Top 10 Underappreciated All-American Cars And Trucks

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1986 Ford Taurus

By the mid-1980s American buyers were fleeing traditional American family cars in favor of vehicles like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. But Ford’s 1986 Taurus changed all that.

Obviously designed with aerodynamics as the foremost consideration, the first Taurus was undeniably different. But, beyond that, its neat size and elegant packaging meant buyers instantly perceived this sedan as a better, more modern car. There wasn’t a single frivolous styling flourish on the Taurus; this was a rational, attractive car that seemed to promise years of reliable motoring.

Mechanically, the first Taurus wasn’t actually all that radical—it was simply a front-drive unibody vehicle with either a four- or six-cylinder engine mounted transversely between the front wheels. The suspension consisted of simple MacPherson struts at each corner in the sedan with the wagon using control arms in the back to maintain a lower load floor. But it was straightforward engineering that made the Taurus an honest value.

Americans bought the original Taurus in droves and it soon established itself as the best-selling car in the country, with over 400,000 units a year finding their way into buyers’ hands. And it re-established Ford as a maker of mainstream, family-friendly transportation.

CLICK FOR MORE: Top 10 Underappreciated American Cars
1986 Ford Taurus	1955 Chrysler 300	1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI	1949 Oldsmobile "Rocket" 88	1973 Dodge D-100 Club Cab
1981 Dodge Aries	1984 Jeep Cherokee	1977 Chevrolet Caprice	1982 Honda Accord	1960 Ford Falcon

9. RE: Top 10 Underappreciated All-American Cars And Trucks
No, the beloved Falcon was not the first compact,nor was the Lark. They were preceded by Henry J in 51 and the Hudson Jet in the mid 50's.

8. RE: Top 10 Underappreciated All-American Cars And Trucks
Website: www.65cruiser.com
The writer seems to forget about the 1959 Studebaker Lark. That was the 1st American built compact, the Falcon and Chevy II came after the Studebaker.

7. RE: Top 10 Underappreciated All-American Cars And Trucks
I'm aghast that this mag would place the '49 Olds ahead of the '51 / '52 Hudson Hornet. Don't tell me the Hornet's gone . . so is Olds . . . when I cruised around in my '52, looking for trouble, the rocket v8 was my favorite target. They were famous for two things - shredding the rear tires from a stop sign, but not going anywhere ; and flipping over around turns. For shame.

6. RE: Top 10 Underappreciated All-American Cars And Trucks
Just what is all american about the Rabbit GTI, In my country they still make it.As the original just few changes.

5. RE: Top 10 Underappreciated All-American Cars And Trucks
Ask anybody who knows about cars, six of the ten you list were poorly engineered, shoddily built pieces of junk. The caprice, Accord, GTI, and Olds were good cars.

4. RE: Top 10 Underappreciated All-American Cars And Trucks
Fuel mileage of cars is a funny thing. The 1960 Falcon is a great example. Did that car get 30mpg? Sure but what was the power output, what were the emission outputs? Modern engines produce more power and produce far less emissions that old ones. Todays engine is simply more efficient, its the addiction to power that keeps the mileage of todays cars at bay. If todays engines produced the same power as yesterday's engines while holding to todays efficiency standards, fuel mileage would be a lot better and driving would be a lot less fun. Think of it this way, how many people want to drive a full sized sedan powered buy a small 4 banger... Not many. But the mileage would be great.

3. RE: Top 10 Underappreciated All-American Cars And Trucks
The Falcon is a very stylish car, but it is not a compact! It may be compact compared to some American cars, but here in Australia it was sold as a full size car and sold poorly because the suspension kept breaking on rough roads. The styling is absolutely classic and it was quite fast in its day, but it's huge for a compact.

2. RE: Top 10 Underappreciated All-American Cars And Trucks
I nearly fell off my chair when, in the 1960 Falcon video they say it was capable of up to 30miles per gallon. My what strides they've made in 48years!

1. RE: Top 10 Underappreciated All-American Cars And Trucks
Just because a car is assembled in the US, that doesn't make it an "All-American" car. It's still an Import with the finally assembled performed in the US.

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