The Cars That Made the Car World
The 100 Greatest Cars list has finally been topped by this ranking. You won't ever have to read another list, and this one is infallibly, perfectly, transcendentally, and scientifically right. Until we have a couple more PBRs, that is.
For the purposes of this list, a vehicle's greatness is determined by its direct and major impact to American automotive culture. This does not imply that an automobile had to have been sold in America in order for its mythology to have an impact on how other vehicles are perceived in its wake. There are several options here that are genuinely racecars.
As a result, it is a biassed list that favours vehicles that aficionados like, but it also recognises the impact of common vehicles on our daily lives.Although it doesn't matter in this case, excellence does come in batches. These are such manufactured automobiles. The Batmobile and Don "The Snake" Prudhomme's Hot Wheels Funny Car are not exceptions. In addition, unless you consider the 1965 Shelby Cobra 427, there aren't any flying automobiles.
So start by opening a juice box and continuing.
The best-handling front-drive chassis ever, hand-ported heads, and an 8,000 rpm redline characterise the 1997 Acura Integra Type-R. It continues to be the best sport compact.
With its widespread use, the 1991 Ford Explorer helped to define the decade and established the SUV as the go-to family transporter. Its reputation has declined, but its influence hasn't.
Although it was never a big seller, the 1993 Toyota Supra Twin Turbo was the first import that could be upgraded to produce (and endure) 1,000 horsepower.
A Japanese box on wheels that could defeat Porsches in SCCA competitions was the 1968 Datsun 510. It was a discounted BMW 2002 and a wonderful example of how simplicity can lead to excellence.
1984 Toyota Corolla AE86: The unremarkable Toyota rear-drive that popularised drifting. The DOHC 1.6-liter engine and simplicity are its best features.
1992 Hummer H1: breathtakingly competent off-road and laughably ridiculous on-road. From Beverly to Baghdad
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII, which debuted in 2003, shattered all performance standards when it arrived in the United States. It's the modern rally vehicle for everyday people.
The 1963 Jeep Wagoneer, which pioneered the family SUV category with its special blend of 4x4 durability and carlike elegance. The biggest surprise is that Jeep isn't still producing it despite it having been in existence for a full 30 years.
1990 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo: With the enormously competent 300-horsepower "Z32" turbo, Nissan recaptured sports car dominance after more than a decade of wimpy Z-cars.
1995 BMW 7 Series: The first large BMW that drove and looked as nice as the smaller BMWs was the E38 7 Series. These classic sedans demonstrated the potential of a full-size vehicle.
1988 BMW M5: The first iteration of the Motorsport Division's variants on a standard BMW sedan. Even though its 3.5-liter six only produced 256 horsepower, it was the greatest performance sedan of its era and helped establish the M5 reputation.
1985 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z: The most unappreciated muscle car ever constructed and the official vehicle of New Jersey. sported the best-looking 16-inch forged wheels ever made, and the 1LE was a world-beating showroom stock vehicle.
1939 Lincoln Continental: With this V12-powered coupe, Edsel Ford invented the idea of the American "personal luxury" vehicle. Short deck, long hood
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