Standing the test of automotive time
Chevrolet Suburban, launched in 1933 – 81 years old : At the moment, the top honor is held by the Chevy Suburban, which started out as a truck with a station wagon body over 80 years ago but has morphed into a family SUV over the course of 12 generations. However, just like the original, the car is still big enough to carry seven or eight plus luggage. Photo: AFP

Chevrolet Suburban, launched in 1933 – 81 years old : At the moment, the top honor is held by the Chevy Suburban, which started out as a truck with a station wagon body over 80 years ago but has morphed into a family SUV over the course of 12 generations. However, just like the original, the car is still big enough to carry seven or eight plus luggage. Photo: AFP

Chevrolet Suburban, launched in 1933 – 81 years old : At the moment, the top honor is held by the Chevy Suburban, which started out as a truck with a station wagon body over 80 years ago but has morphed into a family SUV over the course of 12 generations. However, just like the original, the car is still big enough to carry seven or eight plus luggage. Photo: AFP

Morgan 4/4 launched in 1936 – 78 years old : This was the eccentric English car company's first four-wheeled vehicle and unlike most of the cars on this list, the 4/4 has hardly changed except for the engine under its hand-made hood. The styling of the current car is almost identical to that of the Series II model, which was launched back in 1955. Photo: AFP

Morgan 4/4 launched in 1936 – 78 years old : This was the eccentric English car company's first four-wheeled vehicle and unlike most of the cars on this list, the 4/4 has hardly changed except for the engine under its hand-made hood. The styling of the current car is almost identical to that of the Series II model, which was launched back in 1955. Photo: AFP

The Land Rover, launched in 1948 - 66 years old : All that's really changed from the Series One Land Rover and the current range is that the word ‘defender' has been added to help consumers tell it apart from the Range Rover - the car's posher, better-educated younger brother. Unfortunately, Land Rover will be forced to retire the car at the end of 2015 and replace it with an all-new model in order to meet stricter regulations and emissions standards. Photo: AFP

The Land Rover, launched in 1948 - 66 years old : All that's really changed from the Series One Land Rover and the current range is that the word ‘defender' has been added to help consumers tell it apart from the Range Rover - the car's posher, better-educated younger brother. Unfortunately, Land Rover will be forced to retire the car at the end of 2015 and replace it with an all-new model in order to meet stricter regulations and emissions standards. Photo: AFP
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Ford F-Series launched in 1948 – 66 years old : Historically the best-selling vehicle in the US, the F-Series was revolutionary when it launched over six decades ago and 13 generations later it is still going strong. Just like the Land Rover and the Surburban it meets a very specific motoring need and as long as that need still exists, you can be sure there will always be an F-150 in production. Photo:AFP

Ford F-Series launched in 1948 – 66 years old : Historically the best-selling vehicle in the US, the F-Series was revolutionary when it launched over six decades ago and 13 generations later it is still going strong. Just like the Land Rover and the Surburban it meets a very specific motoring need and as long as that need still exists, you can be sure there will always be an F-150 in production. Photo:AFP

Toyota Land Cruiser launched in 1951 – 63 years old : Toyota's oldest car and one that started off by ‘paying homage' to the Jeep and the Land Rover but is now firmly established as one of the most comfortable, reliable and dependable 4x4s on the market. Each generation has also become less utilitarian so that it is now closer to the Range Rover than the vehicles that inspired it. Photo:AFP

Toyota Land Cruiser launched in 1951 – 63 years old : Toyota's oldest car and one that started off by ‘paying homage' to the Jeep and the Land Rover but is now firmly established as one of the most comfortable, reliable and dependable 4x4s on the market. Each generation has also become less utilitarian so that it is now closer to the Range Rover than the vehicles that inspired it. Photo:AFP

Chevrolet Corvette launched in 1953 – 61 years old : The blue-collar supercar, the original Corvette's proportions were based on those of the Jaguar XK120, but that's where the similarities end. Over seven generations, the car has changed with the times and with regulations but three things have remained constant throughout - the use of lightweight materials in construction, a V8 engine, and a price tag that made it an accessible dream car. Photo:AFP

Chevrolet Corvette launched in 1953 – 61 years old : The blue-collar supercar, the original Corvette's proportions were based on those of the Jaguar XK120, but that's where the similarities end. Over seven generations, the car has changed with the times and with regulations but three things have remained constant throughout - the use of lightweight materials in construction, a V8 engine, and a price tag that made it an accessible dream car. Photo:AFP

Mercedes SL launched in 1954 – 60 years old : The premium German two-seater started off as a hardtop with gullwing doors before adopting and sticking to the drop-top roadster style with the option of a V8 engine and cutting-edge technology. It may have taken more than half a century but now classic car collectors are beginning to appreciate the SL and early examples are going for more than $1 million. Photo:AFP

Mercedes SL launched in 1954 – 60 years old : The premium German two-seater started off as a hardtop with gullwing doors before adopting and sticking to the drop-top roadster style with the option of a V8 engine and cutting-edge technology. It may have taken more than half a century but now classic car collectors are beginning to appreciate the SL and early examples are going for more than $1 million. Photo:AFP

The Mini launched in 1959 – 55 years old : A classless car that was owned by everyone from Mick Jagger to the average young family, the Mini won rallies, races and a place in the British nation's heart. The first car to transversely mount its engine to save space, it created the blueprint for all small city cars that would follow. And rather than damaging its reputation, BMW's ownership of the brand has seen the car reinvigorated in recent years. Photo:AFP

The Mini launched in 1959 – 55 years old : A classless car that was owned by everyone from Mick Jagger to the average young family, the Mini won rallies, races and a place in the British nation's heart. The first car to transversely mount its engine to save space, it created the blueprint for all small city cars that would follow. And rather than damaging its reputation, BMW's ownership of the brand has seen the car reinvigorated in recent years. Photo:AFP

Porsche 911 launched in 1963 – 51 years old : A supercar that is as reliable as a wood-burning stove, the Porsche is one of the very few seriously fast cars that can actually be used every day, for everyday tasks. Over the past half century, the car has hardly changed at all. It still uses six cylinder engines, the engine is still right at the back - rather than in the middle or at the front - and it still has legions of diehard fans. Photo:AFP

Porsche 911 launched in 1963 – 51 years old : A supercar that is as reliable as a wood-burning stove, the Porsche is one of the very few seriously fast cars that can actually be used every day, for everyday tasks. Over the past half century, the car has hardly changed at all. It still uses six cylinder engines, the engine is still right at the back - rather than in the middle or at the front - and it still has legions of diehard fans. Photo:AFP

Ford Mustang launched in 1964 – 50 years old : It may be at number 10 in the list, but the Mustang still holds one record. To this day, it is the fastest-selling car in history and what makes the achievement all the more remarkable is that it was only on sale in one country - the US - and only needed to be on sale for three months to sell the first 100,000 and a further 15 months to surpass the 1 million mark. Photo:AFP

Ford Mustang launched in 1964 – 50 years old : It may be at number 10 in the list, but the Mustang still holds one record. To this day, it is the fastest-selling car in history and what makes the achievement all the more remarkable is that it was only on sale in one country - the US - and only needed to be on sale for three months to sell the first 100,000 and a further 15 months to surpass the 1 million mark. Photo:AFP

Toyota Corolla launched in 1966 - 48 years old : It isn't the fastest-selling, but it is the best-selling car in history (40 million and counting) and is also the vehicle that secured Japanese carmakers' reputation for reliability, affordability and for features. It's just a shame that the Corolla had never been a particularly exciting or engaging car. However, the latest generation is starting to show some promise. Better late than never. Photo:AFP

Toyota Corolla launched in 1966 - 48 years old : It isn't the fastest-selling, but it is the best-selling car in history (40 million and counting) and is also the vehicle that secured Japanese carmakers' reputation for reliability, affordability and for features. It's just a shame that the Corolla had never been a particularly exciting or engaging car. However, the latest generation is starting to show some promise. Better late than never. Photo:AFP

Volkswagen Golf launched in 1974 – 40 years old : The Golf can't be criticized in terms of handling, design or performance. Sketched by Giorgetto Giugiaro and developed to fill the massive void left when the Beetle ceased production, the Golf aimed to be all things to all and succeeded. With total sales of 30 million and counting, the only car that has been more successful in terms of sales is the aforementioned Corolla. Photo:AFP

Volkswagen Golf launched in 1974 – 40 years old : The Golf can't be criticized in terms of handling, design or performance. Sketched by Giorgetto Giugiaro and developed to fill the massive void left when the Beetle ceased production, the Golf aimed to be all things to all and succeeded. With total sales of 30 million and counting, the only car that has been more successful in terms of sales is the aforementioned Corolla. Photo:AFP
First Published Date: 24 Apr 2014, 15:47 PM IST
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