The automotive industry constantly changes. Companies scrap and tweak the designs of their vehicles while trying to find the next great thing that will bring in consumers.
No vehicles are safe. It doesn’t matter if they are pickups, SUVs, vans, sedans, or coupes. Some of these changes will be drastic. Others will be far more minor.
Change is inevitable, whether it is in the auto industry or anywhere else. However, certain designs have lasted through the generations while inspiring the creation of future vehicles.
The following vehicles are those that hit the scene with a classic look and never went out of style.
No. 1 – Volkswagen Bus
The Volkswagen Bus, also known as the Transporter or the Microbus. This van never had the most power, but it always had style. From the T1 model on, the Microbus turned heads with its unique yet pleasing design.
The massive VW emblem on the front, in particular, delighted consumers worldwide and showed that you don’t need speed when you just look good.
Of course, the T1 and T2 models became the most memorable of the Microbus lineup. These were the models that became collector’s items, and they were the ones used in movies, TV shows, and music videos alike.
Fitting examples of this fact are comedian Gabriel Iglesias and NASCAR driver Daniel Suarez. Iglesias has a massive collection of classic VW buses. Suarez has multiple buses that he pairs with his classic VW Beetles.
If any doubt remained regarding this classic design, just look at the new ID. Buzz. This all-electric van is a new vehicle, but it clearly takes inspiration from the T1 and T2.
No. 2 – Porsche 911
The design of this classic sports car has changed numerous times since the prototype debuted in 1963. Yet, elements of the classic 911 styling remained through the years as the car grew more powerful and prestigious.
Some 911s have more technology; others have a large spoiler on the rear. Numerous other details are different depending on the generation.
However, the flagship Porsche still has the long hood, distinct round headlights, and sloped rear that made this two-seater iconic.
This is a car that savvy fans can see coming from a distance and can pick out from the crowd, regardless of generation. It is a car that countless drivers have coveted, whether they first saw it in “Gone in 60 Seconds” or on the pages of a magazine.
No. 3 – Ford Mustang
Much like the Porsche 911, the Ford Mustang has changed over the years. Ford has produced fastback versions, convertibles, and numerous other models, leading up to the Dark Horse currently roaming the streets.
The overwhelming majority — other than the Mustang II — have been popular due to the combination of power and design. It also helps that the Mustang has been a prominent brand in the motorsports world.
Winning a lot of races and championships helps build the brand.
The overall design and amount of technology have changed, but the bones that made this pony car popular have remained. Specifically, the front end has remained largely the same, minus some models in the 1980s and 90s.
New generations of Mustang have just built upon the classic look while adapting to the market, and for that, we are thankful. You don’t need to fix what isn’t broken.
No. 4 – The Italian Wedge
Ok, this may be cheating, but we couldn’t just say “Lamborghini.” We had to go with the design style that made the Italian automaker iconic.
The late Marcello Gandini designed numerous supercars for Bertone, the Italian design house that worked with multiple brands. Gandini was responsible for several classics, including the curvy Lamborghini Miura.
One of the vehicles he helped design was the Lamborghini Countach. This supercar embraced the wedge design that made it easier for air to flow over the car.
While Lamborghini struggled with sales in Europe, the company became a powerhouse in the United States. Americans celebrated the design of the Countach and subsequent supercars while hanging posters of them on household walls.
Lamborghini’s designs have changed with the release of models like the Murcielago, Huracán, Gallardo, and Diablo. Yet, the wedge has remained and continued to draw in fans.