Posted on 07/01/2002 2:52:14 PM PDT by wallcrawlr
Let's get something straight from the outset.
This is not a story about great, historic American cars. For that we would have needed a list of dozens, totaling 100 cars or more. It is about the great American cars that right now, today, should be made again.
Who hasn't watched an old film, flipped through the pages of automotive enthusiast magazine or been struck by the beauty of an old car passing slowly in front of you on a Sunday afternoon and thought: Why can't they make cars like that anymore? .pollbutton { background: #efefef; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; padding: 3px; }
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Some cars, like hoop skirts and rotary telephones, belong in the past. Few people today would wish that Detroit still made the Model T. But there are some cars that seemed cutting edge when they came out decades ago and still seem that way today. The only problem is that few of these models are still made. And, with rare exceptions--such as the new Mini Cooper--if they still exist it is in a pale version of its early self.
Other cars, such as that great '60s muscle car the Pontiac GTO, are claimed to be making a comeback, so we don't need to put them on our list. But we stopped here because we really wanted to include only cars that to us stood as true greats--ideas ahead of their time that might still stand for something, and still be modern sales winners as well.
The hard part, of course, was identifying those American cars that, for reasons of innovation, gorgeous design and ability to adapt to the realities of today's world, would make the cut. We would have liked to have more than the eight we chose, but no amount of arm-wrestling, red-faced shouting and old-fashioned straw-drawing could get them on the list. Although we are sure that our readers will be happy to point out the obvious ones we failed to include.
So, here's your chance. Take a look at our list and vote for your favorite car, the one you think should come back to life above all the others. And your vote will count, too. See, after we publish all our lists of Italian, British and German cars (we'll ask you to vote on those, too) in the coming weeks, we'll then finally wrestle the beast to the ground and, at last, publish our top ten list based on your votes. So have a look, see what you think and don't forget to cast your ballot!
Click on the links below for a description of each vehicle.
I'd like to see a return of the Orignal Jeep military rigs. Simple, cheap, economical and capable.
EBUCK
I don't know about the rest, but here is my entry in the "We wish they still made" list.
EBUCK
EBUCK
How can you not have the '55 T'Bird on the list.
My personal favorites are the '41 and '56 Lincoln Continental.
That's a PW rig.
EBUCK
Not sure about the Camaro, but I read a story in USA Today stating that only 3500 Firebirds (of all trim levels) were sold in 2000. Hard to justify keeping the line running.
My only economical early Jeep option was this My Samurai
EBUCK
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