6 Most Iconic American Cars Of All Time

American cars have a style all their own, and while China and Japan might pump out the generic cars that fill many of the world's roads, America is still king of innovation.

The spirit of innovation continues to drive Americans stronger than ever. If it's been done before, we want to do it better. Whether it's engineering a single-wheeled motorcycle or creating a flying car, if it can (or can't) be done, some American will be trying hard to do it.

Here, we at GET.com pay tribute to that spirit of innovation by listing our pick of the 6 most iconic American cars of all time.

1. Ford Model T

Image source: Ford

Don't get us wrong, a whole lot of fantastic cars were manufactured in the U.S. before the Model T and at the same time. But we at GET.com love the idea of getting more for your money, and the Ford Model T epitomizes that concept. As the first really affordable American automobile, Ford's little flivver literally put America on wheels.

2. Tucker Torpedo

Image source: BarrettJackson.com

This is probably the rarest U.S. car of all time (only 51 were produced), but it's an icon just the same. This car embodies the very heart and soul of what it means to be American, delivering more innovations in a single model than most model lines deliver in a decade. Its curve-following lights (later to be adopted by Tesla), padded dashboard (an early take on the airbag) and pivoting fenders made it a huge safety improvement on cars of the time.

3. Cadillac Eldorado

Image source: CarGurus.com

The Model T was a good start, but once the depression was done and over with, Americans started to want more. The Eldorado embodies America's move towards wanting more luxury, more power and more in-your-face self assuredness. These desires still drive Americans today.

4. Chevrolet Corvette

Image source: Lebubu93 - Wikimedia Commons

If Cadillac's Eldorado was synonymous with luxury, Chevy's Corvette is known the world over as America's take on speed. From the multi-colored models you were likely to come across at some 1960s roadhouse to the stylized muscle machines that cruise today's freeways, the corvette is an American icon.

5. Hummer H1

Image source: ADV.1 Wheels

Hummer may have gone the way of other once-greats like Pontiac and AMC, but the civilian version of the Humvee will remain a legend for years to come. The king of the road brings together rugged good looks and a crazy amount of power. Forget finesse - the Hummer's gas-guzzling 7,000 pounds aren't something a Toyota Prius or Chevy Spark would want to mess with.

6. Tesla Model S

Image source: Tesla


Cars like the Chevy Bel Air, Ford Thunderbird, Pontiac Firebird, Ford Mustang and Dodge Viper created the visuals of what American style and creative design look like. But Tesla has joined the ranks of Tucker an scored through technological innovation.

As the first new auto manufacturer to actually successfully take a hold in the highly competitive vehicle market, Tesla did the unthinkable in actually managing to make electric vehicles that look fantastic and go like crazy. Innovations have been the basis of every model Tesla has released so far, making the Tesla S a new American icon in its own right.

We tend to think of iconic cars as those vintage models we keep in our garages or gawk at during auto shows. But the truth is, every generation has its iconic cars, and some of the cars in the showrooms right now may one day turn heads and awaken deeply buried nostalgia just like a Shelby Cobra or Packard Caribbean does today.

2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport. Image source: General Motors

2016 Cadillac CT6. Image source: General Motors

Chevrolet's upcoming Corvette Sport has all the makings of a modern classic and the Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid (coming soon to a dealership near you) rekindles the spirit of automotive innovation while taking Cadillac back to its glorious roots as the ultimate luxury car.

2016 GMC Sierra 1500 All-Terrain X. Image source: General Motors

Image source: General Motors 2017 GMC Canyon Denali​.

Pickup trucks like the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 All-Terrain X and 2017 GMC Canyon Denali let you enjoy the rumble of thousands of explosions going off beneath your cars hood, taking you back to the glory days of Ford's V8 and Chevy's half-ton trucks.

The thought of revving a monster like the GMC Sierra on a the hybrid/electric, driverless automobile-filled roads some people predict for the near future is enough to make any automotive maniac smile (think reactions like Sandra Bullock's upon experiencing an Oldmobile 442 in the film "Demolition Man").

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BuyPower Card from Capital One® is the smart way to save towards the iconic car of your dreams. This credit card lets you get Earnings (rewards) which you can redeem toward the purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick or GMC just by using the card to pay for all the purchases you already make. You earn 5% Earnings on your first $5,000 in purchases every year, and unlimited 2% Earnings on every purchase you make after that. Your Earnings do not expire and there are no limits on the amount of earnings you can redeem. You can save even more by combining your available Earnings with most current GM incentives and offers. You benefit from 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months wit a standard 13.15% - 23.15% variable APR after. What's more, although this is a World Elite MasterCard (the highest-end MasterCard you can get) it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee.

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5% Earnings on your first $5,000 in purchases every year. Unlimited 2% Earnings on every purchase after that. Redeem Earnings toward the purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle.

Fantastic

5% Earnings on your first $5,000 in purchases every year. Unlimited 2% Earnings on every purchase after that. Redeem Earnings toward the purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle.

No annual fee, no redemption limits, no Earnings expiration, no foreign transaction fees. Save even more when you combine your available Earnings with most current GM offers and incentives.

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a 13.15% - 23.15% variable APR on purchases will apply

Intro APR

0% on purchases for 12 months

Regular APR

13.15% - 23.15% (V)

Credit Required

Good, Excellent

Intro APR

0% on purchases for 12 months

Regular APR

13.15% - 23.15% (V)

Credit Required

Good, Excellent

Fantastic

5% Earnings on your first $5,000 in purchases every year. Unlimited 2% Earnings on every purchase after that. Redeem Earnings toward the purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle.

No annual fee, no redemption limits, no Earnings expiration, no foreign transaction fees. Save even more when you combine your available Earnings with most current GM offers and incentives.

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a 13.15% - 23.15% variable APR on purchases will apply

5% Earnings on your first $5,000 in purchases every year. Unlimited 2% Earnings on every purchase after that. Redeem Earnings toward the purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle.

Fantastic

5% Earnings on your first $5,000 in purchases every year. Unlimited 2% Earnings on every purchase after that. Redeem Earnings toward the purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle.

No annual fee, no redemption limits, no Earnings expiration, no foreign transaction fees. Save even more when you combine your available Earnings with most current GM offers and incentives.

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a 13.15% - 23.15% variable APR on purchases will apply

Intro APR

0% on purchases for 12 months

Regular APR

13.15% - 23.15% (V)

Credit Required

Good, Excellent

Intro APR

0% on purchases for 12 months

Regular APR

13.15% - 23.15% (V)

Credit Required

Good, Excellent

Fantastic

5% Earnings on your first $5,000 in purchases every year. Unlimited 2% Earnings on every purchase after that. Redeem Earnings toward the purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle.

No annual fee, no redemption limits, no Earnings expiration, no foreign transaction fees. Save even more when you combine your available Earnings with most current GM offers and incentives.

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a 13.15% - 23.15% variable APR on purchases will apply

5% Earnings on your first $5,000 in purchases every year. Unlimited 2% Earnings on every purchase after that. Redeem Earnings toward the purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle.

Fantastic

5% Earnings on your first $5,000 in purchases every year. Unlimited 2% Earnings on every purchase after that. Redeem Earnings toward the purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle.

No annual fee, no redemption limits, no Earnings expiration, no foreign transaction fees. Save even more when you combine your available Earnings with most current GM offers and incentives.

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a 13.15% - 23.15% variable APR on purchases will apply

Intro APR

0% on purchases for 12 months

Regular APR

13.15% - 23.15% (V)

Credit Required

Good, Excellent

Intro APR

0% on purchases for 12 months

Regular APR

13.15% - 23.15% (V)

Credit Required

Good, Excellent

Fantastic

5% Earnings on your first $5,000 in purchases every year. Unlimited 2% Earnings on every purchase after that. Redeem Earnings toward the purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle.

No annual fee, no redemption limits, no Earnings expiration, no foreign transaction fees. Save even more when you combine your available Earnings with most current GM offers and incentives.

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a 13.15% - 23.15% variable APR on purchases will apply

5% Earnings on your first $5,000 in purchases every year. Unlimited 2% Earnings on every purchase after that. Redeem Earnings toward the purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle.

Fantastic

5% Earnings on your first $5,000 in purchases every year. Unlimited 2% Earnings on every purchase after that. Redeem Earnings toward the purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle.

No annual fee, no redemption limits, no Earnings expiration, no foreign transaction fees. Save even more when you combine your available Earnings with most current GM offers and incentives.

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a 13.15% - 23.15% variable APR on purchases will apply

Intro APR

0% on purchases for 12 months

Regular APR

13.15% - 23.15% (V)

Credit Required

Good, Excellent

Intro APR

0% on purchases for 12 months

Regular APR

13.15% - 23.15% (V)

Credit Required

Good, Excellent

Fantastic

5% Earnings on your first $5,000 in purchases every year. Unlimited 2% Earnings on every purchase after that. Redeem Earnings toward the purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle.

No annual fee, no redemption limits, no Earnings expiration, no foreign transaction fees. Save even more when you combine your available Earnings with most current GM offers and incentives.

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a 13.15% - 23.15% variable APR on purchases will apply

Source: 6 Most Iconic American Cars Of All Time