Whether is was fresh off the lot or, more likely, a hand-me-down on its last legs, we all remember our first car. But were we so focused on the freedom of the open road that we failed to notice what other people were driving? What the “it” car of the time was?
Automobiles have always been a sign of their times, so even if we weren’t behind the wheel of any of these bestselling cars, their popularity says a lot about what the roadways were like when we first started to drive.
Let’s see what the bestselling car in America was the year you started driving with a trip down memory lane.
Note: The following does not include SUVs or pickup trucks, for that would be a decidedly shorter list: the Ford F-series truck has been the bestselling vehicle in the U.S. the past 40 years.
1978-1981, 1983: Oldsmobile Cutlass
General Motors scored a major win in 1978 when it released the fifth generation Cutlass Supreme. This compact model featured a smaller body than previous iterations, which proved to be a hit with consumers. The Cutlass would remain America’s bestselling car into the 1980s. In 1983, the premium Cutlass Supreme model took the top spot.
1982, 1987-88: Ford Escort
The Ford Escort briefly interrupted the Oldsmobile Cutlass’ reign atop the sales chart in 1982. First released the year prior, the Escort experienced a quick rise to the top thanks to a fuel-efficient engine, a variety of trim packages and a reasonable price. Its success had to be a welcome surprise for Ford – and a sigh of relief – as the car was replacing the universally panned Pinto in the automaker’s lineup. The Escort regained the sales crown later in the decade thanks to updated styling and a more powerful engine.
1984-85: Chevrolet Cavalier
The Chevrolet Cavalier appealed to so many people thanks to its versatility. The car was available in five body types: coupe, sedan, hatchback, wagon and convertible, making it practical for lone drivers and families alike. Add in an efficient engine and fair sticker price, and the Cavalier became the car of choice in the mid-1980s.
1986: Chevrolet Celebrity
In somewhat of a surprise, the Cavalier was usurped from its throne in 1986 by its sister model. The Celebrity also came in various body styles, most of which offered ample cabin space for a mid-sized vehicle.
1989-1991, 2001: Honda Accord
The Honda Accord’s ascent to the top of the sales chart at the close of the 1980s was largely symbolic of the decade’s automotive market, which saw Japanese imports carve out a significant stake. Honda’s breakthrough vehicle was popular for good reason. The Accord came with a list of available features other competitors couldn’t rival, including air conditioning, power windows and locks, alloy wheels and a sunroof.
In 1990, Honda introduced its fourth-generation Accord, turning the compact car into a mid-sized sedan. The revamp proved wise as roughly 50,000 more units were sold than in the year prior. The Accord remained incredibly popular throughout the 1990s. It further proved its staying power by regaining its status as the bestselling car of 2001.
1992-96: Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus began an impressive five-year stretch as the most popular car in America in 1992. The right combination of comfort, safety and value provided mass appeal to the American public. Helping boost sales was a wagon model suitable for families. The car remained a bestseller even in 1996, when a highly criticized styling redesign was unveiled to the market.
1997-2020: Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry bumped the Ford Taurus to second place in 1997, the year that marked the beginning of the end for any competitors with eyes on the pinnacle spot. With one exception (when the Accord topped the charts in 2001), the Camry has been the bestselling car in America every year since. Much like other models in Toyota’s lineup, the Camry performs above average in just about every category, including performance, safety and, most notably, reliability.
The car’s popularity continued to grow through the late ’90s and 2000s, peaking in 2007. While sales have decreased in recent years as SUVs and crossovers have taken over, the Camry still beats out all other competitors in its market.
Did you drive any of the cars on this list? Were they worthy of being the most popular in the country? Let us know in the comments below!
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1969 impala convertible…great times!!!!
My 1st car was my big sister’s Chevy II Nova Custom 2-door, light greenish tan (faded) with a light top (the custom part) radio, rubber floor mats, shift on the tree steering by “arm strong”. Think of the TV insurance ad where the teenage boy inherits his sisters car. I drove the car from from ’73 to ’80 and traded it in on a ’75 AMC Pacer (another story).
Started driving in 1960, one of the best cars I had was a 1964 Ford Fairlane 2 door hardtop 289 Hi pro engine 4 on the floor with a bench seat. Real nice set of wheels.
Happy to see the Baby Boomer generation represented!
I purchased my first car right after graduating from college. It was a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T. Talk about being spoiled for life. Of course gas was cheap then so I didn’t mind driving everywhere!
As far as a performance/muscle car, it was right up there with the best of them!
The first car I drove was my parents’ 1960 Studebaker Lark V8, three on the tree. When I was fifteen in 1967, I’d secretly steal it at night when the folks were away and drive around town. Never got caught. The first car I bought with my own money was a two-stroke 1960 Saab 93F in 1971. It had 110,000 miles on it and I drove it 10,000 more before selling it on — a decision I still regret.
Forget when we started driving, the 1st car I ever owned was in 1965 and it was a Silver 1959 Ford Thunderbird rag top. Cost all of $500.
I got my first car in 1972. It was an American Motors Ambassador. It was one of the best cars I ever had
Best car I bought was a Mitchubishi Lancer in 2001.It wa a 2002.Never had small problems with it ’til about 2-3 years ago.Always passed inspection.
My brother and I got our licenses in August of 1969, just before I returned to my Jr year in college. We took the test in Daddy’s Volkswagen station wagon. In 1972 my then-husband and I purchased a brand new yellow VW beetle with a loan from his father. He sold it to me afterwe divorced.
First car I drove was a 1950 Mercury. It was green heavy car but what power. When I graduated from college in 1960, I bought 1960 Austin Healey Sprite. It was red, I loved that car would like to drive one again. Still driving at 84and love to do so.
My first car was a ’65 Ford station wagon my aunt gave me because the engine was seized. My best friend had a ’69 Camaro with four on the floor and side pipes. He was hesitant when my mother wanted to take it for a spin. But of course she cut her teeth on “standard” transmissions. You should have seen his face when she took off down the street like Mario Andretti!
My first one in 1967 was a 1962 Austin Healy 2000 MKII.. gave it up when I went to VN cause my feance’s parents wouldn’t let her drive I.
First car was a 1965 Chevy Impala SS with 205,000 miles on the 283 engine. Ran that car up to 280,000 miles before I hit a curb and broke the frame. That was the end of that. Kept the oil changed and never had a problem with it. Great car – wish I had it back.
I got my license in 1959. My parents owned a1954 Ford stick shift 4 door sedan. The first car I owned was a Studebaker Lark. My first NEW car was a 66 Plymouth Valiant 2 door slant 6. My wife to be owned a 66 Pontiac Le Mans OHC 6! I would love to have the Le Mans now!!
My first car was a brand new 1973 Plymouth Satellite Sebring – $3000. I drove it 100 miles a day round-trip to my first job. I don’t recall it ever giving me any grief.
Some of us are old geezers!
I guess us seniors don’t count! In 1963 I got a red 1963 Chrysler 300 convertible with a white top and red leather interior and 360 HP! Also had push button transmission!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I must be the oldest guy reading. I got my drivers license in 1950 when I turned 16. I had to be satisfied driving my Dad’s Dodge Meadowbrook until I got my pharmacy degree in 1956 and bought a new 1956 Chevy 210 with automatic transmission and a V8 motor. Couple of years later I got picked up on the Meritt Parkway. The cop said I was doing 85, but I think it was over 90. I was late for work. At that time speeders in CT. were facing 30 to 60 day license suspensions. Had to hire a lawyer to plead my case to a lesser charge with just a fine. The real fine came when I got his bill. That’s where the big bucks went, but I did not get a license suspension and was able to continue driving to work at a more moderate speed, and get my wife from Bridgeport to Yale New Haven in the middle of the night to deliver our first son.
The best looking car in 1958 was the Chevy Impala Convertible. Got one in 1963. It had the 348 cc (Dump Truck Engine) 4 bbl carb and Turbo Fire Transmission.
I started driving in 1951, our family’s ’49 Merc. Wonderful car!
The first car I bought was a 1960 Hillman convertible. Perfect for my needs, and top down was magical. I sold it when I moved from Boston to Manhattan, where a car would be a parking liability and would be destroyed by the city’s streets.
My first car was a 1967 Pontiac Le Mans. Red with a black top. That car was so great.
My first car was a 1967 Impala coupe. I could pass anything but the gas pumps!