Can You Identify More Than 11 of These Classic Cars?

By: Jonnathan Chadwick
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Identify More Than 11 of These Classic Cars?
Image: Dennis Gerbeckx / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

There's nothing like a classic car to help us appreciate the combination of art and science. Sleek angles and soft lines can make a car look beautiful, but they can also make a car faster, lighter, safer and more efficient. In the earliest days of car manufacturing, experimentation was a top priority. Auto pioneers like Karl Benz, Henry Royce and Ettore Bugatti all built cars to improve on existing cars, and because mass production wasn't the goal, these guys created some of the rarest cars on the planet.

In attempting to make engines quieter, bodies lighter, speeds faster and outputs more efficient, the earliest car designers created one-of-a-kind designs and styles. Today's popular cars are popular because they are best suited for assembly production. Yesterday's most popular cars were popular because they were cutting edge. They were unique. They were experimental. And they became the cars that defined the automotive industry. 

How well do you know classic cars? Some of them were produced in mass. Some of them were never officially produced. Some of them are electric. Some of them guzzle more gas than a modern SUV. All of them are classics, and many of them are worth a fortune. Take this quiz and see if you can name more than 11 of these classic cars.

DeLorean DMC
Lee Haywood via WikiCommons
What's this car that's so slow it can travel back in time?
Porsche 911
Dodge Viper
DeLorean DMC
Pontiac Firebird
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The DeLorean is an iconic car known for being featured in the "Back to the Future" trilogy, but in real life, production of the car ceased before the movie came out. The car looked cool, but it was too expensive and far too slow for a sports car, barely able to break 100 mph. Today, it's a classic.

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Datsun 240Z
Riley via WikiCommons
Do you know this Japanese sports car that became an affordable alternative to the Jaguar E-Type?
Toyota Camry
Nissan Skyline
Datsun 240Z
Toyota 2000GT
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Datsun 240Z features a beautiful design and unparalleled performance for a sports car of its price. Its elongated hood is similar in style to the Jaguar E-Type, but it cost a fraction of the price. Today, Nissan is on its sixth generation of models from its Z-line.

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Volkswagen Beetle
Dietmar Rabich via WikiCommons
Do you know this recognizable car?
Chevy Camaro
Ford Mustang
Ford Thunderbird
Volkswagen Beetle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The VW Beetle is commonly known as a bug or buggy and is one of the best-selling cars in the world. It was designed specifically for mass, mass, mass production and can be found all over the world. It wasn't designed for A1 performance or comfort but is a beloved car nonetheless.

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Corvette Stingray
Alf van Beem via WikiCommons
What's the name of this iconic sports cars with a split rear window?
Ford Thunderbird
Dodge Viper
Porsche 356
Corvette Stingray
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The second generation of Corvette (aka C2) was a game-changer for Chevy. It debuted in 1963 and featured the iconic flip-up Corvette headlights, as well as a split rear window and improved performance specifications.

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Ford Thunderbird
Nminow via WikiCommons
This car named after a supernatural Native American creature is one of the world's most recognizable. Do you know it?
Pagani Huayra
Lotus Elise
Ford Thunderbird
Pontiac Thunderbird
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford Thunderbird is the quintessential classic car. It debuted in 1955, and production ran for more than two decades. It was revived in the 21st century, but production ceased after just a few years.

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Alfa Romeo Spider
Fluous via WikiCommons
What's the name of this Italian car with silk-smooth handling?
Alfa Romeo Spider
Bugatti Chiron
Lamborghini Miura
Ferrari Dino
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alfa Romeo's Spider was first built in the mid-'60s and was manufactured for close to 30 years. More than 100,000 of the cars were produced over the decades, and it was a huge hit in the U.K., rivaling Jaguar's E-Type.

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Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
Lothar Spurzem via WikiCommons
Do you know this car that introduced gull-wing doors to the world?
Toyota 2000GT
Nissan Fairlady
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
Lamborghini Miura
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mercedes gets credit as being the world's first car, and the 300 SL is one of the finest supercars of the century. More than 3,000 of these were produced between 1954 and 1963, and they are highly sought-after collectibles today. You'd be lucky to find one for less than $1 million.

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1948 Ford F1
Sicnag via WikiCommons
Can you name this classic that is today's best-selling pickup truck in America?
1949 Willys CJ2A
1970 Ford Bronco
1948 Ford F1
1968 Chevy C-10
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford F-Series is one of the best-selling lines of vehicles in the world. It's been the best selling pickup truck in America for more than four decades, and the first generations of these trucks hit the streets in the late 1940s.

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Ferrari Dino
Rahil Rupawala via WikiCommons
Do you know this cutting-edge car with a prehistoric name?
Ferrari Dino
Triumph Spitfire
Austin-Healey 3000
Ford Capri
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ferrari Dino was only produced for a handful of years, but it was the first time Ferrari manufactured a car in really high numbers. The Dino's soft lines and stylish curves set it apart from the harsh angles and sharp lines seen on most Ferraris.

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Ford Model T
Sicnag via WikiCommons
Can you name this car considered the first mass-produced American car?
Chevy Camaro
Dodge Charger
Cord L-29
Ford Model T
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford Model T wasn't the first car in the world or even the first gas automobile in America, but it was the first to become widely successful across the country. Millions of Ford Model Ts hit the road within the first decade of the 20th century.

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Aston Martin DB5
More Cars via WikiCommons
Can you name this car that's also known as the "James Bond" car?
Cord L-29
Jaguar E-Type
Alfa Romeo Spider
Aston Martin DB5
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

James Bond first drove the Aston Martin DB5 in the 1964 film "Goldfinger." He has gone on to drive dozens of luxury cars, but this is the one most associated with him. The car from the movie sold for close to $5 million in 2010.

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Jaguar E-Type
François de Dijon via WikiCommons
Can you name this British classic equally known for its speed and grace?
Cord L-29
Jaguar E-Type
Datsun 240Z
Toyota 2000GT
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From 1961 to 1975, Jaguar manufactured this car model that has regularly been recognized as one of the most beautiful cars ever made. It features an elegant and elongated hood and is capable of hitting 150 mph.

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Ford Shelby Mustang
Sherwin via WikiCommons
What's the name of this American muscle car popularized in the 2000 movie "Gone in 60 Seconds"?
Alfa Romeo Spider
Triumph Spitfire
Datsun 510
Ford Shelby Mustang
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford Mustang is an iconic car, and the Shelby Mustang from 1965 to 1970 is the model that started it all. Carroll Shelby helped spruce up the original Mustang to create the GT350 and 500 models.

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Ferrari 250 GTO
Motohide Miwa via WikiCommons
What's the name of the most expensive car ever sold?
Rolls-Royce Phantom
Ferrari 250 GTO
Lamborghini Miura
Bugatti Royale
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ferrari 250 GTO is the stuff dreams are made of. Only a few dozen of these beasts were ever produced, and if you were lucky enough to have got one back in the '60s, it would've cost you about $200,000 in 2019 dollars, but today they regularly sell for $50 million. One sold in 2018 for $70 million.

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Ford GT40
Airwolfhound via WikiCommons
Can you name this American icon known as the world's best endurance racecar in the 1960s?
Ford GT40
Chevy Corvette
Dodge Charger
Chrysler 300
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most prestigious and demanding tests in endurance racing, and the Ford GT40 won the event four times in a row at the end of the '60s. Ford revamped the brand in the early 2000s when it unveiled the Ford GT.

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Triumph Spitfire
Hunttriumph1500 via WikiCommons
What's the name of this iconic sports car named after a WWII British fighter Jet?
Ford Capri
Lotus Elan
Sunbeam Tiger
Triumph Spitfire
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

British automaker Triumph enlisted the Italian designer who designed Ferraris and Maseratis to concept this iconic sports car. The Spitfire's stylish design and responsive performance made it a popular car for almost two decades.

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AC Shelby Cobra
Frédéric BISSON via WikiCommons
What's the name of this British sports car imported to the U.S. by Carroll Shelby?
Dodge Viper
Pontiac Thunderbird
AC Shelby Cobra
Ford Mustang
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Automotive designer Carroll Shelby had a dream of putting a powerful V8 engine into a speedy British sports car, and in the 1960s he did just that. The creation was the legendary AC Shelby Cobra that went on to change the automotive world.

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Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Spanish Coches via WikiCommons
Can you name this American muscle car that features a bird logo?
Chevy Camaro
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Ford Thunderbird
Dodge Viper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Pontiac Firebird debuted in 1967 to compete with other American muscle of the time. In 1969, it was upgraded to create the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, which went on to gain pop-culture fame in "Smokey and the Bandit," TV's "Knight Rider" and more.

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Austin-Healey 3000
Richmond AACA via WikiCommons
Do you know the name of this wide-mouth, bug-eyed gentleman's car?
Bugatti Type 41
Jaguar E-Type
Rolls-Royce Phantom
Austin-Healey 3000
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This classic British car flooded the roads in the 1960s and even went on to race tracks around the world. Despite its laid-back look, it's a rather successful racecar and is still raced today. The model went through a few iterations but eventually stopped production in 1967.

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Stanley Steamer
Hilarmont via WikiCommons
Can you name the most popular steam car of the early 20th century?
Cord L-29
Bugatti Type 57
Rolls-Royce 20HP
Stanley Steamer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Stanley Motor Carriage Company was one of the most successful manufacturers of steam-powered vehicles in the early 1900s. The automobiles the company manufactured were commonly known as Stanley Steamers.

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Toyota 2000GT
Morven via WikiCommons
Do you know this futuristic car considered Japan's first supercar?
Toyota Corolla
Nissan Skyline
Toyota 2000GT
Datsun 240Z
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Despite its name, this car was manufactured for a few years in the 1960s. Only a few hundred of them were manufactured, and it was Japan's entry into the European-dominated market of sleek and powerful sports cars.

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1961 Lincoln Continental
Greg Gjerdingen via WikiCommons
What's the name of this American classic that served as JFK's presidential limousine?
1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom
1959 Ford Thunderbird
1962 Cadillac Eldorado
1961 Lincoln Continental
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The official limo of the president has been made by several car manufacturers, and for most of the '60s and '70s, it was made by Lincoln. The 1961 Lincoln Continental that carried JFK and his wife the day he was assassinated was named SS-100-X.

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Tucker Torpedo
Rex Gray via WikiCommons
Do you know this 1940s American classic shaped like an underwater missile?
Rolls-Royce Phantom
Tucker Torpedo
Duesenberg Model J
Cord L-29
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Tucker '48 gets its nickname from its missile shape, and it's a highly sought-after collector's classic. The early 1900s was dominated by the big auto brands, so only about 50 of these were ever produced.

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Bugatti Royale
Palauenc05 via WikiCommons
Can you name this massive luxury car that is one of the longest and heaviest cars ever made?
Bugatti Royale
Rolls-Royce Phantom
Duesenberg Model J
Cord L-29
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Bugatti Royale is officially known as the Bugatti Type 41, and it was produced from 1927 to 1933. Only seven of them were ever built, and the model known as the Bugatti Royale Coupe Napoleon was Ettore Bugatti's personal car.

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Mercedes-Benz 540K
Rudolf Stricker via WikiCommons
One of these rare cars was famously seized by U.S. forces during WWII. Do you know what it's called?
Lamborghini Miura
Volkswagen Beetle
Mercedes-Benz 540K
Porsche 356
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mercedes-Benz 540K was the company's upgrade to the 500K. Only about 400 of them were ever produced, and just a fraction of those were imported to the U.S., where they sold for close to $220,000 in 2019 dollars.

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De Tomaso Pantera
dave_7 via WikiCommons
What's the name of this car that translates to "panther" in Italian?
De Tomaso Pantera
Alfa Romeo Spider
Lamborghini Huracan
Ferrari Testarossa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The De Tomaso Pantera has all the flair and style of luxury Italian automobiles and all the durability of a Ford V8 engine. These cars hit the U.S. streets in the early '70s, but relationships with Ford eventually ended, and production of the car ended too.

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Lamborghini Miura
Jörgens.mi / CC BY-SA 3.0 via WikiCommons
Can you name this powerful supercar that features smooth lines and eyelash headlights?
Datsun 240Z
Lamborghini Miura
Jaguar E-Type
Ferrari Dino
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With smooth lines, elegant curves and eyelash headlights, the Miura might be Lamborghini's sexiest model. Sadly, production ended in the early '70s, and it was succeeded by the Countach, which features the blocky and sharp angles most associated with Lamborghini.

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Pope-Waverly Road Wagon
Thomson200 via WikiCommons
Do you know this electric car that cost about $1,000 in the early 1900s?
Auburn Speedster
Pope-Waverly Road Wagon
Duesneberg Model J
Ford Model T
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although electric cars seem to be a 21st-century invention, the first ones began hitting American roads in the 19th century. The Pope-Waverly was one of the most popular models and cost about $1,000 at the time. That price didn't include the 30-50 batteries needed to power the car.

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SS Jaguar 100
Jaguar MENA via WikiCommons
Do you recognize this British two-seater known for hitting 100 mph?
SS Jaguar 100
Cord L-29
SSC Ultimate Aero
Duesenberg Model J
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The SS Jaguar 100 debuted in the 1930s and was considered one of the most stylish sports cars of the times. Only a few hundred were ever produced, and the car hit a top speed of 101 mph in 1937. An authentic SS100 can fetch north of a million dollars today.

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Oldsmobile F-88
Gatewaycanyons via YouTube
Only a couple of these cars were ever manufactured in the 1950s. Do you know it?
Oldsmobile F-88
Volvo P1800
Ford Thunderbird
Pontiac Firebird
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This dream car was a concept from Oldsmobile from the 1950s that was supposed to be destroyed. It 's believed as many as three of them were manufactured, but it's believed only one of them still exists.

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Auburn Boattail Speedster 851
Lothar Spurzem via WikiCommons
Can you name this 20th-century classic with a narrowing rear?
Auburn Boattail Speedster 851
Cord L-29
Duesenberg Model J
Crane-Simplex
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cord and Duesenberg automobiles were some of the nicest cars of the early 20th century, and the Auburn Boattail Speedster utilized designers and engineers from both brands. If that wasn't enough, the Speedster sold for the equivalent of $40,000 in 2019 dollars. Cord and Duesenberg cars could reach a quarter of a million dollars, so this Speedster was the steal of a lifetime.

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Crane-Simplex
Internet Archive Book Images via WikiCommons
What's the name of this luxury car known for being driven by Rockefellers and Vanderbilts?
Bugatti Type 57
Cord L-29
Crane-Simplex
Duesenberg Model J
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The first Simplex car was built in 1904, but it wasn't until a few years later that Crane-Simplex cars hit the streets. Only about 120 were ever built, and they were some of the most expensive cars of the time, reserved only the wealthiest Americans.

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Duesenberg Model J
AlfvanBeem via WikiCommons
Do you know the name of this uber-luxurious car considered America's most powerful pre-WWII car?
Duesenberg Model J
Cord L-29
Bugatti Royale
Rolls-Royce 15HP
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Duesenberg Model J debuted in 1928 and was designed for the wealthiest Americans. Less than 500 of these were created in the 1930s. At $15,000 in 1930, one of these would cost the equivalent of more than $200,000 in 2019. It was built with top-of-the-line everything.

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Rolls-Royce 10HP
Terry Whalebone via WikiCommons
When Charles Rolls and Henry Royce agreed to collaborate, this is the first car they produced. What is it?
Rolls-Royce Ghost
Rolls-Royce 10HP
Rolls-Royce Phantom
Rolls-Royce 20HP
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This car started it all. Henry Royce wanted to improve on other cars of the day and came up with the Rolls-Royce 10. One main feature of the car was that it was a lot quieter than others. The silent power of Rolls-Royce continues to define the brand today.

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Cadillac V-16
Bill Griffith, John Burns, Bharat Parmar, John Ceulemans via WikiCommons
There are only a handful of cars that have been built with a V16 engine. Can you name this one?
Duesenberg Model J
Rolls-Royce 15HP
Cadillac V-16
Cord L-29
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cadillac is known for its classic cars, and it's difficult to pick just one to highlight. One of the brand's rarest models is the V-16 (aka Cadillac Sixteen), which is one of just a few cars to be built with a V16 engine.

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Porsche 356
Alexander Migl via WikiCommons
What's the name of this classic Porsche that birthed the iconic 911 model?
Porsche 356
Porsche Boxster
Porsche 930
Porsche Carrera GT
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Porsche has made a lot of exceptional cars over the years, and its most iconic model might be the 911. The Porsche 356 was introduced in 1948, and it's the car that inspired the 911. Although Porsche was founded 17 years earlier, the 356 was the first Porsche sold to the public.

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Talbot Lago T150
Edvvc via WikiCommons
The "teardrop" design of this luxury car has been turning heads for almost a century. What is it?
Talbot Lago T150
Cord L-29
Auburn Speedster
Duesenberg Model J
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Talbot Lago debuted in the 1930s, and its futuristic design still drops jaws today. In addition to its stylish design, it's a rather fast car and was known for its exceptional performance abilities.

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Morgan Plus 4
SkymasterUK via WikiCommons
Can you name this upscale American model of a popular British sports car?
Morgan 4/4
Austin-Healey 3000
Morgan Plus 4
Volvo P1800
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Morgan Motor Company began designing automobiles in Britain in the early 1900s. The Morgan Plus 4 is an upscale version of the Morgan 4/4, and it was designed for upper-class Americans. It evolved into the Morgan Plus 8 and was revived in 2005.

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Studebaker Dictator
flyz1 via WikiCommons
Can you name this popular car with a political name?
Bugatti Senator
Cadillac Congressional
Studebaker Dictator
Rolls-Royce Presidential
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Studebaker brothers are well-known American automobile pioneers that manufactured everything from bicycles and wagons to buses and limousines. By the mid-1920s, the entry-level Studebaker Dictator hit the streets. The Dictator name was dropped in 1937.

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Cord L-29
i_am_jim via WikiCommons
Do you know this American luxury car that was one of the first to feature front-wheel drive?
Bugatti Type 57
Cord L-29
Rolls-Royce 30HP
Duesenberg Model J
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Cord L-29 is one of America's most luxurious luxury car, but the car's success was hindered due to the fact it was introduced in 1929 when the stock market crashed. The Indiana-based manufacturer fully ceased operations by 1937.

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