Certain classic cars have been universally respected since their conception and are still much adored by today’s youth. However, a few rides out there haven’t landed with the new generation to the same degree; let’s take a look at 19 surprising examples.
Shelby Mustang GT500KR
This iconic piece of American muscle, the Shelby Mustang GT500KR, once earned the nickname “King of the Road.” It’s a beautiful car with fantastic performance, but it just does not seem to be as desirable as it once was, with the new generation opting for other classic muscle cars.
Plymouth Belvedere
The Plymouth Belvedere’s lightweight structure, combined with its powerful 426 Hemi engine, made it a dream for drivers in the past. As Motor Sport Magazine documents, its amazing performance in the 1964 Daytona NASCAR race really made sales take off. Whatever happened to this classic motor!?
Dodge Dart 426 Hemi
The Dodge Dart 426 Hemi was a particularly exciting ride, partly because it was never actually street-legal. This may also explain why it’s no longer popular, although its prowess on drag strips really made it a desirable vehicle back in the day!
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
The Firebrand Trans Am represents the peak of Pontiac’s muscle car offerings thanks to its elite performance, both in terms of its engine output and its incredible aerodynamics. Despite all that speed, not a lot of folks from the new generation seem to be giving it much interest.
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
The ZL1 was always one of the most valuable Chevrolet Camaros and still is today, often fetching high prices at auctions. However, the people paying those prices always tend to be the older generation. You won’t find many young people bidding on these fantastic rides; we’re just glad they’re leaving Camaros for us!
Dodge Coronet R/T
Not many younger people know about the Dodge Coronet R/T, and they’re missing out. This downsized vehicle was optimized for muscle car competitions but still had a number of high-performance engine options, such as the 440 Magnum. It’s a shame it’s so underappreciated these days.
Oldsmobile 4-4-2
Oldsmobile never quite reached the legacy of Pontiacs and Plymouths, so it’s unsurprising that the 4-4-2 hardly shows up on the radars of the younger generation. However, this underrated car had a lot to say for itself at the time, including a four-barrel carb, four-speed transmission, and dual exhaust.
Ford Torino GT
Many people consider the Torino GT to be one of the most beautiful Fords ever created, behind the Mustang. Its immense popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s reflected that perfectly, although its older style and limited technology caused it to fall short for today’s young motorheads.
AMC Javelin
Here’s another car manufacturer brand that we don’t hear a lot about these days. Once upon a time, some considered the AMC Javelin to be one of the most beautiful cars out there. However, its unique style divided opinion and this tactic doesn’t appear to have had much longevity.
Mercury Cougar XR-7
The Mercury Cougar XR-7 was like a luxury version of the Ford Mustang, but despite its impressive features, it was always overshadowed by the original. This foreshadowed its lower popularity today, although Hagerty observes that it is becoming more popular among Gen X and Millenials. Who knows, perhaps it’ll see an unlikely comeback!
Chrysler Imperial
Another serious luxury vehicle in its time was the impressive Imperial by Chrysler. The large body and older design language were super appealing to the older generations, but these characteristics have not translated well to the present day, so it’s certainly lost a lot of popularity.
Buick Riviera
Upon release, the Buick Riviera was all over TV, appearing mostly in cop dramas. It was very comfortable to drive as well, but many young people aren’t looking for that kind of nostalgia or comfort. We bet their parents would love one, though!
Lincoln Continental Mark III
The massive size and excessive fuel consumption of the Lincoln Continental were enough to put many people off of it at the height of its popularity. Fans of the aesthetic could look past this, but with environmental sustainability becoming a hot talking point, this old-school ride is slowly drifting into obscurity.
Cadillac Eldorado
The Cadillac Eldorado once represented peak personal luxury, but surprisingly, it’s declined in popularity over time. It has been featured in many modern television shows, including Family Guy, as cited by the Internet Movie Cars Database, but even that hasn’t done enough to spark new interest in the classic car.
Studebaker Avanti
The Avanti was very much ahead of its time in terms of design and performance, but Studebaker itself always struggled with brand perception. It occasionally hits with the younger generation, but generally, Studebaker hasn’t had much luck with the longevity of Avanti’s popularity.
Jensen Interceptor
The Jensen Interceptor is a classic British car well known for its blend of luxury, performance, and unusual aesthetic. However, the brand never really took off, and the success of the car died off, along with the success of the brand as a whole, leaving no more Jensens for today’s kids.
Triumph TR6
Triumph was once one of the most popular British brands, and the TR6 even made it into Goodwood’s list of their best vehicles. However, the number of British sports car enthusiasts is somewhat limited in the US, so it’s not particularly popular as an option for those in the new generation.
Datsun 240Z
Japanese imports are all the rage with the new generation in the US these days, but one Japanese car that’s never really managed to hold onto its success in the American market is the Datsun 240Z. The reason for this is simple: it just wasn’t as advanced as some of the competition available.
Fiat 124 Spider
Finally, the Italian style of this beautiful car, the Fiat 124 Spider, made it very popular in its day, but its small size never really appealed to those in the US. In fact, the smaller size has actually landed quite well on the European new generation, but it’s not going to do much for those in the US.
Up Next: 17 Things Most People Forget After Someone Dies
When a person dies, it’s easy for their partner or family members to overlook things while they process shock and grief. Despite the pain of losing a loved family member, it’s important to remember to organize these 17 things to prevent problems later on.
17 Things Most People Forget After Someone Dies
17 Phrases Confident People Use to Stand Up For Themselves
Confidence is a healthy and attractive trait that helps us stand firm in our values and set healthy boundaries. We can always become more confident, and learning the right ways to stand up for yourself is a great way to start. Here are 17 phrases you can use to do so.
17 Phrases Confident People Use to Stand Up For Themselves
20 Signs Someone Is Only Pretending to Care
Whether it’s to avoid hurting your feelings or if it’s part of a more elaborate plan to deceive you for benefits, people pretend for many reasons. The main theme with them, though, is that their actions never match the sugar-coated words that come out of their mouths. So that you don’t fall for someone like this, we’ve compiled 20 signs for you to look out for.