The most beautiful American cars
Shy and retiring are things America isn't, proof of which comes here on this list of the most beautiful American cars ever made. Big riles, massive fins, and lashings of chrome are just three things the USA does to excess, simultaneously building some of the most striking car designs ever sold. These are ten of the most beautiful American cars ever made.
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop
The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air symbolises the optimism of a post-war America, embroiled in the Space Race that captured the imaginations of millions of Americans. Its exuberantly chromed grille, hooded headlights and massive fins spoke of a country enjoying its status as one of the world's Great Powers.
The flamboyant exterior hid some clever engineering. The 1957 Bel Air was one of the first cars to offer fuel injection in the form of its Ramjet V8, which pumped out 283PS (208kW) and could be hooked up to a two-speed Powerglide transmission, perfectly suiting the lazy V8's power and the wafty ride quality of the car's innovative torsion bar suspension. Optional kit like electric windows and air conditioning made the Bel Air a template for today's luxury coupés.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
While the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette is known as the Stingray, its design is actually based on the Mako Shark concept, which got its name from its sharply tipped nose and wind tunnel-designed body design. What makes the 1963 model so unique is its split rear window, which was launched in 1963 and then scrapped in 1964 because it hampered rearward visibility.
The Corvette's long bonnet meant the engine could be placed behind the front wheels, and power came exclusively in V8 form – the torquey motors made it easy to work with the Corvette's lightweight fibreglass body. Chevrolet offered various engine configurations, culminating in the L84, which featured mechanical fuel injection and delivered a generous 360PS (265kW) to the rear wheels.
2005 Ford GT
The Ford GT pulled off the clever trick of looking almost identical to the GT40 it paid homage to while being significantly bigger and much better suited to the road. Like 1966's Le Man's winner – a car specifically built to beat Ferrari after it pulled out of a Ford takeover – it featured a gaping mouth, wide stance, gulping air vents, and tail lights the size of dinner plates.
But the GT's beauty went more than skin deep. Despite having significantly more power, it ferociously undercut the pricing of the Italian competition, while offering a Days of Thunder soundtrack that no competitor could match. Strapping a 550PS (405kW) supercharged V8 to a car that weighed around 1,600kg had obvious benefits to performance, giving the Ford instant go peakier rivals couldn't replicate.
1967 Shelby GT500
No car captures the aggression of 1960s muscle cars quite as well as the Shelby GT500, a car whose huge gaping mouth looked like it could swallow European sports cars whole, with chunky rear arches and a tail end that made this American sports car look like a refugee from American football.
Power came from a 7.0-litre Police Interceptor motor officially rated at 355PS (261kW) that was thought to serve up closer to 400PS (294kW), launching the Shelby from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds – quicker than a Lamborghini Miura that went on sale nearly half a decade later. Only 2,048 cars were ever built, and the model's legendary status was sealed by its appearance in the 2000 film Gone in 60 Seconds, where it became the object of desire for a professional car nicker Randall "Memphis" Raines, played by Nichola Cage.
1948 Tucker 48
With its rounded nose, cyclops headlight and streamlined body, it's easy to see why the Tucker 48 became known as the Tucker Torpedo when it launched in 1948. But it was more than just a pretty face; the unique centre headlight moved with the steering, and the Tucker featured trail-blazing safety features like a padded dashboard and shatterproof windscreen designed to pop out in a collision to reduce the chances of severe head injuries. I'll stick with an airbag.
The Tucker's driving characteristics were just as unique as its looks, thanks to a 160PS (118kW) 5.5-litre flat-six flung out over the rear axle – originally, the company had planned to fit a 9.6-litre aircraft engine. Sadly, Preston Tucker's business practices were as 'innovative' as his car, the company selling garage franchises and accessories before it had finished a production model. Tucker would be hauled in front of the court, irreversibly damaging the brand despite the judge eventually ruling in his favour.
1959 Cadillac Eldorado
The 1959 Cadillac Eldorado was another car that captured the dreams of post-war Americana and signposted one of the country's most dramatic eras of Jet Age-inspired design. The Eldorados' rear fins remain one of the most striking features in car design, and with quad headlights and lashings of chrome, few cars, then or now, could match the Cadillac's presence.
Coil springs gave the Cadillac a butter-smooth ride, and the car's luxury car status was confirmed by its power steering and brakes, as well as kit-like electric windows, electric seats, and air conditioning. Although no sports car, the Eldorado wasn't lacking in power. Generous twist came from a 5.4-litre 325PS (239kW) V8 fed by dual, four-barrel carburettors that powered through a smooth-shifting Hydra-Matic automatic gearbox.
1969 Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger will forever be remembered for having the flattened face of a (not very good) boxer thanks to trick headlights hidden behind the outer edges of the grille that revolved out of the way when in use. The rest was a classic muscle car from its Coke bottle shape to its acre-long bonnet and (we suspect) mostly useless optional rear spoiler.
The drive was a characteristic muscle car, too, with powerful V8s offering up to 425PS (313kW), compensating for the vehicle running unsophisticated leaf-spring suspension at the rear. Dodge offered various models, culminating in the Dodge Charger Daytona, which had an aerodynamic nose cone and a massive rear wing designed for motorsport.
1992 Dodge Viper
With relatively simple mechanicals and a mammoth 8-litre truck engine under its bonnet, the Dodge Viper introduced the concept of the American muscle car to a new generation when it launched in 1992. It was a back-to-basics supercar lacking even a proper roof or exterior door handles. Instead, you just reached into the passenger compartment.
The Viper had a similar disregard for driving aids, lacking ABS or traction control despite the hefty lump up front producing 400PS (298kW) and a meaty 630Nm (465lb ft) of torque. Unsurprisingly, like its namesake, the Viper was a car that could bite the unwary, but with 0-60mph taking 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 165mph, its performance was never in doubt.
1936 Cord 810
The Cord 810 is famed for its horizontal lines and 'coffin nose', which stretched behind spatted front wings that hid pop-up headlights. Aerodynamics was the game's name, and the Cord featured a low profile, integrated rear wings, rounded edges and flowing lines, all specifically designed to make the car cut through the air as efficiently as possible.
The looks weren't the only things that were revolutionary. The 810 was one of the first front-wheel drive production cars, allowing for better traction and more interior space. Power came from a 4.7-litre V8 that drove through an innovative semi-automatic transmission. Inside, you'd find the 1930s answer to a Mercedes Hyperscreen with proper instruments and – a world-first – steering wheel-mounted horn bar.
1959 Pontiac Bonneville
The Pontiac Bonneville is another with styling inspired by the Jet Age, most evident in its air-intake-style grille and simply massive rear fins. Its huge track made it an imposing car on the road, but it was also famed for making the Bonneville a keen handler – at the time "Wide Track” was advertised as providing better handling and stability.
A variety of V8 was available, topped by the Tri-Power engine that featured three two-barrel carburettors to produce 345PS (254kW), and the car was offered with a "Safe-T-Track" limited-slip differential that made the most of the car's handling prowess.
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