Can You Name All of These Retro Cars?

By: Ian Fortey
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Name All of These Retro Cars?
Image: Pixabay by Vincent Ciro

About This Quiz

There's something to be said for that whole retro-cool feeling you get when you check out something from back in the day that stirs up all those nostalgic feelings. Whether you were around in that time period yourself or just feel a strong connection to it, retro just has a cool factor to it. That's why so much in style and fashion is cyclical. We get tired of something and then a new generation brings it back because it has charm and appeal that maybe some of us forgot about or got too accustomed to.

Now when it comes to clothes or home decorating, retro has its place; but when it comes to cars you're on a whole different level. Retro cars never really stop being cool. if anything, they get cooler just by being retro, just look at the original Mustang or the Corvette. The scarcity of them is part of it, but there's also something about the old-school design aesthetic that we've not managed to reproduce in the modern era, even with retro-inspired stuff. 

Any car fan worth their motor oil has to know some of the coolest retro cars, so why not show off your stuff by taking a drive down memory lane in this quiz?

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Wiki Commons by Jeremy
"Smokey and the Bandit" made which car famous?
Buick Skylark
Plymouth Road Runner
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Dodge Charger
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Smokey and the Bandit" featured a '77 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, a car that defined the sports-styling of the late '70s and early '80s. Thanks to its appearance in several movies, especially "Smokey and The Bandit," and as a pace car in the Indy 500, it's been linked ever since with fast times and adventure.

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Chevy Corvette
Wiki Commons by GM Chevrolet
This may be the most recognizable sports car in American history. What is it?
Ford Galaxie
Mercury Cougar
Plymouth Road Runner
Chevy Corvette
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1953 Chevrolet produced the first Corvette (shown here rolling off the assembly line in Flint, Michigan, on June 30, 1953) and set a standard for years to come. The Corvette has been produced for more than 60 years and is coming up on its eighth design generation. It's arguably the most popular sports car in history.

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Chevy El Camino
Wiki Commons by Chevrolet
Which of these vehicles was famous for being not quite a pickup truck and not quite a car?
Chevy El Camino
Ford Falcon
Dodge C-Series
Studebaker E-Series Deluxe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While some people hated Chevy's El Camino, it certainly inspired a lot of retro-designs later on as well. The El Camino has been around since 1959, and even in modern times, vehicles like the Hyundai Santa Cruz bear signs of inspiration from it.

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Ford Model T
Wiki Commons by Harry Shipler
Which of these was the first mass-produced American automobile?
Bugatti Royale
Ford Model T
Studebaker Commander
Chrysler Imperial
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You don't get much more retro than Ford's Model T. Introduced in 1908, this was the car in many people's minds for years. Not "a" car but "the" car. Over 16 million of these were sold at a time when almost no other affordable competition had been conceived of.

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1969 Boss 429 Mustang
Thunder Road Pictures / 87Eleven Productions / MJW Films / DefyNite Films
John Wick drove this car at the beginning of his first movie. Do you recognize it?
Chevrolet Corvette
Boss 429 Mustang
Dodge Challenger
Chevy Camaro
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

John Wick's 1969 Boss 429 Mustang is the car that started all the trouble for him in the movie and is one of Ford's most memorable Mustang models. The retro design of these classic Mustangs has been resurrected by Ford, and there's even a Classic Recreations 429 licensed by Ford.

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Porsche 911
Wiki Commons by Alexander Migl
Which of these cars has been in production since 1963?
Porsche 911
Hudson Hornet
BMW Z8
Mercury Sable
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Few cars have reached the status of Porsche's 911, in production across six decades and barely changing its design at all in that time. The 911 has been used as a rally car, as a race car and of course just a production car for people who want to look sleek.

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Ford Thunderbird
Wiki Commons by Nminow
This car was a direct response to Chevy's Corvette. What was it?
Mercury Cougar
Pontiac Firebird
Buick Skylark
Ford Thunderbird
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford Thunderbird, better known as a T-Bird, was produced from 1954 all the way to 2005. The T-Bird evolved into a personal luxury car in 1958 when Ford added a backseat to the design, effectively creating a new market segment.

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VW Type 2
Wiki Commons by Auro69
Do you know which one of these is closely associated with hippies?
Ford Econoline
VW Type 2
Chevrolet Greenbriar
Nissan Caravan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The VW Type 2 is known more often by the unofficial name of "VW Bus." Few vehicles exemplify not just the 1960s but, in particular, the hippie movement of the 1960s and early 1970s quite as well as this vehicle.

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Chevy Camaro
Wiki Commons by Bull-Doser
Do you know which of these was designed to compete with Ford's Mustang a year after it came out?
Chevy Camaro
Ford Mustang
Buick Regal
Mercury Cougar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Since 1966, over 5 million Camaros have been sold, making it one of the most popular pony cars/muscle cars ever made. The modern Camaro got a huge profile boost when the writers upgraded Bumblebee from the "Transformers" movies from a VW Bug to a Camaro.

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DeLorean DMC-12
Wiki Commons by Kobac
Which of these traveled to the past in "Back to the Future?"
Ferrari 250
Lamborghini Diablo
DeLorean DMC-12
Koenigsegg Agera
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The DeLorean DMC was only produced for three years in the early 1980s and now stands as an icon of a weird sort of retro-future cool design. It looked like the future in 1980 and now it looks like the future as seen from the past. Less than 7,000 DeLoreans still exist.

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Dodge Charger
Wiki Commons by Greg Gjerdingen
This pony car was produced as a rival to the Ford Mustang and others like it. What is it?
Bentley R-Type
BMW Z8
Dodge Charger
Lotus Elite
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Introduced in 1966 and then redesigned for 1968, the Charger is one of the most recognizable cars of the era, thanks to its constant use in pop culture. From the movie "Bullitt" to "Deathproof" to "The Fast and the Furious" and, of course, "The Dukes of Hazzard," the Charger has been around.

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Chevelle SS
Wiki Commons by GPS 56
Which of these is one of the most iconic muscle cars of the '70s?
Chevelle SS
AMC Pacer
Toyota Corolla
Ford Fairmont
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Chevrolet Chevelle SS was Chevy's foray into the world of muscle cars alongside others like the Plymouth Barracuda, the Pontiac Firebird and the Oldsmobile 442. SS stands for SuperSport, incidentally.

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Alfa Romeo Spider
Wiki Commons by allen watkin
Do you know this roadster that was manufactured from 1966 to 1994?
Porsche 911
Bentley R-Type
Alfa Romeo Spider
Bugatti Veyron
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Maybe because it was featured in the movie "The Graduate," the first generation Alfa Romeo Spider has stood out as one of those retro cool looks that people can't forget. It still instantly screams the 1960s when you look at one.

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Lincoln Continental
Wiki Commons by Thesupermat
Which of these essentially created the "personal luxury car" segment?
Buick Regal
Pontiac Firebird
Lincoln Continental
Plymouth Road Runner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Starting back in 1939, the Lincoln Continental created the luxury car movement by emphasizing comfort and style over performance. They were even used as presidential state cars by the Secret Service from 1961 to 1977.

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Ford Bronco
Wiki Commons by oxyman
Do you know which of these was released as an off-road vehicle in 1965?
Jeep Wrangler
Hummer H2
Ford Bronco
Chevy Silverado
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ford's Bronco was an early entrant into the SUV market back before anyone really called them SUVs. Proving that everything old is new again, even though Ford discontinued the Bronco line in 1996, 2020 is going to see them resurrected.

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Chevrolet Bel-Air
Wiki Commons by Mr.choppers
When this hardtop car appeared, it was one of the first to successfully market itself as a "convertible" with a non-detachable solid roof. What was it?
Chevrolet Bel Air
Ford Fairlane
DeSoto Custom
Plymouth Fury
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Chevy Bel Air is one of those cars that just says the 1950s, and its aesthetic is inextricably linked to that era. With its high-powered V8 and distinctive '50s styling, it's a car you can't forget.

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Cadilac Coupe deVille
Wiki Commons by That Hartford Guy
Some people called these cars land yachts. What is it?
Chevy Bel-Air
Mercury Cougar
Cadilac Coupe DeVille
Plymouth Barracuda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There's a reason they call something luxurious the Cadillac of whatever field is being discussed. Cadillac is synonymous with top of the line, and the Cadillac Coupe DeVille was not just luxurious it was enormous. At over 20 feet long, you couldn't fail to notice one of these in the '70s.

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Porsche 550 Spyder
Wiki Commons by Bill Abbott
James Dean famously drove which of these cars?
Ford Falcon
Aston Martin DB3
Jaguar XK120
Porsche 550 Spyder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Porsche 550 was made from 1953 to 1956 and only 90 were manufactured, making it an incredibly rare car. Fortunately, its design has inspired numerous retro tributes over the years, including the Banham Spyder kit car and French automaker's retro P550 that was obviously a clear tribute to Porsche.

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Austin-Healey 3000
Wiki Commons by Br51zey
This was a popular racing model in the 1960s. Do you know it?
Austin-Healey 3000
Mercedes-Benz AMG
Bentley R-Type
Porsche 911
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Austin-Healey 3000 was a British roadster built from 1959 to 1967. It was a favorite at some of the biggest races in the world including Le Mans, Sebring and the Mount Panorama Circuit.

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Lotus Esprit
Wiki Commons by Jeff Greenland
Which of these cars was known for its angular "folded paper" design?
Bugatti Type 35
Packard Eight
Lotus Esprit
Rolls Royce Merlin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Lotus Esprit was very indicative of a certain blocky sort of style that became closely associated with a '70s aesthetic that remains popular today. Also, for a fun twist, there was an "aquatic" version of the car, made for the James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me"!

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Hudson Hornet
Wiki Commons by granada_turnier
Which of these classic '50s cars was a huge favorite among stock car racers?
Ford Galaxie
Hudson Hornet
Chevrolet Bel-Air
Pontiac Chieftan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Hudson Hornet had the same aesthetic as a lot of cars in the early '50s, but some key differences made it stand out. Notable was the lowered chassis, which gave the car a lower center of gravity for improved handling when racing.

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Datsun 240Z
Wiki Commons by Mic
Do you know which of these was also called the Fairlady?
Nissan Leaf
Datsun 240Z
Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Datsun 240Z was also marketed as the Nissan Fairlady in Japan; which is generally not the sort of name you'd expect for a sporty little coupe. Elsewhere, it was simply called the Nissan S30.

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Aston Martin DB5
Wiki Commons by DeFacto
Which of these cars was made famous by James Bond?
Porsche 330
Aston Martin DB5
Mercez-Benz 460
Fiat 500
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The classic sophistication of the Aston Martin DB5 is what made it such a cool car for James Bond to drive in the movie "Goldfinger." He also drove one in "GoldenEye" and "Tomorrow Never Dies." "Casino Royale" also included a DB5. The DB5 shown here appeared in "Skyfall."

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Ford Pinto
Wiki Commons by Oxyman
Do you remember which of these cars was involved in numerous lawsuits?
AMC Gremlin
Chevy Vega
Ford Pinto
AMC Pacer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ford Pinto is arguably the most memorable of the 1970s compact cars which included the Gremlin and the Vega. Though never a beauty contest winner, it was affordable and efficient. That was until it became embroiled in some serious controversy surrounding its safety concerns that resulted in deaths after rear-end collisions.

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Lamborghini Countach
Wiki Commons by Brian Snelson
Do you know which of these featured an exotic design that started an "Italian Wedge" trend?
Lamborghini Countach
Ferrari Modena
Fiat 500
Lotus Esprit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1974, Lamborghini released the Countach which is an easily recognizable design now, but back in the day it was something sleek, bold and very new with a cab-forward design to allow for a rear-mounted engine. Many modern sports cars still follow this design standard

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Ferrari 275
Wiki Commons by Thesupermat
Which of these came out in 1964 with a massive V12 engine?
Ferrari 275
Ford Galaxie
Chevy Chevelle
Dodge Challenger
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ferrari 275 was a beastly automobile designed for racing. The vehicle has made numerous lists ranking not just top Ferraris but top cars of the '60s, and in 1967, Road and Track called it the most satisfying sports car in the world.

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Subaru Brat
Wiki Commons by Charlie
Ronald Reagan used to own one of these cars. What is it?
Subaru Brat
Nissan Figaro
Hyundai Elantra
Honda Accord
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The name BRAT is actually an acronym for "Bi-drive Recreational All-Terrain Transporter" which is a bit of a mouthful. President Ronald Reagan owned a 1978 model until 1998. It's still at his old ranch in California.

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Mini
Wiki Commons by Mark Brown
Do you know which of these cars is closely associated with British culture of the '60s?
Toyota Corolla
Citroen C3
Mini
Fiat 350
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mini, also called the Mini Cooper and the Austin Mini depending on the year it was made or whether it was a rally car or not, is one of the smallest cars ever produced. It started production in 1959 and the marque has been used by numerous manufacturers. BMW currently makes the Mini.

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Volvo P1800
Wiki Commons by Charles01
Do you know which of these cars was driven by Roger Moore in "The Saint?"
Volvo P1800
Volkswagon Karmann Ghia
Fiat 500
Citroen C50
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Volvo P1800 was a sports car produced from 1961 to 1973 back when Volvo was heavy into competing in that market. The company resurrected some of the style elements years later in the 2006 Volvo C30.

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Fiat 500
Wiki Commons by SurfAst
This car first appeared in 1957. Do you know what it is?
Citroen C3
VW Beetle
Mini Cooper
Fiat 500
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you need any evidence of how appealing the retro look of the 1957 Fiat 500 was, look no further than the 2007 Fiat 500. Sometimes called the New New Fiat 500, the company brought back the design for a 50th-anniversary edition that went with old-school styling.

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Chevy Advance-Design
Wiki Commons by Chevy1948
After WWII, this redesign was billed as being stronger and sleeker than older models. Do you know it?
GMC Jimmy
VW Type 2
Ford Bronco
Chevy Advance-Design
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chevy's Advance-Design trucks were rolled out in 1947 and the same basic design was used for panel trucks, Suburbans, canopy express and cab overs. In the early 2000s, Chevy took a page from its own book and released the retro Advance-Design-inspired Chevrolet SSR.

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Talbot-Lago T150 CSS
Wiki Commons by Bombkev
This vehicle is still prized for its teardrop design. What is it?
Talbot-Lago T150 CSS
Rolls Royce Silver Ghost
Bentley Continental
Studebaker Commander
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Talbot-Lago was a French auto manufacturer that produced some of the sleekest looking cars of the '30s and '40s. They're hugely popular today among serious car buyers, and by serious we mean one sold at auction in 2010 for $4.6 million.

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Jaguar XK120
Wiki Commons by Peter Trimming
Do you know which of these classic cars had an aluminum body on an ash wood frame?
Jaguar XK120
Bentley Continental
Ford Vedette
Morris Minor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1948, cars like the Jaguar XK120 were handbuilt from ash wood and aluminum. By 1950, Jaguar had switched to steel frames which makes these models exceptionally rare on the market and highly prized if you can still find them.

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Ferrari Testarossa
Wiki Commons by Mr.choppers
This car debuted at the '84 Paris Auto Show. Do you know it?
DeLorean DMC
Ferrari Testarossa
Lamborghin Diablo
Vector W2
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Ferrari Testarossa is emblematic of the luxury style of the '80s. Built not just for style but performance, the Testarossa came with a flat-12 engine and hit a top speed of nearly 200 miles per hour.

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Ford GT40
Wiki Commons by Adriano C.
Do you know which of these cars won at LeMans from 1966 to 1969?
Chevy Corvair
Ford GT40
Pontiac Sunfair
Porsche Spyder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ford's GT40 was built to be a Ferrari-killer and stop Ferrari's reign as the winner of the race at LeMans, which it did. How influential is the retro design? Ford currently produces the GT, shown here, modeled after its '60s racer.

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Plymouth Barracuda
Wiki Commons by AlfvanBeem
Most people know what a Hemi engine is thanks to this car. What is it?
Plymouth Barracuda
Dodge Charger
Mercury Cougar
Chevy II Nova
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The iconic Hemi 'Cuda set a standard for muscle cars that's still seen on the road today. Though the car first appeared in the '60s, it was the 1970 model that gave you the option of a 426 or 440 cu in Hemi engine that blew the competition away.

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Buick Skylark
Wiki Commons by BuickGuy2
Which of these cars was nearly twice as expensive as comparable models that came out in 1953?
Cadillac Eldorado
Buick Skylark
Oldsmobile 88
Ford Fairlane
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Buick Skylark was all about luxury with its fancy carpeting and Selectronic AM radio, which was a big deal in 1953 even if it wouldn't sell many cars today. Along with a Nailhead V8, it had the look and performance that's still impressive even today.

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BMW M1
Wiki Commons by nakhon100
This car was originally supposed to be designed by Lamborghini but it backed out of the deal. Do you know it?
BMW M1
Ferrari F40
Mercedes-Benz SLK
Aston-Martin DB4
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The BMW M1 was the first BMW in its iconic M series of cars. Though many of them were produced in later runs, the M1 is pretty rare and less than 500 were ever made. Like the Lotus Esprit, it uses that same angular design that really stood out in the late '70s.

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Mercedes-Benz 540k
Wiki Commons by Rudolf Stricker
This old-school monster had a straight-8 engine and was introduced at the Paris auto show. What is it?
Rolls Royce Silver Ghost
Bentley R-Type
Aston Martin DB2
Mercedes-Benz 540k
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mercedes-Benz 540k was produced from 1936 to 1940 and was available as a cabriolet or a coupe. It had that sleek '30s style that was clearly the inspiration for Gatsby Coachworks' retro designs in the 1980s.

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Bugatti Type 57 C
Wiki Commons by Christian Kath
Which of these cars clearly influenced the design of the Plymouth Prowler?
Ford Galaxie
Ferrari 425
Bugatti Type 57 C
Packard One-Ten
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bugatti had numerous designs for the 57 between 1934 and 1940, but the 57C racing car had a completely different frame and design that can be seen in the more modern retro-cool Plymouth Prowler. Less than 100 57Cs were ever produced.

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Pixabay by Vincent Ciro