Image: Wiki Commons by Will Ainsworth
About This Quiz
No one could possibly hope to know every make and model of car ever produced. We've been doing this for over a century and they're manufactured all over the world. Some were done in super limited production runs, others vanished decades ago and some never even made it to whatever part of the world you live in. It's impossible. But the flip side of that coin is there are some cars just about everyone knows. Some cars have transcended the idea of car and become legends. They're cars that you know just from looking at them, and others that have paved the road every other car drives on by being the first to set a standard we've all come to expect from automobiles.Â
These icons of the automotive world are much of the reason so many of us are infatuated with the very idea of cars. the sleek lines, the powerful engines, the styling, the rush. Everything you love about cars came from someplace. The power of the Boss 429 Mustang. The sleek lines of the Corvette Stingray. The sophistication of the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Even the boxy little reliability of the Mini. If you know cars, you have to know the icons. But do you know all of them? Take the quiz and show your stuff!
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
Which of these has long been considered the first muscle car ever?
Ford Mustang
Chevy Camara
Pontiac GTO
The 1964 Pontiac GTO basically started the muscle car movement. There had been some powerful V8 engines under the hoods of other cars but Pontiac made the rest of the big boys take notice and start actively competing in the muscle car segment after this car's release.
Plymouth RoadRunner
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Infrogmation
Do you know which of these made cars accessible to the common person in a practical, affordable version for the first time ever?
Ford Model T
Cars had existed before Henry Ford made the Model T, but none of that mattered after the Model T. The manufacturing process that made it easy to build multiple units at a price regular people could afford revolutionized the industry and made Ford a titan for over a century.
Bentley Blower
Chevy Six Series
Benz Patent Motorwagen
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by dave_7
This car was one of the most-manufactured models of all time. What was it?
Ford Focus
Mini
Honda Civic
VW Type 1
The VW Type 1 is known to most as the VW Beetle and it was an automaking phenomenon. Nearly 22 million of thee little cars were produced. No car was manufactured for a longer period of time, from 1938 until 2003 before the "New Beetle" took over.
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Kevin Abato
"Back to the Future" made which of these cars famous?
Lamborghin Miura
DeLorean DMC-12
The maker only made the DeLorean for 3 years and it was never produced in great numbers. The brushed steel look and the gull-wing doors made it perfect for a sci-fi movie though, and "Back to the Future" has made it one of the most desirable cars ever made, even to this day.
Ferrari Testarossa
McLaren F1
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by dave_7
Which of these was the progenitor of the pony car segment?
Plymouth Barracuda
Jensen Javelin
Chevy Camaro
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is credited with kicking off the pony car segment. A pony car was easily confused with a muscle car but it was meant to be affordable, marketed toward a sporty, younger crowd, with seating for four and a long hood with a short deck.
Advertisement
Wiki Commons
Do you know which of these won over 2,000 races in the 1920s?
Austin Healey 3000
Bugatti Type 35
Bugatti is known for high-performance vehicles to this day and back in 1924 the Bugatti Type 35 was a monster. The 35 used a crankshaft supported by two roller bearings and three ball-bearings, a revolution in engineering at the time.
Bentley Blower
Alfa Romeo Stradale
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Matti Blume
This car dates back to 1963. What is it?
BMW M1
Porsche 911
Arguably one of the most recognizable sports cars in history, the Porsche 911 has remained relatively unchanged across its entire production history, at least on the outside. It also ranked top 5 in the Car of the Century poll.
Aston Martin DB5
Toyota Supra
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by DeFacto
When you want to pack a lot into a small space, which of these cars allowed the use of 80% of its floor space?
Smart ForTwo
AMC Gremlin
VW Bug
Mini
The Mini was a miracle of design engineering, with front-wheel drive and a transverse engine that made the small space somehow large enough to transport people and luggage at the same time. When the fuel crisis hit, the Mini more than proved its worth.
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Vauxford
Which of these cars hit 231 miles per hour in 1998, setting a record?
Lamborghini Countach
Ferrari 288
McLaren F1
The McLaren F1 is not just one of the most striking cars to look at, it had the power to back it all up. A BMW V12 engine that pulled 618 horsepower ensured that this machine meant business and the centrally situated driver's seat was just a cool touch.
Bugatti Veyron
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by John Shepherd
Few vehicles are as closely associated with hippie culture as which of these?
Ford Fairmont
AMC Pacer
VW Type 2
The VW Type 2 is the proper name for this vehicle, but just short of no one uses it. To most, it was a VW Bus, a Microbus, or a Hippie Bus. They were also built to last, and you can still find decades-old models on the roads today.
Chevy Corvair
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Gerry Dincher
Do you know which of these cars was introduced on April Fool's Day in 1970?
Ford Pinto
Yugo
AMC Gremlin
The AMC Gremlin was not a beloved car but it was a memorable one. AMC put the boots to production to beat Ford and Chevy to the market with the country's first US-built subcompact car. They succeeded and despite its reputation, a lot of Gremlins were sold. Over 670,000, in fact.
Chevy Vega
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by DeFacto
If James Bond is chasing you, which of these cars is he driving?
Austin-Healey 3000
Aston Martin DB5
The Aston Martin DB5 has been the preferred ride of 007 since way back in the movie "Goldfinger." First manufactured in 1963, it was only manufactured for two years but James Bond still drives them to this day because he's James Bond.
Rolls-Royce Phantom
Citroen DS
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Phil Parker
Which of these cars was called the Ferrari Killer?
Lamborghini Miura
Ford GT40
The rivalry between Henry Ford II and Enzo Ferrari played out at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Ford pulled out all the stops to build a car that could stop the Ferrari winning streak which had gone from 1960 to 1965. Ford came up with the GT40, and in 1966 it took down Ferrari and did so for another 3 years after that.
Jensen Interceptor
Mclaren F1
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by DSC00118
What car did Chevy introduce to compete with Ford in the pony car segment?
Camaro
Ford's Mustang proved hugely popular in 1964, so by 1967 Chevy had produced its response, the Camaro. A little late to the party but nevertheless successful, the Camaro has gone on to be the pace car at the Indianapolis 500 9 times.
Corvette
Malibu
Chevelle
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Vauxford
No other electric car in the world has a greater range than which of these?
Chevy Bolt
Nissan Leaf
Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S was a revolution in electric car-making, and today it has a greater range than any other electric vehicle on the road. One charge in a Model S can take you 373 miles. The Hyundai Kona is the next closest competitor with a range of 258 miles.
Tesla Cybertruck
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by IFCAR
Do you know which vehicle is considered the first SUV on the market?
Dodge Durango
Jeep Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee was produced in 1984 and is considered the first SUV on the market, although there is abundant debate on the topic. There were, of course, earlier models in the military that were designed for off-roading and more rugged driving, but by our modern, civilian sensibilities, the Jeep Cherokee is it.
Ford Expedition
Kia Soul
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
Which of these sports cars was named after a warship?
Aston Martin DB7 Zagato
Chevy Corvette
Chevy's legendary Corvette has been one of the company's most popular cars since 1953. The name Corvette dates back to the 17th century. Corvette warships were a combat grade below frigates and had a single row of guns. They were known for speed and maneuverability.
Bugatti Veyron
Alfa Romeo Stradale
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Supermac1961
Do you know which of these is the fastest production car ever made?
McLaren 720S
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport
The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport and its $3.2 million price tag bring to the table the most speed of any production car in history. The Chiron has been clocked at 304 miles per hour. It's worth noting that the consumer model will probably have speed limiters installed so you can't get it up to that speed without some tweaking.
Ferrari F8 Tributo
Noble M600
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Ryan Hildebrand
Airbags weren't always the standard. Who had them first?
Buick Skylark
Volkswagen Golf
Oldsmobile Toronado
The 1974 Oldsmobile Toronado set the standard for safety by being the first vehicle to include an airbag as an option, something we all take for granted today. The year before, they were an experiment in some Impalas but not a thing you could typically buy.
Ford Mustang
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Br51zey
Which of these classic racers is still prized by enthusiasts even today?
Alfa Romeo Stradale
Nobel M600
Toytoa Supra 2000
Austin Healey 3000
The Austin Healey 3000 was a British car that was greatly prized in North America for its racing prowess. In fact, in 1963, over 90% of all the cars they produced were exported and most of them ended up in America.
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Gnsin
The world looked at Japanese cars in a whole new light after which of these debuted in 1965?
Toyota 2000GT
The Toyota 2000GT looks like a sleek European sports car and would fit in right alongside a Porsche or an Alfa Romeo. The fact that it was a Toyota turned the auto world on its head as Japanese cars had previously only been known as utilitarian and, not to put too fine a point on it, ugly. This car changed everything.
Honda Civic
Mazda Miata
Nissan Skyline GTR
Advertisement
Wiki Commons
Everyone loves a convertible, but which car had the very first retractable hardtop?
Bentley Sunstrider
Chevy Corvette
Peugeot 601 Eclipse
It was 1934 when Peugeot rolled out the 601 Eclipse, a car mostly forgotten by history. But the retractable hardtop was an innovation the world had never seen before, and it would go on to be one of the most popular features in a certain segment of cars, especially in the '50s and '60s.
Cadillac Seville
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Jörgens.mi
Do you know what supercar was the first to have a rear mid-engine two-seat layout?
Alfa Romeo Stradale
Jaguar E-Type
Ferrari Testarossa
Lamborghini Miura
The Lamborghini Miura showed up in 1966 full of sleek, smooth lines and curves. With a V12 engine firing it like a rocket down the highway, the term supercar had yet to really be invented but it never would have been without the Miura.
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Mr.choppers
Automatic transmission first appeared in which of these cars?
1937 Ford
1940 Packard One-Ten
1939 Oldsmobile
Automatic transmission is a modern convenience most of us take for granted, and likely the majority of drivers on the road today couldn't even drive manual if they had to. That sad, it was the 1939 Oldsmobile that pioneered automatic transmission in a production car. They called it the Hydramatic and you could get it in the Cadillac as well.
1941 Nash 600
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Fishyfool
Which of these was the first production car to crack 200 mph?
Bugatti Veyron
Porsche 959
Ferrari F40
The Ferrari F40 was designed by Enzo Ferrari himself just before his 90th birthday. The company only planned to make about 300 of them, but they were so popular they kept production going until 1,315 were manufactured.
Shelby Cobra 427
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by James Emery
This was the first American-made car with a rear-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration. What was it?
Ford Fairlane
Packard One-Ten
Tucker Torpedo
The Tucker Torpedo, which was actually called the Tucker 48, was a highly innovative vehicle that was utterly destroyed in the market place due to what some believe was a Big 3 conspiracy to ruin the competition. For instance, the company ended up tanking thanks to a stock fraud trial at which all allegations were proven false.
Cadillac Eldorado
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by DeFacto
Four-wheel drive was an innovation first seen in which of these production cars?
Fiat 2300
Holden FE
Oldsmobile Golden Rocket
Jensen FF
It's fair to say four-wheel drive had existed for quite a while, but it wasn't until 1966 with the Jensen FF that it was available in a production car that was not meant to be an all-terrain vehicle. Unfortunately, the car was also a huge failure.
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by DeFacto
Enzo Ferrari called which of these the most beautiful car in the world?
Jaguar E-Type
The Jaguar E-Type was a performance monster with a low body and a V12 engine under that extremely long hood. It also tore up more than one racetrack in its day as well, giving it a place in car history that few others can touch.
Lamborghini Countach
Porsche 959
BMW M1
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Alden Jewell
Do you know which vehicle has the longest continuously used nameplate ever?
Volkswagen Passat
Ford Mustang
Porsche 911
Chevy Suburban
In 2019, the Chevy Surburban is a full-sized SUV, but that wasn't always the case. For instance, back in 1935, the Suburban was actually the very first all-steel framed station wagon on the market, making it a pretty historical vehicle all around
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Bull-Doser
This car could do the quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds. What was it?
Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda
Chevy Corvette Stingray
AC Shelby Cobra 427
Carroll Shelby had the brilliant idea to marry a Ford 427 V8 engine with the body of a British AC sports car. The result was one of the most iconic cars ever that handled like a dream and tore up the track. To this day, the name Shelby is like a garnish on a car's name that means it's better than the norm.
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by HombreDHojalata
Which of these was built entirely from the ground up just for rally car racing?
BMW M3
Alfa Romeo Stradale
Lancia Stratos
The Lancia Stratos started production in 1973, the first car ever built from the ground up just for rallying with nearly 500 produced for homologation. It managed to pull down 3 World Rally Championships, so it was clearly pretty well made.
Ferrari Enzo
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Lothar Spurzem
In 1952, which of these was the first car ever to sport fuel injection?
Bentley Blower
Goliath GP700
The Goliath GP700 was very innovative for the time. A front-mounted transverse engine was impressive for its time and something other manufacturers would adopt later, but it's definitely the fuel-injection system that makes this one historic.
Rolls Royce Phantom
Packard One Ten
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
"The Dukes of Hazzard" made this car a household name. What was it?
Dodge Charger
The Duke boys drove around in a 1969 Dodge Charger called the General Lee. It's remarkably hard to find a '69 or a '70 Charger these days because the producers snatched up most of the spare ones that were around at the time, destroying more than one per episode on average. Word is they ran through about 325 of them.
Plymouth Barracuda
Dodge Dart
Pontiac GTO
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Nate Hawbaker
When it comes to horsepower, which of these icons was the first to crack 1,000?
Bugatti Veyron
Hennessey Venom
SSC Ultimate Aero
The SSC Ultimate Aero was produced from 2006 to 2013, and during its time it was the fastest production car in the world with a top speed clocked at 256.14 miles per hour. The 6.3-liter supercharged V8 had a beastly output of 1,047 horsepower.
Nobel M600
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
Do you know which of these cars pioneered the idea of a turbocharger?
Chevy Bel Air
Ford Fairlane
Cadillace DeVille
Oldsmobile Jetfire
A turbocharger in your engine isn't a crazy idea these days by any means, but it was back in 1962 when it first rolled out in an Oldsmobile Jetfire. It managed to pull 214 horsepower back then with a 3.5-liter V8 engine.
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Sicnag
Which luxury car was first manufactured in 1952?
Lexus LS
Buick Regal
Cadillac Eldorado
Cadillac's Eldorado was one of the most insanely expensive cars in its day, and had all the luxuries to justify it. From air conditioning to lamb's wool carpets and self-leveling suspension, there were few cars as impressive, which is why it cost more than a Rolls-Royce.
Chrysler Imperial
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by OSX
Which of these is the sixth best-selling car of all time?
Ford Taurus
Toyota Corolla
Honda Civic
Honda was mostly known for making motorcycles when the Civic was introduced in the '70s. It was introduced in North America just as the oil crisis was hitting, which made it a sweeping success that turned Honda into a fierce competitor in the market.
Chevy Malibu
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Edwin S. Van Deusen
This started life as a military vehicle. What is it?
Land Rover
Ford F150
Chevy S10
Willys MB
One look at the Willys MB and you're going to say "but that's a Jeep." And it's true, this is a Jeep, but it really was called the Willys MB to begin with. Why the name change? Weirdly enough, no one can say with 100% certainty where the name Jeep actually came from.
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Brian Snelson
This car had scissor doors. What was it?
Lamborghini Countach
The epitome of supercar awesomeness in the '70s and '80s, the Lamborghini Countach doesn't just have an unusual name, it has a vulgar one. The word "countach" is apparently a foul-mouthed exclamation from the Piedmontese dialect.
Ferrari 488
Porsche 959
McLaren 720S
Advertisement
Wiki Commons by Thesupermat
Many people consider this the premiere British luxury car. What is it?
Austin Healey 3000
Bentley Continental
Rolls-Royce Phantom
The Rolls-Royce Phantom dates all the way back to 1925. It was their replacement for the car that would later be known as the Silver Ghost and stayed in production until 1935. It was then resurrected years later to continue the legacy.
Bugatti Atlantic
Advertisement
You Got:
/40
Wiki Commons by Will Ainsworth