The most famous of North American cabs, Checker cabs lasted for 60 years but the company’s failure to update the vehicle’s design in the 1970s led to the company’s demise.
Classics
Checker, 1922-1982
Audi 5000, 1978-1989
The Audi 5000 introduced many innovative technologies such as a five-cylinder gas engine, Quattro all-wheel drive, and aerodynamic bodywork. But false claims of “unintended acceleration” ruined its reputation and sales in North America.
Arnolt MG, 1952-1953
In 1952, a wealthy American entrepreneur, Stanley Harold "Wackey" Arnolt, was so impressed with the Italian styling of a Bertone-bodied MG TD prototype, that he ordered 200 and sold them as the “Arnolt MG.”
Mercedes-Benz 230SL/250SL/280SL, 1963-1972
Mercedes’ 230SL/250SL/280SL two-seater sports cars were intended to be grand touring cars rather than out-and-out sports cars like the 300SL, says auto historian, Bill Vance. Their most unusual styling feature was a concave "pagoda" hardtop roof.
Toyota Corolla, 1966
The first Toyota Corolla was designed with Japan’s export market in mind, but it proved surprisingly popular in Japan as well. The small car offered decent performance for its time and attractive styling, particularly the fastback Sprinter model.
Porsche Speedster, 1954-1959
The relatively high price of the Porsche 356 Coupe in the U.S. prompted Porsche importer Max Hoffman to ask Porsche for a cheaper model. The result was the stripped down, lightweight Speedster, now considered a classic.
Miller front-wheel drive racers, 1924-1930
Daringly engineered by famous American engine builder Harry Miller, the front-wheel drive Miller race cars won the Indianapolis 500 in 1928 and 1929. But a rule change in 1930 by Indy organizers stopped them from winning more races.
Volvo’s roots and its first car
The Volvo car company was created by two visionary Swedes, Assar Gabrielsson, an economist, and Gustaf Larson, an engineer, who believed they could build a more rugged vehicle better suited to Swedish conditions than large, American cars.
American diesel cars
Diesel engines found very little favour with North American motorists until the 1970s when an energy crisis threatened gasoline supplies. General Motors lead the way with diesel development, but a series of diesel engine problems sullied their reputation.
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