10 AMERICAN CARS THAT BECAME CULTURAL ICONS

Cars have played always played a pivotal role in shaping American culture, as they have represented freedom, individuality, and the open road for generations. From starring in music and movies to TV shows and commercials, some cars have become iconic symbols by helping to define various eras in American history.

In this article, we'll be looking at some American cars that went on to become cultural icons. These cars left a lasting impact either through appearances in movies and TV shows or through a strong association with the American culture overall. Needless to say, these vehicles hold significance within the automotive industry and are celebrated as beloved symbols of American car culture.

1981 DeLorean DMC-12 - Back To The Future

The DeLorean DMC-12 is a forever icon in American pop culture. The car's gullwing doors alone are among the most striking and recognizable elements across the automotive industry. Of course, we all know how the DeLorean DMC-12 shot to fame when it was featured in the Back to the Future franchise as a futuristic time machine.

Ever since the movie came out in 1985, the car's iconic status has only increased further. This is because the movie franchise and its subsequent sequels have been watched by one generation after another since there's arguably no better science-fiction comedy yet. It also helps that the DeLorean played an integral part in the film's plot, so we are willing to bet that the car is likely to stay relevant for generations to come.

Chevrolet Camaro (Multiple Generations) - Bumblebee From Transformers

Bumblebee has been a fan-favorite character from the Transformers franchise. Ever since the first time a 1977 Chevy Camaro was used to depict the autobot, numerous other iterations of the character have surfaced over the years, and no matter what the plot or arc is, you will always see Bumblebee still being depicted as an iconic yellow Camaro with black stripes.

Different model years of the Camaro have been used to portray the character throughout its history. For example, the 2023 reincarnation of Bumblebee in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is also going to see the Chevy Camaro return but this time we're likely to have a classic 1970 model on the big screen, as per the teaser trailer of the film.

1959 Cadillac Ecto-1 - Ghostbusters

The 1959 Cadillac Ecto-1 is one of the easiest movie cars to identify. Thanks to its starring role in the Ghostbusters film franchise, the Ecto 1 has become immortalized. When that unmistakable siren sounds in the packed streets of New York City, we all know what happens next!

It goes without saying that the blockbuster film franchise elevated the car's status to unbelievable heights. Most important of all, however, the ghostbusting vehicle proves that it doesn't need an uber-cool muscle car or a highly modified racer to draw appeal. It can even be done through a simple vehicle with a charismatic and cheeky character, which will outweigh power and prestige thanks to a devoted fanbase.

1967 Chevy Impala - Supernatural

Supernatural was one of the longest-running TV series from Warner Bros' spanning 15 seasons and 300+ episodes. The 1967 Chevy Impala played an important role on the show as it was the proud family heirloom of the Winchester brothers, handed down from their late father.

Ever since the car made its appearance on the show, it instantly caught on with the automotive community across America as well as the globe. Its stardom has reached the point where the black '67 Impala has now achieved cult status and is likely to remain a fan-favorite as long as people continue to watch re-runs of Sam and Dean battling the forces of evil.

1964 Pontiac GTO - The First Muscle Car

The American muscle car culture has seen numerous timeless classics that continue to dominate the market to this day. The 1964 Pontiac GTO is the one that sparked this craze. When it was first introduced, the car's powerful engine and sporty styling instantly caught on with the masses. The GTO offered a powerful V8 in a smaller and lighter build which was considerably more agile than the vehicles of that time.

It is now widely recognized as an icon of the American automotive industry and most people credit it as the first true muscle car. It's fair to admit that not only was the 1964 Pontiac GTO a trendsetter, but it was also symbolic to the future generations of muscle cars as its design and engineering continued to influence cars from that era.

Chevrolet Bel Air (First Four Generations) - Rock N' Roll

Introduced in 1950, the Chevy Bel Air was a style icon that perfectly captured the spirit of the era. Its chrome accents and distinctive tail fins became symbolic to the American youth at the time, becoming intertwined in pop culture with expressions of freedom, energy, and excitement.

During the same period, rock 'n' roll was also emerging as a powerful force in American music. The genre represented rebellion which resonated with the younger generation the most. There's probably no better depiction of the youth of the '50s than young people cruising in their Bel Airs, listening to rock 'n' roll tunes on the radio. Just like the era of rock 'n' roll holds a special place in American music, the Chevy Bel Air also stands firm as an icon of American car culture. It's hard to find a perfectly preserved 1957 Chevy Bel Air nowadays, but if you do find one, make sure to give it the respect it deserves!

Ford F-150 (1948-Present) - The American Grit

The Ford F-150 has become synonymous with the American work ethic over the years. It is the best-selling pickup in the US which in itself is an unparalleled achievement, but the truck also holds cultural significance as a symbol of the grit and hard work that defines the American culture.

The F-150 was introduced way back in the late '40s and throughout its long journey, it has amassed an incredible following. Many have tried to dethrone the truck but have always come up short, which is why it is unanimously recognized as the undisputed king of the pickup division and a true icon of the automotive industry.

1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am - Smokey And The Bandit

The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am had a starring role in the hit 1977 movie, Smokey and the Bandit. The muscle car featured besides Burt Reynolds in one of the most memorable films from that era, which led to this Pontiac quickly achieving the status of a cultural icon.

Unfortunately, only one of the actual cars that were used in the 1977 movie remain alive today, and that particular model was auctioned for $495,000 in 2022. Needless to say, the starlight-and-gold special edition variant of the Firebird Trans Am is still an instantly recognizable muscle car today.

Ford Crown Victoria (1992-2011) - The Cop Car

Ever since its introduction in 1992, the Ford Crown Victoria became the default Police vehicle in pop culture, including movies and TV shows as well as numerous other mediums. The model pictured above in particular featured in the movie Pixels, which is one of probably hundreds more onscreen credits.

Although Ford stopped producing the Crown Victoria in 2011, the last of the Police Interceptors remained active in duty until late 2020 when the California Highway Patrol retired it from service. Throughout its years in service, the "cop car" was well known to be as tough as the streets.

Ford Gran Torino (1972-1976) - Starsky And Hutch

Starsky and Hutch was a hit TV series in the '70s that starred Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul, which also introduced the world to the Ford Gran Torino. The car was actually the show's hero in its unmistakable red-and-white finish that eventually earned it the status of a cultural icon.

This was probably the first time in any TV show that a car played such a central role. As soon as the words "Zebra 3, come in" were heard, the audience knew it was time for the Gran Torino to spring into action. Although the younger generation may not remember key facts about the vehicle today, it remains the most celebrated car in the history of American television.

2023-06-05T20:39:22Z dg43tfdfdgfd