year, mainly because of its forefront technology like Chevrolet Magnetic Ride Control – a damping system that adapts the suspension every 10-15 milliseconds according to the road surface. 

Chrysler/Plymouth Voyager/Dodge Caravan

iconic American cars

The idea of designing a multi-purpose vehicle with seating capacity for 6-8 people belongs to American engineer William Bushnell Stout. In 1936, he created the Stout Scarab, the first-ever minivan. At the beginning of the 1980s, the world saw prototypes of newly-developed vehicles with sliding side doors combining the practicality of larger vans like Ford Econoline with the standard features of station wagons. These were all-new minivans: the Dodge Caravan and the Plymouth Voyager. By the end of the 1980s, the demand for minivans had significantly increased, making them more popular than station wagons. By now minivans have lost much of their appeal, though there are still plenty of options on the market.

Jeep Wrangler

iconic American cars

This isn’t the first time we’ve talked about the Jeep Wrangler, a dependable SUV with best-in-class off-road capabilities and longevity. The Jeep Wrangler is the successor of the Jeep MB and CJ, which were produced from the 1940s to the 1980s. These Jeeps have a large following because of their rugged capability and reliability, and the Wrangler continues all company’s traditions since 1987. In 2018, iSeeCars named the Wrangler the SUV with the lowest depreciation after five years of ownership because of its pretty straightforward and easy maintenance.

Buyers can choose between three body styles available for the Jeep Wrangler: with two doors, a four-door SUV, and a pickup positioned as a separate model. The Jeep Wrangler can be powered by one of the three engines: a 3.6L Pentastar V6, a 2.0L inline-four, a four-cylinder 2.2L diesel that isn’t currently available in the US. All Wranglers come exclusively with part-time all-wheel-drive and high- and low gearing, so offroading is extremely fun. 

Tesla Model S

iconic American cars

The first mass-produced electric luxury car is a modern American icon, combining performance and fuel economy like never before. The fully-electric drivetrain provides flat-out performance, making the Model S the fastest sedan ever built. With a variety of trims, the Tesla Model S has different ranges. The top-tier P100D covers up to EPA-estimated 348 miles of range on a single battery charge. No other car offers similar performance, and that’s why we included the Tesla Model S on our list of the most iconic American cars.

Ford Mustang

most iconic American muscle cars

The Ford Mustang is the ultimate car that influenced millions of car enthusiasts worldwide. The first Mustang was designed on the Falcon’s chassis, and was one of the first cars ever constructed for specific demographics, baby-boomers. After its release in 1964, Mustang sales skyrocketed and reached the first million just after eighteen months. In 2018, the 10,000,000th Ford Mustang rolled out from the Ford plant in Dearborn, Michigan, so this bestseller holds the title of the most popular sports car in the world. 

Mustangs are getting better each year and customers can choose between multiple trims, ranging from a standard 2.3L EcoBoost to a 5.2L ready-to-race Shelby GT500 with 760 horsepower. The Mustang provides nimble performance through peppy engines without compromising comfort for 2 to 4 passengers. If you’re going to buy a pony car, consider reading our comparison of the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro.

Bottom Line

With Salvagebid, we have all of these iconic American cars up for auction, and a wide variety of other classic cars as well. To start bidding right away, you’ll have to register with us, provide us with a copy of your passport or government-issued ID, and place a refundable security deposit. Call us at +1 (360) 347-1300 (6:00 AM – 3:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Friday) or fill in our contact form, and we’ll take it from there.

Leave a Reply
You May Also Like