US car manufacturers do not exactly have the best reputation with their vehicles right now. Thankfully, as Americans, we can be proud to have plenty of iconic models throughout the years. So much so that we can have a heated discussion about which are the most remarkable out of the bunch. Well, shall we do just that?

At Altered Steel, we have a special place for all kinds of vintage cars. We have mentioned our favorite vintage SUVs, and we have explored the history of the American sedan. However, I think it is high time we talk about America’s most iconic classic cars… according to us! What do you say, are you up for a bit of time travel? Let’s go back a good few decades then!

More than fancy old cars

The problem with many such lists is that they take the most famous sports cars and slap them right at the top. It is not like vintage sports vehicles are not impressive or iconic though. I just like to think that the car world has more things going for it.

This is why today we’ll explore a bit of a different list. I would rather we don’t rank the vehicles, but instead, cherish each and every one of them. I will separate them into categories and pick the three most iconic models within those.

That being said, some seemingly obvious picks will actually not be on this list. You may be surprised to find that the Ford Model T or the classic Corvette that everyone wants haven’t made the cut. Don’t worry though – it is not because they are not iconic, but because they may be overly so. We should give a chance to some other models to shine, right? With this out of the way, we can dive straight into our first picks!

America’s most iconic muscle cars

Given my remark about sports cars, how come I open up the list with such a category? See, the point here is not to dwell on “sports”, but on “muscle”. All over the world, people know what muscles are. On top of that, they associate them with the States. This might as well be the only category that represents the quintessential American spirit. Due to all that I figured they make the best introduction to our list!

The undefeated stallion – Ford Mustang

Come on, which car marque and model better represents the US outside of our homeland? The original Mustang can take your breath away even now. It is one mean machine, which knows how to roar and announce itself. And not just here!

Have you ever had the pleasure to travel outside of the States and see how people react to Mustangs? For a few reasons, American muscle cars in Europe are still fairly rare. Still, people turn their heads when they see a Mustang. Though we actually have it better here, because you can still see the classic ones. They do not get to enjoy many of those on the Old Continent!

The special contender – Dodge Charger

Some cars simply do not get enough credit. In my opinion, Dodge Charger is one of those. Right from the start, it was a vehicle that broke the mold. Love it or hate it, but it was unique! With a bold design and aggressive build, it stormed the scene. To this day it makes for the perfect muscle example.

Unfortunately, it has never been as popular as the Mustang. The latter had tenfold the sales. Though perhaps that makes the Charger an even more precious classic. Being a gem like no other, it deserves a spot here!

The worthy rival – Chevrolet Camaro

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It has never been a secret that the Camaro was Chevrolet’s response to the Mustang. In fact, even though it may sound sacrilegious, I think the two models are kind of similar. This is why I enjoy the Charger so much – it walked its own path. Still, the Camaro is nothing if not iconic.

To illustrate my point, I want to draw your attention to the second generation of the Chevrolet Camaro. This car cemented the idea of what a muscle should be. It deserves a lot of credit for the fact that we can even talk about iconic muscle cars today. However, we should move on to a category that does not get nearly enough attention!

The classic old workhorses

All this fancy car talk is nice, but we often forget about the cars that virtually carried the US on their shoulders. After all, should we not focus more on vehicles that the general public could afford and actually drove? In my mind, they are “iconic” exactly because of their utilitarian nature!

The forgotten kind – AMC Eagle

Estate wagons may not be the most popular picks in the States today, but once upon a time they were preferable. Before we had tons of minivans and SUVs, the AMC Eagle was the perfect choice for a family person. It offered plenty of space, a lot of utility and it actually did not look half-bad.

In fact, some people consider the AMC Eagle to be the de facto predecessor of modern crossovers. In other words – we may owe the rise of the crossover and SUV segments to this very car. It had everything necessary for that with its 4-wheel drive and fairly high frame. Honestly, I think it looks rather charming even by today’s standards. Sure, nothing like a slick European station wagon, but impressive in its own way.

The poster minivan – Dodge Caravan

We don’t see many minivans nowadays. The niche has shrunk tremendously in the past decade, largely due to SUVs. And yet, minivans were the poster examples of the American dream. They embodied your success – you had a big family, you owned a house, you bought a minivan.

In light of that, there is no better minivan example than the very Dodge Caravan. Though we could also mention Plymouth (or Chrysler) Voyager, which were essentially the same car. The first generation sold incredibly well with over a million vehicles bought. Funny enough, when Chrysler was researching public demand, people considered the sketches of Dodge Caravan to be super ugly. Seems like that did not matter much, as we now view it as one of the most iconic US cars ever.

The granddaddy of pickups – Ford F1

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Pickups are the muscle cars of America’s workhorse vehicles. They scream “proud to be American” like nothing else. That all started with the first generation of Ford F-series, and more precisely – Ford F1. It may have little to do with modern pickup designs, but it carries their spirit regardless.

Objectively, the F1 is rather small. Yet it paved the way for monsters like Dodge Ram and Ford Raptor. People cherish it even now, with its price being close to that of classic muscles. It does look quite cute, so if you are in the market for a non-sporty vintage car, consider Ford F1!

Riding in style – Iconic luxury classics

Whether you look at modern vehicles or at vintage cars, the luxury segment always has something special to show. Many aspects of it are timeless, and some classics would be considered luxury by our standards too. Let’s see the most iconic examples that America has to show here!

The one fit for presidents – Lincoln Continental

As a car company, Ford has pioneered and pushed forward many types of vehicles. On top of that, many of its Lincoln cars are worthwhile classics in general. And yet, the Continental is the best example of what high-class cars should look like.

This is not one of those vehicles that you look forward to driving – with it you would need a chauffeur. Just sitting in one of those will make you feel important. No wonder that many other luxury cars were trying to be more like Lincoln Continental. Making one feel like a president sounds like a good selling point.

When you fancy something slick – Cadillac Eldorado

If you were not meant to drive the last car, this one is a whole another story. It is a very personal vehicle, which made people feel like rock stars. In fact, this car made Cadillac famous throughout the world. In many places, the marque’s name is synonymous with luxury because of it. Obviously, “iconic” is a well-deserved description.

Old-school futurism – Oldsmobile Toronado

I bet that most people have not heard of the Toronado. However, as we have mentioned in our post on the end of Oldsmobile, this company had had many great achievements. The Toronado model perfectly embodies their very future-minded philosophy.

The problem with this car is that it may have been too unique for its own good. Later on, Oldsmobile changed the design to fit with its competition. In my opinion, they just watered down what had been a great aesthetic. Nonetheless, it is iconic, because it represents the very American ideal of innovation and grand dreams!

What other iconic classic cars should we remember?

People have different vintage models that they love. Maybe you wanted to see some Buicks on the list. Or perhaps you are worried that I have not mentioned Pontiac at all. Well, we can always come up with another post to showcase more of the great American models.

What should those be though? There are many old vehicles that I like, but I am eager to learn about some others too. If you have a model that is close to your heart, be sure to mention it. Perhaps I will cover it one day!

The post America’s most iconic classic cars appeared first on Altered Steel.

Being such a long-lasting beast, its generations offer something for everyone. Do you consider yourself a supercar enthusiast? The latest 8^th gen will suit you perfectly. Want to dabble into vintage cars? Then you can try to go for the classic Corvette that everyone wants!

However, looking at the Vette through the lens of time may give you the wrong impression. For example, did you know the first generation came close to utter failure? Or that it started out as the cheaper US alternative to Jaguar and MG? Let us see how the idea of Corvette was born, what went wrong, and how it ultimately rose to the top!

The origins of the Chevrolet Corvette

In typical General Motors fashion, the Corvette had less to do with originality and more with improving the already successful ideas. It all goes to show that even reactionary vehicles can end up becoming iconic. Though prior to that, it came close to becoming just a historical footnote. More on that in a second!

It all started with the boom of exotic sports cars like the Jaguar XK120 (the great-granddaddy of E-type). In the late 1940s, Harley Earl, the head of GM’s styling at the time, realized the potential such a market had. Mainly because the US had barely any claim to it.

All such vehicles hailed over from Europe with quite the hefty price tag, making the opportunity for a cheaper alternative quite apparent. On top of that, US companies had the advantage of relying on good old patriotism to drive more sales.

Taking all those facts into account, Earl presented the concept and managed to get the affordable sports car idea off the ground. Thus, in 1953, Chevrolet Corvette C1 was born. At first, everyone adored the two-seater beast. Its looks screamed “speed”, plus it did come out a bit cheaper than the competition. Sadly, performance did not match aesthetics.

What went wrong with the first-gen Corvette?

In the beginning, GM had fairly reasonable expectations of building about 10,000 Corvette units per year. Although a considerable number, it still fell somewhat on the conservative side. Yet, they could not even reach the 4,000 mark in the first 2 years.

The main reason for that had to do with engine details. The Corvette was touted as a sports car, but could not live up to that. GM initially put in a 3.9L inline-six engine, that gave the car only 150 hp after modifications. Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph took 11.5 seconds. To put things in perspective, Jaguar XK120 could do it in just 8.5 secs even with its higher weight.

To make things worse the Corvette’s engine had already been used for more than a decade in other vehicles. In other words, they relied on old tech for a new car that had to compete with exotic foreign rides!

Perhaps people could have justified it if the price was tremendously lower. After all, that was the initial goal. Too bad it only came at about 15% cheaper than the alternatives. At this point, GM almost shut the whole project down, as it failed to meet their projections. However, largely because the company wanted to save face in the Ford vs Chevrolet rivalry, GM pushed forward for a while longer. The carmaker decided to improve whatever it could and possibly salvage the project. And it did succeed!

How Chevrolet Corvette C1 evolved through the years

Starting in 1955, GM introduced changes to the Corvette on an annual basis. The company took everything good about the car, added some more oomph to it, and made it fly. Below you can see a timetable of how it all progressed.

• 1953 – 300 Corvettes rolled out of the factory and received compliments on their aesthetics.
• 1954 – Only about 3,600 units were built, as the market reacted strongly against the lackluster performance. That almost spelled the end for the model.
• 1955 – GM put in a V8 engine and added a 3-speed manual transmission. Finally, the model got the performance to match its looks. It now had 195 hp and accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.5s, rivaling the Jaguar XK120.
• 1956 – With further improvements to the body of the car, and ultimately dropping the old I6 engine, Corvette sales started going up again.
• 1957 – The model’s sales doubled and its V8 engine got some more power, now ranging from 210 up to 290 hp. The 4-speed manual transmission also became an option. The car finally felt like an expensive sports car. On top of that, its price went down, making it an incredible bang-for-the-buck alternative.
• 1958-1961 – Both the interior and exterior received noticeable changes. Models from ’58 and up could be considered facelift versions. Sales continued to rise steadily, even though the price got a serious bump, too (at about 30%).
• 1962 – The final production year introduced the most powerful 327ci V8 engine for the lineup so far. It had up to 360 hp, with both manual and automatic transmissions available.

Ultimately, the first-gen Corvette came out successful. By the end of its run, GM had produced a little over 69,000 units and was ready to take it a step further!

The legacy of the Chevrolet Corvette

In just a few generations, Corvette became the poster American sports car. By its third iteration, its numbers broke the half-million mark, making it one of Chevy’s mainstay models.

That being said, throughout the years, the Corvette became less of an affordable car and more of a top tier luxury beast. The model continues to receive praise, though many old school fans feel like it no longer carries the spirit of those first few generations.

So what do you think, should you buy a Corvette today, and if yes, which one? With the exception of C4 and C5, I love them all. The irony is that classic Corvettes often cost more than the new ones!

The post First-gen Corvette: America’s answer to the Jaguar appeared first on Altered Steel.

Naturally, due to competition, many models fade away. Take Pontiac Firebird, for example. It managed to hold its own for decades, but it ultimately came to an end by the early 2000s. Its sister model – Chevrolet Camaro – also got discontinued around the same time. The difference? Several years later the Chevy came back with a bang. No such luck for Pontiac!

So, after long decades of sibling rivalry, the verdict came – the Camaro turned out the better car. But is it? Let us explore the history of both models and see which comes on top!

Which came first – Firebird or Camaro?

Although this question has little to do with any car’s quality, it makes for a good history lesson. We can see how the two models came to be and where they diverged.

Technically, the Camaro carries the first-born mantle, being introduced in September 1966 to rival the Mustang. Several months later came the Firebird in response to Mercury Cougar. It was built upon Camaro’s platform and the original generations of both vehicles carry a lot of similarities.

For instance, they share engine designs. GM took some of Chevy’s engines, modded them slightly, and put them in the Firebird. To be fair, those modifications provided serious output advantages in some cases. Considering their close characteristics and design, we cannot help but wonder…

What is the difference between the two models?

Most people consider both vehicles to be largely one and the same. You just pick your preferred design and roll with it. However, that misses the details.

Historically, the Firebird serves as GM’s more luxurious version of the Camaro, much like Mercury was to Ford. So, they did not cover the same market segment. Today we see a lot of companies doing the same – using different marques for their high-end vehicles.

Because of this, the Firebird was more expensive, with a spruced-up interior. Minor tweaks here and there also made it seem more premium.

GM had an entirely different philosophy behind the Camaro. It was one of those cheap muscle cars that make you feel rich. That made it extremely successful, as it turned out many folks want to drive a sports car, they just don’t want to pay the premium. This is why the entire pony car segment became such a hit.

Now you may think that the Firebird automatically gets the “better car” title by virtue of being the step-up model. Not so fast!

Chevrolet Camaro vs Pontiac Firebird – Which is better?

Now, what does “better” even mean? In my opinion, it depends on the actual driver and their needs. So, let us break down the comparison by categories!

• Price – This is easy. All things considered, the Camaro gave you more bang for your buck back in the day. No wonder it sold about 200,000 more units than the Firebird.
• Comfort – Don’t write the Camaro off this category just yet. On a dollar-by-dollar basis, it may have come slightly ahead, since it also had higher trims. Still, people who wanted ultimate luxury picked up the Firebird.
• Power – Now the difficult part… Both models actually trade blows here. The Pontiac came with a better basic engine, and it did offer a lot of powerful options. However, Camaro simply had the richer catalog. Its SS versions came with up to 375 hp, compared to Firebird’s 345 hp on its top engine. When it comes to the rarest and most powerful versions, Chevy still wins with 550 hp vs 500 hp on the Pontiac.

With all that said, we have only been taking a historical look at the two. If you are considering buying one now, things get more complicated. For one, first-gen Camaros tend to hold higher prices, especially for the top models. You can now buy a top trim Firebird for less money than some Camaros.

Do you prefer Camaro or Firebird?

Chevrolet Camaro has made our list of America’s most iconic classic cars for a good reason. Affordable, yet sporty, it won the hearts of many. But that does not necessarily mean it trumps the Firebird. If I had to pick between the two right now, I would go for a Firebird.

Firstly, you can get it for less money. Secondly, it can be considered a fairly exotic vehicle. Fewer folks have heard about it, and you would not see it that often on the street. Finally, I just prefer its interior, it looks classier to me. And honestly, when buying a classic car, very few people are concerned about it being a racing machine.

But which do you prefer? Would you rather the more iconic Camaro or is the Firebird closer to your heart?

The post An age-old argument: Firebird vs Camaro appeared first on Altered Steel.

For all their greatness, though, one thing bothers me about classics. We always seem to remember the most popular models. Everyone talks about America’s most iconic classics and how great they are. Don’t get me wrong; such models deserve their praise. But what about the hundreds of vehicles that have fallen by the wayside through the decades?

I think we will benefit a lot if we dig deeper into some of the forgotten vintage cars. In fact, they can reveal peculiar insights into why some models have fared better than others. Let’s check out the classics that history has kept out of the spotlight!

Everyday cars that history left behind

When people talk about vintage vehicles, they usually mention high-end models or sports cars. Yet the truth is that the real work gets done by people’s daily drivers. Unfortunately, that makes them less remarkable for most folks, hence, easier to forget with time. With that said, let us take a proper look at the car history’s most populous segment!

Studebaker Lark

Back in the day, the US automotive scene had more players competing for attention. Naturally, some of them, including Studebaker, met their downfall for one reason or another. That still does not mean they were terrible vehicles. In my opinion, the Lark was a perfectly good car for its time. It may not be anything groundbreaking, but as a family car, it was superb.

It is a bit sad that many people don’t even remember the Studebaker marque. The brand has its following, but it remains a niche. Though because of that, you can get a great classic model for quite a low price. Plus, you have three generations of Studebaker Lark, from which to choose!

Citroën GS

Here in the States, we are not very familiar with French manufacturers such as Renault, Peugeot, and Citroën. It is likely that whatever French classic I mention, it will still be obscure to you. Nevertheless, the GS has an interestingly sad story that even Europeans don’t remember.

If you look at the stats, you would think the GS would be one of the most popular classics out there. After all, Citroën had 2.5 million of it sold. Not to mention it also won the 1971 European Car of the Year award as everybody liked its comfort and aerodynamics. Why was it forgotten then? Honestly, because by then, Europe was flooded with car models, even more so than the United States. Ultimately, the GS didn’t present anything unique and was just a decent small car amid an ocean of similar vehicles.

Ford Falcon

After a forgotten European model that used to be successful, it’s only fair to mention a US one. Here the Ford Falcon serves as the perfect example. At the time, it was extremely popular and actually made Ford an even more successful company. However, when people hear about the Falcon today, the most common reaction is, “Oh, yes, I think I remember that.”

Here are a couple of funny bits. Firstly, the Falcon was part of the same trend that the Lark tried to ride. Secondly, the model was inspired by some of Ford’s compact versions in Europe. They had success there a whole 15 years before such vehicles became popular on the US market.

Old-timey sports cars we forgot about

The classic car niche has plenty of variety when it comes to vehicle types. You can get luxury sedans, supercars, and the aforementioned daily drivers. Yet from all of those, I think that sports cars are the most exciting. Just consider this – several decades later, plenty of modern fast cars can lose to their “ancient” predecessors. Talk about the magnificence of old-days car engineering!

So, what are some sports cars that did not make the cut for the world’s finest classics, and why? Here are a few great examples:

Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

One of the most interesting things about this model is that it should not have been forgotten. For a sports car, it was fairly popular at the time. Actually, VW Karmann Ghia was more successful than many Porsche models. What went wrong then? We can only speculate!

Many associate the VW brand with budget cars, not sports models. Having Karman Ghia built on the VW Beetle platform didn’t help that notion either. The company just never aligned itself with the idea of producing sports cars. Though the Ghia had a good run of 20 years with a decent reputation, it failed to stay in people’s minds.

Sunbeam Tiger

I bet most people have never heard of this car marque. It has British origins, though the Tiger was designed in part by Carroll Shelby of Mustang fame. This model is considered the beefed-up version of Sunbeam Alpine, which is not that hard to find nowadays.

As far as specs go, the Tiger sported a Ford V8 engine with 164 bhp. That gave it some punch and made it faster than a lot of the first-gen Porsche 911 units. However, having a promising model did not help the company all that much. It virtually went extinct as Chrysler took it over in 1967. Though the new management tried to resurrect the model name, it had lost its momentum.

Today, you can find some Sunbeam cars without much trouble. If you are in the market for an interesting, yet affordable classic, you may check the cheaper Sunbeam Alpine.

Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna

When you hear about a vintage Chevy, you most likely think of the classic Corvette that everyone wants. However, throughout the years, the company has come out with plenty of interesting models. I would even say that the Chevelle Laguna may as well be one of the coolest sports or muscle cars ever to hit the market.

With its top V8 engine, it had 245 hp. Although not the most powerful, it was capable of great feats. Cale Yarborough even won two NASCAR championships with it. Partly due to that, the model gained decent popularity and had about 110,000 sales by the end of its production.

Unfortunately, Chevrolet failed to distinguish it from the base Chevelle all that much. Their confusing lineup further messed with any attempt at proper branding. Unsurprisingly, the model was dropped after an almost 4-year run.

Mitsubishi Starion

In my post on remarkable Japanese classic cars, I mentioned Mazda RX-7 as the poster Japanese sports vehicle. Well, the Starion is Mitsubishi’s attempt to get a cut of the sports car pie. Sadly, it did not go well.

Many people considered the Starion to be too much of a copy of its competitors. The model also came a bit too late to the game, with at least five other marques occupying the niche already. To make things worse, the Starion had so many versions that it became a lineup of its own. However, it ended up selling less than 60 thousand models. Quite the poor numbers, compared to Mazda RX-7’s 800 thousand!

Oddballs that rightly did not make it

While some cars get forgotten because of unfortunate circumstances, others fall into oblivion more because of what they are. Certain models were designed to be so weird, most people never actually cared about them. Let’s see a couple.

GMC Sprint

Most car enthusiasts today know about Chevrolet El Camino. It is largely regarded as one of the ugliest and weirdest vehicles ever to be designed. Well, at least history remembers it. We cannot say the same about the Sprint.

The two vehicles are pretty much the same, though the GMC Sprint has some slight redesigns. In my opinion, they make the car even weirder. I have no idea why General Motors decided to have a rebadged model of an already badly executed car. Well, at least the Sprint went away only after two generations, unlike the El Camino, which held for five!

GMC Syclone

General Motor’s infatuation with weird pickups does not end with the Sprint. This time around, we have an even more obscure vehicle with less than 3,000 units produced. GMC Syclone only recently gained its classic status, though it has always had a small fanbase.

We still have to give credit where credit is due. This pickup did become the fastest stock pickup at the time. With its 280 hp V6 engine, it could go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3s. This is impressive even today, so back in 1991, it deserved the attention car enthusiasts gave it. Regardless of that, nowadays, most people do not even know it exists.

Which forgotten classic ignites your memory?

I have always been drawn to less popular things because, in my mind, they feel more special. However, many of the models mentioned today don’t exactly fit my taste. If I had to pick one, though, I would go with the Chevelle Laguna. It can actually pass as a muscle, so that’s nice. Plus, it has rotating seats. A bit gimmicky, I know, but it’s still a fun feature to try out!

What would you pick out of our list? Or maybe you have your own favorite unknown classic? I know many other models need the spotlight. Be sure to mention it if you have one on your mind!

The post Classic cars you didn’t know existed appeared first on Altered Steel.

Infrastructure? Practically non-existent. Not even the most developed cities were EV-friendly.

Today, the general picture has changed significantly. Not only can we name six EV brands, but we also have the luxury of selecting the best six out of numerous other options.


The outlook for electric vehicles seems to be highly positive today.

Car manufacturers worldwide have been investing in developing and perfecting electric models. And companies like Tesla and Hyundai have proudly revealed more than one electric vehicle model.

What has changed? What trends accelerated EV production and spiked market demand?

Cars going green: key modern trends

• Extended driving range: through better battery technology, today’s EVs can traverse over 300 miles on a single charge. An impressive range like this enhances the feeling of independence while driving. No more looking for charging stations. And the best part is that automakers are continuously looking for ways to improve the range. Maybe someday, “Go electric, go free” will be the marketing slogan used by EV manufacturers.
• Faster charging time: Overnight charging is quickly becoming a thing of the past. You can now charge your EV as quickly as 30 minutes. It seems like enough time to enjoy a good cup of coffee nearby. Again, all that thanks to better, more efficient batteries.
• Mass-market production: Electric vehicles are becoming more mainstream. It means that the number of EVs on the market is increasing, and, as an economist would say: once the supply goes up, the price goes down. Indeed, these cars have become more affordable. As you’ll see below, EVs are sold at a wide range of prices to fit different budgets.
• Better green technology: According to the BloombergNEF research, “the volume-weighted average battery pack fell 85% from 2010-2018.” It means that the price went down along with it. Cheaper and longer-lasting Li-ion batteries ultimately significantly lower the EV production costs.
• Better infrastructure: As EVs’ market has been growing, the network of charging stations has expanded. California remains the leading state with the most private and public electric vehicle charging stations, followed by Texas and Florida. EVs are also strongly encouraged in places that generate clean electricity through renewable resources.

Best EVs you can buy today:

2019 Nissan Leaf – $29,990

The Nissan Leaf is among the most affordable EVs on the market. The 2019 model is significantly better than the previous versions in terms of range and battery charging time. The 2019 Leaf Plus can last up to 215 miles on a single charge. Depending on the voltage, the charging time can vary between 7.5 hours and 35 hours. I know this is a big difference, but unfortunately, the range and chargers are not the strongest qualities of the Nissan Leaf.

The performance is very decent in terms of acceleration and horsepower (147-horsepower electric motor). Yet, the interior design looks a bit on the cheap side and is far from luxurious. A big up for Nissan is that each year it brings improved and better-looking EVs at affordable prices.

2019 Volkswagen e-Golf – $31,895

The e-Golf does not look much different from the manufacturer’s non-EVs. Also, driving it does not feel much different either. Thus, if you are looking forward to driving an EV, but worry that it will not feel like driving a “real car,” then this is a perfect fit for you. The interior is of premium quality, and there is enough space to make your driving experience pleasant.

The main drawback of the e-Golf is a low range. It can drive up to 125 miles on a single charge, which pretty much makes it a city car. If you plan on traveling longer distances, you should make sure to locate charging stations along the way.

2020 Chevrolet Bolt – $36,620

With the Chevrolet Bolt, you can go farther than you think. While still being in the affordable range, it can take you as far as 259 miles on a single charge. If you use the DC fast charging, you can charge 100 miles in 30 minutes.

Drivers and passengers alike will appreciate the roomy interior, infotainment system, driver assistance technology, and generous cargo space. The driver screen shows you the percentage of energy used at each car process and activity. Getting real-time information about your driving efficiency definitely adds value to the whole EV experience.

2020 Hyundai Kona Electric – $36,990

This EV offers a great balance of good performance, upscale interior, and price. The range is the generous  258 miles. No wonder it has been voted as the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year.

Hyundai has publicly declared its long term focus on e-mobility, aiming to reach a leading position on the EV market globally. Even though the South Korean auto manufacturer may not be the most popular choice among American drivers, its U.S. sales have been increasing. So, you might want to keep an eye out for Hyundai’s upcoming EV models, not only for more innovative features but also for good value for money.

2020 Jaguar I-Pace – $69,850

Oh, the Jaguar! I am personally happy that even luxury auto manufacturers have their electric models. The Jaguar I-Pace could not be any different in terms of premium interior and exterior design when compared to its non-electric versions.

The all-electric SUV has a 234-mile range and promises to take you from 0 to 60mph in 4,5 seconds in style –  part of the Jaguar magic. This is costly magic, though, as this EV costs almost double the previously mentioned Hyundai Kona. But if you give it a chance, you will see it as a good investment in no time.

2020 Tesla Model X – $86,190

Of course, Tesla could not be absent from this list. The reason why we mention it last is its cost. Tesla S and especially Tesla X are among the most expensive EVs on the market today. Yet, for an EV enthusiast, Tesla model X remains the greenest car with the best performance and the highest range – over 300 miles. This model also comes in AWD, meaning that you will be able to drive it safely, even in bad weather conditions.

The interior cabin is spacious, fitting up to seven people, and has a decent infotainment system. The best part for a speed lover: it can reach 60 mph in 2.6 seconds. Driving fast and green in a high-end car. A dream of any environmental and car enthusiast!

What’s your favorite EV?

The six options above are proof that EVs are rapidly growing in popularity. And as the prices are lowering, ultimately, the demand for EVs is going up. As a female EV enthusiast, I can happily say that the cycle is getting reinforced at an exponential rate. More people buy EVs, there is more incentive for manufacturers to go electric, there is more competition, and ultimately, higher-quality cars.

So, after browsing through our top six EVs, which one do you see as a good investment? Would dive into the whole EV experience head-on, or do you prefer an EV that looks more like a regular car? I personally cannot wait to see the 2021 models. Maybe electrifying our mobility is not such a distant dream, after all!

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When Europeans think of American cars they don’t picture a Ford Escort. Nope. What comes to their mind is a mighty beast, such as the Mustang. Natural selection has determined these monsters will make their ripple through history.

Although muscle cars were way more popular back in the day, there is sort of a resurgence nowadays. It started in the early 2000s and hadn’t died since. But is there a market for these cars in Europe? Let’s see.

Don’t Europeans have their own muscle?

Let’s clear this question first. It all depends on how you look at it. To be honest, many European vehicles can fit in the broader description of a muscle. Are they considered such though? Not really.

Europeans think of cars more in terms of their use. It means that broadly speaking you’ll find three kinds of vehicles there – regular everyday cars, sports cars, and luxury cars. If you are willing to break these down even further, sure, you could label some of them as “muscle.” But most people don’t.

Even official company websites market their American muscle as sports cars in Europe. The term “muscle” is nowhere to be found. So there you have it.

With all that being said, the European demand for aggressive-looking, high-torque, high-power vehicles is on the rise. A lot of German car manufacturers have come up with their own versions of would-be muscle cars. So it won’t come as a surprise if the term sticks in the near future.

The most popular American muscle cars

Let me first say that I won’t be covering the classic models. I want to focus on vehicles you can get your hands on today. For a reasonable price that is.

Furthermore, for the sake of brevity, I will have to include similar models under one heading. So don’t get mad if I don’t mention every single Camaro or Shelby variant. But let’s get going!

Ford Mustang – The true American stallion

This car easily makes the top 3 of the most popular muscle cars in Europe. It has many variations, but the iconic logo has a place in every car enthusiast’s heart on the east side of the Atlantic. And that is the non-Shelby variant.

Interestingly, the Ford Mustang isn’t even among the most powerful or most expensive muscles. But is it beautiful? Of course. Add that to the fact that the new Mustang GT can get from zero to sixty in 4.3s, and you have a beast of a car. It also comes heavily sprinkled with the American spirit.

The Mustang gets a fair amount of love in Europe. It is among the best-selling “sporty” vehicles in Germany. Its UK version isn’t far behind either. And due to its reasonable price, many young people find it quite affordable. So it is indeed a good opening pick for today’s list.

As for the Shelby iterations, many of which aren’t even called Mustangs anymore – they are mostly left for Americans to enjoy. I’ll tell you why later, but here’s a hint: European regulations.

Chevrolet Camaro – You can never get enough

Camaro is another model that sits well in the minds of Europeans. There are so many variations of it that I can’t do it justice. Whatever you go with though, one thing is for certain – that’s the real muscle.

An interesting is the division in opinions people have about this vehicle. There is a very devout group of enthusiasts who fervently defend the old (read “classic”) look of this machine. Then again, fans of the new visual iteration aren’t a small number either.

While I don’t have any specific figures, it is almost certain that the Camaro sells a bit worse than the Mustang. This applies to both the US and European markets. But that’s largely due to the fair price difference. Still, it more than deserves a spot on our list.

Dodge Challenger – What muscle is all about

Many people consider this model to be the go-to muscle car of the modern age. Why? Because for a lot of folks it’s the only modern vehicle that can be called a true heir to the muscles of old. One reason is that it’s not afraid to have a not-so-modern look. The other? Power!

Its technical specs are a thing to behold. There are models, which exceed 700 HP. Impressive! But what does this mean in the real world? 3.5s to 60mph! This is what I call fast.

Sadly though, Dodge doesn’t sell well in Europe. They no longer market the latest Challenger models (among many others) on The Old Continent. So the only way to get one is through imports. But the price increase that comes with it isn’t small, which makes it hard to beat what Ford and Chevrolet are currently offering.

However, not being the most purchased vehicle doesn’t make it less famous. People still know it, and enthusiasts have a place in their hearts for it. So does our list!

Dodge Charger – The controversial pick

I know that this model has a bit of controversy about it. First, there is the whole debate of whether it’s a muscle at all. Some people consider it a sporty sedan, for others, it is way too big to be called a muscle. But then again, the new 707 HP Hellcat model doesn’t really sound like a family car.

But do Europeans know it? They sure do. Not as much as the previous three though. It often gets mistaken for a Challenger. And just like it, it isn’t marketed in Europe. Which is sad, because it could have been more affordable than a top of the line Camaro.

It is quite the opposite in the US. Millennials have quite the love for Dodge and the Charger in particular. So let’s give our respect to this beast.

Why aren’t there more muscle cars in Europe?

We have exhausted our list of muscle cars. Yes, that’s right. I know there are more worthy mentions, but most of them aren’t known in Europe. And there is an actual reason why this is the case.

Remember that we mentioned Shelby isn’t really sold on The Old Continent? And that Dodge has withdrawn from marketing their latest models there? A big reason is European regulations.

A car in Europe has to have a certain level of efficiency and is not to surpass the set exhaust emissions. If it does, you have to pay quite the premium for it (i.e. high taxes and all that).

But how come Camaro and Mustang find their way on the market? It’s because they manufacture specially designed European models. And sometimes they differ quite a lot from their US counterparts.

Exhaust emissions are just the beginning. A lot of times the European models have less horsepower, better mile-per-gallon ratio, and use different materials in their manufacturing process.

This begs the question if we can even consider such cars “American muscle”. But really, can we stamp a nationality to any car?

What is the alternative?

Frankly speaking, there probably isn’t one. Think about it, what makes a muscle car? Some would say the sound of the engine, for example. But it comes at a price: higher fuel consumption, higher exhaust emissions, etc.

Yet, there are some models, which have tried to look the part. The Mustang EcoBoost is one such. But would you consider it a muscle? Most people wouldn’t. And I don’t blame them.

With muscle cars there is something more than looks – it’s the spirit. The American spirit. And of course, we don’t want a dead pony; we want a state-of-the-art, roaring-like-thunder beast of a machine. But you just don’t get that by compromising.

However, Europeans see it differently. They want a safe car, which is fast, meets the regulations and doesn’t use up fuel as much. Did we also mention that it has to be fast?

Well, “fast” has a different meaning on The Old Continent. It’s not all about horsepower. If it feels good, accelerates well, and gives you the chills. It’s fast enough. Exactly how fast is not important.

That’s why EcoBoost has a nice niche market there. And do you know what else has such a market? Tesla.

Really? Tesla?

Yes, the company doesn’t have muscle cars. Some would even consider it a stretch to say it produces speed-oriented vehicles. But with 400+ horsepower under the hood, it’s not far off to say that Tesla offers some pretty solid choices. And Europeans are digging them.

Considering everything we’ve said so far, is this even a surprise? People in the UK, Germany, France, and the like aren’t raised on big, bulky, high-throttle vehicles. What they are actually used to is more luxurious, compact, but fast cars.

Tesla S can be found in many variations, some with a lot of luxury in mind. And engine power is pretty great, as we mention. But with an SUV and another luxury model on the horizon, Tesla is more likely to take on the European market than the likes of Dodge.

Conclusion

So there you have it. Muscles have their place in Europe, but it might not hold for long. Specially designed Mustangs and Camaros may still be around in ten years, but European manufacturers continue to run the show. Japanese vehicles are close after, and Tesla is a rising star.

Ladies and gents, we may be on the brink of a complete muscle car redesign once again. Strict environmental regulations may hit the US as well. What will happen to our favorite cars then? I don’t know.

But I do know I am looking forward to an environment-friendly, lightning-fast, engine-roaring beast. And yes, if it could keep its horsepower of 700+, it would be great.

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People already know that the rise of the crossover has begun. But before crossovers, there were SUVs. Some of those monsters have survived through the years to give us a lesson in hardcore car design. I invite you to take a seat with me. Together we will explore the off-roaders of the ages past!

What constitutes a vintage SUV?

Of course, I have to mention a few things about which cars fit the bill with the term “vintage”. Some heavy purists would not count anything younger than the Cold War. Others would consider their 15-year-old Land Cruiser to be pretty “vintage” already. How do we solve that?

As with many other things in life, I figured that we should take the middle ground here. The law has determined what a classic car is and I think it will serve us fine. So what is it? Anything older than 25 years.

Here is a thread that you will notice in this article – the SUVs that we know today have little to do with their predecessors. They differ in both aesthetics and purpose. I suspect that somewhere along the way the whole SUV term changed its meaning. To be fair, modern “sport utility vehicles” are not much about sport or utility. This makes it even more interesting to see where this category of vehicles came from. Let’s start with the first entry on our list!

Case in point – Toyota J40

I was not joking when I told you that people had a very different idea for these vehicles back in the day. So what can better illustrate that than a car, which has its own modern equivalent? If the J40 model name does not ring a bell, I bet its more famous alternative will. I am talking about Toyota Land Cruiser 40!

Obviously, most people will never guess that the J40 has anything to do with modern-day LCs. When you hear Land Cruiser you imagine a big monstrosity that can take your whole family for a ride. Thankfully, even the modern LC retains some of its off-road capabilities, though nothing close to the J40.

Interestingly enough, the Jeep-like Toyota garners a lot of attention even today. People are still using it in their off-road pursuits. Plus it was such a success that it had a 24-year manufacturing run. I always find it interesting when vintage vehicles are still performing well (sometimes even better than modern cars). It goes to show that back in the day vehicle development had a much different focus.

If you are wondering how this small off-roader became the huge Land Cruiser of today, you would not be alone. Technically there is no true continuation. The current line of LCs started with the J50, which was produced alongside J40. The true successor of the latter is the J70 model, but it is also fairly big and bulky. So I guess the desire for big cars can be traced quite far back!

The American workhorse – Ford Bronco

As far as iconic vehicles go, Ford Bronco is definitely up there. However, not all Bronco generations are that noteworthy. While all of them are considered classics, the fifth-gen is perhaps the most popular. However, today I want to focus our attention elsewhere.

The first-generation Ford Bronco is what piques my interest the most. It carries a lot of history with it. For example, its design elements are reminiscent of certain competitor models. That said, when it comes to vintage SUVs it seems like all of them had a similar look. So I cannot really fault Bronco for that.

Here we can also trace the trend of progressive vehicle growth. The first-gen was fairly compact, and the second one had already grown to a full-size SUV. That sounds very funny to me, but you can notice it with virtually all off-road vehicles. Even the RAV4 (which is fairly new, as far as models go) started out small and is now getting bigger with each gen.

Naturally, there is a reason for all that. Even though smaller vehicles can be arguably better off the road, people want to purchase more versatile cars. Ford failed to see that though. Other companies were quick to respond and the sales of the first-gen Bronco started to diminish.

This is how the second and third generations came to be. They were both bigger to accommodate the demand at the time. On top of that, they started leaning more towards on-road than off-road. Looking at Ford Bronco’s history you could tell why the current crossovers are a far cry from their predecessors. People do not really want off-road vehicles, they just like the look. This is even more evident in modern SUVs that are going electric.

Back to the off-road – Geo Tracker

We saw how the divide between off-road and on-road SUVs emerged. To this day both lines of vehicles exist in their own niches, with their own fan bases. Obviously, the on-road crowd is much bigger, but that does not mean that manufacturers have given up on off-road completely.

One car that has only recently become a classic is the Geo Tracker. It is highly likely that you are not familiar with it. You may have heard about the Chevrolet Tracker though. The Geo is basically Chevrolet before being rebranded.

What makes the Geo Tracker so interesting though? Plenty of things, actually! Firstly, it is Chevrolet in name only. In fact, it is Suzuki through and through. Secondly, the company developed it for Canada with the idea to provide a versatile compact vehicle. The crowd embraced it as it proved to be one of the best light trucks on the market.

Currently, the Tracker lives on with a Chevrolet name, but its actual successor is the Suzuki Vitara. It has a fairly loyal customer base, who loves the fact that it is sturdy, easy to maintain, and cheap at that. Though, as it is with most of the recent trends, many things around the vehicle are getting way too modernized for the worse.

The true SUV staple – Jeep CJ

Are you looking for the most iconic off-road vehicle ever? Then you should not look any further than the Jeep CJ. Sadly, the earlier generations are pretty hard to find and even the later ones are really sought after. Of course, that is not without reason!

The CJ model has proven itself to be one of the most reliable vehicles in history. A quick search will show you that it has been used for a wide variety of purposes. The military has adopted it, it has been through countless safaris, and some have even used it as an emergency vehicle. You would be hard-pressed to find a more versatile car that has spanned 30 years of improvement but has yet kept its spirit.

On top of that, you can see different CJ models in use even to this day. Provided that you take care of it, it can probably last through a couple more generations. Jeep CJ has become so popular that people around the world associate the off-road term with it. In many parts of Europe, the word “jeep” means SUV precisely because of the CJ!

The everyday British SUV – the original Range Rover

What do you think about when you hear “Range Rover”? If you are like me, you immediately make the connection to Land Rover, Jaguar, and most recently – Tata India. Furthermore, you probably think about their luxury modern SUVs. Truth be told they are my favorite crossovers in terms of design. But the Range Rover I have in mind today is a totally different beast!

The first-generation Range Rover stakes its claim as one of the best workhorses in SUV history. Among the reasons for that was its affordability. See, Jeep had already come up with the Wagoneer by that time. The problem with it? It was marketed as a luxury vehicle. Competitor models also targeted the upper segment of the market. So Land Rover saw the opening and decided to step up their game with an interesting offer.

As far as cars go, the Range Rover would have probably been considered mid-range in terms of price. But when it came to the SUV market, it was a steal! More people could afford a reliable car that can not only drive a family around town but would serve working folk just as well.

Sadly, with each subsequent generation, the car became more and more luxurious. This trend began by the end of the first-gen cycle with higher trims. Once Range Rover became popular and gained its own customer base, the people behind the company decided that they could just pump the price up. For better or worse the move proved a success and now we all know Range Rover to be one of the premium SUV marques.

Which vintage SUV catches your eye?

To say that this list is exhaustive would be a serious lie. I have left out dozens of notable vehicles, which are no less deserving. The VW Vanagon Synchro, for example, is an interesting one to check out. The International Harvester Scout also makes for a great honorable mention.

But I can only cover so much with an article. This is why I turn to you! What do you think are some great SUVs from the past? Do you have your own favorite, or do you think that vintage SUVs may even be overrated? I would be happy to hear your opinion!

The post Our favorite vintage SUVs appeared first on Altered Steel.

Now, the Corvette may not be the fastest vehicle around. It may not be the prettiest either. It may not even be “the most American”. And yet, the model is perhaps the most desired sports car for many Americans. However, that does not really tell you much. Why?

There are way too many Corvette models, so the name alone does not mean a great deal. That is why I have decided to figure out which of this vehicle’s iterations is the most wanted one. Let’s see what there is to find!

A quick mention for the newer Corvettes

Cars have evolved to be beautiful, fast, and breath-taking. All the newer models look awesome, there is no doubt about that. However, there is something special about the classic Corvette. I cannot quite pin it down, but it has to do with its spirit. It has aged well, and maybe the modern one will catch up to it one day. But for now, we will only include it as an honorable mention.

So which of the newer models should catch your attention the most? In my opinion, the 2017 Corvette Grand Sport takes the lead with flying colors. It is a beast with 460 horsepower on the LT1 6.2L engine. But these are not just numbers – it gets from 0 to 60 in 3.6 secs. So it is a true successor of the original Grand Sport.

Defining the rules

Now that we have already dealt with the modern age, we can properly turn back to the classics. With their curvy design, vintage aesthetics and amazing engine sounds, these models are a pure treasure. So are you ready to know the winner here? Yeah, I was too. But then I faced an issue.

When I set out to find the Chevrolet Corvette that everyone wants, I hit a brick wall. How do we actually define that? Do I look for the most expensive model? That surely does not mean it is the most desired. What about the most bought? That also does not necessarily mean “most wanted”.

I figured I can just research what the “best” model is. But, obviously, the internet does not agree on that either. So I decided to drop looking for “the one model” and I will instead give you some noteworthy candidates. You can have your pick from any of them!

Who cares about the price?

It goes without saying that cars are not cheap. But $3,850,000 is not exactly a price that you would consider “reasonable”. Surprisingly though, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 got sold for exactly that amount. However, considering there are only 20 such vehicles ever built, the price seems more than fair.

It is interesting to note that this is not even the most expensive Corvette out there. The low end for this model is around $1,000,000, but there are known ‘Vettes that go up to 8 mils. Yes, a bit steep, I would say.

The scarcity of the 1967 L88 model made it a prized collection piece, even in the year of its production. It was not just for show either. This Corvette could hold its own with 430 HP, according to the manufacturer. The funny part? It was actually more along the lines of 560 HP when tested. Not too shabby.

If you have the opportunity to get your hands on one of these 20 gems, go for it. They are the secret dream of every Corvette fan, so you will never be left without attention.

The first Corvette with a V8 engine

History tells us that the ‘Vette had its debut in 1953. Back then it was an interesting addition to the array of sports cars on the market. And yet it was nothing new, like Jaguar, Ferrari, and Aston Martin had already staked their claim as sporty vehicles.

However, come 1955 things changed. The Chevy Corvette got its now-staple V8 engine and things started looking much brighter for the American beast. The performance boost of that motor made this Chevy a much more desirable vehicle. That was likely the main reason why it did so well, making the company continue on with its second generation.

The 1955 Corvette V8 can be found at different auctions online and it is much more affordable than our previous mention. So if you are looking for a classic model to buy, this one may just fit your budget with prices around the $100,000 mark.

The third generation beast

When people talk about classic vehicles, they cannot always agree on what is considered such. But we can safely say that the first three generations of the Corvette model fall well within the classic domain.

The third generation, in particular, is the longest-running one of all with 14 years of production. Yet, among its most iconic pieces is the 1969 Corvette L88. Wait, isn’t that the same as the expensive model from two minutes ago? Well, actually, no!

While it may sound like these two vehicles should be nearly identical, they are not. In fact, the 1969 model builds well upon the design of its predecessor. From a classier, sportier look it turns to a more muscle one. Its aesthetics get more aggressive and the overall build seems a little bit closer to ground.

That being said, the price is not all that different. You need to shell out upwards of $450,000 for the regular 1969 L88. But if you want something more exciting, you can go to almost 3 times the price with the ZL1 version.

Are you ready to go all-in?

Let’s say you are now convinced that a ‘Vette seems like a good investment. Keep in mind that you do not need to buy the most expensive one. There are a lot of nice models, which sell for a lot less than the mentioned here. But are you ready to go all-in? What’s your  ‘Vette?

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