21 people's cars from motoring history

Which cars really made their mark between 1968 and 1998?
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Graham Scott|Autocar12 October 2017

In the time period we’re looking at, mass production methods really accelerated, until mass production was the literal result.

There are now 1.2bn cars on the world’s roads. It’s easy for your eyes to skip over that number, even though it is a big one. What’s the difference really between 1bn and 1.2bn? Looks like a rounding error. But just that little add on bit is 200 million.

With so many cars and so many models to choose from, we’ve looked at this 30-year period and pulled out the ones that really made their mark. Which ones will leave their mark in the 30 years after 1998? It’s too early to say, so instead we’ll look back in comfort.

Peugeot 504 (1968)

It was a tough, practical, handsome machine, and you’ll see them all over North Africa. It’s not just because of those qualities though – they made them in Africa until quite recently.

Ford Pinto (1970)

What do you look for in a car? The lines of the Pinto might appeal, but its tendency to go up in a fireball if hit in the rear probably isn’t on your shortlist of desirable traits. It became known as ‘the barbecue that can seat four’.

Fiat 127 (1971)

Another European car for the masses, the 127 was made in Spain and South America and was also sold as a Seat in Spain and a Zastava in Yugoslavia. A few survive, which is more than can be said for Yugoslavia.

Fiat 126 (1972)

One look tells you this is not a Fiat 500. It was actually a rebodied successor and, despite the lack of visual appeal, it sold in huge numbers, about 4.7m.

Honda Civic (1972)

Yes, this is where the outrageous Civic Type R has its origins, in this basic and practical transport.

Renault 5 (1975)

Who can forget the mid-engined Turbo 2? But there were many more lower-level 5s sold, about 5.5m all in. Back in the day French companies seemed to turn out at will a long line of huge sellers that sold for a decade or several. Times change.

Volkswagen Golf (1974)

It’s still the top-selling hatchback in Europe all this time later. The successor to the Beetle just smashed it with this Giugaro design and a great package of handling, performance and, it must be said, low levels of kit.

Volkswagen Polo (1975)

VW expanded its reputation for building cars that were strong in every department from engine to chassis with this, which started out as an Audi 50.

Ford Fiesta (1976)

With the engine mounted transversely – a first for Ford – as well as with front-wheel drive, the feisty Fiesta got off to a flyer and has never looked back.

Vauxhall Astra (1979)

This practical and high-selling car was a Vauxhall here and an Open Kadett in Europe. If you can find an early GTE model snap it up.

Toyota Camry (1982)

The three-box Camry is a huge seller in much of the world – apart from Europe.

Fiat Uno (1983)

You know it’s good when it sells 9m. The Uno was one of the first with a tight wheelbase but a higher roofline for more cabin space.

Opel Corsa (1983)

You might remember this as the Vauxhall Chevette in the UK, a cheap and enduring small hatchback.

Peugeot 205 (1983)

What a looker this still is. Designed by Pininfarina, it’s no surprise that Peugeot sold more than 5.2m examples over the 15 years of production.

Ford Taurus (1986)

Ford sold over 7m of these things, and the latest edition has just been unveiled, just for the Chinese market. And yet you’re probably completely unaware of it – unlike Ford’s accountants.

Peugeot 405 (1987)

Remember this? They haven’t made this for a while, but it was a huge seller all over the world. Oh, look, actually it’s still in production all these years later, in both Egypt and Iran.

Mazda MX-5/Miata (1989)

If you wanted a fun sports car without the scary power or price, then the Mazda MX-5 showed the way, and still does.

Renault Clio (1992)

Renault must have been reasonably happy with the first model’s sales, but it was the second iteration that went postal. That second gen was made from 1998 and helped account for 5.4m sales.

Fiat Punto (1993)

You might think that, after more than 12 years of solid production, that the world must really love the Fiat Punto. Well, it did, but now it’s hopelessly outdated.

Ford Focus (1998)

It’s so common on our roads now that it’s hard to remember that, about 20 years ago, this was a bit out there in styling terms. It handled as well as it looked, and we’re still loving the Focus.

Peugeot 206 (1998)

Yet another reminder of how the French could crank out perennial sellers with apparent ease. The handsome 206 is Peugeot’s best seller ever, with around 9m sales. It’s not over either, as it’s still being made in Iran along with the Peugeot 405.

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