10 Iconic Car Designs That Defined Their Decades

Some cars didn’t just sell well they shaped how an entire decade looked, felt, and moved. From bold styling experiments to designs that became instant legends, these iconic vehicles defined their eras and still influence car design today.

Ford Model T

I mean yeah, this one basically started it all, right? The everyman’s car. Looks like a rolling tin bucket now but back then, it was the thing. My grandpa once said his dad called it “a horse that doesn’t need oats.” Which… kinda sums it up. You could buy one for like $850 a century ago, which is insane, and now a clean one might set you back $25k, give or take. I imagine it smells like oil and stubbornness. Probably leaks too. Everything back then leaked.

Volkswagen Beetle

Oh man, the Beetle. The original one, not those new bug-shaped imposters. You know that sound, that little put-put-put of the engine? It’s like the car’s laughing at you while trying not to die. My friend had one in college and it always smelled faintly like crayons. No idea why. Cost him $8k. He spent double that trying to keep it alive. But you can’t hate it. It looks happy. Like, dumb little smile happy.

Jaguar E-Type

This thing, it’s like someone designed it after falling in love. So long and smooth and… there’s no bad angle. Enzo Ferrari apparently called it the most beautiful car ever made and, honestly, yeah, he wasn’t wrong. Feels expensive even to think about around $200k now if it hasn’t rusted into the sea. Every time I see one, I forget words for a second. But I bet driving it smells like old leather and deep regret over insurance bills.

Chevrolet Bel Air

The ‘50s in one car. Chrome, fins, pastels it’s like America trying to prove it was shiny and strong all at once. My aunt had a pink one in her wedding photos. Whole vibe of “ice cream and jukeboxes.” If you had ten grand then, you were royalty. Now they’re $60k easy. Still looks cool at diners though. Always will. Something about it makes you crave a milkshake immediately.

Porsche 911

You knew this one was coming. It’s basically the “this is what cars look like” template now. Round lights, sloping back, weirdly elegant and stubbornly unchanged. I respect it and also kinda hate that it’s always the favorite. Prices? Started around $6k back in the day, now like $120k minimum for something decent. But man, that smell of hot oil and rubber? Takes me places. Weird places. Probably illegal speeds.

Lamborghini Countach

Oh the poster car. Everyone had it taped to their wall, even if they’d never seen one in real life. Looks like an alien designed it drunk. Flat, sharp, angular… just unnecessary in the best way. I once saw one at a show and it was smaller than I thought. Shocking even. Worth $500k or so now, maybe more if some rich guy sneezed on it. I love how completely impractical it is. Rear visibility? None. Coolness? Infinite.

DeLorean DMC-12

Okay, so this thing. I can’t even think about it without humming that Back to the Future theme. It looked like a car from space but drove like a slightly anxious refrigerator. Those gullwing doors though man, unmatched drama. The stainless steel body always looked ready for fingerprints. You could grab one for around $30k these days. I’d pay that just for the vibes. And for pretending to travel through time every time I leave Starbucks.

Ferrari F40

You ever see something so perfect it almost makes you mad? That’s the F40. Red, raw, no nonsense, no radio, no carpets. It’s like Ferrari said, “You want fast? Fine, *suffer for it.” People say it’s worth $1.5 million now, depending on who you ask. I just think it’s charisma made out of metal. Turbo lag like a slap in the face, but who cares. Everyone should drive one once. Or at least dream about it hard enough.

Mazda MX-5 Miata

Next to the wild stuff, you’d think this one wouldn’t fit, but come on, everyone loves a Miata. ‘90s perfection. Small, cheap, light, silly grin on its face. $5k if you’re lucky, $15k if someone polished it to death. I remember driving one once — roof down, bad radio static, smelled like sunburn and freedom. Honestly still one of the happiest cars ever made. The design just gets it. Nothing extra.

Hummer H2

Okay, now I know people hate this one, but the H2 really represented the 2000s “bigger is better” thing. Like, excess had a shape and it was this. Loud, clunky, kinda dumb, but in a fun way? You sat in one and immediately felt taller than your problems. Gas mileage was like… don’t even ask. Still, I bet they’re around $35k now for a nice one. I weirdly miss seeing them around gas stations guzzling away like hippos at a watering hole.

Tesla Model S

Say what you want, but this one did change the vibe. Clean lines, minimalist, kinda soulless but also kinda futuristic sexy. The door handles hiding themselves still feel like a magic trick. I think the first time I saw one was outside a coffee shop and I actually followed it with my eyes like I saw an alien car glide past. $90k now if you spec it up. Smells like new tech and silence. Which is both cool and unsettling.