Iconic American vehicles

[drmox]

What would you say is the most iconic American thing you can own?
1) Jeep Wrangler
2) John Deere tractor
3) Harley Davidson motorcycle
4) Ford F-150
5) Airstream travel trailer
6) Chevy Corvette

[Seanlb]

A classic glass bottle of Coca Cola (which is no longer widely available here)

[LNBright]

Originally Posted by Seanlb

A classic glass bottle of Coca Cola (which is no longer widely available here)

Not a vehicle?

Of course, an Airstream isn't a vehicle itself either, is it....



Ford Model T has to be on the list, doesn't it?

[Seanlb]

Woah, Homer Simpson moment...

I think the Raymond Lowey International Metro Van is probably the most iconic 20th century Americana streamlined vehicle.

It was a staple of just about every delivery service (including milkmen).

[ITSNO60]

So many.... a big Cadillac with tail fins and about 1,000 lbs of chrome comes to mind....

[LNBright]

Oh! A '57 Chevy Bel-Air should be on the list.

[sheriff1]

SS396 with a 4 speed in anything Chevrolet made

[kpfate]

1. Jeep (cj's yj's, etc.) - have one....
2. Coke in a glass bottle - just drank one the other day
3. 67' Chevy Camero SS w/350 stock engine (damn, should have kept that one)
4. Airstream - have that snug as a bug in her new shop.
5. Harley Davidson - too small to hold one up...opted for a honda 250

[Dennis C]

I owned a Ford Bronco many years ago. I'd certainly put it in the category of the vehicles listed above. I've also owned a Ford Thunderbird, and a Pontiac Firebird. Pretty darn American...

Does a Bushmaster AR-15 count for this discussion?

[Hans627]

A 1946 Dodge Power Wagon (well actually my father owned it but it was the first vehicle I ever drove).

[Oreg52]

The car that started the Musclecar craze.

Pontiac GTO



But, to get back to your original question, the Harley followed by the rest except for the F150. As a model its only been around since the late seventies/early eighties.

[brokeboater]

Cape Dory 36, Bristol 40, Hinckley 40

[B. Cole]

Originally Posted by Oreg52

The car that started the Musclecar craze.

Pontiac GTO



But, to get back to your original question, the Harley followed by the rest except for the F150. As a model its only been around since the late seventies/early eighties.

Those old Goats, 389s with Tripower, were ground pounders...

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Seanlb

Woah, Homer Simpson moment...

I think the Raymond Lowey International Metro Van is probably the most iconic 20th century Americana streamlined vehicle.

It was a staple of just about every delivery service (including milkmen).

I beg to differ...The vehicle I learned to drive on.

DW insisted I include her Grandmothers first new car 1953 Ford Victoria V/8. We have been the custodians since 1976.

Styling? hands down the Stude.




Bob
🇺🇸

1953 RL designed 1953 Studebaker Commander V/8

[LNBright]

My first car was a Trans Am... it was used, but I loved the ol' thing... it saved my rear many a time...

[jcl]

First series Mustang. My first car was a 66 notchback. So I am biased.

More iconic would be the Shelby Cobras, due to their racing success outside of North America, beyond the success they enjoyed in the US.

Caterpillar tractors. Widely thought of as American, even though they are built around the world.

Iconic American products should be iconic in other countries as well in order to rank, IMO.

[LNBright]

I think I'd put the Mustang over the Cobra: the Cobra was very cool and all, but it was a British AC Ace w/ a motor swap, and in very few numbers compared to the Mustang....

[jcl]

Originally Posted by LNBright

I think I'd put the Mustang over the Cobra: the Cobra was very cool and all, but it was a British AC Ace w/ a motor swap, and in very few numbers compared to the Mustang....

I agree that the Mustang was more iconic within the US, but I think the Cobra (and related, the GT40 program) had more international impact, showing off US engineering/design/development, particularly at LeMans.

I suppose it is whether the interpretation of the question suggests an icon in America, vs an American icon in the world.

We keep getting movies about LeMans and Shelby. Not so much the Mustang.

And I agree with the Model T suggestion.

Probably add the Chev small block V8 to this list. And a 32 deuce coupe hotrod. But not combined in one vehicle.

[RivetED]

Harley-Davidson Road King Classic w/White Walls:

[RivetED]

Originally Posted by jcl

(snip) ...Probably add the Chev small block V8 to this list...

Didn't think of the small block Chevy but yeah, maybe with a 30/30 cam, and 1150 CFM Holly and,...