LONDON, April 17 — The Ford Mustang celebrates its 50th birthday today, and while remaining in production and in demand for half a century is an impressive achievement, the original Pony car has some way to travel if it wants to one day claim the record for being the longest-running production car in history.
For the record:
1. Chevrolet Suburban, launched in 1933 – 81 years old
At the moment, the top honour is held by the Chevy Suburban, which started out as a truck with a station wagon body over 80 years ago but has morphed into a family SUV over the course of 12 generations.
However, just as with the original, the car is still big enough to carry seven or eight-plus luggage.
2. Morgan 4/4 launched in 1936 – 78 years old
This was the eccentric English car company’s first four-wheeled vehicle, and unlike most of the cars on this list, the 4/4 has hardly changed except for the engine under its hand-made hood. The styling of the current car is almost identical to that of the Series II model, launched back in 1955.
3. The Land Rover, launched in 1948 – 66 years old
All that’s really changed from the Series One Land Rover and the current range is that the word “defender” has been added to help consumers tell it apart from the Range Rover — the car’s more posh, better-educated younger brother.
Unfortunately, Land Rover will be forced to retire the car at the end of next year, to replace it with an all-new model in order to meet stricter regulations and emissions standards.
4. Ford F-Series launched in 1948 – 66 years old
Historically the best-selling vehicle in the US, the F-Series was revolutionary when it launched was over six decades ago. Thirteen generations later, it is still going strong.
As with the Land Rover and the Surburban, it meets a specific motoring need, and as long as that need exists, you can be sure there will always be an F-150 in production.
5. Toyota Land Cruiser launched in 1951 – 63 years old
Toyota’s oldest car, one that started off by “paying homage” to the Jeep and the Land Rover, is now firmly established as one of the most comfortable, reliable and dependable 4x4s on the market.
Each generation has also become less utilitarian, so that it is now closer to the Range Rover than the vehicles that inspired it.
6. Chevrolet Corvette launched in 1953 – 61 years old
The blue-collar supercar, the original Corvette’s proportions were based on those of the Jaguar XK120, but that’s where the similarities end.
Over seven generations, the car has changed with the times and with regulations but three things have remained constant — the use of lightweight materials in construction, a V8 engine, and a price tag that made it an accessible dream car.
7. Mercedes SL launched in 1954 – 60 years old
The premium German two-seater started off as a hardtop with gullwing doors before adopting and sticking to the drop-top roadster style with the option of a V8 engine and cutting-edge technology.
It may have taken more than half a century but now classic car collectors are beginning to appreciate the SL and early examples are going for more than US$1 million (RM3.2 million).
8. The Mini launched in 1959 – 55 years old
A classless car that was owned by everyone from Mick Jagger to the average young family, the Mini won rallies, races and a place in the British nation’s heart.
The first car to transversely mount its engine to save space, it created the blueprint for all small city cars that would follow. And rather than damaging its reputation, BMW’s ownership of the brand has reinvigorated the car in recent years.
9. Porsche 911 launched in 1963 – 51 years old
A supercar that is as reliable as a wood-burning stove, the Porsche is one of the very few seriously fast cars that can actually be used every day, for everyday tasks.
Over the past half century, the car has hardly changed at all. It still uses six-cylinder engines, the engine is still right at the back — rather than in the middle or at the front — and it still has legions of diehard fans.
10. Ford Mustang launched in 1964 – 50 years old
It may be at number 10 on the list, but the Mustang still holds one record. To this day, it is the fastest-selling car in history, and what makes the achievement all the more remarkable is that it was only on sale in one country — the US — and only needed to be on sale for three months to sell the first 100,000 and a further 15 months to surpass the one million mark.
11. Toyota Corolla launched in 1966 – 48 years old
It isn’t the fastest-selling, but it is the best-selling car in history (40 million and counting) and is also the vehicle that secured Japanese carmakers’ reputation for reliability, affordability and for features.
It’s just a shame that the Corolla had never been a particularly exciting or engaging car. However, the latest generation is starting to show some promise. Better late than never.
12. Volkswagen Golf launched in 1974 – 40 years old
The Golf can’t be criticised in terms of handling, design or performance. Sketched by Giorgetto Giugiaro and developed to fill the massive void left when the Beetle ceased production, the Golf aimed to be all things to all, and succeeded.
With total sales of 30 million and counting, the only car that has been more successful in terms of sales is the aforementioned Corolla. — AFP-Relaxnews
