The Americans gave the world a powerful “eight”, muscle cars, luxury winged sedans, huge coupes and convertibles… But what cars are the best in history? “Motor” chose the ten best.
Hennessey Venom GT
Let this car did not appear without the help of British specialists from Lotus Cars, this is by far the most outstanding American supercar (or hypercar?) last Millennium. And not only because he is one of the fastest cars of our time (maximum speed of 435 kilometers per hour), but because with its enormous power Hennessey well managed – at least, talking about it, those journalists who had the opportunity to test the car.
Exaggerated Lotus Exige was built on the base of the tubular frame, inside which is the LS9 engine manufactured by General Motors. Impact seven-liter motor with dual boost more than 1,400 horsepower. Transmission, capable of absorbing the torque of 1745 Newton metres, was borrowed from the Ford GT. Very soon should appear the Hennessey Venom F5, which will be even faster than the GT. It seems we are facing a new wave of confrontation between America and France for the title of fastest car.
Cadillac Eldorado
In the late 50-ies of the last century in the United States, in the Wake of the popularization of the theme of space and Astronautical science, fashion entered the “space” design with an abundance of fins, complex surfaces and, according to the old American tradition, pounds chromium. Most in this case succeeded in Cadillac, so the image of the model Eldorado 1959 and 1960 has become a real classic.
Length coupe and Eldorado convertible third generation exceed 5.7 meters! Under the hood is a 6.4-liter V8 engine rated at 325 horsepower, which worked in tandem with four-stage “automatic”. Since Eldorado was marketed as an Executive car, it had everything we needed for a long and comfortable cruise, air conditioning, cruise control, fog lights, power Windows.
Ford Model 18
Compared to other iconic cars of Ford’s compact Model 18 much less is known, however, he became the point at which the American auto industry became firmly associated with eight-cylinder engines. Yes, the first mass car with a V8 in the US was the Ford Model 18, manufactured since 1932.
In the first production year the power of a V-shaped “eight” was 65 horsepower, but in 1933, due to a higher performance carb, the return increased to 75 strength. The car was produced in 1934, inclusive, and became the basis for the first Gazovskih “catch-up”. Now pristine copies of the Model 18 – a rarity, as many such cars were turned into hot rods.
Ford GT40
Romantic story of the creation of the Ford GT40 is known to every motorist – he was born only to deliver a crushing blow to the reputation of Ferrari and win at the “24 hours of Le Mans”. Let not the first time, but the Americans managed to cope with this problem, and the GT40 was feared by opponents and dominated on the racetrack Serta full four years, from 1966 to 1969.
The name GT40 was the car thanks to the acronym “Gran Turismo”, and the height of machine (inches 40 inches approximately of 1.03 meters). Conceptual GT40 was a Union of American and British schools of the automotive industry: powerful eight-cylinder engine and a very light chassis with a body of difficult materials. Now, Ford released the third generation of this machine – and it has already won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 2016.
Duesenberg J
In 1929 the United States began the so-called “Great depression” that occurred due to the stock market crash on wall Street. At the same time, the Duesenberg company begins selling its new car model J, which has become a challenge difficult time. The Duesenberg J was an indescribable luxurious, powerful and terribly expensive by the standards of those times. In 30 years this car was the epitome of luxury and style, even ahead of Rolls-Royce.
For this reason, all the cars Duesenberg (not just J) is now worth a million dollars or more. With regard to the model J, the first year of sales in 1929, has sold 200 cars and in the next, after the stock market crisis, a hundred. Since 1932 for inline eight-cylinder engine Duesenberg J began to offer a supercharger.
Willys MB
One of the cars, who forged the victory in the Second world war was the Willys MB is a light reconnaissance commander’s SUV was built in a short time, but became a true symbol of his era. In 1942 many of these SUVs were in the Soviet Union under lend-lease (about 52 thousand). All in all, during the war, was released nearly 700 thousand Willys MB.
The cabin was equipped with inline-four cylinder engine capacity of 60 HP. Add small curb weight (about 1.2 tons) and the three-step mechanical gear box will get a passable vehicle, able to accelerate to 105 kilometers per hour. Many of the Willys alive to this day.
Chevrolet Corvette
“Corvette” is one of the immutable symbols of postwar America is by far the most American car of all. Until recently, he was a simple in technical terms, the car, the rear suspension using a transverse leaf spring, however, the current Corvette has made a big step forward and became much more modern. Although the emphasis on time-tested big “g” is still, and the boost remains the prerogative of only the most powerful versions.
To buy the famous car in our country – a choice version of the Stingray, Grand Sport and Z06 flagship. Most affordable, 466-horsepower Stingray will cost at least 6 million 350 thousand rubles. Well, for 659-horsepower Z06 is capable of accelerating to 96 km/h in less than three seconds, will need to pay 8.8 million rubles.
Ford Mustang
If you hold a poll on the most famous American car, the winner in this will definitely be the Mustang. Cheap sports car appeared in the mid-60s, has become a truly iconic model, having won the hearts of millions of fans around the world. Of course, it is not the pinnacle of engineering thought (recall that the rear suspension of the Mustang became independent only in the last generation), but a style icon – by far.
The sixth generation Mustang was first officially sold outside the United States – on the one hand, this decision made the Mustang is more practical (including for countries with left-hand traffic), on the other missing part of the allure of “forbidden fruit” of previous models. Unlike many muscle and pony cars, Mustang is available with 60 years without interruption. Perhaps it is also partly influenced his cult status.
Tesla Model S
During its 14-year history, the company Tesla has managed to transform from a manufacturer of electrical analogues Lotus Elise in one of the most expensive brands of the United States. Now, about the cars Tesla is known throughout the world, and the Model S can be considered the main embodiment of the electric vehicle of the XXI century. It is not excluded that it will be years and Model S will be known as the greatest US car of the Millennium.
After all, before the advent of the “Tesla” electric cars were extremely rare and represented an impractical compact machine with a meager reserve the cheapest cabin and sky-high for its features price tags. Now the race electrophoretic joined all the major automotive companies, and who will become a winner in it is unknown.
Ford Model T
No surprises – “Tin Lizzie” was and remains the most important car in American and world history. She is honored to be the first truly people’s car: introduced in 1908, the Model T cost only $ 825 – much cheaper than any of its competitors.
The Model T was available in several variants of bodies. Contrary to the words of Henry Ford, the car was painted not only in black color (only the first few years, the color was uncontested). The release of the Model T continued until 1927. Modern driver it difficult to get comfortable behind the wheel of this car: the opening of the throttle valves is regulated by paddles on the steering wheel levers and on the floor the clutch pedal, reverse, and brake. But less great from this Model T becomes.
