From its cars, SUVs, and trucks to its legendary NASCAR racecars, Chevrolet is a formidable force. Today, its timeline is a part of automotive history. Two pioneers who founded the company were William Crapo “Billy” Durant (one of the GM founders) and Swiss racing car driver Louis Chevrolet. It started in 1911 when Chevrolet Motor Company became incorporated. The first cars were almost identical and quite expensive.

By 1916, Chevrolet had established itself as a reliable company with the production of the Series 490. This gave Durant an opportunity to repurchase controlling shares in GM and merge Chevrolet into it. In 1919, the company produced the first lightweight truck built on the chassis of passenger cars. Ten years later, Chevrolet introduced the overhead-valve inline six-cylinder engine. The 50s brought the iconic Corvette and the small-block V8 engine. These are the 15 greatest cars made by Chevrolet.

15 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

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A two-door wagon can't be better crafted or more iconic than the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air. It reflects the sense of design balance and creativity. The car boasted the debut of the Chevrolet small-block V8 engine. This model represents the era like no other as a beautiful creation of chrome and metal.

14 1959 Chevrolet Impala

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Formerly a part of the Bel Air nameplate, the Impala created its own line-up in 1959. This is when Chevrolet introduced the batwing and pushed the tailfins down. Hidden inside were innovative design touches, such as a "speed minder" feature and a contoured dash. Today, a convertible can go for $100K on the auction circuit.

13 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray
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The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray was perfect with its split rear window, stinger hood bulge, and rear haunches. It was lighter and faster than any other masterpiece from Chevrolet. The split window created controversy, so it was gone after 1963. The car also features a 327 V8 engine delivering 360 horsepower.

RELATED: The Evolution Of The Iconic Corvette Stingray

12 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa

Chevrolet Corvair Corsa
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The 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa was known as a poor man's Porsche. It came at the right time, just after GM switched to a fully independent suspension. And just a few years before the Camaro would finish off the Corvair, Chevrolet popped up with the Corsa. It was sporty, unique and creative.

11 1967 Chevrolet Camaro

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The 1967 Chevrolet Camaro was an in-your-face answer to the Mustang. Like the Mustang, it came with a variety of engine options to choose from. As special as the base Camaro was, it was the Z/28 that became truly iconic. With 290 horsepower, it was a "turn-key" racer.

10 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle

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The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle was born during the power era, right before emissions control emasculation. It got simple, butch-cut looks and inspiring power credentials. Just two years later, power output on the Chevelle went from the original 450 hp to a 270 hp. The 450-hp LS6 engine was Dyno tested for a Super Chevy magazine.

9 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe

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In 1986, only 200 Aerocoupes were made. It was enough for NASCAR to approve the design and allow Chevrolet to get back on the podium. In 1987, 6.000 more models were produced and that was that. This is the best representative of the decade with its "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" motto.

RELATED: 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Chevrolet Monte Carlo

8 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1

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The 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 featured a Lotus-designed engine, brakes, and steering. After the ZR-1, Corvettes couldn't be called unrefined. The badge was only a giveaway that this was a unique model. The convex taillights, the expanding rear end, and a soft end cap were all the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 needed.

7 2011 Chevrolet Volt

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It's hard to imagine where Chevrolet would be nowadays without the Volt. It was the first mass-produced plug-in hybrid car. The Volt was a solution between efficiency and comfort, utility and affordability. If we put the hybrid bias away, it was the first serious innovation to come from Chevrolet in the 21st century.

6 2014 Chevrolet SS

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In 2014, Chevrolet enthusiasts were at it again, enjoying V8 power in their Chevrolet SS that was shipped to the US from Australia. It was the classic Chevrolet: aggressive, frivolous, fun and compromised in practical ways that no one seemed to care about once they try to drive the automobile.

5 2017 Chevrolet Corvette

2017 Chevrolet Corvette
Via: Youtube.com

The base price of $55K can't be called "budget", but when you consider how tiny the performance differences are between the 2017 Chevrolet Corvette and cars that cost three times as much, you get the appeal. The car features a 455-horsepower engine, but you can get up to 650 hp with the Z06 trim.

RELATED: These Corvette Owners Made Their Cars Even Better

4 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

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With unmatched reliability scores and 36 mpg highway from the standard engine, the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu delivers lots of practicality. It also has one of the best infotainment systems on the market. Sure, you don't get many standard features in the base model, but its reliability makes the Malibu the best choice for families.

3 2018 Chevrolet Traverse

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If you want the minivan-like functionality in an SUV body, the Traverse is the best option. Redesigned for 2018, the machine can seat eight people, with a bench seat in the third row. It offers more cargo space than the majority of SUVs on the market, plus little storages tucked throughout the cabin.

2 2019 Chevrolet Silverado

2019 Chevrolet Silverado
via cargurus.com

The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado, redesigned from the ground up, represents the evolution of the full-size pickup truck. It has lots of tech, a plethora of optional features and upgraded utility. The tailgate, hood and doors are made of aluminum. So even though the Silverado is bigger than before, it is also lighter.

1 2020 Chevy Equinox

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The 2020 Chevy Equinox is a compact SUV that's ready for anything, anytime. With advanced safety features and exciting performance specs, this versatile machine is up for the next adventure. The SUV has received the lowest rate of reported problems among small SUVs and participated in multiple Vehicle Dependability Studies.

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