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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In 1977 I paid $75 for a 1966 VW bug. It had a rusty gas tank so I fashioned my own oversized fuel filter, which needed a new paper towel every hundred miles. Drove it 25k miles during 4 years of college…. and sold it for $75! Replaced it with a VW Diesel Rabbit which I kept until my life became and unending series of Minivans!
My first car was 1964 Ford Falcon. Baby Blue. V6 on the column. My favorite car was a Ford LTD, 1978. Great car.
1968 Ford Mustang, (fasback, red)
My first car was a 1970 Duster with a 340 and 4-speed trans. I was forced to sell it due to money problems. I miss that car to this day.
My first car was a 1984 AMC Pacer
In 1947 I was driving a DeSoto.
Started driving in 1966. The first car I actually owned was a 1972 Mercury Comet. It had
two doors, six cylinders, a bench seat, and a lousy fuel pump.
I bought my first car in 1954 from its original owner; it was a 1938 Chevrolet sedan and cost $75. There was a period in the “40’s” during WWII when the auto stopped producing cars while converting to military vehicles wheeled and tracked. Gasoline was rationed and rubber was not available. My first new car was a 1961 VW, it cost me $4000 when the US Army sent me to Germany in the Cold War period. I had to carry a Government requisition receipt in the event the Army needed it to evacuate family members to Atlantic ship crossing bports.
The first car I bought was a 1960, Chevrolet , Impala, 2 door convertible in 1965. A classic in any day and age. Unfortunately, I sold it in 1968 and have regretted it ever since. I now drive a 2004 Subaru Outback wagon and a 2018 Subaru Legacy sedan. Oh how I wish I had the 1960 Impala to drive in the Spring and Fall.
I started driving in 1958–in my parents’ Ford station wagon. After I was married in 1966, my husband and I lived in Japan for a year, so no car (public transportation only!). When we moved back to the US and lived in Maine, we had a VW bus/van. After our first child (of two) was born in (Connecticut), we had matching black and red cars: a VW Beetle and a small VW “station wagon.” Today, at age 80, I drive a silver/grey 2021 Toyota RAV-4, the third RAV-4 I’ve owned in the past 18 years.
My first new car was a basic 1983 Plymouth Colt with no radio, a/c or any other options. My second was a 1993 Dodge Colt. Those were all I could afford at the time. In 2005, I bought a silver Honda Odyssey. There were so many on the road. A few times I couldn’t find it in parking lots and even tried to unlock a few thinking it was mine. There were so many. I put a yellow rubber duck on the antenna to help me find it.
I started driving my dad’s 1953 dark green Ford convertible when I first got my license. As I recall, it had no power anything–brakes, steering, etc. To make a turn, you rolled down the window manually and gave hand signals. But the first car I owned was a Chevy Impala super sport 1964. Gorgeous! I think I paid around $2500, brand new. Too bad I didn’t keep it; it’s a real classic today.
First drove in 1970. First car was a 63 Pontiac Bonneville. Use to keep a VW Beetle in the trunk as a spare,(just kidding but heavens knows, the trunk was certainly big enough.)
I received my license in 1969 the first car was a 1964 Mustang convertible sky blue that was my husband for five years lol I love that car I brought it up my older sister who also loved it.????????????
My first car was a beautiful 1957 Studebaker Silver Hawk with a 6 cylinder 185 cid engine. Had a front grill which would still be stylish today. Great car which brought kudos every time I drove it.
Studebaker merged with Packard Motors in the mid 1950s and produced the silver and golden Hawk from 1956 to 1964.
My first car was a 57 Williys Jeep – my second was a van – third a Volvo P-1800S – fourth was a Opel Mantra a Jeep with a plow, a International PickUp, and a GTO (all at the same time) – fifth was a custom made Checker Marathon (still had the PickUp) – sixth was a Volvo 760 4 door sedan and aChevy PickUp – then I started leasing Camrys (plus I owned 3 Volvo P-1800s, a Rambler station wagon and the Chevy Pickup). Around my 2nd Camry I got rid of the Volvos, Ramber and Pickup and had a Dogde Corronet 440, a Super Beetle and a Jeep Wranger Sport. Around my 4th Camry I got rid of the Dodge and the Beetle and got a Hyundai Accent. Right now I have a the Hyundai, a Honda Accord, a Ford Ranger, a Fox body Mustang, a 70′ MGB, a 69′ Triumph Spitfire, and a 78′ Fiat 124 Spider. I guess they didn’t know what my first car was and only knew that I had a Camry for a bunch of years.
I started driving in 1963. Had a red hot Ford Falcon with black interior and bucket seats. Hot! Then went on to a 1968 beige Ford Mustang. LOVED that car.
Dated one guy with a yellow Corvette and one with a green Austen Healy Sprite.
Since then, I’ve matured. Had a Camry for 10 years, a Mazda RX-7 for 8, and for the past two decades, two New VW Beetles. My powder blue 2010 New Beetle is purring along beautifully and still getting tons of fond glances. 🙂
My first car was a 1928 Model A Ford Tudor sedan It was 50 years old when I made the purchase in 1978 when I was 17. I regret I sold it 20 years later to do a home remodel.
My first was a 1957 Plymouth Savoy, tail fins and all!
My first car was a 1965 chevy Belaire green with flat head 6 standard. One of the best cars I owned
You mean OHV inline 6!