Most influential cars of all time

[Tave]

If the vehicle provided a successful model for other companies...then you contradicted yourself.  It obviously was influential.   Since it only had one model line, you can't really separate the company from the vehicle's success.

It did not provide anything for other companies. It was a successful model that didn't have any successors.

The closest thing in spirit to a Beetle is a Model T.

[2o6]

The Explorer was not the first SUV to popularize itself as a family vehicle. The Explorer was not the first of anything.

No, the Explorer was Ford's very, very late response to the 4-door Cherokee and Blazer/Jimmy. You want to talk about the first SUV to be used as a family car? You have to look a lot further back than the Explorer.

The Willys Jeep Wagon came out after the Second World War, and was the first all-steel wagon produced. That was the progenitor of all modern-day SUVs. The '63 Wagoneer took the concept and improved upon it, with interior appointments and mechanical features typical of a car of the day. The Cherokee improved on it still, with a more space-efficient interior, unibody construction, etc.

The Explorer was a cheap copy-cat. As I said earlier, it did nothing new.

That's true, but it's the poster child for all american SUV's and was the strongest seller in the "suv craze". That is very influential.

[JWC]

It did not provide anything for other companies. It was a successful model that didn't have any successors.

The closest thing in spirit to a Beetle is a Model T.

The Beetle is often compared to the Model T, but I don't understand what it was supposed to provide for other companies that isn't fairly obvious. 

[MX793]

It did not provide anything for other companies. It was a successful model that didn't have any successors.

The closest thing in spirit to a Beetle is a Model T.

Ever hear of the Chevy Corvair?  Compact car, rear mounted, boxer engine.  Offered as a coupe, sedan and even a van.

[Tave]

Ever hear of the Chevy Corvair?  Compact car, rear mounted, boxer engine.  Offered as a coupe, sedan and even a van.

But the Corvair did not come close to doing what the Beetle did. It doesn't even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence.

Moreover, it will not go down in the record books as one of Chevy's most iconic models.


Like I said, the Beetle has no spiritual successor. There are a handful of half-baked Beetle clones, but if that is the extent of it's "influence," then I don't consider that influence to be very remarkable.

[Tave]

And remember, I concede that the Beetle is the most successful car of all time. I'm just saying that, in terms of influence, it hasn't steered the course of other automotive companies.

[2o6]

But the Corvair did not come close to doing what the Beetle did. It doesn't even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence.

Moreover, it will not go down in the record books as one of Chevy's most iconic models.


Like I said, the Beetle has no spiritual successor. There are a handful of half-baked Beetle clones, but if that is the extent of it's "influence," then I don't consider that influence to be very remarkable.

The Tata Nano.

The 2CV.

The Fiat 500.

The Toyota Crown.




And I think the Corvair was an iconic and significant. It pretty much ended rear-engine mainstream cars.

And remember, I concede that the Beetle is the most successful car of all time. I'm just saying that, in terms of influence, it hasn't steered the course of other automotive companies.

But it did. It was an example of how to build a car the market wants.

[MX793]

But the Corvair did not come close to doing what the Beetle did. It doesn't even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence.

Moreover, it will not go down in the record books as one of Chevy's most iconic models.


Like I said, the Beetle has no spiritual successor. There are a handful of half-baked Beetle clones, but if that is the extent of it's "influence," then I don't consider that influence to be very remarkable.

No, it didn't come close to rivaling the Beetle's success, but it was directly inspired by the Beetle.

[2o6]

The F-series should be here.

[Tave]

No, it didn't come close to rivaling the Beetle's success, but it was directly inspired by the Beetle.

Yes, but are the Corvair, 2CV, et al. significant enough to make the Beetle the most influential car of all time?

I'm just trying to point that out: as obvious a choice as the Beetle is, maybe it isn't the right one.

[2o6]

Yes, but are the Corvair, 2CV, et al. significant enough to make the Beetle the most influential car of all time?

I'm just trying to point that out: as obvious a choice as the Beetle is, maybe it isn't the right one.

Read the title.


Influential cars of all time.

[Tave]

"Most"

[2o6]

"Most"

Yet and still, there can be more than one.

[Eye of the Tiger]

The F-series should be here.

Why

[Tave]

Yet and still, there can be more than one.

And I contend that the Beetle doesn't top any of them.

[2o6]

Why

It's an old truck that has been at the top.

And I contend that the Beetle doesn't top any of them.

Then, what car do you think is more influential?

[Tave]

Then, what car do you think is more influential?

Obviously the Model T

F-series

Benz Motorwagen

Austin 7

Citroen Traction Avant

Mini

Datsun 240Z

Toyota Corolla

Dodge Caravan

Willy's Jeep

Ford Taurus

[Raza]

I've got to side with Tave here. 

Building a car to the needs of your market is nothing new, nor was it pioneered by Volkswagen.  The Beetle was incredibly successful, and it may have spawned some soundalikes back in the day, but look at its lasting influence.  How many rear engined cars are on the market today?  Very few?  How many of them are mainstream cars?  Even fewer. 

The car that is a spiritual successor of the Beetle that comes most readily to mind is the Smart.  But even then, it's such a small portion of the market, it can't come close to rivaling the success the Beetle enjoyed. 

In short, the car of the people today doesn't resemble the Volkswagen Beetle. 

[JWC]

I firmly believe that the lasting influence, to repeat myself, was VW's very success and how it set an example for other foreign car manufacturers.  Those manufacturers later surpassed VW, but VW was the import car to beat...in size, reliability, cost, and fuel economy.

If you're just talking about technology, manufacturing, cultural influence, costs, and such...just stop with the Model T.

[2o6]

Obviously the Model T

F-series

Benz Motorwagen

Austin 7

Citroen Traction Avant

Mini

Datsun 240Z

Toyota Corolla

Dodge Caravan

Willy's Jeep

Ford Taurus

The Corolla didn't bring anything to the market.

I've got to side with Tave here. 

Building a car to the needs of your market is nothing new, nor was it pioneered by Volkswagen.  The Beetle was incredibly successful, and it may have spawned some soundalikes back in the day, but look at its lasting influence.  How many rear engined cars are on the market today?  Very few?  How many of them are mainstream cars?  Even fewer. 

The car that is a spiritual successor of the Beetle that comes most readily to mind is the Smart.  But even then, it's such a small portion of the market, it can't come close to rivaling the success the Beetle enjoyed. 

In short, the car of the people today doesn't resemble the Volkswagen Beetle. 

Rear engine? So what. No one cares. The real idea of the beetle was a good cheap car for everyone. There were plenty of cheap cars at the time of the Beetle, but none were as successful.



To say it isn't influential at all isn't right. It was a model for success.

[SVT666]

The Explorer was not the first SUV to popularize itself as a family vehicle. The Explorer was not the first of anything.

No, the Explorer was Ford's very, very late response to the 4-door Cherokee and Blazer/Jimmy. You want to talk about the first SUV to be used as a family car? You have to look a lot further back than the Explorer.

The Willys Jeep Wagon came out after the Second World War, and was the first all-steel wagon produced. That was the progenitor of all modern-day SUVs. The '63 Wagoneer took the concept and improved upon it, with interior appointments and mechanical features typical of a car of the day. The Cherokee improved on it still, with a more space-efficient interior, unibody construction, etc.

The Explorer was a cheap copy-cat. As I said earlier, it did nothing new.

It made the SUV attractive.  Everyone and their dog bought an Explorer because it was more comfortable then any that came before it and blended truck and car better then any before it.  The Explorer was the bench mark and everyone tried to copy it.

[Laconian]

To say it isn't influential at all isn't right. It was a model for success.

Air cooled engine equals success? Nope...
Letting a product wither on the vine for half a century leads to success? GM tries to do that, and look where they are now.

[Laconian]

I'd say the Espace or the Caravan (depending on who you ask) are among the most influential cars since they catalyzed the MPV craze. I consider SUVs to be a form of MPV so this encompasses that craze too.

[2o6]

I'd say the Espace or the Caravan (depending on who you ask) are among the most influential cars since they catalyzed the MPV craze. I consider SUVs to be a form of MPV so this encompasses that craze too.

The Espace didn't sell welll when it first came out.

[JWC]

Air cooled engine equals success? Nope...
Letting a product wither on the vine for half a century leads to success? GM tries to do that, and look where they are now.

The air-cooled engine was quite an advancement for its time--though Porsche stole it--and through the years it was updated quite often.  It was the basis for Porsche engines. 

The only thing that killed the air-cooled engine was smog requirements.  I'd venture to say it was the most adaptable engine ever made.  It powered cars and trucks, generators, crop sprayers and even draw bridges in Chicago.

[2o6]

Air cooled engine equals success? Nope...
Letting a product wither on the vine for half a century leads to success? GM tries to do that, and look where they are now.

Wither?



It stayed competent until it was replaced with the Golf in 74'.



And then the Golf went on to become one of the world's best selling nameplates.

[the Teuton]

I say the Corolla and Ford F-Series, if for no other reasons than success, duration, and ever-competitiveness in the marketplace.

[Eye of the Tiger]

How are boring, popular cars influential? Maintaining the status quo is anti-influence. And what is all this F-series jackoffery? It's as if you people think GM didn't sell more trucks.

[Northlands]

I can think of two boring/popular cars a couple of decades back.

I'll throw in the Ford Taurus/Honda Accord duo. I think both ended up being benchmarks that ( one after the other ) that other car makers we're trying to keep up with. For years.

VW Golf/Rabbit. Another car that is still a benchmark in its category.

[rohan]

This is actually really easy- Edsel.


Permantly and forever turned Americans off to diesels.