Over the years, American car manufacturers have built exemplary cars that stood the test of time and remained great well beyond their production years. The classic muscle cars of the '60s and '70s definitely come to mind when you think of such great vehicles.
Apart from the famous classic muscle cars, American car manufacturers have also built lesser-known vehicles that were still great cars with excellent and unique features and specifications. This list looks at the ten most excellent vehicles ever built by American automakers.
10 Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler
One clear sign that a manufacturer has made a cool car is when the United States President buys it and insists on keeping it around long after he exits office. Such is the pride that Jeep feels when it looks back on the CJ-8 Scrambler.
The Scrambler is touted as the best Jeep ever because of its stability and excellent on-road handling ability, owing to its improved wheelbase. Produced in 1981, the Scrambler's impact at the time can almost be compared to the impact the Ford F-150 has on the current market.
9 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R
Every car enthusiast gets goosebumps as soon as the name ‘Shelby’ is mentioned. There is a good reason for that—Carroll Shelby is one of the most revolutionary automotive designers of all time. The Mustang’s legendary status is not mere street credibility; the vehicle delivers powerful performance.
The vehicle guarantees a blend of raw power, style, and supersonic speed. Who wouldn’t love that? The modern-day GT350R features a powerful V8 engine codenamed ‘Voodoo’ that outputs 526 horsepower. That monstrous power pushes the GT350R to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds from standstill.
8 Chevrolet Corvette
Keeping in tune with the muscle car theme, the Mustang’s competitor, the Chevrolet Corvette, is also one of the best American cars ever made. Unveiled in 1953, the Corvette has been an American icon throughout its generations.
The latest version of the Chevrolet Corvette is light-years ahead of the basic prototype produced back then. It packs a mean 6.2-liter V-8 engine with a 745 horsepower output, giving the Hellcat a run for its money. Match that with excellent dampers and above-average ability, and you have one of the best American cars of all time.
7 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
Cadillac's modus Operandi of the Cadillac has always been luxury, class, and elegance. Simply put, Cadillac vehicles are no ordinary machines, as exemplified by this 1957 Brougham. This particular model has powered seats, powered windows, and other cutting-edge features in an era where most cars were still grappling with how to ramp up power to 200 horsepower.
The elegance with which it was designed and the overall experience of driving this Cadillac makes it one of the all-time greats in America’s rich automotive history.
6 Ford GT40
It would be an injustice to compile this list and not include the track-ready Ford GT40. The Ford Company has delivered excellent service to America since time immemorial, and the GT40 is an example of just how good an American car can get.
Built to rival the Ferraris of the time, the GT40 was designed for speed. Two years after its production, it became the king of Le Mans with podium finishes in most categories of the race. The legend of the GT40 still lives on today as one of the best American cars ever made.
5 Duesenberg Model SJ
Picture a supercar, the ilk of the Bugatti Veyron or the Lamborghini V10, produced at the heart of an economic recession. That is what the Duesenberg SJ was; a supercar built only for the rich.
Other than having features that were ahead of its time, it was also rare. Only 36 units were ever produced. The car had an acceleration of 0-60 mph in around 8 seconds, which was thoroughly impressive in 1928. The power, speed, and innovative engineering make the Duesenberg one of the best American cars.
4 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE
The Camaro SS series features the base model SS and the SS 1LE. The SS 1LE features a redesigned front fascia for better aesthetics and several noticeable style changes compared to the SS.
Produced in 2017, the 1LE is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine, from which the vehicle derives its name. It also comes equipped with a 10-speed transmission and rear-wheel drivetrain. The 1LE might just be the best Chevy Camaro ever produced because of its powerful engine and lightning-quick acceleration.
3 Shelby Cobra
Legendary car designer Carroll Shelby had the Midas touch, turning every car he touched to gold. The Cobra is a testament to Shelby’s genius. The design is simple yet sporty and fun.
The Cobra has deceptive looks with a docile temperament at first glance. However, it is fitted with a powerful V8 engine. Originally, the car was nothing to write home about, but Shelby altered its engine and drivetrain, transforming it into one of the best cars to ever emerge from America.
2 Oldsmobile "Rocket" 88
The Rocket 88 was the fastest car of the 1950s. The vehicle's original name is actually Oldsmobile 88, but it was christened ‘rocket’ due to its legendary speed. The car was produced a few years after WWII, and it featured a V-8 engine that had 135 horses, which was extremely powerful at the time.
The rocket was also a proven track king, appearing and clinching the top spot in many stock car racing events. This all-American automobile was undoubtedly the best vehicle of that era.
1 Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S is a great American car because it is a very futuristic machine. It embodies the American spirit of innovation and goes against the grain to usher in the next generation's great products.
What makes the Tesla Model S so unique is that it is the first mass-produced highway-capable EV and also had an exciting design and excellent performance. The Tesla uses an electric-powered engine to power the car to an acceleration of 0-60 in 3.2 seconds.