Beetle. Trabant. Mini Cooper. Fiat 500. 2CV. Panther?

"The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123" (mattp123) 02/26/2015 at 21:10 • Filed to: None

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Is the 1992-2011 Panther platform America's iconic car? Does it fit a list that includes those in the title? I think it does. Let me explain...

They may not have been a government backed project. They may not have been part of a social/cultural movement. They weren't even built in the heart of America.

But they're everywhere, and throughout their long life, they've remained fairly unchanged. They're a reliable underdog that is easy to forget about even though there's no escaping them. The police use them. Cabs use them. Limos use them. They are a car for the masses that can even span generations. An elderly family member had one. Some kid in your neighborhood got one as their first car. They have a cult following.

Despite being built in Canada, you can't help but think America when you see one. Long live the Panther.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 02/26/2015 at 21:13

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No that would be this:

Zohaibman72 > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 02/26/2015 at 21:18

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I completely agree with this actually, it's such an iconic car

In 10-30 years from now, when people make films about the Early 2000s, Crown Vics will be everywhere, they just defined the 2000s for everything.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/26/2015 at 21:22

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That would be part of a very different list.

ranwhenparked > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 02/26/2015 at 21:22

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I still think the Model T is the American version of those cars. 15 million built over 19 years, and at one time, half of all cars in the world were Model Ts (a percentage that was even higher in America). They were easily the most common car on the roads for 3 decades and were still commonplace in rural areas into the '50s.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 02/26/2015 at 21:24

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Yeah but your list goes like this: Jet ski, Jet ski, Jet ski, Jet ski, Yacht.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > ranwhenparked 02/26/2015 at 21:33

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Shhhh... You're not helping my argument.

But I do agree. It's just so old and the circumstances were different. Even though the T was a car for the masses, a car was still much more of a luxury back then than it is today. And there are far more choices to compete with the Panthers.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/26/2015 at 21:36

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Yeah, partly cause it also goes Europe, Europe, Europe, Europe, Europe, America. That is if you want to base the list off only one aspect...

jkm7680 > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 02/26/2015 at 21:50

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Panther, everybody knows them all over the world.

f86sabre > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 02/26/2015 at 21:51

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no

Agrajag > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 02/26/2015 at 21:52

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It's certainly iconic, but I don't think it was our car of the people. I believe the Caprice generally sold better and was certainly preferred over the Crown Vic by police. GM just realized they'd make more money selling SUV's. I guess I'd give it to the model T, but it's so old you could almost say it's not only the peoples car but the cars car.

dogisbadob > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 02/26/2015 at 22:10

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Don't forget the Cutlass Ciera and friends

And of course, the Corolla belongs on that list, too.

Delta Five Nine > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 02/26/2015 at 22:13

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Much as I like panthers and much as they personify America in many ways, the iconic car would either have to be a Corvette or a Continental if you ask me. Also pretty easy to make an argument for any 60s muscle, or the Mustang as a whole.

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 02/26/2015 at 22:21

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If I'd have to name the iconic car of America, I'd give the medal to the mid 1960's Chevy Impala. Just over 1 million sold in ONE year. Think about that for second. Ford gets a hard on because they sell a few hundred thousand F-150's per year. Whoop dee doo. Damn near everyone drove an Impala, and they looked great, and could be had as a straight up family sedan, street demon, station wagon or personal coupe.