5 cars that lived under their Dad's name
The automotive industry likes to play a game of nostalgia when it comes to new models, so here are 5 of them...
When it comes to naming cars, manufacturers with some history would tend to dig out their history books, and find whatever name in there suits whatever new model they have. So here are five of the most iconic examples of the sons living under their father's name.
1. Mini
Credit: https://www.bmwblog.com/2014/08/28/good-things-small-packages-new-mini-vs-old/
Back in the 50s, fuel was in short demand, and people started buying cars that can do more miles than their old gas guzzlers round town. Therefore a man called Alec Issigonis designed a car that is radical for the time - where it's small, capable of holding 4 people and comfy enough for most families. Hence the name Mini, because as the name suggests, it's mini.
The original Mini was rightfully named the Mini, because of its size. People loved it to bits. In fact, the original cheeky little Mini remained in production till 2000, with its shape largely unchanged.
The BMW took over the brand name Mini and went mad with it. First the original new 'Mini', which wasn't exactly a 4-seater, the rear passangers can only fit in if their legs were sorn off. But it was a massive hit worldwide, people loved it as much as the old ones. So they kept making it till now.
2. Fiat 500
Credit: http://superunleaded.com/fiat-500-ron-arad-limited-edition-terrible-just-terrible/2820/
Again, back in the fifties, people of Italy needed a small car that wouldn't drink petrol like the big old cars, so the Italian designers thought of another way of making this possible. By putting the engine right in the back of the car, and mass produced it nonetheless.
Like the Mini, it was loved by many. People think it's cheeky, it's cute, and the fact that it can hold 4 people, was loved by many Italian families too.
In 2007, Fiat brought back their iconic name and the iconic shape - except this time, the engine is mounted in the front rather than in the back. It was still a massive hit too, albeit James May didn't like it so much, but as with many other cars the trio never liked, it sold like hot cakes, and it's still in production now.
3. Volkswagen Beetle
Credit: https://www.caradvice.com.au/530978/volkswagen-beetle-old-v-new-1965-v-2017/
The VW Beetle was originally designed as a tool to help Adolf Hitler raise funds for his evil plans. It all sounded perfectly fine for the average family, they would pay monthly for a car that can seat four, cruise on the motorway at 100km/h and is economical.
The man behind all these genius, is Ferdinand Porsche, who designed the original Beetle to have the engine in the back and it's famous teardrop shape.
Of course, Hitler's plan never succeeded, right after WWII ended, people dug out the prototype of the Beetle, and re-manufactured it. The result was one of the best selling cars in car history, with 21,529,464 built and sold by VW. It was a marvel in human history.
The new Beetle was released in 1998, with a front-engined, front-wheel-drive layout mated to that famous teardrop bodystyle. The Beetle was then renewed in 2010 and onwards to be built till this year, when Volkswagen announced that they're stopping production on the Beetle. Sad times.
4. Toyota GT86
The original AE86, unveiled in 1983, was never intended to be a sports car. It lived under the name of Corolla, with 4 seats, a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout, it was soon realised to be one of the most affordable easy-to-learn beginners' cars there is.
Toyota never intended to build another one of these affordable rear-wheel-drive sports cars, however seeing the massive success of the AE86 in the tuners' community, and under the encouragement of the Drift King Keiichi Tsuchiya, they were determined to create a sports car for everybody. Hence the GT86.
The GT86 followed the same principle as the original AE86, FR layout, with a manual option, three pedals and a limited-slip-differential. It was the business. And proved to be a massive success in the car community. People praised it no-end, and it will no doubt be a future classic, like the old one did.
5. Jaguar F-Type
Jaguar had been wanting to build a E-Type successor for decades. First with the XJ41/XJ42 Concept back in 1986, which was soon transferred over to Aston Martin to save the company, and to fasten the process of developing a DB7. Underneath it was an XJS chassis, which looked promising back then.
Then in the Detroit Motor Show in 2000, Jaguar unveiled another F-Type Concept. Underneath the sleeking body was a S-Type, with the same 3L V6 engine, and it was a two-seater. It looked absolutely gorgeous like the original one did, but the project was soon cancelled.
In 2011, Jaguar unveiled another concept named as the C-X16, which was known to be called as the 'smallest car since the XK120'. It looked very similar to the F-Type that we see now. It was stunning.
And finally, in 2013, Jaguar released the final product that we've been longing for - the F-Type. With options of 2 V6s and a great big V8, with drive goes to the rear wheels. It was known to be one of the prettiest cars to ever go on sale. Later on, an inline 4 option was added and a all-wheel-drive system became a must-have. But the body, remained just as beautiful as the E-Type.
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Comments (8)
And the F-Type is probably the worthiest son. I love that last shot of it.
Mini by far the most successful.
It is definitely
The Mini, 500, and Beetle at least look related to their predecessors, even if they are substantially different cars.
I'd add the Fiat 124, Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger to the list. Maybe the Dodge Charger, although the original wasn't a 4 door.
I personally disagree with the GT86 what about the BMW M3 or the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
To be fair, the Mini only went out of production for one year and the Beetle never went out of production
Yes I agree with you, it’s just your comment made it seem looking me there was a big gap between all the cars in the list when in reality there was only and small gap between the old and new Minis and a small overlap between the Beetles. They are not...
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