The 20 cars that changed the world

[Arne]

Am I mistaken, or is the 240Z in the picture the Franklin Mint Z (as in die cast model)? It just doesn't quite look right for a real car to me.

That's one of those real early pre-production publicity photos. No emblems and bias ply tires.

[deadflo]

Thats a pretty good list! I still have two, my 240-Z and my VW Beetle.

The only thing I take exception to is the Chrysler mini van.

My reasoning? What about the VW van? Introduced in 1950. like about 30 plus years ahead of the Chrysler.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

THe micro bus was a hit, much like an alfa romeo was a hit. It just did not have have enough market saturation to really get credit for starting a new genre. The caravan came out and saturated the market. It sort of defined the segment.. like Vice Grip, Kleenex, Ipod, etc. None of them were the first to do their job, there were lockable pliers, facial tissue, and MP3 players before all of these versions came out, but they never got everything just right at the right time. I think this is why the caravan gets the nod.

I would take a VW minibus in a heartbeat over it, but the fact remains the caravan

[SteveJ]

The only thing I take exception to is the Chrysler mini van.

My reasoning? What about the VW van? Introduced in 1950. like about 30 plus years ahead of the Chrysler.

On the other hand, while the VW van is iconic, the Chrysler minivans all but killed the station wagon as a product. They also drove the market and form factor. GM & Ford tried more of a truck version at first with their efforts. Both paled in sales comparison (and to most in performance & functionality). Toyota tried the mid engine approach for a while, but it didn't really make much of a mark in the marketplace. Today, all of the significant choices for minivans copy Chrysler's two box form factor. I think that's what sets it apart.

[Arne]

It may be significant to also consider that VW's current US offering in this market (the Routan) is built for them by Chrysler - it is basically a re-badged Grand Caravan. VW may have pioneered the market, but this sounds like surrender to me.

[zhead240]

the citroen ds a work of art????

never understood that. only one other car uglier, the vw thing!

[deadflo]

Yeah you guys are probably right regarding the Chrysler minivan changing the entire market a great deal. I do know that US automakers eventually had to respond to the VW van, in releasing their own, much larger Vans in the early 60's.

And Zhead, I totally relate to your take on the Citroen as an overrated art form, I much prefer the 240-Z, or even the original VW split window bus!!

[J Shara]

I have two at my house, 73 240z, and a 72 VW bug.

[lpraun]

Yeah.. I have driven the Lamborghini Miura – in my dreams

A list like this is always debatable and it will never be final – I don’t know if you have the Citroen Berlingo in the US - I hope not. See picture below.

But this car should be recognized as the first car to nonsurgically remove the balls of any male owner!

[Walter Moore]

Yeah.. I have driven the Lamborghini Miura – in my dreams

A list like this is always debatable and it will never be final – I don’t know if you have the Citroen Berlingo in the US - I hope not.

Citroen cars have not been available in the U.S. for decades. We do however have our share of "gutless wonders", typically sold as economy cars.

[Walter Moore]

I've owned three of the twenty - VW Bug, 240Z, and original Mustang.

Let's play, "Who Can Top That!".

Dennis

Can't top it, but I can match it.