Car Model History
The history of the world's most iconic car models — generation by generation, make by make.
Popular Models
Our deepest dives — full histories with a page for every model year.
-
Chevrolet Corvette
America's sports car since 1953 — eight generations from the hand-built C1 to the mid-engine C8.
74 model years -
Ford Mustang
The original pony car, launched in 1964 and a defining American performance icon.
63 model years -
Dodge Charger
Dodge's muscle nameplate — a 1966–78 B-body icon, an '80s FWD subcompact, then a modern Hemi sedan and EV.
61 model years -
Ford Bronco
Ford's iconic off-roader — a classic 1966–1996 4x4, revived for 2021 after a 25-year hiatus.
61 model years -
Nissan Z
Nissan's iconic sports-car lineage — from the 1970 Datsun 240Z through the 300ZX, 350Z, and 370Z to today's Z.
57 model years -
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The flagship sedan and benchmark luxury car — showcase for the brand's newest technology since 1972.
55 model years -
Honda Civic
Honda's compact icon — in US sale since 1973, eleven generations deep, with celebrated Si and Type R variants.
54 model years -
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen's defining hatchback and the originator of the hot-hatch GTI — sold early in the US as the 'Rabbit'.
53 model years -
BMW 3 Series
BMW's compact sport sedan and the benchmark of its class since 1975 — home of the iconic M3.
52 model years -
Ford F-150
America's best-selling vehicle for decades, the backbone of the F-Series line.
52 model years -
Ford Thunderbird
Ford's personal luxury car — from 1950s two-seat convertible to retro 2002–2005 roadster.
51 model years -
Toyota Supra
Toyota's iconic inline-six grand tourer — a tuner and motorsport legend, defined by the A80's 2JZ.
49 model years -
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep's iconic off-roader and heir to the CJ — solid axles, removable doors and roof, over four generations.
40 model years -
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai's long-running compact — seven generations from 1990 to today, now topped by the performance Elantra N.
37 model years -
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The best-selling two-seat roadster in history — a lightweight, rear-drive sports car that revived the class.
37 model years -
Pontiac Firebird
Pontiac's iconic pony car (1967–2002) — home of the Trans Am, including the black-and-gold 'Bandit' car.
36 model years
Featured Makes
-
BMW
The Bavarian maker of 'the Ultimate Driving Machine' — rear-drive sport sedans, M cars, and roadsters since 1916.
-
Chevrolet
GM's high-volume American brand, founded in 1911 by Louis Chevrolet and William Durant — maker of the Corvette, Camaro, and Silverado.
-
Dodge
An American performance-focused brand founded by the Dodge Brothers in 1900, known for muscle cars, Hemi V8s, and trucks.
-
Ford
The American pioneer of mass-production manufacturing, founded by Henry Ford in 1903.
-
Honda
Japanese maker famed for efficient engines, VTEC performance, and bulletproof reliability across cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
-
Mercedes-Benz
The inventor of the automobile and the benchmark for luxury, safety, and engineering since the 1926 Daimler-Benz merger.
-
Nissan
Japanese automaker founded in 1933 — sold in the US under the Datsun brand until the early 1980s, and maker of the iconic Z sports car, the GT-R, and the Leaf EV.
-
Volkswagen
Germany's people's-car brand, maker of the Beetle and the Golf — two of the most-produced cars ever.