The word “icon” is being thrown around a lot lately. What’s in an icon, exactly? From a pop culture standpoint, an icon is somebody or something that exceeds time and space and is venerated for generations after a music, movie, or TV show has been released. In the automotive industry, that is also definitely the case.
Icons in this space stand the test of time in being game-changing from an engineering standpoint or an aesthetics standpoint. What would you consider an icon of modern offerings? We would like to argue that cars like the Audi R8, the , and even the Buick Envista could all be considered icons from the modern era.
These three meet the previous qualifications laid out, and in some cases, exceed them. In this article, we’re going to go over ten venerated classics/icons that have stood the test of time, but also won’t maul you financially. A lot of these should surprise you, as some of these are the originators of the icons that are still on the road today. Let us know in the comments what your icons are new or classic! Let’s get started.
10
1994 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1
Current Value: $22,000
|
Engine & Transmission |
Output |
Driveline |
Performance Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V-8 6-speed manual |
300 hp 340 lb-ft |
Rear-wheel drive |
4.3 seconds 180 MPH |
In its own right, the Corvette by itself is a classic icon in the American automotive lexicon. What started out as a luxury roadster, quickly turned into a powerhouse coupe in the 1970s and 1980s.
What makes the C4, and more importantly, the ZR-1, is iconic for a couple of reasons. The C4 is the modernization of the classic Chevrolet Corvette with technology and design advancements. The ZR-1 signaled to other supercars to watch out, as it has an all-aluminum engine block and 300 horsepower.
9
1985 Porsche 944
Current Value: $10,500
|
Engine & Transmission |
Output |
Driveline |
Performance Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder 5-speed manual |
150 hp 151 lb-ft |
Rear-wheel drive |
8.3 seconds 152 MPH |
You can’t have an “icon” article without a Porsche. The 944 is especially iconic for its quintessential 1980s design coupled with the fact that it was entry-level. Something that was unheard of for Porsche.
It was also impressive for the amount of power it could make from a naturally aspirated four-cylinder. Not to mention, it came with a more powerful turbocharged version. Plus, it was a Porsche with a front engine. While it wasn’t the first ever front-engine Porsche, it is still iconic nonetheless.
8
1980 Mercedes-Benz 280E
Current Value: $12,100
|
Engine & Transmission |
Output |
Driveline |
Performance Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Naturally aspirated 2.7-liter 6-cylinder 5-speed manual |
182 hp 177 lb-ft |
Rear-wheel drive |
11.1 seconds 134 MPH |
There has to be some sort of Mercedes-Benz on the icon list, so why not the W123? The 280E was equipped with an inline six-cylinder engine, but was also offered with an equally iconic diesel engine.
While it wasn’t as fast as some Mercedes-Benz today, it was considered the pinnacle of luxury. It has that classic Mercedes-Benz look that so many enthusiasts love, which was a huge status symbol at the time of its production.
Stars, Stripes, And Speed: 10 Cars That Define American Freedom
All-American fun, freedom, and speed; these 10 American sports cars write the rules and then break them to bring us the best in on-road thrills.
7
1987 BMW 325e
Current Value: $14,100
|
Engine & Transmission |
Output |
Driveline |
Performance Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Naturally aspirated 2.7-liter 6-cylinder 5-speed manual |
121 hp 170 lb-ft |
Rear-wheel drive |
8.6 seconds 118 MPH |
Ostensibly, any BMW from the 1980s could be considered an icon. That doesn’t mean they’re all affordable, though. The BMW 325e blends icon status with affordability thanks to its iconic 3-Series look and frugal current retail value.
BMW, of course, makes iconic engines as well, and the 2.7-liter inline six-cylinder is no different. It was designed with efficiency and durability in mind. It’s also established itself as not only an icon, but also a cult following.
6
1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Current Value: $8,800
|
Engine & Transmission |
Output |
Driveline |
Performance Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Naturally aspirated 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder 5-speed manual |
116 hp 100 lb-ft |
Rear-wheel drive |
9.2 seconds 116 MPH |
Speaking of cult followings, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is unmistakably iconic. It has some of the most approachable/friendly exterior design language, especially with the headlights up. It also made lightweight sports cars cool.
The Mazda Miata has a 50/50 weight distribution and comes in at a meager 2,200 curb weight. That, coupled with the smaller 1.6-liter engine, gives you some serious fun around the roads. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it’s incredibly reasonably priced then and now.
5
1990 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
Current Value: $21,800
|
Engine & Transmission |
Output |
Driveline |
Performance Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8 5-speed manual |
210 hp 285 lb-ft |
Rear-wheel drive |
5.8 seconds 146 MPH |
Chevrolet really had a renaissance of cool, special edition sports cars in the 1990s, and the Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z was one of them. The IROC-Z, albeit still a little up there in terms of price, is a special, one-of-a-kind version that features some cool racing tech.
The IROC-Z comes with a limited-slip differential and can do the quarter mile in just 14.5 seconds. It has specialty paneling and decaling, as well as a front air dam and a rear spoiler.
10 Iconic Cars That Made The ’80s Look Cool
From an era of design innovation and trying something new, these 10 iconic 1980s cars are the definition of cool.
4
1970 Pontiac Firebird
Current Value: $11,200
|
Engine & Transmission |
Output |
Driveline |
Performance Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V-8 3-speed manual |
345 hp 430 lb-ft |
Rear-wheel drive |
5.4 seconds 118 MPH |
These are not only a hard find, but they are also a hard find from a financially feasible standpoint. The Pontiac Firebird, in general, is uber iconic as it’s considered to be one of the most iconic muscle cars, next to the Charger and the Challenger.
There were several engine variations, including big block V-8s. The Pontiac Firebird has a sleeker, more distinctive styling than some other muscle cars and was also a huge pop culture icon as it was featured in a number of movies and TV shows.
3
1970 Datsun 240Z
Current Value: $23,200
|
Engine & Transmission |
Output |
Driveline |
Performance Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Naturally aspirated 2.4-liter 6-cylinder| 4-speed manual |
151 hp 146 lb-ft |
Rear-wheel drive |
7.8 seconds 109 MPH |
The Datsun 240Z is iconic to the point that Nissan used some of the styling cues of one of the original Datsun’s to influence their current sporty entry, the Z. It has an elongated hood with a minimal interior that helps focus on the driving experience.
It was also affordable at the time, as much as it is now. It was also set to take on the traditional European sports car and made with flying colors. Although it’s five decades old at this point, the 240Z still holds up for a sports car’s design language.
2
1960 Volkswagen Beetle
Current Value: $20,600
|
Engine & Transmission |
Output |
Driveline |
Performance Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Naturally aspirated 1.2-liter 4-cylinder 4-speed manual |
36 hp 65 lb-ft |
Rear-wheel drive |
30 seconds 68 MPH |
If you look up the word icon in the dictionary, you’ll see the image of the original Volkswagen Beetle. It’s ironic that it’s in second place because it could also be heralded as the most iconic classic car just in general, not to mention that it’s reasonably priced.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that the Volkswagen Beetle is incredibly fast, however. While it has a significant cultural impact, one of the original engines really only made 36 total horsepower and got to sixty miles an hour in an incredibly lackadaisical 30 seconds. Still an icon nonetheless.
10 Iconic Cars That Made The ’90s Look Cool
These cars from the 1990s are iconic for both the engine & performance features they boast, and for how they look. They make the decade look awesome.
1
1965 Ford Mustang
Current Value: $16,000
|
Engine & Transmission |
Output |
Driveline |
Performance Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-8 4-speed manual |
164 hp 258 lb-ft |
Rear-wheel drive |
7.6 seconds 128 MPH |
Being in the number one spot, the first-generation 1965 Ford Mustang makes so much sense. Thankfully, it’s also one of the least expensive ones on this list. There are a few reasons why these are so reasonably priced right now.
They were high-production vehicles. There were huge quantities of the standard Ford Mustangs, which made them more accessible then, and now. That’s not to say that they’re undesirable, but there are more versions that are much more desired, like the 429 Boss with an astronomical value. If you want a piece of history, you don’t always have to pay an arm and a leg for it.